4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A guidebook to the possibilities of the medium, Nov 26 2009
By Philodeliakarta "Nick" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Kabuki: The Alchemy (Hardcover)
I approached Kabuki: The Alchemy with an open mind, which I've decided is almost certainly the only way to approach the book. I read The Alchemy as it was released in single issue form, which may or may not have influenced my impressions of it. What I found in Kabuki: The Alchemy was an engaging, fascinating map of the endless possibilities of graphic narratives. David Mack is extremely inventive and playful in his use of word and image, frequently turning the conventional standards of comics on their head. I appreciated his artistry and experimentation, and found a ton of content that was worth revisiting. I'm not sure of Mack's "agenda" or whatever else people seemed to be complaining about. I didn't get any socioeconomic or political message getting crammed down my throat. If in fact they were complaining about the artistic liberty Mack took with his work, then I can certainly say it is not for everyone. It is unconventional, but if you're interested in new and exciting ways to tell a story, it is worth the time and attention.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Liked it, but not a good end to the Kabuki Series, Mar 12 2011
By Donald A. Prentiss - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Kabuki: The Alchemy (Paperback)
I loved the artwork, the originality of it all. As a fan of the Kabuki Series from the beginning, I gotta say as much as I liked the story and art - I feel this was a terrible way to end the Kabuki story.
This is a deep and personal tale about the author's past and experiences and thoughts and philosophies. Though Kabuki all along has been a representation of Mack's inner being - this last book THE ALCHEMY was more all about MACK and less about the character of KABUKI - yeah I know you can say they are one in the same - but it is so heavy handed that it losses the feel and there's a disconnect from the rest of the series.
Like I said, I enjoyed it - but just thought it seemed like a limp ending and would of been better if Mack had done a different book instead of blending KABUKI and ALL of his thoughts and whatnot. It should have been called KABUKI: THE DAVID MACK STORY instead of KABUKI: THE ALCHEMY.
As a fan of his work I recommend it though!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational, Jun 13 2010
By Alex "Very Picky Music Man" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Kabuki: The Alchemy (Paperback)
For me, this book was inspirational. The way it explored metaphysics, time, and the nature of self-limitation and self liberation. The artwork is always beautiful, disturbing and hilarious, often at the same time. David Mack said that this is the book about Kabuki's new life. And that is what this book feels like, a fresh start, a new beginning, with so many possibilities and directions.
I can see how some may have trouble with this latest entry in the Kabuki series. It is not a typical comic book, easy to digest, linear, traditional. This book challenges you as a reader, a thinker, and as a human being. To live your life the way you always wanted to before you let yourself be molded into "their" ideas for you.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy thought provoking art.