Orphaned on the mean streets of Treasure Town, lost boys Black and White must mug, steal and fight to survive. Around them moves a world of corruption and loneliness, small-time crooks and neurotic police officers, and a band of sadistic yakuza who have plans for their once-fair city. Can they rise above their environment...?

Written and illustrated by Taiyo Matsumoto (Zero; Ping Pong; Blue Spring), Tekkon Kinkreet: Black & White collects together all three volumes of Matsumoto's classic manga in a long overdue English version. Originally released in Japan between 1993 and 1994, Tekkon Kinkreet is a uniquely styled manga heavily influenced by European comics, in particular the work of acclaimed French comic book artist Jean Giraud (aka Moebius). Surreal and genre defying, it not surprisingly went on to inspire an award winning anime feature adaptation.

The story follows street urchins Black and White, both of whom have skyscraper-sized chips on their shoulders, but are fiercely loyal to each other. Black is especially quick to avenge any slight against his dim-witted pal. The result? The citizens of Treasure Town are afraid of them, the police are afraid of them - even the local yakuza gangsters are afraid of them. But when the crime boss known as the ‘Rat' returns to Treasure Town, it looks like there's going to be a rumble.

When the police take White into custody ‘for his own good' Black runs amok through his beloved city, while White's already feeble grip on reality grows ever looser. Then a demonic presence tempts Black to go over to the dark side forever. What is the destiny of these two opposites? Will White and Black ever be reunited? Will light balance dark? Will good triumph over evil?

For those that have already seen, and enjoyed the anime, this collection is a must own.

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Peter Boomer