Astro Boy, Vol. 2

鉄腕アトム [Tetsuwan Atom] #2

by Osamu Tezuka, Frederik L. Schodt (Translator)

As Mickey Mouse is to American animation, so to anime and manga is Astro Boy, the quintessential creation of Osama Tezuka, one of the world's revered giants of comics and animation. Dark Horse brings the original Astro Boy manga to America for the first time in an English-language edition, translated by Frederick L. Schodt, renowned for his work on Ghost in the Shell and for his books on Japan, including Manga! Manga!. In this volume, Astro Boy comes to the aid of Gravia's robot president to prevent his overthrow at the hands of a secret anti-robot society; a robot magician is cloned as a setup to start a movement against intelligent robots, and only Astro Boy can expose the conspiracy; and Astro Boy defends a powerful robot race car from an evil gang in the globe-spanning Equator Race! Astro Boy is an all-ages delight, as fresh, exciting, and innovative today as when it was created forty years ago. Everything is Go, Astro Boy!

Genres: Manga, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics Manga, Action

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Dr. Osamu Tezuka (手塚治虫) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He is often credited as the "Father of Anime", and is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during his formative years. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga" and "the God of Manga."

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never saw or read much of Astro Boy when I was a kid. I remember being a little creeped out by him, but my brother liked him a lot. So did my husband, which is why I recently purchased this book. I thought he might enjoy a trip down Memory Lane. I claimed the Right Of First Read before handing it over, and although I could see what would appeal to the younger versions of my brother and husband, I was still a little creeped out by Astro Boy himself. I know he is a robot, with special abilities like shooting fire from his hands and feet, and turning his eyes into spotlights in the dark, but somehow it still made me think 'ick' instead of 'wow'.

The three stories here were originally published between 1960 and 1963. I got a kick out of the first panels in The Third Magician, where the author indulges in a dialogue with fellow audience members (they are waiting for the magic show to start) who are asking him why Astro Boy sometimes is drawn with five fingers and sometimes with only four, and why his hair is the way it is.

This was a fun book to read, even with my odd reaction to Astro Boy. The stories were clever, with a basic idea about robots that is still thought provoking even after all these years: Are robots 'just' robots or do they deserve respect and status? Can they be allowed to think for themselves or should they be primitive servants as in the 'old' days?

[Artur Coelho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subjacente às aventuras de Astroboy está uma corrente de luta por direitos sociais. Na série, há sempre presente uma tensão entre a sociedade humana que criou e explora os robots, e a noção do robot como ser individual, com direitos, longe da ideia de mecanismo criado para servir.
Em Sua Alteza Deadcross, Astroboy combate um perigoso vilão que quer destituir o líder eleito de um país, o primeiro robot eleito para cargos políticos. No O Terceiro Mágico, um robot exímio nas artes da ilusão é raptado e clonado para executar assaltos impossíveis, o que leva o governo a querer eliminar os direitos dos robots. Planeta Branco , onde um jovem corredor descobre o segredo do carro robótico com que tem ganho corridas, encerra este segundo volume do clássico de Osamu Tezuka.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuando leí el primer tomo de AstroBoy, lo hice con cierta condescendencia. Lo disfruté, pero tuve que pasar por alto varios detalles que me parecían muy tontos o muy desfasados en el tiempo, como si a la obra le pesaran sus décadas a cuesta. Con este tomo no me pasó nada de eso, más bien al contrario. La temática, detalles de la estética, la idea general, los chistes, muchos de esos elementos me hicieron sentir como si este comic hubiera sido escrito ayer. Eso no necesariamente es bueno, pero en este caso estamos hablando de un (supuesto) muy buen comic actual. De esos que se ríen de la historieta y sacan recursos humorísticos de su misma naturaleza. Rompen la cuarta pared a mitad de página (o literalmente rompen la página, para esconder un cuadro, por ejemplo) y después la historia sigue lo más bien sin perder un ápice de credibilidad o diversión. Y -lo mejor- en ningún momento dejan de contar una buena historia, de contarla bien, y de transmitir un buen mensaje, pero con mucha menos demagogia que sus pares estadounidenses (de los cuales Tezuka se consideraba un gran admirador. Espero que haya sido consciente de cómo les pasó el trapo a todos).
Ojalá consiga más tomos de este clásico de clásicos y pueda seguir sumergiéndome en el retrofuturo del Dios Tezuka.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can honestly say that I have no idea how the heck this book was the manga that ‘started’ the shounen manga or inspired manga artists with their successful shounen series such as Dragon Ball. This manga is just kind of out there that I have absolutely no idea how I was going to rate this.

First off, this manga was made in the 50’s so the art and the story really has an old fashion type story structure that we’ve seen in old comics before. Especially in the sci-fi and the action genre. The hero lives life normally (or sometimes discovers new powers about himself). A villain appears and causes chaos.

There’s nothing much to say about this book except for the fact that some of the scenes in this manga don’t make any sense and just pop out of nowhere. For example, in the beginning of the manga there is this young boy driving a car. Mind you that this kid is no older than 12 years old and yet he recklessly drives the car and ends up getting into an accident. There’s also the police cars that are shaped like dog heads and there are some sort of diamonds on the moon (or some sort of crystals with an abandoned city, I can’t remember).

