Phoenix

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Author/Artist: Osamu Tezuka

What's he done? Astro Boy, Black Jack, Kimba the White Lion, Dororo, and many others

Volume published: 1971-1978 (Japan), 2006 (U.S.)

Genre: SF / drama / philosophical

Premise: Phoenix is Osamu Tezuka's masterwork, several thousand pages of manga that explore the human condition. Volume 6 is a self-contained story that explores the old "Not If You Were The Last Person On Earth" chestnut.

Show x Show: It's The Twilight Zone meets Survivor

Length: This volume stands alone

Availability: Readily available used from sites like Amazon.com and RightStuf.

Manga Review (Volume 6)
Is there a plot? Oh boy, yeah. The story keeps driving forward--one of Tezuka's strengths--but remains easy to follow. This is partly thanks to the small cast.

How's the art? Classic Tezuka, with a minimum of his trademark goofy comedy. Characters rarely jump through panel borders or otherwise break the fourth wall.

Does the art quality vary from chapter to chapter? Nope.

Is it philosophical? Very much so. This is the story of ordinary people forced to make very hard choices, and living with the consequences.

Moreover, it's not preachy. Characters espouse different philosophies, and others reject or debate, but I never felt that Tezuka was telling me which one was right or wrong.

Can I show it to my Mom? As the characters struggle to survive, there's a lot of nudity and, well, incest. If your Mom's cool with that, go for it. It's certainly good proof that manga is art.

Can I show it to my kid brother? Nah. It's too heady, really.

Can I show it to a non-manga fan? Yes, though it may be a tough sell, considering Tezuka's cartoony style. It's perfect for an intellectual comic fan.