#2 Astroboy—Created by the god of manga, Osamu Tezuka.

Astro is a boy robot built with seven amazing powers, including the ability to shoot bullets out of his butt. The manga, originally published in the '50s, are now being reprinted by Dark Horse. Tezuka’s work masterfully weaves sci-fi morality tales and fan-serving genre action (giant robot battles galore) with lively, assured cartooning in the spirit of Carl Barks. The premier of Astroboy on American television in 1964 was our nation’s first taste of anime. Last year’s Metropolis, a full-length animated feature directed by Rintaro, was based on one of Tezuka’s stories. New or old, Tezuka’s work all bears a sense of fun, intelligence and melancholy that are timeless.