In Monster: Dr. Kenzo Tenma is a Japanese transfers neurosurgeon in a big German hospital. He is young and really good at what he does. The whole staff of the hospital believes he will one day take over the hospital. One day, a famous opera singer came in with a sever head injury and needed immediate surgery. Dr. Tenma was switched from a patient who was a foreigner, that was in an accident, also needing head surgery. Dr. Tenma’s patient survived, but his original patient died. The press was all over the success of the opera singer’s recovery, while the family was upset that the better doctor cared more about the life of a celebrity (which isn’t true, it was the orders of the director).

Sometime later, a political refugee, from East Germany, was murdered, as well as his wife, and his son was shot in the head. His daughter suffered from mental trauma. The boy was sent to the hospital, where Dr. Tenma was called to operate. While Dr. Kenzo was getting ready to operate, he was asked to switch patients, from the little boy to the Mayor, who has a possibly fatal blood clot. Dr. Tenma thinks it over quickly, he remembers the foreigner, and his family. He decides to disobey orders and operates on the boy. Well, the boy lives, while the Mayor dies. From there, Kenzo is given lower and lower positions. Until, fate would change its mind.

The story is deep, and the whole idea is amazing. It’s not overly dark, which makes it believable. You would never have guessed, being a doctor was so challenging to morals, and in a good way. The character allows you to travel the journey with them, almost like you are physically there. I was surprised at the level of blood, there was very little. It didn’t take away from the story, it gave more time to think about the mental details, and not the images themselves.

It’s easy to read, and one can get right into the story. Being the first volume, I it inspired me to read more. It was strong all the way through and then it closed just right, leaving you wanting more. Older teens and adults will love Monster, and they might even discover their own thought’s that will help them in the future, like how okay is it for a child to murder (with out being forced to) because it’s what someone else wanted? Well, read it for yourself and find out!

ComicsOnline gives Monster, Volume 1, 4.5 out of 5 pieces of poisoned candy.