JUSTIN’S PICK :: THE MYSTERIOUS UNDERGROUND MEN HC: Like most of my generation, I went through a manga/anime phase. I call it a phase not in derision; it was just a passing interest. There are a few exceptions, however: Kenichi Sonoda’s Gunsmith Cats, the animated Ninja Scroll (clips of which I witnessed at one of my very first Heroes Con attendances) and the work of Osamu Tezuka. Famed as the creator of Astro Boy and likened to Walt Disney, Tezuka’s work deserves every accolade it garners for its charm, impact and timelessness. Picturebox presents this first-time English translation of one of the man’s earlier works. This volume is also notable for appearing in its original format, in full color. It boasts a synopsis and range of reference points that is absolutely intriguing. From the solicitation: The Mysterious Underground Men tells the story of Mimio the talking rabbit as he struggles to prove his humanity while helping his friends save earth from an invasion of angry humanoid termites. Sign me up, Mimio!

JUSTIN’S PICK :: REGGIE-12 : Brain Ralph is one of my personal favorites. I regularly point zombie fans in the direction of his criminally under-appreciated book Daybreak, and its narrative’s neat employment of point of view in a post apocalyptic setting. Stylistically, Ralph’s work is bold and organic, with a deceptive and tasteful simplicity. Now he turns his attention to the likes of Tezuka‘s Astro Boy, and the tropes of manga. I expect the subject matter to dovetail nicely with Ralph’s talents, and look forward to this book greatly.

ANDY’S PICK :: TEZUKA: MESSAGE TO ADOLF GN VOL 01: If you were to combine Lee and Kirby, Neal Adams and Carl Barks and combine them into a single cartooning entity, this amalgam would still not be as influential to the American comic audience as Osama Tezuka is to Japanese Manga. In addition to creating, writing and drawing such long-running series as Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Black Jack, Phoenix, Buddha and literally dozens of others, Tezuka created Message to Adolf, a fictional tale that takes place during World War II.  This was originally published in the US as a six volume set.  Now Vertical Publishing is offering this ground-breaking series in two affordable hardcover books, the first of which is available this week.  This is a great place to sample the work of Tezuka (or any Manga for that matter) for the first time. If you are already a Manga fan, I know Adolf is already on your must-buy list.  Message to Adolf is a must-read.