The English edition of Search and Destroy, a striking sci-fi reimagining by Kaneko Atsushi, has been nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the American comic industry.

Originally serialized in the tribute series Tezucomi, Search and Destroy commemorates the 90th anniversary of legendary manga creator Osamu Tezuka’s birth. This daring reinterpretation draws its core from Tezuka’s timeless classic Dororo, blending Kaneko’s signature edgy visual style with razor-sharp social commentary to cast the original narrative in a bold, contemporary light.

Set in a dystopian world ravaged by civil war, the story unfolds in a city overrun by robots known as “creatures,” mass-produced as soldiers and laborers. These creatures, now entrenched in the underworld, create ongoing tension with the civilian populace. One night, a street orphan named Doro is captured by the creatures—only to be rescued by a mysterious girl who is neither fully human nor machine. With wrath burning in her eyes, she launches a fierce assault against the gang leader, wielding deadly mechanical limbs equipped with the most powerful weapons imaginable.

Serialized from 2018 and completed in three volumes, Search and Destroy honors the spirit of Dororo while reimagining its characters, societal structures, and storylines.
The English translation delivers Kaneko’s intricate, sharp artwork and gripping narrative to new audiences, making a strong impression among American readers.

The Eisner Awards, often called the “Oscars of Comics,” are presented annually at San Diego’s Comic-Con International. The nomination of Search and Destroy underscores how bold reinterpretations of Japanese originals can find critical acclaim across borders.

official website

Source : PRTIMES