Astro Boy Volume 5

Q: Do you have a male preteen, who likes Pokemon, Yugioh, cartoons, owns at least two game systems (handhelds count) and knows what anime is? A: Yes. Stop here and buy the series. Don't ask why, or is it valuable, beneficial or even engage in the debate about the academic merits of comic books, or graphic novels. I could tell you it is a Japanese classic, on par with Superman, that it may be a collectors item in the future or it is an engaging series with complex subplots for this age group. That doesn't matter. You only need to know that if you buy it: 1. He is reading 2. He is reading 3. He is not playing a video game 4. He is reading 5. He is not arguing or fighting with a sibling 6. He is not watching TV like a mindless drone 7. He is reading 8. He will want to read other graphic novels.

"Astro Boy Volume 5" continues Dark Horses excellent collection of Tezuka Osamu's, Japan's "God of Manga," seminal series. Each volume has Tezuka's trademark blend of serious adult issues and child-friendly storytelling. Almost like "A Child's Guide to Racism, Politics, and Other Bad Things" each Astro Boy story contains a moral on political ambition, greed and prejudiceness. Volume 5 has three story arcs; "Crucifix Island" is the tale of the bitter and unfriendly Pook, a transforming robot left unfinished by his "father," a criminal named Dr. Tozawa. Tozawa bands together with some other criminals to storm Crucifix Island, a rich treasure depot of gems and uranium, using Pook as their main weapon. However, his love for his "child" leads to Tozawa's undoing. "Space Snow Leopard" is a science lesson on colony creatures, like ocean coral and sponges, as Astro Boy battles the mysterious Space Snow Leopard. "The Artificial Sun" talks of prejudice, as robot-hater and world famous detective Sherlock Holmspun teams up with Astro Boy against gangster Kim Sankaku and a stolen artificial sun. In order to defeat Sankaku, Astro Boy must overcome Holmspun's attitudes about robots, as well as his dark secret. While very cartoony in nature, and definitely aimed at a young audience, the "Astro Boy" series can be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of ages, as Tezuka's stories are universal in themes. However, if you have a child of young reading age, Astro Boy would make a great gift.