Zeroids.com Robots and Science Toys

Above left: 5 inch Bandai Astro Boy action figure, shown with Mattell's MegaMan NT Warrior. The background is a Remco ManTech Battlestation Laser II playset. Shown is Searchlight Astro, one of four Bandai figures from 2004. Three of the figures are of Astro Boy; the fourth is of Atlas. Press Searchlight Astro's stomach, and his eyes glow red. Arm Cannon Astro launches his fist. Rocket Boot Astro displays jet flames from his boots. They are highly detailed, articulated, well- made figures, and come individually blister- packed. The good news is that these figures were still available at retail or near retail in 2008 (see Robot Store). Since introduced, they have been best- sellers.

Above center: 11 inch Interactive Astro. The box sports the Cartoon Network logo. Released the same time as the 5 inch Astros, this model failed to sell. Why? A rather high retail price for a relatively unknown character (CN had just started the Astro Boy revival) could be one reason. Also, he doesn't look very good in the box.

Above right: What's interactive? Astro's right wrist breaks away. Slide one of five included collector cards through the slot to activate "sound and lights". What really happens is that when the corner of a card is inserted, it triggers sounds. All the cards trigger the same sounds, and on our model, no lights. Pressing a button on Astro's belt also makes sounds. Press the other button and his chest door swings open, revealing a pulsing energy source. Manually turn his head and his eyes flash green, while he emits sound. Manually press a button to launch his spring- loaded fist. Press another and plastic flames spring out of his rocket boots. His leg doors can be opened to reveal shiny silver circuitry. He has a small three position switch in back : off, on, and "try me", and runs on two AA batteries. While he's imposing at eleven inches, the "interactive" claim is not well- backed, and the five inch Astros are more articulated.

Astro Boy Robot Store Planet Zero Robot Links	This great new logo appears on new Astro Boy toys and games	Tetsuwan or Mighty Atom. Osamu Tezuka's most famous and popular comic creation, made his debut on American TV in 1963 on NBC as Astro Boy. 104 episodes were broadcast in the US, and Jeff Lenburg, in The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons, adds this happy note: in 1964, more people in New York watched Astro Boy than the network news. Many English-dubbed Astro Boy videos were available and the series has finally made it to DVD. The most famous recent mention of Tezuka's robot hero was probably in Calvin and Hobbes, when Calvin got a haircut and said, "Hey, I look just like Astro Boy!"
		Astro Boy Box Set --DVD At last! Here's the original Astro Boy series (Tetsuwan Atom) by Osamu Tezuka with English language track. 51 English episodes on 8 discs with numerous extras. To order or for more information, click on the picture. For more DVDs, see "Astro Boy" in the Robot Store.
		Astro Boy The Complete Series --DVD Here's the new (2004) updated Astro Boy series as seen on Cartoon Network. The 50 episode series includes 29 episodes never aired in the U.S. Includes featurette, "The Remaking of Astro Boy." To order or for more information, click on the picture. For more DVDs, see "Astro Boy" in the Robot Store.
		Astro Boy Playset: Astro Lab by Bandai Highly detailed replica of the lab. Included 2.5" figures of Astro Boy and Dr. O'Shay. For more info, click the icon, then click "Read More".
		Astro Boy Saves the Universe Under the very cool box art lies a great board game all the family can play. Ages 7 and up from award- winning game maker, Briarpatch. For more info, click the icon, then click "Read More".
		Astro Boy Omega Factor by Sega Mighty Atom to the rescue on Game Boy Advance. Rated E for Everyone. Amazon reviewers gave it five stars (the highest rating). For more info, click the link, then click "Read More".
		Astro Boy by Sega Now coming to a Play Station 2 near you. Rated T for Teen ("Content suitable for persons ages 13 or older"). For more info, click the icon, then click "Read More". Also see "Astro Boy" in the Robot Store.
		Tomy Collector's Figure World. No. 1, "Welcome." Tomy made a number of figures in this series which features Astro Boy in various poses, along with other Tezuka characters. This figure is about four inches tall, mounted on a base, with a removeable acrylic cover. Present cost is between $15-25 US. Available from Kimono My House and Hobby Link Japan (see Robot Links pages). However, the Bandai Astro Boy action figures, still available for retail or near retail, are larger, more detailed, and a great deal (see Robot Store).
		Sanrio is known for beautifully lithographed metal banks, but you hardly ever see this one of Mighty Atom in Sanrio shops. It's from Kimono My House (see links page), the source for everything Astro Boy. Around $10.
		I got this beautifully packaged 5 DVD Astro Boy set from the J Store at Japanimation.com (see Robot Links pages). It's in Japanese with Chinese and English subtitles. The writing on this set is in Japanese, with 5 picturedisk DVDs.
		Osamu Tezuka '96. These beautiful trading cards are available from Kimono My House. The packs are beautifully printed in foil, and contain ten full-color trading cards, printed on front and back. Scenes depict characters from Astro Boy (Mighty Atom), Kimba the White Lion, and other Tezuka comics.
		An Astro Boy-related card from the above pack.
		An Astro Boy-related card from the above pack.
		NOW Comics #17, The Original Astro Boy -- Comic A recent revival of Astro Boy in a comic book, this NOW comics issue featuring a striking cover by Ken Steacy. The August 1965 Gold Key comic, Astro Boy # 1, is highly valued among collectors, along with March of Comics # 285, which marks his second comic book appearance.
		Osamu Tezuka's Original Astro Boy #1 -- Manga Dark Horse Comics recently created this manga event--as close as you can get to Tezuka's original comics in English. Number one is a 222 page black and white book. (Unlike a Japanese book, the comic panels read front to back and right to left, and the word balloons are in English, translated by Frederick L. Schodt, author of Manga! Manga!) The World of Japanese Comics. More than twenty volumes are now available. For more volumes, see "Astro Boy" in the Robot Store.
		Where can you get a whole sheet of great Astro Boy stickers? Kimono My House (see Robot Links pages).

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