Cyborg 009

(Tokyopop, 2003-2005)
™ and © ISHINOMORI SHOTARO PRO INC
reads right to left; b&w

Those who’ve been enjoying Cyborg 009 on Cartoon Network should be warned that the manga is from the 1960s, so, while the art may seem (by contemporary standards) a tad primitive, it does have a juvenile enthusiasm that’s unquestionably infectious.

It certainly helps that it’s about something more than the inner-group battles that the anime focuses on. Creator Ishinomori’s strong anti-war message sadly doesn’t seem dated, and he devotes as much time to developing the backstories of his cyborgs as he does to the “action.”

Unfortunately, some of them (African native, Chinese cook, American Indian) are depicted in a racist manner, but, unlike the Astro Boy collections, there’s no heartfelt apology for a deceased creator using outdated imagery—just a brusque “get over it” in the introduction.

Clearly, the stories speak for themselves and confirm Ishinomori was no racist—and, frankly, I’d like to think we’ve arrived at the point where things can be taken in historical perspective without taking offense.

— S.A. Bennett

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