Charles Burns' evocative _Black Hole_ is an exceptional, enthralling piece of work. Its visuals create an appropriately oppressive atmosphere - the stark black and white images serve to remind readers of how incredibly polarized high school social life can be. Unfortunately, the storyline leaves something to be desired...Burns' intertwined narratives bumble to an unsatisfying halt, offering little in terms of resolution.

Charles Burns is absolutely unique in the world of today's graphic artists. You can identify his work from across the street, and I am positive his is a name that will survive over time, like Alex Raymond, Will Eisner, or Charles Schultz.

He is most often compared to the great EC Horror comic artists from the fifties, closest in style to Johnny Craig or Jack Kamen. While I think that is a fair comparison, I think Burn's work most resembles the powerful, beautiful woodcuts of Lynd Ward from the late 1920's or perhaps Chester Gould's richly inked Dick Tracy (although I must say Burns is a far better draftsman than was Gould).

Simply told, this graphic novel is about the horror of adolescence and the disfiguring pain of becoming an adult. If you think it is about AIDS, that's okay, too.

Do yourself a favor and get this book. The art is incredibly black, lush and perfect. I had the odd experience of finding the beauty of this work increase as I turned the pages. I found myself staring at certain panels for long periods of time, increasingly amazed at the perfection of Burns' line.

There is truly nothing else like it in the world. I highly recommend it. --Mykal Banta

Charles Burns has done something really special and unique in the comic book world. Having taken over a decade to complete in single issue form, Burns' Black Hole is a sight to behold. Taking place in the teenage drug culture of Seattle in the early 70's, Black Hole revolves around a group of teenagers all effected in some way or another by a sexually transmitted disease called "the bug". Unlike other STD's, the effects of "the bug" can be noticeable to the ungodly hideous and deforming, or can be subtle and easily hidden, like a small mouth on your neck or a tail growing on your backside. And once you get it, that's it, there's no coming back. The AIDS metaphor is used to full effect here, but it's Burns' stark black and white artwork that is the main attraction of Black Hole, as it is both horrifying and understated at the same time. The tragic storyline and bleak conclusion won't put a smile on anyone's face, that's for sure, but this is a must read nevertheless. All in all, if Black Hole doesn't prove to you that there is more to comics than spandex, muscles, and busty babes; than nothing ever will.

I just finished reading Black Hole by Charles Burns. It took over ten years (1995 - 2005) for the 12 issues to come out but as of last October it has been collected into one book.

For those who don't know, Black Hole takes place in Seattle in the 70s, and tells the story of "The Bug" (venereal disease / mutation-causing plague / something) that is sweeping through a high school there.

This is one of the most affecting comics I've read in a while. The intertwining stories of the kids who've got The Bug, the kids who don't, and the kids who are going to get it frame the story which also dredges up all the horrible high school crap you've tried to forget. It's not just "body horror" along the lines of Junji Ito, where I feel like he's just trying to see how far he can go (although there is some of that), but a true Horror comic in the sense that both the mutated kids and what happens to them is horrifying.

If you're looking for something as depressing as Jimmy Corrigan and as disturbing as Videodrome, you've found it. This is NOT a thumbs down. I can't exactly say I "enjoyed" reading it, but it was compelling, and Burns' stark black and white art is great as always. Definitely recommended - as long as you're prepared to keep thinking about it long after you've finished reading it.

A lot of reviewers have gushed over this GN, but I just didn't see what all the fuss was about. I will say that the art is great, actually very disturbing at times. I did not grow up in the seventies, but the experiences of these teenagers were very familiar and it is obvious that Mr. Burns' teenage years are very fresh in his mind. With all that said, the story really doesn't go anywhere and there is never a satisfying, "wow" type moment. Maybe it was supposed to just be a nihilistic journey through a surreal group of high school kids who want to get high and laid. It acheived that for sure, but the effect was quickly forgotten after closing the book.