The art style also drew me in, from the moment I watched the Metropolis movie (thank you movie trailer), and is the main thing keeping me reading. I especially like the cute round characters like Astro, Ken and Rock.
Boo to the haters! They have crappy taste.
Welcome to the forum! I think it is really cool that you read Metropolis without realising it was from the same author as BJ. I watched the movie without realising it was from the creator of Astro Boy! And I really wanted to get into Astro Boy back then too!