The plot is just series of events that happen to our protagonist, Astro Boy and they are kind of boring and lame. They’re predictable and the villains are not really that interesting and can sometimes be kind of stupid. Astro Boy is the only thing about this manga I actually enjoyed. He’s nice, wants to do the right thing, stands up for his friends and is basically your typical superhero. He’s not that interesting or complex but they do give him a good backstory that makes you feel sympathy for him.

If you like the story of robots coexisting with human then this’ll be a cute manga to check out. Just keep in mind that it was made in the 50’s so the plot and the characters are kind of old fashioned and not that complex.

[Agung Wicaksono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Di volume kedua ini, ada tiga cerita yang ditampilkan. Tapi hanya dua judul yang menurut saya jalan ceritanya lebih panjang, yaitu 'His Highness Deadcross' dan 'The Third Magician'.

Pada 'His Highness Deadcross' bercerita tentang robot yang memenangkan pemilihan sebagai presiden di sebuah negara bernama Guravia. Presiden robot tersebut bernama Rag. Ia ingin membuat negaranya menjadi ramah terhadap robot dan bisa berteman dengan manusia. Sebab, sebelumnya robot dianggap sebagai budak yang pekerjaannya hanya untuk melayani manusia. Namun, niat baik tersebut dihalangi oleh sosok misterius bernama Lord Deadcross. Lord Deadcross adalah manusia yang tidak setuju jika robot memimpin sebuah negara. Jadi, ia beserta anak buahnya berencana melakukan makar terhadap Rag dengan cara apa pun. Dari kejadian itu, Rag pun meminta tolong kepada Astro.

Di 'Third Magician' kisahnya adalah tentang robot yang memiliki keahlian trik sulap dan diculik oleh penjahat yang ingin memanfaatkan keahliannya itu untuk mencuri. Robot tersebut bernama Kino dan si penjahat berhasil menduplikasi otak Kino untuk membuat robot yang sesuai keinginannya. Setelah berhasil, si robot jahat diperintahkan mencuri koleksi lukisan yang harganya tinggi di museum. Orang-orang yang awalnya mengagumi Kino sebagai pesulap hebat, langsung membencinya. Untungnya ada Astro dkk. yang mengetahui bahwa robot tersebut bukanlah Kino, sehingga mereka mengungkap kejahatan yang dilakukan si robot palsu.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stories, two of which are pretty good and one which is just an undeveloped idea which looks pretty dated without a lot more fleshing out.

The first, His Highness Dedcross is the strongest and longest, and sees Astroboy get involved in a conspiracy to destroy or subvert a president who also happens to be a robot. These are hard post-Asimove sci-fi ideas (there's a real paranoia in this world around the idea of robots and cyborgs gaining autonomy) but re-tooled in a softer way for kids, and I think the style really works as fun and engaging. ****

The second, The Third Magician, is a cute story about a magician who is a robot, and another magician-bot trying to steal his ideas and use them for an art-heist. The story is a bit daft but there are lots of good visual ideas and scene changes in this one. ****

Finally the very short "White Planet" is a car that wins a prestigious race every year but is destroyed by enemies. For some reason the boy who owns it takes it out on his sister and there's a scene of him beating her - an abuse which the story leaves unchecked. A plan involving astroboy is hatched to repair the car and win yet again.. *

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I give a creation of this vastness and notoriety any lower than a five star rating? Not only did I find the story-telling captivating, and the art harmonious and charming (of course, for Astro Boy is literally Japan's version of Mickey Mouse), but I also saw in these pages snippets of some of the comic book world's most utilised tropes, which I now know originated from these very pages, and the diligent mind of Osamu Tezuka.
I also appreciate the effort Dark Horse put into accurately and carefully curating these strips. I feel, after reading this graphic novel, that I not only have a better knowledge of the story itself, but of the history and narrative that surrounds it.

[David Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my first time reading Japanese manga I picked Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka. The Dark Horse Comics blurb calls this author the Walt Disney of Japanese comics making Astro Boy the Mickey Mouse of Japanese culture. It doesn't live up to that kind of hype, but it was an enjoyable place to start as I expand my literary breadth to authentic Japanese comics. My favorite story from this volume was "The Third Magician" (Shonen Magazine October 1961-January 1962) which I loved for its stage magic theme that played out like a whimsical cartoon version of Lionsgate's film Now you See Me. Stream the movie Astro Boy on hulu: https://www.hulu.com/movie/7915f1c5-0...

[Allan Olley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collects three stories: His Highness Deadcross, The Third Magician and White Planet that originally appeared from 1960 to 1963. The first two stories included prefaces that were added in some later reprinting of the manga that comment on some background to the piece either in its reception or origin. They are typical Astro Boy adventures, slightly weird, often simple but ultimately serviceable as entertainment with some poignant moments of loss, excitement and recognition.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really understand why Tezuka is considered such a brilliant comics pioneer after reading these. Even even the plots are at their most ridiculous, they still manage to tell dramatic and interesting stories with a great deal of social commentary. Tezukas humor is also brilliant and hilarious. He was so inventive and never took his work too seriously.

