a stem-fi graphic novel by
Jamie Jonathan Ball
...turning to the future of business... we speak with the CEO of Auto-packing-Corp, after the weather forecast. This is Tokyo Today...
Ah, this package will go via p Auto- acking-Corp. That place sounds interesting. Sorry, I’m a postal geek!
DO NOT DROP Whoosh
Whoosh
A
FR G I L E
菌類
Beep
r
rr i h
W
Wh
irr
Whoosh
FRAGILE
r
THE TOKYO TOWER - ENGLISH EDITION
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE
AUTO-PACKING-CORP BECOMES FIRST FULLYAUTOMATED FACTORY! CEO says he’s “proud of the new found efficiency” of his packaging factory, which is now fully operated by machines.
Above: Mr. Takahashi CEO, pictured with one of his prized robots.
INSIDE:
RISING LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT
PAGE 111
Ex-factory workers protest on streets
SPEAKING to The Tokyo Tower, owner and CEO of AUTO-PACKING-CORP, Mr. Takahashi stated he was “thrilled to be at the forefront of a new era of factory, one that can work at full-speed 24 hours a day”. Takahashi smugly added that “People are ordering more and more online all the time, and I aim to meet those demands robotically. At the end of the day it’s cheap reliable labour and I want to make money”. This kind of comment has sparked outrage from ex-employees, who lost their jobs to machines. A full report follows.
PAGE 145
WORLDWIDE SOCIETY OF SCIENTISTS botanist Professor Humblebee visits Tokyo to give groundbreaking lecture on spores! - Exclusive interview inside -
BOX X-RAY
HOURLY PREDICTION
1X COFFEE MACHINE
FRAGILE T DO NO DROP
Zooom
rr
ir Wh
Beep
Whoosh
Ah, this is the life. Feet up, reading the paper, and making LOADS of cash.
Really, it’s great. My beloved packing factory takes care of itself. I’m talking about automation*. What could possibly go wrong...
FRAG
ILE
PROFIT
*Automation, the use of machines with minimal human assistance.
4
...10 minutes later
Waaaaaaaah mushrooms!?! This is terrible, my production line has ground to a halt.
FRAGILE
I need help. I have to call someone. I can’t handle this. I’m losing money!
I read that the world-famous botanist, professor Humblebee, is in Tokyo this week. He might know something about this...
Worldw ide Soc iety of Scie nti callin sts g...
You’ve reached Jen Okinawa, engineer-extraordinaire, how can I help?
It’s my factory, it’s been invaded!
Meanwhile, in the dazzling Shibuya-ku district of Tokyo.
GODZILLLLLLLLLAAAAA CLASSIC MOVIE MARATHON THIS WEEKEND ONLY!!!
Shibuya is famous for its bustling streets and neon billboards.
TARGET TV TOKYO
Gosh, it’s so hot and humid here*. I’m really looking forward to see Jen again.
Workers replaced with robots, terrible. I’m glad my job can’t be automated... yet!
*From early June until late July, Tokyo experiences its rainy season, called ‘Tsuyu’. Itsuki’s mother got fired from Auto-packing-Corp. Now they have to move apartments.
Clac
k
Clac
k
That’s really terrible.
Clac
k
Clac
k
TOKYO UNIVERSITY welcomes
PROFESSOR HUMBLEBEE
AUTO-PACKING-CORP.’s CEO in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“SUPER SPORES” lecture this Look, it’s not my Saturday problem if people 19:00 are out of jobs.
They’ll find others. That’s business!
That sounds intriguing Mr. Takahashi. I’m meeting the professor Humblebee now, we’ll head right over to check it out.
That Mr. Takahashi is quite the devious business man. Replacing his workers with robots seems greedy.
Clac
k
Clac
k
We were supposed to go to the Godzilla* movie marathon. But my Dad lost his job at Auto-packing-Corp. So we can’t.
So sorry I’m late. Did you read about Auto-packing-Corp.?
*Godzilla is a famous, fictional Japanese monster.
Jen and professor Humblebee waste no time in setting off to investigate.
Mystery mushrooms you say... fascinating.
Apparently, the machinery is infested. I wonder how these mushrooms materialized?
Mr. Takahashi seems very angry about it.
A lot of people lost their jobs when Mr. Takahashi replaced them with machines.
Oh dear, that sounds dreadful.
He’s been quite open about it in the press.
So it could be a possible motive to ‘plant’ the mushrooms. J’accuse!
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We should keep an open mind and check it out.
Right, good idea.
This way prof. Expect a crowd.
Who told them I was coming?
Not that kind of crowd...
