This 582-page graphic novel is now available in softcover.  MW is another in the series of the novel length, adult-themed, gekiga style manga works produced by Tezuka during the late 1960s and early 1970s as he brought his masterful story-telling skills to bear on the tumult created by the changing sexual mores and politcal turmoil that shook Japan along with America and Europe during this time.  MW is considered his darkest tale -- almost "un-Tezuka-like" in it's unrelenting focus on the presence of evil in the world.  No matter what you might think of Tezuka's handling of the themes presented here, there's no debating that he's woven a gripping tale as no one but he can.  Vertical -- the New York City based publisher who has also brought us Tezuka's Ode to Kirihito and Apollo's Song from this same period -- is doing English speakers a real service by translating and printing these excellent works -- and at quite reasonable prices, especially this time around!