One of Tezuka's longest-running chapter serials, Black Jack (1973-83) was originally published in Weekly Shonen Champion from November, 1973 until September, 1978. Although usually serialized with one chapter appearing each week, there are 10 chapters from the original run that were serialized over two weeks - one of which was an actual two-parter. In addition to the regular feature, one chapter, 'U-18 Knew' appeared in a Weekly Shonen Champion special issue and is thus considered to be unnumbered.
Tezuka was extremely attuned to his fans, and with Black Jack especially, was sensitive to even the slightest complaints regarding certain conditions/diseases - especially from patients or their families. As such, in cases where he'd received negative feedback, he often felt compelled to change dialogue in, or even pull stories from, future reprints.
One of Tezuka's three medical dramas, along with Ode to Kirihito (1970-71) and A Tree in the Sun (1981-86), Black Jack (1973-83) follows the adventures of Dr. Hazama Kuroo, better known by his nickname, Black Jack - an unlicensed and shadowy doctor with inhuman surgical skill.
Types of Tezuka Manga
Ongoing Serial: a series of episodes, published over a span of weeks/months/years where the story plot is connected from chapter to chapter and must be read in chronological order for it to be understood properly.
Chapter Serial: a series of episodes, published over a span of weeks/months/years where the story plot is self-contained to a single chapter. There may be an overarching plot, but the stories can generally be read in any order and be understood
Book: an all-in-one self contained story published as a one-off.
Supplement: an an all-in-one self contained story published as a stand-alone supplement to a regular weekly/monthly periodical.
Short Story: an all-in-one, self contained story that was published in a regular weekly/monthly periodical
Anthology: a collection of all-in-one, self contained stories that were published in a regular weekly/monthly periodical but are generally grouped together.
