Deathnote I Black Edition by Tsugumi Ohba; Takeshi Obata (Very Good, 2021, Pbk, 385 pgs, VIZ Media)

In very good condition: cover has some wear; pages have light wear. ISBN 9781421539645

Death Note: Black Edition, Vol. 1 is a paperback collection published by VIZ Media that combines the first two volumes of the original Death Note manga into a single volume. Written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, it follows Light Yagami, a brilliant but bored high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami named Ryuk. 

Core Plot and Conflict:

The Power of Death: The notebook allows Light to kill anyone simply by writing their name while visualizing their face, prompting him to vow to rid the world of evil by eliminating criminals. 
The Vigilante "Kira": As high-profile criminals begin dying mysteriously, Light adopts the alias "Kira," sparking global panic and admiration for his vigilante justice. 
Cat-and-Mouse Game: The legendary detective L is summoned to investigate, leading to an intense psychological battle between Light’s desire for a utopia free of crime and L’s commitment to preserving law and order. 
Key Themes:

Morality and Justice: The story explores the fine line between justice and murder, questioning whether Light’s actions constitute heroism or a descent into psychopathy. 
Power and Corruption: It examines how absolute power corrupts, as Light’s initial noble intentions fade as he begins eliminating anyone who stands in his way, including innocent law enforcement. 
Identity: Light struggles to maintain his double life as a top student and the murderer "Kira," with his father, Soichiro Yagami, unknowingly leading the task force hunting him.