Tezuka's storytelling is potently effective with his usual rapid-fire pacing, his combination of dramatic irony with comedic relief, and his self-insertion into at least two or three of the stories. Because of all this, one never tires of The Crater's short stories, especially those familiar with Astro Boy and Blackjack. The title story of the series ends with a sombre, but fitting, note to the whole set.
The artwork still holds up to today, as Tezuka mixes realistic and well-referenced backgrounds and objects - such as guns, airplanes, and military bases, etc. - with cartoon-style anime characters.
For those who enjoy old-school manga action and those wanting to be introduced to Tezuka, this is a good place to start.
