Cartoonist and designer Jim Rugg has created a limited edition Astro Boy blacklight poster for the Kickstarter campaign of TEZUKA! God of Manga, the upcoming documentary about Osamu Tezuka’s life and career.
Astro Boy (Credits: Osamu Tezuka / TEZUKA! God of Manga Kickstarter)
Jim Rugg’s Astro Boy Blacklight Poster Design
The 18 x 24-inch print draws inspiration from the psychedelic blacklight posters of the 1970s, reimagining Tezuka’s beloved Astro Boy in glowing, trippy detail. The design is also available as a limited edition T-shirt through the documentary’s Kickstarter campaign.
Rugg, known for his love of both comics history and bold design work, also contributed a ballpoint pen illustration of Astro Boy to the campaign — a nice touch for collectors who appreciate his raw, hand-drawn style.
Artists Rallying Around the TEZUKA! Documentary
Rugg is far from the only big name backing the film. Participating artists include Shinichi Ishizuka, Dave Baker, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Jeff Lemire, Yuko Shimizu, Jesse Lonergan, Matt Kindt, Elsa Charretier, Gurihiru, and Nicole Goux, with artwork inspired by Tezuka classics including Black Jack, Phoenix, Princess Knight, Unico, and Vampires.
Directed by Jason Andrew Cohn and produced by Bread & Butter Films, the documentary will trace Tezuka’s journey across three acts — from his childhood ambitions to his postwar rise, the gekiga movement, and his later resurgence with Phoenix and Black Jack. Interviews will feature legends like Katsuhiro Otomo, Naoki Urasawa, Go Nagai, Yoshiyuki Tomino, and Rintaro.
The film is scheduled for completion in 2028, marking the centenary of Osamu Tezuka’s birth, and is currently funding through Kickstarter.
Also Read: Tezuka: God of Manga Documentary Launches Kickstarter for 2028 Centennial | Rintaro Named Person of Cultural Merit 2026 for Galaxy Express 999 and Astro Boy Legacy
Source: Anime Corner — read the full story there.
