Astro Boy, Vol. 2

Rating:
Summary: If robots can think, should they vote for president?
Review: "Astro Boy Vol. 2" continues the excellent tales of Tezuka Osamu's seminal creation, the boy robot Astro Boy! (Can't you just hear the theme music!)

This second volume continues Tezuka's familiar themes, exploring the political and emotional impact of robot populations, are they second class citizens or individual beings, do they have souls and emotions? All very common themes in modern Science Fiction, but Tezuka did it first here.

There are 3 stories, the first featuring Astro Boy and a plot to prevent robot voting rights, the second staring a robot magician who's body is stolen yet who's soul remains his own, and a final story of Astro Boy's love for a special plant and the story behind it. All 3 stories are very well crafted, blending entertainment with social commentary seamlessly. A great series for parents looking for comics for their kids.

The only problem with the Dark Horse presentation is the order in which the series are released. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the order, and volume 2 has two new characters appear, Uran and Cobalt, without any explanation or origin.