The World at the Brink of Self-Annihilation The nuclear age has brought with it the arms race, which has led to the advent of weapons powerful enough to destroy the world itself several times over. Unwilling to take the plunge into Armageddon, the world powers, in league with a group known only as the Black Ghost, have developed super soldiers known as the Cyborgs, designed to fight the wars of the world in space. Unfortunately, the Black Ghost didn't ask the Cyborgs how they felt about their role in the new world order. This classic work from manga legend Shotaro Ishinomori (Masked Rider) not only told a thrilling tale set against a backdrop of Cold War tensions, but it also helped define the genre of super team stories such as Battle of the Planets, Voltron and The Power Rangers.

Cyborg 009 - (Joe Shimamura)
Our hero, the main man, the big cheese. Half-Japanese juvenile delinquent. Has all of the abilities of the other eight Cyborgs and then some. Represents the crowning achievement of Cyborg technology.

Dr. Isaac Gilmore
A scientist who specializes in Cyborg Engineering. Dr. Gilmore was one of the brains behind the Cyborgs, however, he was operating under the false assumption that his work was to be for the betterment of mankind. When he realized the Cyborgs were being developed to destroy humanity, he helped the Cyborgs stage a rebellion and now resides with them as a sort of father figure.

Cyborg 001 - (Ivan Wisky aka Baby Ivan)
A super-intelligent psychic baby from the USSR. Can only communicate telepathically since he hasn't yet learned to speak.

Cyborg 002 - (Jet Link)
An American gang leader (leather jacket, slick-backed hair, the whole shebang). Has the power of flight.

Cyborg 003 - (Francoise Arnoul)
A female French student with the ability to see and hear what others can't. She soon becomes Cyborg 009's girlfriend.

Cyborg 004 - (Albert Heinrich)
A would-be escapee from East Berlin, who now houses weapons in virtually every part of his body.

Cyborg 005 - (G. Junior)
A Native American Indian with great strength and armored skin.

Cyborg 006 - (Chang-Changku)
A starving Chinese worker. Capable of shooting flame through his mouth and burrowing through rock.

Cyborg 007 - (Great Britain)
A failed British actor (his name is actually 'Great Britain'). He can remodel his molecular structure to change his body into any shape.

Cyborg 008 - (Pyunma)
An African who escapes becoming a modern-day slave. Developed for underwater battles, his respiratory system and internal organs can function underwater for extended periods.

Ishinomori Shotaro (Jan. 25, 1938-Jan. 28, 1998)

(Real name Onodera Shotaro)
Ishinomori Shotaro made his manga debut in 1955 while still in high school. He created Cyborg 009 in 1963. Ishinomori's most well-known creation is Kamen Rider AKA Masked Rider. Ishinomori was nicknamed the 'King of Manga' and is considered one of the pioneers of modern manga. He was also one of the most productive creators, producing over 70,000 pages of artwork in thirty years. It's rumored that he drew over 500 pages in one month!

His other works include: Hotel, Sandarabotchi (The Round Straw Lid), Sarutobi Ecchan, Himitsu Sentai, Gorenjaa (Secret Soldier Troop Go Ranger) and Kaijin Doumei.