With the recent release of the DVD “Astro Boy: Ultra Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1,” Geeks of Doom looks at the oh-so-cute robot in a three-part series.

I had originally bought the 2003 series thinking it was the 1980s one I now own and love. The impetuous and frantic childhood-retaining gene in my geek brain overpowered all reason when I slapped down my credit card for the magnificent big black box of DVDs. So you can imagine my disappointment when I first inserted the DVD and the all-too-familiar theme song I was expecting to sing along to was instead some spaced-out techno. Well, the music was more closely related to trance, but I digress as usual (it is a great trick of mine). In the 2003 series some of the characters I had known and loved from the 1980s episodes have different names, different voices, and some slightly different characteristics. While all of this initially threw me for a loop, I slowly adapted to the inconsistencies and braved watching the whole box set.

These episodes are totally tame by the 1980s standards and while I do not want to ruin it for anyone there is not nearly the same amount of robot bashing going on here (this is replaced by a lot of Astro Boy the diplomat, counsellor, friend, lightweight). It seems, where the 1980s series has more of the “Dr. Elefun teaching Astro how to be a good boy while pummeling his foes” vibe about it, the 2003 series is tied more closely to how Astro’s exiled creator and “father” secretly manages to educate Astro by giving him various “tests.” These tests usually include a crazed, reprogrammed robot trying to kill Astro or all human life or both. In all of these tests, Astro takes the high road and refuses to fight back. In the 2003 series the recurring theme of how robots and humans can and should be living together in peace gets a little weary after a while, but there is always a gem or two of animation brilliance or an entertaining plot to keep you soldiering on. The 2003 box set also features 10 episodes previously not aired in the U.S. I will not elaborate as to why they were never aired, you GOTTA watch it. These “lost” episodes clearly have to do with more of the original story of Astro Boy and some of that stuff is pretty dark — especially for our softened and impressionable children.

Oh, the swinging ’60s!

I am looking forward to the 1960s episodes. I have a “preview” episode redubbed into classic 1960s American on the special feature DVD included in the 1980s box set. It is an absolute riot to watch. The general aura is more dramatic and frenetic. The scene of Dr. Boynton’s son’s death is gut wrenching. Picture it, the heads of bystanders bow around the form of a dead boy in the arms of his hysterical father crying in what seems eerily like a pool of blood. Cut straight to Dr. Boynton in his office in his position as Head of the Ministry of Science, crying into his folded arms. He swears then and there, during a stirring Evil Genius monologue that rates with the best of them, to dedicate the entire resources of all he commands to creating a new son. This scene ends — of course — with a manic laughing fit that quickly becomes his calling card (much to the complete ignorance of all his minions and colleagues around him).

Viewing this episode from the 1960s, it is great to see what themes have carried over into the later versions and how the story lines have been altered. Seeing all three versions will offer a very interesting account of how animation and the use of sound and color have altered the dynamics of cartoons over the years. How the doctrine of economic and social thought acts on the story lines and what is deemed to be right or acceptable to the kids (that’s me) can also be compared. All three versions illuminate the advancement of animation and technology.

The boxed sets are all great. I enjoyed seeing all the episodes and have already begun searches into my next foray into my cartoonic past…G-Force. In the U.S. this cartoon was titled “Battle of the Planets.” Jason, Mark, Tiny, Princess, Keeyop, all fighting against the evil Zoltar and The Luminous Spirit that commanded him.