Graphic novel adaptations of films are never all that interesting especially for those who have seen the film, and the same can be said of IDW Publishing’s adaptation of the animated film Astro Boy: The Movie – Official Movie Adaptation. Why then do comic book publishers continue to produce them?
Adaptations of animated films can be much more interesting than live action films as you get two different styles of “animation” for the same story (as opposed to a live action film where the artwork will never compare to the flesh & blood real thing). The artwork for this adaptation is by E.J. Su (with the story adapted by Scott Tipton and David Tipton). Because this (and the film) is based on the character created by Osamu Tesuka, the story is very much an homage and amalgamation of previous Tesuka stories of Astro Boy’s origin.
Su’s artistic style fits perfectly with that employed by the animated film as well as to Tesuka’s original manga (albeit more colorful). Like the film it is based on, this story of Astro Boy concerns Astro learning what it means to be human when you’re a robot. This goes to the heart of Tesuka’s creation as he fought long and hard to craft a story and character that strived to be more human in a world where the humans were more like robots. These themes are present here in Tipton’s story (as well as the film).
Fans of the film will find nothing new in this adaptation as they are virtually identical but Tesuka and manga fans will revel at reading another Astro Boy comic since he has been gone for far too long. As a bonus there is an art gallery at the end and a five page preview of IDW Publishing’s prequel graphic novel “Underground” (which is also available).