Message to Adolf, Part 2

[x-posted from my goodreads account]Probably the most cohesive of Tezuka's "cram all of life's absurdities" comix without hitting you too hard over the head with it's -ahem- message. Toge is still at the story's front in this volume, which was kind of disappointing seeing as how he introduced himself as a minor character, yet he marries into the most screwed up family imaginable during the most violent war ever; it's a little too convenient for an arch that isn't even the focus of the story, and that problem pops up here and there with Kamil and Kaufmann, too. Kaufmann's story here is probably the best, being the most vile character now that Lamp and Egg are (mostly) on the sideline. Kamil isn't given the depth I would've liked to see, and miss Ogi and Colonel Honda are now one-dimensional where the first volume made me think they have a bigger role. Tezuka fans have come to accept over the years that he mostly wrote characters as stereotypes; think of him as the Gene Roddenberry of Eastern comic ideals. These tropes are used again and again so he can tell his stories in the most cinematic way comix can, and hey, at least he finished this one. Some of the monologue from Toge sounds more like 24th century utilitarianism after-thought instead of 20th century altruism.I can't bash it all, though. It really comes together nicely. From the arctic north to the Palestinian deserts, the story of these three Adolf's teaches a message that Tezuka had been trying to work into every story he ever printed: that of love and personal achievement, done with characters with real pathos and an understandable misconception of the direction of life and where it *leads* (something Tezuka was obsessed with and drove into the ground with "Phoenix") in relation to kith and kin, and how patriotism quickly becomes fascism. Tezuka was always looking for the story-arch of the cosmos (Apollo, Phoenix, etc.)-- talkin' bout a thing called love, and here he's pointing past the fence, all the way to alpha-centauri, saying, "Engage."

Amazing story with solid ending. This second part contains lots of twists and turns. The ending is well play out on the title. The story telling is serious and Tezuka's drawing is so lighthearted. I am glad his comical style is still in them. As I mentioned in his last book's review, the whole story feels cinematic and it feels like watching a movie. This book and part 1 are highly recommended.

I won't bother you with the story. I will just talk about the build qualities and the packaging. Packaging by Amazon was atrocious, lacks any kind of damage protection. My book came in with damaged spine and a small cut. The built quality of the book isn't that great either. The binding isn't solid and don't think so it will last that long. The pages don't stay open and it gives you a hard time when you try to read it. Overall disappointed.

The story gets significantly more serious, but all the more compelling. I can seriously imagine Marjane Satrapi being influenced by Tezuka, after reading this. This story is very different from "Kimba" or "Mighty Atom"!

It's realy defferent book. Like all osama's book. I really read it with entusiasm fo three days . Thanks alot

Wonderful conclusion to an engaging story.

Recommended for those who don't think anything serious can be expressed in comic form. This is Tezuka at his best.

More of Tezuka's masterpiece

good!

One of the best mangas I've read. Tezuka is a genius. This is maybe his masterpiece. Artistic and historic work. A must.

This two part graphic novel is incredible. Heart-breaking, beautifully drawn by a master artist and storyteller. It's something that needs to be read. Amazing is an understatement.