Life and death, twists and turns, Tezuka Osamu combines classic heart with the depth and mystery of The Twilight Zone in this beautiful, startling collection. The Crater is a series of horror-inspired, self-containing short stories that show the depravity of mankind in a way only the “god of manga” can. Tales range from the world of nymphs and interdimensional adventures, to deadly spiders on planes and depictions of apocalyptic futures. While some stories loosely connect, each story is its own carefully laid experience. Tezuka will chill readers with dark visages of the world counterpointed with his amazing art style that has influenced fans for decades.

The cries of war come soon from France, while a young boy destined for greatness simply cries in pain from a fateful blow to his head in Bonn, Germany. Ludwig van Beethoven will grow to become one of the most influential composers in a few short years, but in his early days, he was just a commoner trying to survive in a world that had yet to discover his brilliance. At this age, he wasn’t a renowned composer: he was a young man simply named “Ludwig,” which inspired hatred and fear in a certain nobleman, Franz Kreuzstein. But why does Franz have it out for all named “Ludwig,” and how will Beethoven survive this personal war he is deaf to?