Book

Mad Bull 34

📖 Overview

Mad Bull 34 follows rookie cop Eddie "Mad Bull" Daizaburo's experiences working in New York City's 34th precinct during the 1980s. Partnered with veteran officer John "Sleepy" Estes, Daizaburo must navigate the brutal realities of policing one of the city's most dangerous districts. The manga series combines police procedural elements with intense action sequences as the two officers confront crime syndicates, drug dealers, and violent criminals. Their unconventional methods and complex relationship form the core of the ongoing narrative. Through stark portrayals of urban crime and law enforcement, Mad Bull 34 examines themes of justice, morality, and the thin line between upholding the law and breaking it. The series takes an unflinching look at questions of right and wrong in a morally ambiguous world.

👀 Reviews

Readers report Mad Bull 34 is an over-the-top police manga that focuses on graphic violence and sexual content. Most describe it as exploitative and note it does not aim for realism or serious commentary. Liked: - Bold, unrestrained art style - Fast-paced action sequences - Partnership dynamic between main characters - Does not take itself seriously Disliked: - Excessive gore and sexual assault scenes - One-dimensional female characters - Repetitive plot points - Lack of character development Reviews across platforms: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (62 ratings) MyAnimeList: 5.9/10 (492 ratings) "Pure 80s exploitation manga that knows exactly what it is" - Goodreads reviewer "The violence reaches almost comical levels" - MAL user review "Should have focused more on actual police work instead of shock value" - MAL critic Most readers categorize it as a product of its time that appeals mainly to fans of extreme 80s action manga.

📚 Similar books

Black and Blue by Ed McBain This police procedural follows detectives investigating corruption within their own precinct while battling street crime in a gritty urban setting.

The Big Bad City by Jerome Charyn A rookie detective patrols the streets of 1980s New York while uncovering crime syndicates operating within the police force.

Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein This non-fiction account chronicles a reporter's experiences covering crime and police operations in Tokyo's criminal underworld.

Prince of the City by Robert Daley The story tracks a New York detective who exposes police corruption while struggling with loyalty to his fellow officers.

Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter A street-level view of crime follows characters through the criminal justice system and law enforcement institutions of mid-century America.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔹 Mad Bull 34 takes place in New York City's fictional 34th precinct, known as one of the most dangerous districts in America within the story's universe 🔹 Author Kazuo Koike is best known for creating "Lone Wolf and Cub," which has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and inspired multiple films and TV series 🔹 The manga series deliberately portrays an exaggerated, ultra-violent version of 1980s New York City, drawing inspiration from gritty crime films of the era 🔹 Unlike many manga writers, Koike established his own educational institution called Gekiga Sonjuku to teach aspiring manga artists and writers 🔹 The series' main character, Officer Daizaburo "Eddie" Ban, was deliberately created as a contrast to his partner John Estes, showing two extremes of law enforcement philosophy