Story & Comic by Xiao Jiangnan I’m A Superstar!
I’m A Superstar! Story & Comic by Xiao Jiangnan
The main characters Green Shadow (Penelopea) Solar Flare Imitater Wall-nut Red Stinger Fire Gourd Peashooter Phat Beet
Special Effects (SFX) Robot Robot Actor (Inferno) Hi-speed Camera Robot Underwater Camera Robot Automatic Screenwriter The Smash Robot Reporter Super Brainz Impfinity
Robots have become the unique technical symbols, cultural landscapes and symbolic objects of the modern society. They are not only technological products but also the important outcome of the transformation of mankind’s production and lifestyle. The intelligentisation and biochemical imitation of robots is a new topic that humans encounter in the post-industrial area. Nowadays, the development of robotics technology is getting more attention. People even think that it can lead the development of future industries. The research on Cognitive Systems and Robotics was drafted in the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7). The United States launched the National Robotics Initiative program. Japan and South Korea have also developed corresponding research plans for service robots. China’s State High-Tech Development Program (863 Program), National Natural Science Foundation, National Science and Technology Major Project and other major programs have also greatly emphasised on the study of robotics. Driven by technologies such as computers and networks, robotics is developing rapidly from conventional industrial manufacture to various fields such as medical services, edutainment, exploration and surveillance, bio-engineering and disaster relief. The robotic systems that adapt to the needs in different fields are further developed. Of course, compared to the goals preset by humans, the research and application of robotics still encounter enormous challenges. This book unveils the mystery of robots to students via an exciting comic story. Moreover, the book provides a lot of knowledge about robots. The book also introduces the research progress of industrial robots, service robots, medical and rehabilitation robots, mobile and biomimetic robots. It helps us to know that robots are not just cold machines but also individuals that are close to us. The book also covers the counter-control of highly intelligent robots against humans, threats of the Internet to human security and ethical rules of robotic wars. It reveals the alienation that may be caused by the proliferation of technology and opens up a new aspect of “technical ethnics”. Physics Nobel Prize laureate Hideki Yukawa (1907-1981) made this critical statement about the illusion of science and technology: “A new discovery can bring happiness and prosperity. It can also lead to the loss and destruction of humanity”. The rapid development of robotics knowledge is an opportunity for human development. It may also be a crisis that mankind would encounter in future. This is related to our real understanding of the definition of “humans”. We hope that the future developments of robots will be able to meet the demands of science and technology as well as the value of research. We also pray that they are not only limited to solitary skills but also advocate humanistic care and technological ethics in this field. The robots provide the humans with a broader imagination and space for creation. In future, the robots will become smarter and more amazing. The computer technology and artificial intelligence technology will become more advanced. The development in the field of robotics awaits everyone to imagine and discover. So let’s read the book and embark on an amazing journey into the world of robots! Zhao Liang PhD supervisor University of Technology Sydney, Australia Foreword
“星光熠熠”电影展....... 6 冒牌星探................ 18 我是大明星.............. 34 试镜风波................ 44 神秘买家................ 58 讲故事的机器人.......... 76 不可能完成的任务........ 88 机器人“影帝”......... 102 失踪的反派............. 116 一举成名............... 132 机器人知识一览......... 150 Contents Bling-Bling Film Festival............. 6 Bogus talent scout...................18 I’m a superstar!.................... 34 The audition craze.................. 44 The mysterious buyer................ 58 Storytelling robot.................. 76 Mission impossible................... 88 The“Best Actor”robot............. 102 The missing villain................. 116 Becoming famous overnight.......... 132 Robots encyclopaedia............... 150 Glossary.......................... 158
Solar Flare, let’s go watch a film together! No, I’m not going. Why not? I thought you like to watch films? At Solar Flare’s house 6 Bling-Bling Film Festival
I have a bigger dream than watching films. I want to STAR in a film! Look what these are! Stop shaking them. I can’t see anything clearly. These are the invitations to the Bling-Bling Film Festival. It’s an event that gathers all those who are working in the film industry. A lot of famous directors and actors will be attending. So you want to take photos with them, right? Huh? Bling-Bling Film Festival Bling-Bling Film Festival Invitation Invitation 7
