@helloCLD R'amen! The whole series is complex (and the artwork is spectacular, that's for sure... just pages and pages of such detail, worth soaking in more than just glancing at it and thumbing through to get to the next dialogue bit). If you've seen the film, then it's got a helluva lot more than the movie did (since he was making the flick while STILL working on the manga and wrapped it up 2 yrs after the movie). They're companions, but not the same (just helping your expectations along in case you're a fan. I love the flick for what it is, but admit if I had to choose, the books will keep a permanent place on my shelves. Happy reading.