Culver City,
California
x
State-of-the-Art Number Ones, Part 2
Date Made: 2008
Country: North Korea
Materials: paper
Measurements: 20.5 cm x .5 cm x 14.5 cm; 8 1/16 in x 3/16 in x 5 11/16 in
North Korean comic book with 70 pages. This seems to be the second edition to a two part series, that primarily serves educational purposes. See inscription for summarized translations. The story is the 2nd part of what seems to be a two-part series comic book. A futuristic, sci-fi, "educational” book. Preface begins with a quote from Kim Jong Il that highlights the importance of indoctrinating the youth about the importance of nuclear energy. The comic imagines three scientist working on a nuclear fusion energy project which will replace the "radiation-heavy" nuclear fission plants. The comic is designed to inform the youth of "cutting-edge energy technology" as well as "newest trends in energy science and engineering." The story is set in an artificially constructed island that has a nuclear fusion plant, which is more eco-friendly and sustainable than existing nuclear power plants that rely on fission. The main characters are Yong, a male researcher, Boon, a female researcher, and Sunghyuk, a male researcher who is having doubts and concerns about the project. All three are in their twenties. The three direct humanoid robot workers with artificial intelligence to conduct their researches. After travelling to an underwater farm filled with robotic and organic fish, the three decide to hold a "public hearing" with nuclear energy experts in order to smooth out the details. After the hearing, they hold a test run. The test run is a failure and results in an explosion, as a "Western capitalist" company, M. S. Y., sends robotic seagulls that emit low frequency sound to tamper with the robot workers. The three are rescued by robotic dolphins. After the rescue, Sunghyuk decides to run away from the research as he is too scared. Boon goes to a surveillance facility that has the ability to replay any moment in time anywhere in the world, due to a technology that captures each moment through particles faster than the speed of light. She obtains the footage of the explosion and figures out that the seagulls caused the explosion. Boon returns to Yong and they invite Sunghyuk back to do another run, which is a big success as they shoot down the seagulls. Printed: Juche 97 (2008) May 20th Published: Juche 97 (2008) May 25th
Accession Number: 2019.005.001