Book Recommendations, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, & Manga

Buddha – The Best Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga Books

Part of our ongoing article series highlighting the best Comic Books, Graphic Novels, And Manga.


Today’s Favorite Comic, Manga, Graphic Novel:

Buddha


Writers, Artists, Illustrators For Book:

Osamu Tezuka


Description of Book / Series:

Osamu Tezuka’s vaunted storytelling genius, consummate skill at visual expression, and warm humanity blossom fully in his eight-volume epic of Siddhartha’s life and times. Tezuka evidences his profound grasp of the subject by contextualizing the Buddha’s ideas; the emphasis is on movement, action, emotion, and conflict as the prince Siddhartha runs away from home, travels across India, and questions Hindu practices such as ascetic self-mutilation and caste oppression. Rather than recommend resignation and impassivity, Tezuka’s Buddha predicates enlightenment upon recognizing the interconnectedness of life, having compassion for the suffering, and ordering one’s life sensibly. Philosophical segments are threaded into interpersonal situations with ground-breaking visual dynamism by an artist who makes sure never to lose his readers’ attention.





Buddha Volumes/Omnibuses



Buddha, Vol. 1: Kapilavastu

Buddha, Vol. 1: Kapilavastu


Buddha, Vol. 2: The Four Encounters

Buddha, Vol. 2: The Four Encounters


Buddha, Vol. 3: Devadatta

Buddha, Vol. 3: Devadatta


Buddha, Vol. 4: The Forest of Uruvela

Buddha, Vol. 4: The Forest of Uruvela


Buddha, Vol. 5: Deer Park

Buddha, Vol. 5: Deer Park


Buddha, Vol. 6: Ananda

Buddha, Vol. 6: Ananda


Buddha, Vol. 7: Prince Ajatasattu

Buddha, Vol. 7: Prince Ajatasattu


Buddha, Vol. 8: Jetavana

Buddha, Vol. 8: Jetavana


Make sure to also check out the other books in our Best Comics/Graphic Novels/Manga Series! Also our “Best Book” articles about: