DECEMBER 1985

 

1985 DECEMBER

ROBOTECH's MACROSS MAIL

1547 DEKALB ST. NORRISTOWN, PA 19401

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #8 December 1985.

To the artists of ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA,

Thank you for the exceptionally great job that you did on issue #5. Everyone on the staff deserves a hearty congratulations.

Dave Johnson, who did the pencils, and Jeff Dee, who laid down the inks, are incredibly talented and have big fu- tures ahead of them in the comics indus- try. One particularly good trait found in this issue is the great attention paid to facial and body gestures. Each charac- ter has a definite personality which stands alone, even without their dialogue. The artwork transcends the pages that it is printed on. There is a special magic about it.

A lot of the credit for this magic must go to Tom Vincent, who gave this comic its wonderful colors. It's very apparent that Tom began to experiment with his Crayolas when he was just a wee tyke. The colored shadowing is wonderful. Many colorists can turn a brightly col- ored page into an almost deadly rainbow - Tom has turned them into masterpieces.

Special thanks must also go to your letterer, L. Lois Buhalis. The people who letter comic books only seem to be singled out for attention when their sen- tences appear to have been rammed by a Zentraedi warship. In this case, however, Lois deserves a lot of credit for her smooth style of lettering as well as her incredibly straight lines. This might sound odd, or even trivial, but anyone who has ever tried their hand at comic book lettering is very aware of the difficulties involved.

I don't give my praise to comic art lightly; this is obvious in a previous letter of mine which found its way into the letters column of issue #5. The creative team on this issue really has "put their heart and soul into it." The integrity of this spectacular Japanese series is translated very well into this issue of the series. What you are doing is far from an easy job, but you make it look easy. Magic. 

Pure magic!!!

Sincerely yours, 

Dan Cherney   Cleveland, OH

[Editor's reply;

"Glad to hear that you're a little happier with our current artistic efforts, Dan. On behalf of everyone involved, let me thank you for your kind words. And remember: Magic is green. (Oops wrong book!)"]

*********

Dear Comico,

After considering how hard it must be to adapt animation, I must say that everyone involved with your ROBOTECH comics is doing a splendid job. ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #5 was generally magnificent, albeit a little hurried-looking.  Exedore and Breetai could have been better, but the humans were drawn well most of the time. The way page 6 flowed into page 7 was nice more effects like this, please. Dave Johnson's pencils and Jeff Dee's inks must have been made for each other, and Jack Herman's not-too-wordy script really helps.  Please let him be the regular writer.

My suggestions for the future might be to start off each issue the way the TV show does, with a brief recap of what happened in the previous segment, maybe with a few scenes from the previous issue, and maybe have the splash page be cel animation. The transformation sequence in #5 would have been better if it hadn't been shoved into such a small space.

I really think my suggestions would help this and your other ROBOTECH books, and I think you should seriously consider them; but I won't be too disappointed if you don't take them to heart. They are only suggestions and your ROBOTECH books are great just the way they are.

Adam Baker   Raleigh, NC

[Editor's reply;

"We always take constructive sug- gestions to heart, Adam, and you may notice that we've already granted one of your wishes: almost every new issue of ROBOTECH now opens with a short recap to help refresh our readers' memories as to the events of the preceding issue.

Unfortunately, the process of color separation is such that we cannot mix flat colors with cel-like coloring within the pages of a single issue, however we are experimenting with a few painted covers. Let us know what you think, okay?"]

*********

Dear Comico,

I love both the ROBOTECH comic book and the cartoon.

I'd really love to see a romance between Minmel and the Zentraedi com- mander, Breetai. I think they would be well suited to each other.  Minmei would probably soften Breetai, and Breetail would ask Minmei to make several choices. Minmei has yet to fall in love, and when she does, it will probably be love at first sight.

Besides, a romance of this sort would add a great twist to the story. 

Keep up the good work. 

Debbie Baxter   Geneva, FL

[Editor's reply;

"Gee, Debbie, it's an interesting idea, but don't you think Rick Hunter might have a few things to say about a romance between Minmei and Breetai?! (Not to mention. that Minmei's a little, uh, short for the Zentraedi giant!)"]

*********

Dear Comico The Comic Company:

This is the first time that I've ever written to you nice people at Comico. I'm writing to thank you for adapting ROBOTECH, one of my all-time favorite Japanese-made animated series, into comics form. The series so far has been nothing short of excellent, especially your adaptation of THE MACROSS SAGA.

The writing, art, coloring, lettering - in short, everything! - have been first- rate! I've been impressed from the very first issue!

Once again, thank you, Comico, for adapting ROBOTECH into comics form! 

Please keep up the outstanding work! 

May you never run out of your supply of protoculture!

