Yes, I know that Macross was better. Shut up!
Creative Staff:
Story: Brian Wood
Art: Marco Turini
Colors: Marco Lesko
Letters: John Workman
What They Say:
Ten years ago, a massive ship crashed on Macross Island in the South Paci c. In the intervening years, the people of Earth have used the ‘Robotechnology’ from the ship to significantly advance their own technology. On the launch day of Earth’s Super-Dimension Fortress One (the SDF-1), Earth is attacked by mysterious ships which appear in space and deadly ‘Battlepods’ are dispatched…
Talented young pilot Rick Hunter has been caught up in the events and has taken a Veritech ship (an advanced ghter jet enhanced by Robotechnology). After meeting a girl named Minmei, the pair come face to face with a giant alien being…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
One of the most important questions a reviewer must keep in mind when critiquing a work is “What is the story trying to accomplish?” Is the story trying to be funny? Dramatic? Terrifying? Exciting? Thought-provoking? Once you figure that out, then you need to ask yourself the question, “How well does it accomplish this goal?” A comedy isn’t much of a comedy if it isn’t funny, nor is a dramatic piece…well…dramatic unless it touches the reader emotionally. Each piece must be taken on its own merits to greater or lesser degrees, and so the questions beg to be asked: “What does Robotech try to accomplish and how well does it succeed?”
I reviewed the first issue rather harshly. While I stand by it, I admit that I didn’t do my job and ask those important questions. I went into the situation cold, having no idea what the comic would be about other than Robotech, so I was disappointed when I saw that it was just a straight up retelling of the original show. Having been a fan of the show since I was in short pants, it didn’t do much for me because there was nothing there specifically for me. If I had looked at the solicitation information and whatever else was available prior to launch, I might have modified my comments, or even not reviewed the comic entirely.
I wanted to give the second issue a try because I wanted to see if the comic improved and if it offered anything new. Now I knew the answer to my first question, so it was time to answer the second.
What Robotech sets out to do is retell the original story, but to streamline and modernize it. Taken from that perspective, the comic does succeed. This issue does read more smoothly and clearly than the last one, partially because the onus of setting up the characters, world, and basic conflict fell on the first issue. This leaves the second issue free to build the world and characters, and that makes this a more engaging read.
So, taking all that into account, Robotech #2 is a solid issue that does succeed in its purpose, but it’s clear that I’m not the target audience for this piece. The only aspect that appeals to me is the updating of Minmei’s character. I despised Minmei in the cartoon, and this version seems much less whiny and manipulative. Maybe not to the point where I would actually like her, but I don’t actively loathe this version of the character, either. However, that’s not enough to keep me coming back.
In terms of objective qualities, this issue is fine, but it doesn’t capture me emotionally, so I’m not coming back. As much as I love Robotech, I’ll just go back to the cartoon when I want to revisit. Still, if this provides a jumping-on point for new fans, then more power to it. I would love if this comic jumpstarted a Robotech revival. Just make sure you tell me when it happens so I’m not left behind.
In Summary:
Robotech #2 works better than the first issue, and as a modernized and streamlined retelling of the original show, it does a good job. However, if you’ve been a fan of the show for years, like myself, it doesn’t have enough new elements to make this worth your while. Dr. J gives this a…
Grade: B-
Age Rating: N/A
Released By: Titan Comics
Release Date: 30 August 2017
MSRP: $3.99
