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Osamu Tezuka
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Astro Boy, Vol. 3 Paperback – May 29, 2002

by Osamu Tezuka (Author, Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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A timeless comics and animation classic, Osamu Tezuka' Astro Boy is still going strong nearly half a century after its creation, and Dark Horse brings Tekuza's original Astro Boy manga to America for the first time in an English-language edition. In the novel-length "The Greatest Robot on Earth," a wealthy sultan creates a giant robot to become the ruler of all other robots on Earth. But in order for that to happen, he must defeat the seven most powerful robots in the world, including Astro Boy, who must have his horsepower raised from 100,000 to 1,000,000 to face the challenge! And his sister, Uran, also flies in to lend a helping hand! Plus, in "Mad Machine," Professor Fuller invents a device that causes other machines to go berserk, and Astro Boy has to save the day!

This volume contains the following stories:
The Greatest Robot on Earth
Mad Machine
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Previous page
  1. Part of Series
    Astro Boy
  2. Print length
    208 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Dark Horse
  5. Publication date
    May 29, 2002
  6. Grade level
    7 - 9
  7. Dimensions
    4.5 x 0.5 x 6.5 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    1569716781
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1569716786
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For those unfamiliar with Tezuka, Japan's manga master, the first English translation of the original Astro Boy series will be a revelation, both for its inventive charm and for its surprising sophistication. In "The Greatest Robot on Earth," the novel-length first story of this third volume in the series, the eponymous hero is one of seven robots being targeted by a crazy sultan intent on declaring his own robot, Pluto, the greatest in the world. Pluto dispatches his competitors with ease, but Astro Boy is a robot of a different order. He's the size and shape of a little boy, with spirit and spunk to match, and also has searchlight eyes, jet rockets in his feet and an atomic engine for a heart. This is a pre-digital, 1950s Cold War vision of modernity. Astro Boy must open his chest when he wants to check the time, and the threat of an arms race haunts the story, but Tezuka's generous characterizations give this story a timeless relevance. These robots might disintegrate into piles of screws and bolts, but like humans, they're capable of pride, affection and even a kind of love. Operating out of a steadfast loyalty, they are undone by the greed of the humans who created them. The clean, bold lines of Tezuka's remarkably efficient artwork complement his dynamic storytelling, proving the artist equally adept at capturing nuances in expressions and the explosive action of fight sequences. Entertaining and beautifully executed, this, along with the other pocket-sized editions in the series, is destined to become a classic.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dark Horse; First Edition (May 29, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1569716781
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1569716786
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.5 x 0.5 x 6.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

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Osamu Tezuka

Osamu Tezuka

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Osamu Tezuka (1928-89) is the godfather of Japanese manga comics. He originally intended to become a doctor and earned his degree before turning to what was then a medium for children. His many early masterpieces include the series known in the U.S. as Astro Boy. With his sweeping vision, deftly interwined plots, feel for the workings of power, and indefatigable commitment to human dignity, Tezuka elevated manga to an art form. The later Tezuka, who authored Buddha, often had in mind the mature readership that manga gained in the sixties and that had only grown ever since. The Kurosawa of Japanese pop culture, Osamu Tezuka is a twentieth century classic.

Photo by Unknown, scanning and editing was done by Ogiyoshisan (Last edited Desember 27, 2013) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
70 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Arlene A. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Pre-Teen Boys (2)
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2006
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.
3 people found this helpful
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Zack Davisson
5.0 out of 5 stars Astro Boy's Greatest Battle
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2004
"Astro Boy (Volume 3)" reprints one of the most popular stories in the Astro Boy saga, that of his struggles against the mighty Pluto, a super-robot designed to duel and destroy Earth's seven most powerful robots. Astro Boy, or course, is number seven on the list.

Pluto has long been depicted as Astro Boy's Arch Enemy, and any action shots of Astro Boy are likely to be seen in battle with this mighty horned robot. One by one, Pluto tackles and destroys the greatest robots from several countries, such as Mont Blanc from France, Hercules from Greece, as well as champions from Australia, Germany and Scotland. In order to challenge Pluto, Astro Boy has his power increased to 1 million horsepower. Will it be enough?

As well as a good story, "Astro Boy (Volume 3)" is a glimpse into Tezuka Osamu's soul. Unable to make Pluto completely evil, he redeems the murderous robot with a sense of honor and responsibility, as well as a desire for the friendship of Astro Boy's sister, Uran. As with all of Tezuka's stories, there is more going on under the surface, as the struggle to build a more and more powerful robot becomes a metaphor for the nuclear arms race of the 1950s Cold War.

Also included in this volume is a short story, "Mad Machine," where an evil scientist creates a device that makes all machines, from clocks to Astro Boy, go berserk. He uses the machine to extort 2 billion yen from the robots of the world. Of course, such a scheme could never work with Astro Boy around!
2 people found this helpful
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David Swan
4.0 out of 5 stars Astro Boy vs Pluto
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2012
Verified Purchase
I was inspired to read through Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy after rewatching the amazing Metropolis based on one of his earliest Manga's from 1949. The truth is I bought the first three Astro Boy volumes years ago and after reading them didn't feel inspired to purchase more. Rereading them now I don't even remember many of the stories I read just a few years prior. I would compare this to the experience I had recently rereading a book of Carl Barks comics I had owned since I was a child. After 25 to 30 years I still remembered details from many of the comics. I think I'm getting a better appreciation now for Tezuka's work but I still can't place these stories among the all time great or most memorable comics I've read. Tezuka is famous for having produced over 150000 pages of manga or about 10 pages a day for 40 years (he died at 60). Something has to give when you produce at that pace and generally the higher the quantity the lower the quality. Tezuka was amazing in that the quality is high but probably could have been more if his pace hadn't been so extreme

Volume 3 has one of the biggest stories of the Astro Boy series, `The Greatest Robot on Earth' featuring the robot wrecking machine Pluto. Pluto is the reluctant protagonist designed to destroy the seven strongest robots in the world including Astro Boy. Although he dutifully obeys his master, Sultan Chochi Chochi Araba, Pluto clearly takes no pleasure in destroying robots and refuses to harm ones not on his list. After surviving a losing battle with Pluto Astro Boy decides he must increase his power from one hundred thousand horsepower to one million but Professor Ochanomizu's nose literally flies off his face at the prospect of such an upgrade. After a second failed encounter with Pluto readers are treated to the return of Astro's creator Dr. Tenma who agrees to do what Ochanomizus refused, boost Astro to one million horsepower. This is the most action packed and emotional story I've yet read in the series. Tezuka introduces the story by telling how much he enjoyed creating it and it really shows. This is Tezuka at his best.

Once again I want to bring up that this is not a complete collection. The last big story in volume 2 ended in January 1962 and first story here was produced in June 1964 which leaves a gap of around a year and a half. Astro's little sister Uran has a larger roll in this book after simply appearing in the previous volume with no introduction and we still don't know who built her. The reintroduction of Dr. Tenma is the first we've seen him since he sold Astro in disgust back in volume 1 but based on the reaction from Astro I suspect this is not his first reappearance. I also have the feeling that some of these pages were originally in color and were reproduced in black and white. The final story, "Mad Machine" is from 1958 and the first story I've seen out of chronological order. I do recommend the book but wish the presentation could have been better.
One person found this helpful
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Stephen Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Astro Boy!
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2004
This is one of the best Astro Boy Managa.The Astro Boy managa our good for kids and are funny.This one about Astro Boy fighting Pluto and Pluto fighting 7 other robots.
2 people found this helpful
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