The Summit of the Gods, Vol. 3 Paperback – February 23, 2012

Beautiful art, amazing storyline, a deep reflection on the human nature and the psychological need for achievement. I highly recommend it.

This manga is definitely not for the casual manga fan, looking for a laugh or some non-stop action. If you want to delve into something deeper, exploring human psychology, I suggest Summit of the Gods. This series follows a photographer in search of an elusive legend among mountain climbers, Habu Joji. Habu displays single-minded focus, if not obsession, with mountain climbing. Facing the most challenging summits, under the most difficult circumstances, while trying to achieve what no man has before him.After reading the first two volumes, I was enjoying the experience even more in volume three. Each one has its share of action scenes that are truly thrilling, difficult to predict what direction they're going to go. Though those moments are contained in each volume, they are not the focal point. The focus is getting down to why Habu sets out to accomplish these impossible seeming tasks. Understanding the man behind the record breaking, a study of his psyche through interviews, diaries, and the like.The art continues to be gorgeous in volume three, incredibly clean and realistic, especially when coming to the scenery. There was a page of this volume that had me wondering if it was a photo oor a drawing, such thoughts not uncommon to this manga. As for story, this volume stands out to me. It's my favorite of the first three volumes, as the reader gets to see Habu in the present, and not only through other people's memories. This allows the reader to get to know him, outside of what just stood out to a certain individual. We return to the seedy underworld of Kathmandu in this volume, where the series began, and learn more about Habu Joji, including something I myself was not expecting.This volume does not disappoint. If you've read the first two volumes, don't hesitate to pick up this one.