Gauntlet Gallery — Invader Print Index
Astro Boy (First Edition)
Summary
"Astro Boy" is a 2014 silkscreen by Invader, published by Gallery Target at 50 x 30 cm in a signed edition of 50. The print renders the classic Japanese manga and anime character in the artist's tiled pixel language, part of a group of vertically formatted Gallery Target editions produced for the Japanese market.
Why It Matters
The edition of 50 keeps "Astro Boy" scarce, and its Gallery Target provenance situates it within Invader's Japanese releases. The subject is culturally apt: Astro Boy is a foundational figure in the very manga and pixel-media heritage that shaped the artist's aesthetic, making the pairing of source and treatment especially resonant for collectors.
Collector Perspective
Collectors appreciate the low run of 50, the hand-signature, and the pop-cultural weight of the Astro Boy subject within a Japanese publishing context. The 50 x 30 cm vertical suits the character's upright pose and coordinates with the sibling Gallery Target prints. Colour fidelity, clean margins and a legible signature are the practical points of scrutiny on the sheet.
Historical Context
Gallery Target, a Tokyo outlet, published a set of Invader silkscreens in 2014 tuned to Japanese pop iconography. Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in the early 1950s, is a cornerstone of manga history. Invader's pixel homage links his arcade-derived vocabulary to the Japanese media lineage that runs through much of his broader subject matter.
FAQ
How many impressions exist?
"Astro Boy" was released in a signed edition of 50.
Who published it?
Gallery Target in Tokyo, in 2014.
What are the medium and size?
A silkscreen measuring 50 x 30 cm in a vertical format.
Why the Astro Boy subject?
The character is a foundational manga icon, aligning with the Japanese pop-culture roots of Invader's pixel aesthetic.
About the Artist
Invader (born 1969, France) is a pseudonymous French urban artist known for installing mosaic works inspired by 1970s-80s arcade video games, most famously the aliens from Space Invaders. Since the late 1990s he has "invaded" cities worldwide, cementing tile mosaics onto walls and mapping each installation as part of a global game. His studio output extends the pixel aesthetic into prints, "Rubikcubism" works made from Rubik's Cubes, aluminum pieces, and alias-signed editions. He remains anonymous, appearing publicly only masked.
Collecting Invader at Gauntlet Gallery
What Invader works can I collect?
Beyond street mosaics, Invader releases signed, numbered editions — screenprints, giclées, aluminum and Rubikcubism works — plus his "Invasion Kits." Signed and numbered studio editions are the collectible core. Gauntlet Gallery focuses on complete, well-preserved impressions with documentation.
How is an Invader piece authenticated?
We sell Invader works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering. Each piece is photographed exactly as it ships, including signature and edition details, so you can verify before buying.
What drives value?
Medium (unique Rubikcubism and aluminum works over open prints), edition size, iconic imagery, condition, and provenance all shape price. Hand-made and low-numbered pieces command the strongest premiums.