The union* are protesting against Mr.Takahashi and his Auto-packing-Corp. Many of them used to work here. They feel there must be a way to work alongside the robots.
Wishful thinking professor, but I fear it’s too late for that.
I wonder if my mushroom package arrived.
* A union is an organized group of workers who have a common goal.
I understand why the workers find it unfair. perhaps once we have solved this mushroom mystery, Mr. Takahashi and the union can come to some kind of an agreement.
w h i r r r
w h i r r r
Going up? ding
w h i r r r
Yes, let’s check out these mushrooms...
I’ve made some adjustments to my chair lately. Not bad huh?
It would take something major for Mr. Takahashi to change his mind. He used to be a nice guy... but automation worked out cheaper and greed got the better of him.
Jen, what are you doing? The doors have closed.
Sadly, that’s too often the case. Wow.
11
W H O O S H !!
Z O O O M ! !!
w h i r r r
Fantastic, magnificent!
I know, pretty nifty right?
Thanks for coming. I’ll get straight to it, I’m losing money. Mmm..
ding
Urrr..
This place is HUGE. Don’t you need loads of employees? No. I used to employ many people. But times change, and in business you have to move with the times. Surely there’s a better way? You could all work together, people and machines! I think I see the problem here...
Unspeakable! Unthinkable! people and machines, pahhh!!! Well here we are, my beloved my control room...
Ya think? I’m gonna leave you science types to it. please fix my factory, fast. I’ll pay handsomely!
12
That CEO really is obsessed with making money. It would make so much sense to have trained employees who could maintain his machinery.
It’s not that I don’t love machines, I am an engineer after all. I just think people and machines work best as a team. Don’t you agree professor?
DO NOT DROP
E
FRAGIL
Machines and mushrooms. Right now I think we’re the perfect team for this job Jen...
This certainly is a captivating species. It seems to thrive on metal in particular. That can’t be good for all this machinery.
FRAGILE
If only the CEO had continued to employ people. They may have spotted something was wrong before it went this far! I need a closer look at this fascinating fungus*...
*A fungus is a member of the group of organisms that includes yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms.
14
Golly, the cells* are multiplying before my very eyes!
Luckily I brought along my portable microscope.
*Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. p Op pO p pOp
p p O
pO p
This conveyor belt seems rather flimsy.
Right, let’s get a closer look here.
Eeesh! There were only two there a second ago. p Op p Op p Op
Crunch
Crack
Ohhh my foot!! I should have seen this coming... a classic Humblebee moment.
Ahhh my portable microscope...
Smash
In the control room...
Let’s take a look at this wiring.
What a mess of mushrooms.
Where is that master cable?
I’d better see what he wants..
Got it. Now let’s get this megamachine up and running again!
ck Cli
Hmm, that sounds like the prof. shouting..
Jen?
Jen!?
Jen!! professor Humblebee, get back here at once!
Whirrrrr
r
Whirr
R
RR R R I H
W Whirrr
rr
Well I would if I could, Jen. But my foot appears to be stuck. Heeeeelp!
ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM
16
Hurry. pull it loose?
I’m...hmmph... trying...
WHIRR
R Okay dizzy. Where am I?
I can’t. Make it stop!
WHIZ
o Who
But I don’t want my photo taken Mom.
sh oo
Fla
Flash
sh
Flash
17
WHIR
RR
I’m freeeee!
Snap
WH
h os o oo Wh
IRR
R
Spinning... spinning spiralsss.
WHIR
RR
Cut that out you mean machines. Oh c’mon. My foot again. Really!?
!
H S O D
DOSH!
Smashhh
I’ll save you prof. If I ever catch up with you...
Do hurry Jen, I fear for my safety!
sH A B
Argh my boot! Oh well I guess I won’t need it where I’m going...
WHIRRR
Crunnnnch
P
AP
SN
Oh professor, you are SO dramatic.
SNA
WHIRRR
WHIRR
R
B
sH O
sM
p F li
Outta my way, boxes!
WHIZZZ
WHIZ If I could only... hmphh...wriggle out of this mess.
A
sH
WHIRRRR
WHIZ
I can’t look. Jen, tell Dr. Chioto I .....I....I......
I got you!!!
AAAAA...
20
... AAAAAA ... ... AAAAAA ... ... AAAAAA ... ... AAAAAA ...
Oh prof. do calm down. I told you I’ve got you. There, an almost perfect landing.
Oh, so you do, thanks. I don’t mind admitting that was pretty nail-biting. I’m glad the scary part’s over for this adventure...
