A series of “lost” works from manga creator Osamu Tezuka is now easily found, with a host of content from the legendary writer and artist now available in English on digital comics platform Comixology.

Despite being best known as the creator of Tetsuwan Atom (better known as Astro Boy), Kimba, the White Lion, and Black Jack — to name only a few — Tezuka was a prolific genius, whose extensive body of work covered countless genres and targeted audiences of all ages. It’s some of these lesser-known gems that publisher DMP is now making available.

DMP has been bringing a succession of Tezuka’s lesser-known works to the west for several years now, but largely through Kickstarter campaigns to fund each release. Although international backers could support the US-based company’s crowdfunding efforts, shipping costs for the weighty tomes made them very much a collector’s product. Launching the titles on Comixology makes them far more accessible to a much wider readership.

Titles available now include the underwater exploits of Triton of the Sea; Brave Dan, which follows the adventures of a boy and his guardian tiger; and Captain Ken, a wild cowboy tale set under the red skies of Mars. Tezuka’s Atomcat, a more comedic spinoff from his Astro Boy series, has also been released.

Tezuka often produced manga adaptations of western literature too, putting his own spin on some of the world’s classics. Some of his work in that genre has made its way over with DMP’s digital releases, including Crime and Punishment and New Treasure Island. For a more fanciful interpretation of historical figures though, look no further than Ludvig B, Tezuka’s take on the early life of composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Volumes of all titles range in price from £6.99 to £15.49.

Although Tezuka passed away in 1989, he remains one of the world’s most influential comics creators. Known as the “God of Manga”, Tezuka helped forge Japan’s domestic comic and animation industries in the years following World War II, making his impact on art and popular culture indelible. Having easy digital access to a wide library of his creations is a huge win for existing fans, and those yet to be exposed to Tezuka’s legacy.


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