Noir Caesar has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its graphic novel adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s Alabaster manga. The campaign aims to raise US$30,000 by November 3. Read More – Crunchyroll to Bring One Piece Anime to India on September 30
Chuck Brown is writing the graphic novel, while Anna Weiszczyk is providing the artwork.
Noir Caesar describes the graphic novel as a “contemporary reimagining” of Ralph Ellison’s novel “The Invisible Man.” It follows a former successful Black athlete, James Block, who is framed by his girlfriend and wrongfully imprisoned. While inside, James befriends a disgraced scientist who gives him a laser gun that can either turn its subject invisible or kill them. After serving his prison sentence and locating the device, James disfigures himself in a failed experiment that turns him partially translucent, like an alabaster. Angry, vengeful, and with a new identity, Alabaster wreaks havoc on bigots and hypocrites alike.
The company stated that the reimagined story aims to “add some depth and layers” to the civil rights movement in the 1970s.
North American publisher Digital Manga funded a Kickstarter campaign to localize and publish the two-volume Alabaster manga in 2015. Moreover, Tezuka launched the manga in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine in December 1970. The manga ended in June 1971.
To conclude, the manga inspired a stage musical that ran in Tokyo and Osaka in June and July last year.