21
Okay I’ll admit, it was pretty unfair to call you “dramatic”. I mean a fall like that, sheesh. Without me you’d have been a goner. ... Urrr J-J-Jen. I was mistaken. I think the scary part is about to c-c-come. It’s Guh-Guh-Guh...
c r U Nc H
BA sH
...GODZ IL L L L L L A!!! Argh! Get out of here, hide for your life!!!
What the...
Spin
Spin
Spin
professor, what are you doing... Are the mushrooms taking hold of you?
Crash
h
s Cr a
Godzilla has better things to do than hang out in a box room. We’re supposed to be fixing this fungi factory...
23
Oh I see. Hahaha. Simple shadow play. A trick of the light (that must have fallen from above). Kind of like ‘Bunraku’*. No worries, it’s just a monster-shaped package...
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha Ha
Okay I need to calm down, this is starting to get embarrassing. Deep breath in, deep breath out, now let’s solve this caper!
*Bunraku is the traditional puppet theater of Japan.
24
Call it ‘engineers intuition’, but I suspect we should head over there.
Heh, Godzilla indeed. You old fool, Humblebee.
We must be on ground level, this place is truly enormous. Look at all these parcels waiting to be shipped around the world. Quite astonishing. That certainly looks like the source of the mushroom outbreak, or at least where they’re all gathering.
Don’t say “gathering” like that, you’re starting to spook me out. It makes it sound like they can think for themselves.
Well, not think like you or I. But Jen, did I ever tell you about Mycelium*?
p Op
pOp
p Op
*Mycelium consists of masses of branching threads between fungi, connecting them together.
25
No you didn’t, but save that story for another time. You’re giving me the heebie jeebies, pal. Now, if my calculations are correct...
p Op
Hmmm. It appears we’re being followed. I’m sure there weren’t this many mushrooms a minute ago.
pO p p Op
p Op pO p
p Op
p Op
I don’t like to be negative, but I’m starting to think this is one caper we cannot overcome. The mushrooms appear to be consuming everything in their path...
p Op
pOp
pO p pO p
...just on the other side of this doorway should be...
p Op
26
...Yep, just as I thought. Behold the Central power Core. This baby provides power to the whole of Auto-packing-Corp. Gulp.
...and as I feared, it too seems infested with mushrooms. This could get very bad for us, professor...
27
pO p
pOp
pOp pO p
pOp
Well now, can you think of a way to fix it? I’m all out of ideas, but open to suggestions... FIX IT!? This thing’s a ticking time bomb. There are beams of energy shooting from it. No sir. No way. Not even I, Jen Okinawa, engineer-extraordinaire can fix this machine. Do you see what that sign says?
pOp pOp
pO p
29
It says “DANGER EXpLOSIVE”, and I fully believe that to be true...
st
st
pss
Honestly, it’s not looking good. We recommend you get out as quickly as possible.
pss
st
pss
Crackle. This is the CEO, are you there? Crackle. How’s my factory looking? Crrrk
Crackle. Right... Crrrrk. A lot of crackle mushrooms crrrrrrk I’m out of here..bye!
“Fix it”, ahaha, professor you are a funny one. What we actually need is a rapid exit strategy, or we’re both gonna be Kinoko supu*!
pssssst
Okay think Jen, think...
ps
ss
ss t
pssssst t
s ss
p
*Kinoko supu - Japanese for ‘mushroom soup’.
pssssst
30
...Waaah no time to think. This place is collapsing around us!
W
HOO OSH Urrr Jen. Ceiling. Falling. Eeeep.
Get back! Whoa thanks.
B A sH
Something feels very unstable about this.
J J J J J
Ck C ra
C
raC
k
Ck C ra
Watch out!!! The floor is cr...
31
professor
noooooooooo!
J
J
J J
J
Hpppfffffffffffffffffffffff ...
E E E E N
... pffffffffffffffffff ...
Hmppph.
ll
l
l
Da-da
l
ll
JJJJJ... wait, I’m alive? Good gracious. I’m aliiiiive!
32
Hold on tight, I’m getting us out of here.
I’m trying but my hands are slipping...
Do forgive my sweaty palms.
This is no time to be practicing your dive bombs!
c
R
a s h
Okay time to stop fooling around and let’s end this.
Doiiii
End this in a good way I hope!
ng! g!
33
I think I see daylight. This is gonna be a wild ride.
You know Jen, this isn’t the first time I’ve been saved...
...by the scarf, I know professor, I know. Just don’t let go... and pay attention to falling objects. Hmphh.
Funny, this sign also says...
危険
DAN G
ER
34
DANGER! I can’t look.
