Metropolis

    (Dark Horse, 2003)
™ and © Dark Horse Comics, Inc.

Human evolution is an unstoppable force, and Dr. Lawton is now on the verge of a scientific breakthrough, animating life from synthetic proteins. However, the notorious criminal mastermind Duke Red wants to hijack the experiment for his own dastardly deeds. In a fit of desperation, the old man spirits away his prize creation and tries to cover his tracks.

However, the super-powered child Miichi can’t help but draw attention to himself, and soon the Duke pulls out all the stops to get the artificial being back. But not if Detective Mustachio can help it, as this persistent private eye gums up the villain’s plans. But, when Miichi blows a gasket and leads a legion of Red’s rebellious robots to destroy humanity, who on Earth can stop him?

Inspired by the iconic Fritz Lang movie of the same name, this 1949 story was recently adapted into a high-production movie. However, when you strip away the layers of frenetic action and overlapping plot threads, this tale focuses on how human nature can be twisted by technology. In a foreshadowing of his famed creation Astro Boy, Osamu Tezuka built a Metropolis that remains as relevant now as it was half a century ago.

— Oliver Chin
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