NOW! Comics Astro Boy - Issue 8

[Alittleacorn]

@Solarcat: Uran shows up as Astro Girl in issue 14. She's mostly on model, but looks more like a smaller and rounder Astro.

@Jeffbert: Don't worry, img002.jpg was just the reverse side of the cover. All it had were credits and previews for the rest of NOW! Comics' comics.

This was never officially licensed by Tezuka, despite him still being alive when the comic started. It credits him as the one who created the characters, but all fine-print licensing goes to Suzuki & Associates. The most of the story that I know is Tony Caputo, NOW! Comics' founder, licensed the Astro Boy characters through a Japanese man claiming to be associated with Tezuka. Brian Thomas might be able to tell me more, but so far, it's unclear.

Tezuka was struggling to get rights for Mightu Atom after some legal issues or debt. Let me get my Astro Boy Essays...

In the United States, a Japanaese national took advantage of the legal mess created by the collapse of Mushi Productions in Japan and, with the dubious claim to ownership, began selling the rights to the English versions of animated Tezuka works such as Astro Boy. This resulted, among other things, in the publication of Now Comics' The Original Astro Boy in 1987, drawn by Ken Steacy and based on the 1963 Astro Boy TV series.

[jeffbert]

Thanks, Fauna; I think I recall seeing something about that in Fred Ladd's book.

[Fauna]

Thank you, Alittleacorn! Someone mentioned that on Wikipedia, but I didn't take it seriously because it's Wikipedia. I have to find out what exactly a "national" is, and which of them was Suzuki...

EDIT: I just found out it's a fancy way to refer to anyone from a country, like I'm a "Canadian national". I had hopes that they were elite businessmen, and I could get an annual list and search through it.

[Fauna]

So, I got an email back from Brian Thomas, and I've gotten some information on what he would have done with the comic, had Ken Steacy not been hired because he was cheap. The following is his own writing:

I planned on taking advantage of the fact that the character was such a favorite with so many artists and get guest star covers lined up from guys like Mike Mignola and John Byrne. I was developing story arcs that would take Astro to an island taken over by hostile robots, and another that would take him to Africa for a "meeting" with a legendary white lion. I was also coordinating with writer Steve Sullivan to come up with stories to plug in between these arcs and help us get back on schedule. Plus, I kept pushing for Now to acquire rights to the original manga for translation. We did manage to get an Italian story we were prepping for a fill-in and were looking into stories done in other countries we could have used, but time ran out.

That's right, he planned a Kimba crossover. The comic could have been the greatest thing ever, not just some deformed tragedy, had Brian gotten the comic instead of Steacy. He was even trying to get the manga translated more than ten years before Dark Horse did! Kids, always remember that ENTHUSIASM > MONEY. It may cost less in American dollars, but it's still a Steacy.

Also, his favorite character was Shunsaku Ban, and the hardest thing about the comic was cleaning up the mess Steacy left behind...i.e., blowing up Astro in his last issue, Steacy's tendencies to be behind deadline...


What would any of you like to ask Brian Thomas? He's invited me to ask for more info, and I almost just wanna say "TELL ME EVERYTHIIIIIING" but I should have a few specific points.

[AprilSeven]

Great job making all these connections, Fauna! What a freaking shame he didn't have a chance to be the lead artist, but - sadly - to save a couple of bucks, a wonderful opportunity was missed.

I wonder if there is a possibility that we (meaning, the forum and it's members) might be able to help Brian and other serious artists develop a new series -- or perhaps a whole Tezuka character based line of manga?

It would seem like a major publisher would have thought to do this already, but maybe it needs to be a new group of entrepreneurs (and they would need to work closely with Tezuka Prod. to "keep it real."

[Fauna]

IT'S TIME FOR SPACE DINOSAURS
http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m362/astroNOWcomics/Issue14/

Now, I make a somewhat lewd joke in the middle of this article, but it's no worse than what I've done before...
http://audobonbridge.tripod.com/toontown/now14.html
...Look for samples of Brian Thomas's letter in the end of this article!

[Alittleacorn]

Space Dinosaurs!? So THAT'S where Capcom got their idea for Dino Crisis 3! =D

First thing I notice is that big dog looks like Scooby Doo, cameo there?

Wow it is good Astro was stalking her tha night, I mean how often do you come across a dinosaur while walking your dog? Kris has got to be the worst love interest ever, it's like they tried to make her look like Nuka, but stuck her in some green swimming costume. Even Astro mentioning his dad's a geneticist feels wrong...HE'S NOT YOR DAD! >_<;;;; And I know what you mean on the sexism thing in the comic, it's really getting old @_@

That guy in the lab when they're looking at the dinosaur, anyone notice he looks like that dude from Cloud with a Chance of Meatballs? o_o

I know i've said it before but these color changings are driving me insane. So the lab is green, that corridor is red, the room is blue, outside it's purple WHAT IS GOING ON!? @_@

And Uran what the WHAT!? She's worse than her brother, we're all gonna die! T.T

Lol didn't have the cost for the speech bubble XD

[Fauna]

Issue Fifteen! At this rate, I'll finish the series within the year!

http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m362/astroNOWcomics/Issue15/

The article may be finished by tomorrow, but until then, here's something to look for...

[Alittleacorn]

No...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT THE ZOOM IN! *shrivels on floor and dies*

....I'l go read the comic now :3

Update: *comes back*

...


...

OH JEE I WONDER WHO THE GUY IN THE HAT IS! I mean it can't have anything to do with that cheesy letter Astro read 2 pages before what so ever!

[jeffbert]

THANKS, FAUNA! BTW, what is the publication date of the 1st volume?