I will get us out of this. We need more momentum, brace yourself...
What the plant-pot does that mean?
It means close your eyes and think of home! I’m gonna throw up.
phew prof. I think when this is over you need to lose a few pounds.
35
HEAVE.
Don’t worry. If I do throw up I’ll be lighter immediately...
We’re heading right towards the Central power Core. If my calculations are correct, I think I can use it to....
pull up! pull up! It’s gonna blow!!
e l b Rum
...springboard us out of here!!!
SHRIEK!!!
36
I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD BE A WILD RIDE pROFESSOR! IF WE GET OUT OF THIS ALIVE THE RAMEN’S ON ME !!!
ラーメン永遠に
37
ーム ブ カ m o Kabo OKAY BUT pLEASE... NO MUSHROOMS!!!
38
So I guess in the end ... Aaaaa!
Aaaaa!! Aaaaa!
... the case of...
... we never did solve...
Aaaaa!!!!
Aaaaa!!!
... the mystery mushrooms!
How pretty, they’re raining from the sky.
Aaaaa!!!!!
39
I think I’m gonna faint.
A soft landing luckily, due to all the rain.
Alley oop!
I feel terrible about this...
Wow. I don’t think any of us expected that to happen.
Waaah my automated factory is ruined. I’m ruined.
Hmmm, I seem to have lost a boot.
Yes on the conveyor, remember?
Sob.
Oh I remember. But now I’m barefoot in the rain. I owe you a steaming hot bowl of Ramen. But first, care for a sandwich? I had one in my back-pack!
You know, there is one way that you can solve all your problems, fix this mess and stay in business!
Heh thanks Jen, ever the engineer!
You’re right. I used to be a great boss, until money and machinery got the better of me. I know what I need to do...
That’s the spirit!
41
No problem. It’s a quick fix but it should hold for now.
I’m truly sorry CEO, it was me, I put some mushrooms in a box and posted them to Auto-packing-Corp.
Hi, I’m ready to talk.
I thought it might prove to you that human employees would spot something was wrong, before it went too far... I didn’t expect the factory to explode.
perhaps we can come to some kind of an arrangement. Unfortunately, Aito here has something to tell you. I see. You have shown me that my machines only carryout mindless work... I need people who think for my business to succeed. You’re off the hook, Aito!
We say yes! We will let bygones be bygones. Let’s work together again!
Shake
Sh
ake
Come back and work for me. people and machines together, as one! What do you say!? I forgot how good this felt!
Hooray!
e Shak
It’s a deal.
Three cheers for the CEO!
C’mon prof. We should get going. You have a lecture to give on spores, and I want to make one stop along the way...
Enchanting.
42
Back in Shibuya-ku...
Jen, hi!
This is ‘Sneakers’, the coolest shoe shop in Tokyo. My friend Goku works here.
It’s so bright.
I know, right!?
I’m not sure Jen, aren’t I a little old for sneakers? ble wob
Remember professor, when choosing your new kicks, the uglier the better. That’s cool, trust me! Okay Jen. I trust you, and I think I’ve found the perfect pair...
wobble
squeak
Do you want them in the box?
All the colors of the rainbow and soft as a cloud. Mmm-mmm!
I think I’ll wear them out thanks! I’ve had enough of boxes.
Hahaha, oh prof. you’re so funny.
A short while later, at the university. please give a big hand 大学理科講義シリーズ for the Worldwide Society of Scientists’ top botanist, professor Humblebee! The discovery
Great to be here, thanks for coming friends of science.
Super spores.
of Rafflesia Humblebee
A lecture by Professor Humblebee, botanist.
clap clap
clap c la p
c la p
clap
clap
clap
clap
c la p clap
clap clap
clap
clap
squeak
clap
ak sque
clap
clap
lp gu
s hu
f f le
L-let me introduce you to the fascinating world of spores! It all started in Namibia, with my dear colleague and famed zoologist, Dr. Chioto Toivo...
Namibia
Rafflesia Humblebee
44
The next day, before professor Humblebee leaves Japan. The pair find time for one more meal together at Fury Egg, Jen’s top-tip for local cuisine. Sometimes I wonder if it’s ever going to stop raining! Maybe it’s a good thing I spend so much time in the office.
I can’t believe it! The Worldwide Society of Scientists eating Ramen* at Fury Egg. I should get a selfie, my kids will be so impressed.
This story is really unbelievable. Mushrooms indeed! Sounds like some kind of comic-book script.
*Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup. Ramen is awesome!