Sincerely,

Dexter Takashi Odani    Vista, CA

*********

Dear fellow Robotech defenders: 

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #5 was excellent!!! Fantastic!!!  I looked at the cover, then I knew something was different about it (compared to the other issues). The art was superb!!! Dave Johnson is to be congratulated!  This was the best issue yet! Also, Jeff Dee did a great job on his part! By the way, is Jeff Dee the same guy who did the artwork for a role-playing game called Villains & Vigilantes?

I'm sorry to hear that Dave won't be penciling any other issues. I hope Mike. Leeke and Chris Kalnick do a good job as well as Dave and Jeff did!

Well, fellow Robotech defenders, I'll be seeing you in two weeks, for our next mission! Though there needs to be more improvement in your book, I wish you well and good hunting!

2nd Lt. of Skull Squadron, 

Patrick Shiiba   Honolulu, HI

[Editor's reply;

"Yes, Patrick, the Villains & Vigilantes artist is the one and only Jeff Dee! And if you like Jeff's work as much as we do, be sure to check out his talented pencilling in ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION #5, coming your way in January. And in the meantime, stay tuned for a real Techie treat in ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #9, starring "Miss Macross"!

- Diana Schutz"]

*********

ALL PURPOSE GENERIC LETTERS PAGE

1547 DEKALB STREET, NORRISTOWN, PA 19401

ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION #4 December 1985.

[Message from the Editor;

"Welcome to our very first No Frills Letters Column here in the pages of ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION. If you're wondering why we've followed the trend in generic products with our all-purpose logo above, the answer is pretty simple: we don't have a name yet for this letters page. And that's where you come in. Did somebody mention a contest? You betcha!

Now's the time for all you Techies to get your creativity in gear, crank your cranium, and dream up a letters page title for ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION. Send us your best ideas for a name, and we'll pick the title that we like the most. The win- ner will receive a fabulous free drawing by one of Comico's terrifically talented ROBOTECH artists!

Please make sure to include your name and full address with your entry and send it to:

ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION 

Letters Page

1547 DeKalb Street 

Norristown, PA 19401

In the meantime, let's get on with some of your letters about the pre- mier issue of ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION..."]

*********

Dear Editor,

After reading ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA, MASTERS, and THE NEW GENERATION, all I felt was disappointment. I'm writing now because I thought that maybe the same problem would not continue, or be characteristic of all three books, but it is.   First, answer me this question: Is ROBOTECH aimed at the young readers of America, or is it supposed to keep the semi-intelligent and the semi-mature interested?  If you were truly giving a comic book adaptation that has something to do with the television series, you would pick the latter. Unfortunately, that's not the message that comes across. 

Here is my point. I'm not some sort of war-monger or a death freak, but I, along with many other people, have noticed that the ROBOTECH TV series is a somewhat violent show. In fact, it is the first in a long time that actually shows the deaths of people - not spacecraft, but actual people. This element is missing from your book.

Another thing missing is mature dialogue. The main plot and main theme always seem to come second to trivial little things the characters do. For instance, in THE NEW GENERATION, thirteen panels were dedicated to the love of two characters. It's good to establish sidelines to plots, but not write a novel. I also found pages 14 and 15 dismissable. It's obvious that Scott's going to feel sad over the death of his bride-to-be; it goes without saying. A couple of panels could have portrayed him in misery, not two pages.   Finally, when the "young rebel" was being chased by robots, the dialogue was weak.   If a 100-ton monster tried to squish me, I don't think my comeback would be, "Hey! What's the big idea?" I feel like I'm reading scripts for Leave it to Beaver!

I'm only trying to give some constructive criticism.   After reading titles like MAGE and NEXT MAN, I figured your company's titles would be for the intellectual reader. You have a very interesting idea and three books at your disposal. You don't even have the Comics Code.   Let's see some stronger dialogue and thicker plots and maybe we'll stick around.

Christopher Romano 

Pacific Palisades, CA

[Editor's reply;

"Thanks for your letter, Chris sorry I had to shorten it slightly, due to space considerations. We're al- ways up for constructive criticism and will certainly take your recommendations into account. Trying to straddle the line between both older and younger readers is not an easy task, but that's what we've set out to do with ROBOTECH - sometimes it works, sometimes not.  I would like to point out, however, that more ma- ture dialogue does not necessarily entail a slew of four-letter words, as you seem to imply. And there are some readers who would disagree with your suggestion to emphasize plot over characterization, as witness the following..."]

*********

Carl ---

Of the three ROBOTECH-related titles that are currently being published by Comico, ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION promises to be the best, and most entertaining, of them all.