No, I want to show my face and make the spotlight shine on me, so that the famous directors will notice me. Then I can become a superstar! Then I’ll be a friend of a superstar! Can I tag along? No problem. I have two invitations here after all. Super Brainz, can I borrow some money from you? What do you want it for, The Smash? At Super Brainz’s control room 8
I’m researching a robot that’s related to films recently. I’m almost there but I ran out of money. Then you've come to the right person. I’ve been playing the villain in many famous films and dramas. Everyone’s calling me “the handsome villain”. I’m very passionate about films! Wait! Did you say it’s related to FILMS? Here’s RM1 million! If the robot is sold successfully, remember to give me some commission1 ! Sure! No problem! I wonder what the Plants are up to lately. Let me send two drone flies to spy on them. Buzz Ta Ta Ta Ta Buzz Buzz 9
The film festival is a bit different from my imagination. There’s only one robot on display here. Hey, we’re still OUTSIDE the exhibition centre! And this isn’t a display item, it’s my PROP! This is an automated gilded2 robot that I made based on the principle of stage lift. It uses electric power to move the telescopic device and perform the lifting function. With continuous development and popularisation of industrial automation3 technology, automated gilded robots have been widely used in many fields such as workshops, stage performances and logistics. I’ve even added a voice control system to it. Once I give a command to it, it will send me to the roof of the hall. Then I’ll descend from the sky on my skateboard. I’m sure it will wow the audience! Can’t you fly by yourself? At the Bling-Bling Film Festival 10
If I have to do everything by myself, then I’m NOT a superstar! Activate! Command received! I’ll go up first! Remember to take some nice photos of me when you enter! Okay, but can you get a move on first? Dear directors and beloved celebrities4 , here I come! Oh, the security guard and guard dog here are robots too! Moments later… KA ! 11
Dangerous target identified! This is quite cool! Hey! Stop taking pictures! This is so embarrassing! Swoosh Swoosh Ta Woof Woof Woof Thump Click Click 12
© 2021 Electronic Arts Inc. Plants vs. Zombies is a trademark of Electronic Arts Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED First Printed October 2021 Plants vs. Zombies 2•Robots Comic: I’m A Superstar! Text and Comic © Xiao Jiangnan First published in China by China Children’s Press & Publication Group Co., Ltd This edition is published under licence by China Children’s Press & Publication Group Co., Ltd for sales in Malaysia and Singapore only and may not be bought for exports. Plants vs. Zombies 2: Robots Comic - I’m A Superstar! Story & Comic by | Xiao Jiangnan Layout by | Chan Yin Yee, Liong Ci En Translated by | Yap Fwee Yi Edited by | Anthony Chan Yew Choong Published by | G.Apple Studio Sdn. Bhd. 200001014479 (517085-P) Endah Parade Shopping Mall Lot 3-055, 3rd Floor, 1, Jalan 1/149E, Taman Sri Endah, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. Distributed by | United Publishing House (M) Sdn. Bhd. 197301001175 (14620-K) (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sasbadi Holdings Berhad) Endah Parade Shopping Mall Lot 3-055, 3rd Floor, 1, Jalan 1/149E, Taman Sri Endah, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-9054 7272 Fax: 03-9054 7273 Email: [email protected] Website: www.uph.com.my Printed by | Percetakan Advanco Sdn. Bhd. 197901000915 (45169-K) No. 19, 21, 23, Jalan Segambut Selatan, 51200 Kuala Lumpur W.P. If there are problems of missing or torn pages, kindly return to the distributor for replacement. Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Xiao, Jiangnan PLANTS VS ZOMBIES 2 : ROBOTS COMIC : I’m A Superstar ! / Story & Comic by Xiao Jiangnan ; Translated by Yap Fwee Yi ; Edited by Anthony Chan Yew Choong. ISBN 978-967-2296-77-5 1. Comic books, strips, etc.--China--Translations into English. 2. Robots--Comic books, strips, etc. 3. Plants--Comic books, strips, etc. 4. Zombies--Comic books, strips, etc. I. Yap, Fwee Yi. II. Chan, Anthony Yew Choong. III. Title. 741.5
Introducing new characters The Robot Wars is having an audition! Solar Flare, who dreams of becoming a superstar, drags Penelopea along to join the film crew. But soon, the crew encounters the embarrassing situations of having insufficient funds and no one turning up for the audition. To make matters worse, Super Brainz sets up traps behind the scene. Can a mysterious investor restore the film crew’s hopes? Can the addition of screenwriter robot, special effects robot, hi-speed camera robot and underwater camera robot help the crew turn the table around? Is the addition of The Smash into the crew a time bomb? Can the dreams of Solar Flare and Imitater come true? Find out the answers in this book! RM17.50 SB/SWK RM18.50 S’PORE $10.00 CD 6053 Solar Flare Green Shadow © 2021 Electronic Arts Inc. Plants vs. Zombies is a trademark of Electronic Arts Inc. Cutting-edge technology Artificial intelligence Future world Funny and interesting 200001014479 : unitedpublishinghouse