45
So, we’re going back to work. I wonder if it will still be called Auto-packing-Corp.? I think it might. After all, we are being trained to work with the machinery.
Oh professor, when you got your foot stuck in that conveyor belt. That was classic, I really thought you were going to end up posting yourself back to HQ!
On a serious side note, we’re lucky those mystery mushrooms seem to thrive on metal alone.. Slurrrrp.. otherwise they could have taken over the city by now!
46
professor Humblebee’s lab, Worldwide Society of Scientists’ headquarters. A few days later...
Sensational. These mushrooms grow so quickly on metal, they could be revolutionary to food science. Just imagine the nutritional possibilities!!
It would be incredibly dangerous to eat unknown mushrooms though... I must conduct further tests!
47
Whoooooooooosh エンディング (That means the end... in Japanese of course).
About the Worldwide Society of Scientists: The Worldwide Society of Scientists are an ever-growing group of scientific professionals from diverse backgrounds all over the world. They are dedicated to the study and protection of planet Earth, so why not join them on their many exciting adventures? Curious? Down-right quizzical? Then scream their motto loud and proud; “RESpECT THE pLANET” ! Current members of the Worldwide Society of Scientists include (from left-right): •
Lars Johannsson-Singh, Johannsson-Singh explorer and the trusty captain of the o Lulea research vessel.
•
Dr. Afet Kelek, Kelek micro-biologist.
•
Elery Singh, Singh honorary member, child, comic-book enthusiast.
•
Dr. Amita Singh, Singh glaciologist, official expedition record keeper.
•
Dr. Chioto Toivo, Toivo famed Zoologist and sworn protector of the Otavi (a rare family of giraffes).
•
professor Humblebee, Humblebee botanical explorer (quite clumsy).
•
Jen Okinawa, Okinawa engineer extraordinaire and robotics expert.
•
professor Sallie Skylark, Skylark climate and atmospheric scientist. And, not forgetting:
•
Dino
x-1, rare prehistoric lizard and WSS mascot.
Left: The Worldwide Society of Scientists headquarters.
The Worldwide Society of Scientists official logo.
Coming soon...
The Worldwide Society of Scientists
More science! More gadgets! More Adventure! Join the Worldwide Society of Scientists (and friends) on their annual holiday high in Northern India. Elery is ecstatic to be spending another summer with her bff Adya, and grandmother Nani Singh, in their remote Himalayan village. She is, of course accompanied by the usual WSS suspects, all looking forward to some rest, relaxation, and perhaps just a little bit of research. But when an excursion into the surrounding mountains quickly turns sour. A race against time ensues to save Nani Singh’s village from early monsoon rains and rapid glacial melt waters. Will the dam hold? Or will the river rage? Will the village sink, or swim? Read on to find out, and always, respect the planet! Himalaya Holiday is a lower middle-grade action adventure drawn in a ligneclaire comic book style, encouraging readers to embrace their imaginations as they explore the flatlands, foothills and mountain ranges of Northern India through lavishly detailed and dynamic illustrations. It uses visual storytelling to be accessible and enjoyable to children of diverse cultures and all reading abilities.
About Jamie Jonathan Ball
Jamie is the author / illustrator / creator of the Worldwide Society of Scientists. Jamie is a professional children’s book designer and has worked on over thirty illustrated non-fiction titles which have been published in many languages all over the world. He has made books about politics, physics, the climate, space exploration, classical music, the renaissance, travel, and maps. Some books have been short-listed for and won awards including the Royal Society of Science Young people’s Book prize, the British School Library Association Award, the British Book Award and the Junior Magazine Design Award. Jamie’s big dream is that every person in the world takes scientists very seriously when they say we are in the midst of a climate crisis. Only together can we make the planet a better place.
Learn more about the adventures of the Worldwide Society of Scientists at
www.professorhumblebee.com @professorhumblebee Story, illustrations and characters copyright © 2023 Jamie Jonathan Ball. The author/illustrator asserts the moral right to be identified as the author/illustrator of the work.
An unknown fungus has taken over the packaging factory and the automated machinery has ground to a halt. The CEO is furious at the interruption in production and calls the Worldwide Society of Scientists to solve the dilemma. Join engineer extraordinaire Jen Okinawa and clumsy botanical explorer professor Humblebee as they race to discover the cause and effect of these mysterious mushroom intruders. Will they make it to the root of the problem before the factory is consumed? Or will the factory consume them? Read on to find out, and always, respect the planet!
Whoosh
A
FR G I L E
菌類
Beep
r
rr hi
W
Wh
irr
Whoosh
FRAGILE www.professorhumblebee.com @professorhumblebee
r