Customer Reviews

Astro Boy: Volume 1 (Astro Boy (Tokyopop))

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I haven't picked up a comic book in quite a few years, and read the inside cover of one of the later volumes of Astro Boy, which piqued my interest.

Astro Boy Vol. 1 is the background story of how Astro Boy was created. However, when Tezuka-san put together these volumes, he mixed and matched different stories, created in different times, to best tell the story. For example, Tezuka-san created the series in 1951, but the first story in the volume was published in 1975. It also has Tezuka-san, interject some of his own personal insights into the book, so the reader better understands the story.

There are three stories about AstroBoy, who is the epitome of all that is good. The first, describes how Astro was created. The second, called Hot Dog Corps, is a strange story of how an army of robots, created from dogs, are ruled by a Princess who is ardent about keeping anyone from coming to the moon. The underlying story, is that good prevails.

The drawing, which is simple, yet interesting, is no too destracting.

I loved this Manga, and can't wait to read all of them. Like candy, they are little treats, that don't take a very long time to digest or consume.

"Astro Boy Vol. 1" is a great introduction to Tezuka Osamu's famous flying boy robot. Included is the origin story of Mighty Atom/Astro Boy, a longer tale which takes up 2/3's of the book, about cyborg dogs called the Hot Dog Corps, and a third tale about living plants. The stories are in no particular chronological order, and are selected more for feel and quality than anything else. Tezuka has included a few self-introductions featuring himself as a cartoon character.

Of good interest also are an introduction to the series, including notes on translation and selection. The translator attempted to preserve the Japanese names as much as possible, including nicknames, keeping only the Americanized Astro Boy instead of the direct translation Mighty Atom, as Astro Boy is the more familiar name.

Astro Boy is a lot like the Mickey Mouse of Japan, and his good-natured adventures are as much fun to read as the early Mickey Mouse comics. The difference comes in social issues, as Tezuka clearly uses his character to tackle ethical/political issues that interested him at the times, raising the comic up several notches.

I love old anime and manga. When asked what my favorite manga are I readily say Lone Wolf and Cub, Urusei Yatsura, and the like. Now that I have finished reading Astro Boy, Tetsuwan Atom, it must be added to the list also.

Astro Boy is a simple story of a robot boy with a heart of gold who wants to bring peace to the world. Simple, but very fun to read. Astro Boy is brought to us by Osamu Tezuka the God of Manga. In his wonderful cartoonish style Dr. Tezuka weaves a world where virtually anything can happen. In this book for instance we see a group of cyborgs with dog brains and nervous systems ruled bt a Russian Duchess who wants to keep anyone from going to the moon. Very odd, but fun to read.

Also the supportingcharacters are something else. Dr. Ochanomizu is your typicall caring but lost in the clouds scientist, and there is Mr. Mustachio a great man, with one of my favorite quotes ever. "What do you want with me, anyway? You trying to sell me something, or kill me, or do you just want my autograph?" page 103.

Also interesting is that we get manga commentary by Tezuka. Thty really adds something to the strip. Also this book does not start back with the first strip that was produced back in 1951. Instead it starts with a strip from 1975. The first real story arc is from 1961. Mr. Schodt and the Japanese publishers say that this oreder will make the series easier to understand we will see, but anyway: "Here ta meet ya!"

First of all, let me say I love Astro Boy (nee Tetsuwan Atom). The stories are fun, action packed and don't feel "dated" at all considering the material is 30+ years old. If you're looking for a good solid series, a classic manga, or something for your kids you really should give Astro Boy a try...

The Japanese seem to like American stuff. Likewise, Americans seem to like Japanese stuff. Though this cross-pollination seems a recent phenomenon, the import of "Astro Boy," "Tetsuwan Atom" in Japanese, to American television dates back to 1963. But "The Mighty Atom" already had an illustrious reputation in Japan dating back to the original manga, which first appeared in 1951. When American producers saw what arguably qualifies as the first Japanese anime they sensed a hit. "The Mighty Atom" became "Astro Boy." So began the interweaving of Japanese and American popular culture that continues to this day. Other series followed, including "Godzilla ('Gojira'), "Sanrio's "Hello Kitty", "Sailor Moon ('Bishojo Senshi Sera Mun')," "The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ('Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger')," and a multitudinous slew of others. A cute robot boy who had machine guns in his [...] paved the way.

In 2002, watching the rising tide of manga and anime in the U.S., Dark Horse Comics took on the republication of Osamu Tezuka's classic manga. The 23 volume series follows a narrative, not a chronological, thread. As explained in the introduction to Volume One, this follows the Akita Shoten anthology. This volume, following its predecessor, begins not with Astro Boy's original 1951 appearance but with a short 1975 story called "The Birth of Astro Boy." The intention was to make a coherent whole out of the voluminous stories published over the years. Here readers learn that Astro Boy was created as Dr. Tenma mourned the death of his son Tobio. Tenma wanted to bring Tobio back to life. But he soon realized that he created a robot, not a human, and threw Astro out, yelling "Get out of here, you freak!" Eventually Astro ends up in the hands of Professor Ochanomizu, who frees him from a robot circus (viewers of "A.I." will notice parallels). An ethical question underlies this short tale, namely, how should humans treat thier creations? Does a machine with feelings have rights? What is the morality of near-human robots? The introduction states quite correctly that, "The closer we get to a true age of robots, the more meaning Astro Boy therefore assumes."

A story about cyborg dogs, "The Hot Dog Corps," comprises the bulk of this book. Some evil scientists, many of whom look like Cossacks, kidnap dogs and change them into robot warriors. One lost dog, Pero, belongs to Astro Boy's teacher, Mr. Mustachio. Over time, the commander of the robot warriors, #44, begins to develop dog like behavior. Suspicions that he is in fact the lost Pero arise. The story takes Astro and #44 to a lost city on the moon where a robot giant guards a horde of diamonds. Lots of explosions ensue.

The final story, "The Plant People," involves indignant robots from "Alsoa 12" stealing earth's water supply. In the end, with the help of Astro, their last "living" inhabitant takes up residence on earth as a plant. The story has undeniable pathos.

Looking back on his work, Tezuka created new introductions to some of his stories. These reflections are included here, as they were in the Akita Shoten anthology. Tezuka even transformed himself into manga form. In the introduction to "The Plant People," the manga Tezuka makes a candid confession: "The stories of the long Astro Boy manga series are often of uneven quality, and frankly I don't care for some of them that much." This apparent condemnation shouldn't get taken too seriously. Many long practicing artists feel self-reproach towards their early work. But the series itself will tell.

Though Astro Boy may seem quaint to today's manga readers, his historical importance cannot be underestimated. Astro Boy remains a national symbol in Japan with Tezuka dubbed "The God of Manga." This collection helps bring to life the source of the current manga craze. As of now it shows no signs of ending. Arguably, it started here.

Astro Boy Vol.1 is a compelling read. It was written/drawn by Osamu Tezuka (Creator), and translated by Frederik L. Schodt (who is apparetly German!).

There are 3 stories in this book, with the first story taking up the majority of the book. The first story the "Hot Dog Corps" may shock you due to its bizarre storyline. Without giving away too much it has nothing to do with 'hot dogs' the food! Rather its about Mr Mustachio's dog who aparently is hot in some kind of way.

My only criticism is that when astro fights another robot he never goes in for the kill. Perhaps the rumours about his queerness are true, perhaps not. Frankly I dont care. But one day astro's nicenessiness will be his downfall.

you heard it first here!