I'm currently reading Osamu Tezuka, considered to be the "Father of Manga." He was the creator of Astro Boy, and was thought of as the Japanese equivalent of Walt Disney, who greatly influenced his style.
For whatever reason, I don't recall anyone having had recommended him to me, so I consider it great fortune to have stumbled upon him. I now want to read all of his stuff! What sets him apart for me is his great moral compass.
@kimlockhartga@bookstodon curious if you read “Pluto” by Naoki urusawa. It’s a neo noir reimagining of the great robot arc and was done in cooperation with tekuzas son. I’m wondering how it compares to the original source material, since it’s one of the darker mangas I’ve read and Astro boy, to my knowledge, wasn’t.
@Bigtallguy@bookstodon I have not read the work you referenced, but I tell you what, I'm totally intrigued to read and compare. I just finished part I of Tezuka's Message to Adolf, and it is dark and violent, but equally emotional and meaningful. It's also super long, but it does not drag.