Appleseed, Book 1: The Promethean Challenge [Paperback]

Shirow Masamune (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2007 | Series: Appleseed (Book 1)

World War III is over, and nomad soldier Duenan Knute and her cyborg partner Briareos struggle to survive in the abandoned cities and demilitarized zones of the post-war wasteland, the "Badside." Matters appear on the upswing, however, when they are found and brought to Olympus, an urban utopia and centerpiece for the reconstruction of civilization. Duenan and Bri join the Olympus' police, a force that seems hardly necessary in such a paradise. But, like in most pretty pictures, perfection is an illusion, and Olympus' peaceful facade hides a dark secret, a violent struggle between human and cyborg that could once again plunge the world into war... and genocide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; 3rd edition (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593076916
• ISBN-13: 978-1593076917
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic series, February 15, 2012

By 

alecthinkswhat - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Appleseed, Book 1: The Promethean Challenge (Paperback)

in my opinion, the books get better and better as they go. amazing art, very well-thought-out futuristic setting, and especial attention paid to general engineering principles. of course, it's science fiction, so you have to suspend a little disbelief, but the attention to detail is splendid.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things to Come meets Manga, October 19, 2008

By 

B. B. Bridenbaugh "KingNot" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Appleseed, Book 1: The Promethean Challenge (Paperback)

I wonder if Shirow saw the classic movie "Things to Come"... And I mean the 1937 version. This movie has similar themes.


After a nuclear war a scientific elite (of cyborgs/androids in this one) begin the process of recreating the world and society. Unlike most fictions this does not include the enslavement or genocide of humanity. They welcome mankind with open arms and find a place for him in their society at great social cost and inviting the risk of danger in their gates.


The two main characters are a pair of hardened mercenaries/soldiers who are amazed at the generosity offered to them by this new utopian society and eagerly become cops to help them keep their peace. They fight terrorists who are mostly humans born inside this new civilization but have turned disillusioned with it either from boredom through luxury or paranoia at not having a direct say in the benevolent government of the androids. In short, paradise is threatened from within and these two become the enforcers because they've lived through mankind mostly killing himself and can't understand why people who live in such luxury and security they thought they'd never see again can try to destroy it and hurt innocents in the process.


It's a longer work, and less well reviewed than his other stuff. I think it was his most thoughtful work.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best mangas from back in the day, October 6, 2009

By 

Pierre Cromartie (Albuquerque,NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Appleseed, Book 1: The Promethean Challenge (Paperback)

Masamune Shirow created many exellent mangas which became very widely popular animes, and for me the Appleseed universe and Ghost in the shell universe shows
the Talent of this man.

his artistry influenced me and brought me into the world of Manga and Anime.

So if this series is new to you are your like me a Man reliving his youth this book is an exellent start into the more mature world of manga and anime..