Flying Ben
1966/02-1967/10
STORY
This is an adventurous story of three super dogs. In the underground cave, the Catacombs in Rome, three puppies lick a mysterious liquid drug. Soon, they become dogs with super abilities to run at lightning speed, fly high enough to hit birds in the air, and bite lions to death. Then, the three super dogs team up with a boy named Tadashi, who has a map showing the hidden location of treasures in the Silk Road. They sometimes protect him, fight against an evil organization, compete for his attention, and face off against each other.
DESCRIPTIONS
1966/02-1967/10 Serialized in Shonen Book (Shueisha)
This work must be considered one of Tezuka's most representative dog-related works. Its appeal lies in its fast-paced story. The three super dogs, Ben, Ulu, and Puchi, leap beyond the frames. They must have come alive in Tezuka’s mind, vividly illustrated on paper to captivate readers. With its unique characters and nonstop events, the story never bores the audience.
It’s well known that Tezuka was on it when he worked on stories featuring animals more than usual. And this work is no exception. Tezuka breathed life into the characters by illustrating their strength, cuteness, and flexibility with his gentle strokes.
