As a child of the 1980s, I was lucky enough to be of the time when anime was still new to the United States. I remember when those videotapes started to show up on video shops and places like Suncoast Video. It was even more interesting to even find them in places like Tower Records which normally stocks music and books. We grew up watching shows like Speed Racer, it was a new world and showed us just how different Japanese animation was.

It was not until shows like Voltron came onto our screens that we saw just superior their IPs were. That is when I found Robotech, which was an epic space opera,  that succeeded where the original Battlestar Galactica failed. It showed how war changed people and just how similar we all were. In the debut issue of Robotech: Rick Hunter, we find one of the main protagonists, as he investigates a new threat, while meeting some old friends along the way

We are taken to a remembrance ceremony for those who perished when the SDF-1 was destroyed by the Zentraedi, where Rick being promoted to Major General, as he being put in charge of a major expedition. Right when he tries to settle in his new role, he gets a transmission from an old friend, Vince Grant,  as the Zentraedi has taken control of one of the UEEF’s flagships and they could only trust Rick with the mission. As he and the rest of Pegasus Squadron head back to Earth to retrieve the flagship, they encounter bogeys along the way, where they lose a fellow pilot but find the base they were supposed to land and refuel, under fire. By the issue’s end, Pegasus squadron try to regroup and the reader meets the leader of these rogue Zentraedi

Overall, Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 is a fantastic reintroduction to Rick Hunter and the world of Robotech. The story by Easton in is masterful. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, Robotech: Rick Hunter is a story that diehard fans like me will love.

Story: Brandon Easton Art: Simone Ragazzoni
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Deron Bennett
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Read

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

After the devastating events of the Macross saga, Rick Hunter must face an all new threat, along with the ghosts of his past when a Zentraedi splinter group attacks Yokohama, Rick is called to investigate! Piloting the new prototype YF-4 Veritech, Rick encounters old friends and new enemies, all while recounting the moments of his life that shaped most epic moments in the Robotech universe! Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 kicks off the next chapter of this classic series.

Written by Brandon Easton, Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 has the difficult task of balancing a beloved franchise with also being welcoming for new readers. It pulls that off by giving the basics without going into too much detail. You’re quickly caught up with what you need to know. But, that also creates an issue where new readers might not quite connect with the characters enough to really care what happens. But, for longtime fans of Macross/Robotech, you’ll find a comic that feels like a logical continuation of what has come before. There’s no crazy updating or changes here, it’s just the next chapter. And that makes the comic work and work quite well.

Easton also does his best to balance action with some history. We get a bit of Rick’s past as he and his team go off to investigate something and wind up in battle. But, there isn’t quite enough were we’re really rooting for Rick. He, and most of the characters, just are. There’s a depth that’s not delivered in the comic to really connect with everyone introduced. We get personalities more than characters.

The art by Simone Ragazzoni continues the classic look of it all. Even I, who hasn’t watched any of the anime in years, could recognize the characters and vehicles with ease. Ragazzoni is joined by Bryan Valenza on color and Deron Bennett on lettering. There’s a new generation of fighters introduced as well that look like a next step instead of a radical change, it’s an interesting decision and opens up some exciting potential as we’re all teased with transformations in the action.

Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 feels like a comic that’ll appeal to fans of the franchise. There’s enough that new readers won’t get lost, and may want to see what has come before. It’s definitely entertaining with solid pacing and good action that’s a nice start for the next chapter.

Story: Brandon Easton Art: Simone Ragazzoni
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Deron Bennett
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle