I've noticed that everyone seems to assume that the Bender segment of Anthology is an Iron Giant reference, but really the idea of a "boy" (imature male, shall we say?) befriending a giant robot goes back to at least "Gigantor," the Japanese cartoon from, I believe the '60s. Actually, the concept could easily go back to the Amazing Stories-type pulp magazines from the '30s-on. Anyone know of a definite earlier reference of this theme than Gigantor?
Phreke
Course there's a ton of boy/giant robot stories... but the Iron Giant/Bender story seems to fit the most. He's from another planet (in this story, anyways), he flies, he's attacked by the army, his plucky human friend stands up for him...
Gigantor was not sentient and the kid had the remote control, not friendship, to inspire its actions.
How about Frankenstein Junior then? :b
DGH
(Is joke.)
What was definately an "Iron Giant" reference was in the Simpsons Behind the Laughter episode when Comic Book Store Guy was on and there was a minature Iron Giant standing behind him on the shelf.
<< I've noticed that everyone seems to assume that the Bender segment of Anthology is an Iron Giant reference, but really the idea of a "boy" (imature male, shall we say?) befriending a giant robot goes back to at least "Gigantor," the Japanese cartoon from, I believe the '60s. Actually, the concept could easily go back to the Amazing Stories-type pulp magazines from the '30s-on. Anyone know of a definite earlier reference of this theme than Gigantor? >>