His specific art style is truly iconic and it's easy to see why Astro is such a beloved character. These collectionss are an absolute joy

[Johnathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, digest sized collection of Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy", which finds the titular character turning into a race car and helping a country of robots. Tezuka continues to deliver some great, cartoony action while also working in some sharp commentary (the troubles of the robot nation are very much a metaphor for racism and bigotry). Another great example of why this is a classic comic series.

[Etain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one felt very tintin inspired. The way the robots are clearly just as intelligent and emotional as humans but are still treated like objects is kinda fucked up I don't even know if it's on purpose like a girl gives her life to have her brother win a race and it's treated like "meh what can you do robot life has no value"

[Tina Olah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute artwork and character designs. The stories reminded me a lot of old Disney comics and felt like they were for a younger audience. The pacing and storytelling is very different from modern manga so it was a little hard for me to get used to as well.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

once again, my little boy and they smash him to bits. i don't care how overpowered he is i support him.

please don't take these reviews seriously i want to share the joy astroboy gives me but i am also very tired

[Alex Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong first story followed by a couple of more mediocre ones - still the way Tezuka directly engages with minority rights and revolutionary politics in his children's comics is very cool, especially for the era.

[Dan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This insane volume of Astro Boy has biting criticism of the American war in Vietnam, it cements the ongoing Astro Boy metaphor of robot oppression as a form of racism, and depicts Astro's teacher getting crucified by nazis. It's kids comics sure, but they really don't make em like this anymore

[rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember not much liking this art style in manga as a kid, but now that I can appreciate more of the themes I do think having a more symbolic style is suitable.

The action and expressions are mostly clear, and inside each character is much complexity.

[Didi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I feel that Vol 2 is much more interesting than Vol 1.

[Guido · Rating 3 out of 5]

Astro Boy contra Deadcross, con apariciones del gran Osamu Tezuka en persona.

[Chris Ainsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadcross and The Third Magician were okay, but White Planet is Astro Boy at its best: weird, with a hint of darkness.

[jisung ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Su alteza deadcross es por lejos el mejor de los 3 capítulos

[Michael Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Astro Boy since childhood in the 1960s. That will never change. Osamu Tezuka's creation will always be an all-time favorite with me.

[Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is just as good as the first. I appreciate the timing with which the story varies. This might be the only manga I’ve ever read and it has made me consider reading others. I will be reading the third volume.

[Marchel · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Pulau Ular Laut
Sepertinya Atom mempunyai ketertarikan kepada anak manusia perempuan bernama Rumiko...

2. Ekspedisi Ke Mars
Atom ditunjuk sebagai komandan ekspedisi ke Mars, setelah ekspedisi sebelumnya gagal karena pemberontakan anak buah terhadap komandannya.

3. Kobalt
Hore!!! Atom punya adik...

4. SOS Satelit Buatan
Seorang anak dihina karena pekerjaan orangtuanya dianggap rendah. Padahal tugas ayahnya petugas mercusuar ruang angkasa adalah mencegah terjadinya kecelakaan pesawat ruang angkasa karena tertabrak meteor misalnya...

5. Ketua ZZZ
Gas alam beracun ditemukan. Gas ini bila terhirup akan membuat orang menjadi gila. Sangat berbahaya, dan di tangan penjahat...duh ga brani membayangkannya -_-

6. Manusia Cahaya
Robot yang benar-benar transparan sehingga tidak tampak sama sekali berhasil dibuat. Sebagai robot, tentu tidak tahu bedanya mana yang jahat dan mana yang baik. Bisakah atom mengajarkannya ?

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ham-fisted story-telling and a really, really unnerving, masogynist ending made me give this volume two stars at first--and my addition of another star is still siting uneasily. But many other parts of the story are funny and imaginative, and Tezuka's charm is undeniable. The volume does approach some interesting questions--much like X-Men does--but fumbles them at the last minute. Oh well. It's not like Astro is meant to give deep lessens, I guess. The book is fun and without much overwrought drama, which makes it great for a quick read.

[Index Purga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edición argentina, tomo 2 de los 5 que llegarían a sacar.
Índice*
Su majestad Deadcross………206
El tercer mago……………………198
El planeta blanco………………25

*el tomo se lee en sentido japonés pero por algún motivo en el índice pusieron el paginado como si se contara de derecha a izquierda.

Se incluye además una publicidad de Phantom #2, una página de Aclaración a los lectores y una con Biografía del autor.

[Phillip Goodman]

much better than the first volume in this fantastic series, and that is saying quite a bit, it has a great deal of complex and ambiguous social and political commentary, such as would be uncommon in a book for adults, but downright extraordinary in a children's book. excellent writing, design, and great fun while giving you something to think about.

[Claudette Banda · Rating 5 out of 5]

pure joy, the original Osamu when he started it all.

[Jonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, classic and wonderfully told, even after all these years.