Nextworld

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

Here’s yet another early graphic novel by manga maestro Osamu Tezuka that fails to live up to his lofty reputation. Though artistically superior to both Metropolis and Lost World, Nextworld just isn’t convincing as either science-fantasy or as an antiwar polemic.

Part of the problem is that too often the focus is on creaky plot devices (foreign spies, inexplicably identical but unrelated girls, hooded villains, etc.), effectively burying his lead, Rokoko. A member of a race of intelligent, insect-sized humanoids with incredible powers, she’s introduced early on, then goes missing for the bulk of Volume One.

Though she helps humans even after being treated like a lab specimen, scientist Yamadano remains convinced (without a shred of evidence) her race will treat mankind like cattle — which could be read as a visceral reaction to the post-World War II occupation by the technologically superior Americans. It’s to be hoped that Volume Two will provide more definite answers.

— S.A. Bennett

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