Lost World (Dark Horse)

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

Although historically invaluable, this early Tezuka graphic novel will be tough going for all but his most hard-core fans; Metropolis at least had strong characters and conflicts, but this hodgepodge of Verne and Wells lacks both.

Our “hero” is boy scientist Dr. Shihishima, who’s gone all Dr. Moreau on critters creating a race of funny animals, but he’s easily outshined by his much more interesting rabbit sidekick Mimio. None of which has anything to do with the actual plot which involves “energy stones” that serves as both a McGuffin for a pack of mangy crooks and a deus ex machina that takes them to the Lost World.

It seems to take forever for them to get there and when they finally do — they see some dinosaurs; not exactly a slam-bang finish for modern readers. Still, if kept in historical perspective (this could’ve been a backup in early issues of Action Comics), Lost World has its primitive charms. Plus, there’s a special guest appearance by Popeye the Sailor!

— S.A. Bennett
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