144 LOST FRIENDSHIP

[jeffbert]

This one opens near the story's end, then goes to a flashback.






A very infrequent occurrence, to say the least.










Without many other images, this leaves you with questions. Bear with me, all will be made clear.


Here Atom pauses to reflect upon the recent developments that led to this.

More to come.

[jeffbert]

Now the flashback:





Müller, the reluctant agent.


& his frustrated partner, Phantom; though he has hopes of persuading Müller to finish the mission, he uses tough-guy approach.

Inside Müller's chest is a small device, I cannot identify it, though it is obviously needed to destroy the reactor.












between this & the next image, the kids go and play, then take a ride and enjoy the view.




Yet, they see this, the local nuclear reactor, which is Mueller's target.




He is thoroughly upset about this reminder of his mission, one that he dreads.


Though Atom & family try to assure Müller that he has no obligation to complete his mission, he knows he is helpless to avoid it.

When Müller says his target was ‘genshiro’ (nuclear reactor), the family freaks out. Atom dutifully reports to Ochanomizu, then Müller is marked for death when Tawashi finds out.


You may recognize these cops, their first appearance was as Rommel's henchmen in #29, Memorable Day.


The skinny guy also had previous appearances, though I need to find his J-name, you may know him as "Dr. Figaro Newton" (from punch card).


Flashback ends here.

[jeffbert]

Now, the thrilling conclusion:

[Alittleacorn]

Give Astro a suit, and he could be the next James Bond.

Speaking of which...why does he need the gun? HE HAS MACHINE GUNS IN HIS BUTT!

[Dr. Jerk]

Their suits kinda reminds me of Cyborg 009. Although I'm pretty sure it didn't exist back then.

[I-Am-Atom's-Sister]

This picture very nearly gave me heart failure. X3

[ASTROBUDDY]

Their suits kinda reminds me of Cyborg 009. Although I'm pretty sure it didn't exist back then.

Thank you, Jeffbert for creating this thread! And yes, Cyborg 009 did exist back then as a manga and its creator was one of Tezuka's apprentices and did work on Astro Boy! I don't know if he worked as an animator for Mushi Pro, but he did do work on the Mighty Atom manga; specifically on the Denkou or Electro story.

I

[Dr. Jerk]

Oh right, now I remember that he helped with the Denkou chapter.

Except Shotaro Ishimori was just a kid when he was asked to draw the Denkou chapter's backgrounds. And I'd imagine so with the coming years.

[ASTROBUDDY]

Oh right, now I remember that he helped with the Denkou chapter.

Except Shotaro Ishimori was just a kid when he was asked to draw the Denkou chapter's backgrounds. And I'd imagine so with the coming years.

I didn't get that last part. You imagine what?

I

[Dr. Jerk]

Read Tezuka's intro to Denkou again.

He said that at the time, many kids were sending in their own manga to publishing companies as part of some sort of contest or something, and Ishimori was one of them, which Tezuka caught notice and notified for him. Ishimori was still a kid when he was asked to do the backgrounds of the Denkou chapter.