While the artwork was similar to that of the other titles, and even some of the same creative personnel also work on the other ROBOTECH titles, the primary thing that sets this apart from the others. is the relationship between Scott and Marlene (the operative word being "relationship").

Call me an incurable romantic at heart but, the way I see it, if I were going into battle I certainly wouldn't be thinking about the safety of my troops, my planet, or even myself. As callous as it may sound, my first worry (and priority) would be the woman I love.

Anyway, thanks for a great issue. 

Elvis Orten 

Dawson Springs, KY

*********

Dear Comico,

Once again you have proven to me that you are the very best comic company by releasing ROBOTECH MASTERS and THE NEW GENERATION. They are both totally awesome! All my friends have commented on the good illustrations. 

NOBODY MAKES COMICS LIKE COMICO!!!

Abraham Fetterman 

Media, PA

*********

Dear Comico,

I have been collecting comics for years, but when the ROBOTECH comics came out I knew that I would be collecting all of these comics.

The artwork in the first issue of THE NEW GENERATION is excellent. The characters look exactly like they do in the TV show.

Keep up the good work, and please inform me when I can subscribe to ROBOTECH.

Jim Meyerhans 

Windsor, CT

[Editor's reply;

"The good news, Jim, is that you can subscribe to all three ROBOTECH comics now! Check out our subscription ad elsewhere in this issue for details."]

*********

Dear Carl and Reggie,

May I be the first to congratulate you on your first fantastic issue of ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION.   I am a loyal fan of the ROBOTECH television show and love all three parts of the ROBOTECH saga.   But one part is more outstanding than the rest, and that is the third part.  I would like to congratulate Reggie on his spectacular art.   I love the way he draws Scott Bernard.  He looks just as awesome as he appears on TV.   Reggie, I think you are the best ROBOTECH artist, and you can rest assured that I shall pick up every issue of ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION that becomes available.

Dwight MacPherson 

Largo, FL

*********

[Message from the Editor;

"Thanks to everyone who took the time to write - keep those letters coming, folks, we love to hear from you!  In the meantime, be with us in six weeks for "Curtain Call," the next exciting chapter of ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION.

Diana Schutz"]

*********

[NOTE:  ] 

[NOTE:  ] 

[NOTE:  ] 

[NOTE:  ] 

[NOTE:  ] 

[NOTE:  ] 

*********

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #8

$1.50 USA   $2.25 CAN

SCRIPT: JACK HERMAN,

PENCILS: REGGIE BYERS,

INKS: SAM KIETH,

LETTERS: BOB PINAHA,

COLORS: KURT MAUSERT,

EDITS: DIANA SCHUTZ

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #8, December 1985. Published by COMICO the Comic Company, 1547 De Kalb St., Norristown, PA 19401. "ROBOTECH" is a trademark owned and licensed by Revell, Inc. Used here with permission. This story and the distinctive likenesses herein are 1985 Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc./Tatsunoko Production Company, Ltd. All rights reserved. All other material, unless otherwise specified, is © 1985 Comico the Comic Company. All rights reserved. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons and/or institutions in this publication and those of any existing or pre-existing person or institution is intended and any similarity which may exist is purely coincidental. 

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga is published 9 times a year. 

Printed in the U.S.A.

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #8, December 1985.

SWEET SIXTEEN

THE COMICO BLIMP & HYPE PAGE.

ROBOTECH's MACROSS MAIL.

*********

ROBOTECH The New Generation #4,

$1.50 USA   $2.25 CAN

SCRIPT: JACK HERMAN,

PENCILS: DAVE JOHNSON,

INKS: TOM POSTON,

LETTERS: BOB PINAHA,

COLORS: KURT MAUSERT,

EDITS: DIANA SCHUTZ

ROBOTECH The New Generation #4, December 1985. Published by COMICO the Comic Company, 1547 De Kalb St., Norristown, PA 19401. "ROBOTECH" is a trademark owned and licensed by Revell, Inc. Used here with permission. This story and the distinctive likenesses herein are 1985 Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc./Tatsunoko Production Company, Ltd. All rights reserved. All other material, unless otherwise specified, is © 1985 Comico the Comic Company. All rights reserved. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons and/or institutions in this publication and those of any existing or pre-existing person or institution is intended and any similarity which may exist is purely coincidental. 

ROBOTECH The New Generation is published 9 times a year. 

Printed in the U.S.A.

ROBOTECH The New Generation #4, December 1985.

SURVIVAL.

THE COMICO BLIMP & HYPE PAGE.

Join the ROBOTECH DEFENSE FORCE,

&

ROBOTECH SHIRTS.

ALL PURPUSE GENERIC LETTERS PAGE.

THE ROBOT STORE

&

Subscribe to ROBOTECH.

*********