December 1984

 1984 DECEMBER

MACROSS THE INSIDE STORY:

The genesis of this comic book adaptation of MACROSS, one of Japan's most respected animated adventure series in recent years, is quite remarkable. 

First, it must be realized that COMICO's acquisition of the rights to a major internaitonal property such as MACROSS is totally unique. Usually these type of properties are gobbled up by one of the two mega-companies in the comics field.

HARMONY GOLD, U.S.A., Inc., the American film production company who has acquired the rights to the MACROSS series as well as a number of other classic contemporary Japanese animated films, was impressed by COMICO's determination in making a deal for the property. 

It is fortunate for everyone concerned that the integrity of MACROSS was maintained. On one hand, HARMONY GOLD has produced a faithful adaptation of the MACROSS series as a home video project. COMICO's book represents an authentic adaptation of the screenplay of this English-language version and, more importantly, the actual visual style of the animation.

It is the first time, to my knowledge, that a comic book adaptation has maintained such strong roots to the original style and technique of the source animation. If you look at the art in these pages, as drawn by SVEA STAUCH, you can see that the attention to detail which is a hallmark in Japanese animation is present. 

It is also obvious that the panel breakdown is more in keeping with traditional American comic book. It is not easy to draw the figures and "mecha" which comprise the MACROSS universe in such an open style, allowing for all the definition of contour and shading to come through in the coloring. It is experimental. The coloring process is surprisingly similar to actual cel-vinyl painting on acetate overlays. And then the backgrounds are actually designed as miniature watercolor paintings... but enough of this technical data.

The point that I would like to make in regard to this particular project is simply this... MACROSS has been a labor of love for everyone involved. 

From the original Japanese production done at TATSUNOKO PRODUCTION CO., Ltd. to Phil and Gerry, the co-publishers of COMICO, who believed in the project so strongly that they took it upon themselves to provide the actual inking of Svea's pencils MACROSS is special.  It is not just another "giant robot story".   There is drama and adventure interwoven into a fabric of high-tech design and science fiction storytelling that recalls the classic work of TATSUNOKO's earlier GATCHAMAN series and SPEED RACER.   

MACROSS began a new wave of animation in Japan featuring transformable "mecha" as opposed to robotic defenders who were assembled from various individual parts (i.e. VOLTRON, MIGHTY ORBOTS).

A final note, as the producer of the English language version of MACROSS for home video and the producer of an 85 episode syndicated television series which features MACROSS as well as SOUTHERN CROSS and MOSPEDA which is scheduled to be broadcast on nearly 80 stations nation- wide, I am in a unique position to bring about a solid and, with the help of all those involved, faithful adaptation of the science fiction storytelling so popular in Japan. 

The material will be westernized but the gist of the original will remain intact. 

If you are a fan of Japanese animation perhaps your time has come. 

If you have never experienced the joys of Japanese animation... sit back, relax and read. 

If you're fortunate enough to have a VCR buy or rent a copy of SPACE FORTRESS MACROSS Vol. #1 "Booby Trap" from your local distributor. 

It will make you feel young again.   

Carl Macek Yorba Linda, CA.

MACROSS Issue #1 (BOOBY TRAP) December 1984.

MACROSS Issue #1 (BOOBY TRAP) December 1984.

*********

EDITING AND SCRIPT: CARL MACEK

PENCILS: SVEA STAUCH

INKS, COLORS AND PRODUCTION:  PHIL LASORDA, GERRY GIOVINCO   with much help from; VINCE ARGONDEZZI and DOTTY LINBERG 

LETTERS: CARRIE SPIEGLE

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: AARON KEATON

MACROSS Vol. 1, No. 1 is copyright © 1984 Harmony Gold U.S.A. Inc., Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. 1984 and Comico the Comic Company, all rights reserved. MACROSS is published by COMICO THE COMIC COMPANY, 1547 Dekalb St., Norristown, Pa. 19401. 

PUBLISHERS: Gerry Giovinco, Dennis Lasorda, Phil Lasorda.

Mark Hamlin Sales/Distribution Manager/Marketing Director Distribution Headquarters P.O. Box 1202 Grand Rapids, MI 49501 616/531-7956

[NOTE: I have not found any other comic-book in 1984, that has an Anime , or Manga connection. (20/May/2025)]

[NOTE: Carl Macek's Letter (or message) to readers of issue One of 'MACROSS'  

[NOTE: Having found and and added to my own collection; DAVID ANTHONY KRAFT's COMICS INTERVIEW© Issue #15, September 1984.    COMICO's advertisement for ' MACROSS', a comic-book adaptation of a Japanese animated series. This promotion shows the intent to keep and acknowledge its Japanese roots, before the name change.  Take note in the small print too, only 3 companies are involved at this point.] 

DAVID ANTHONY KRAFT's COMICS INTERVIEW© 

Issue #15, September 1984.

“Coming this November from COMICO”

“The official adaptation of the popular Japanese animated series MACROSS.”

“This English version will be in a standard 32 page format with a bi-monthly

frequency.  It will be printed in process color on enamel coated paper and sell for $1.50.”

“Just another reason why COMICO is the biggest surprise of 1984.”

(©1984 TATSUNOKO PRODUCTIONS LTD., HARMONY GOLD LTD, AND COMICO.)

[NOTE: COMICO's advertisement for ' MACROSS' comic-book is for November 1984, when the issue itself has its print date as December 1984. - This maybe a normal delay in getting a comic-book printed, adding to the date of issue #2 being April 1985.]

The UK's 1988 release of  ROBOTECH;

Episode One "Booby Trap",

Episode Two "Count Down".