SEPTEMBER 1985

 

1985 SEPTEMBER

ROBOTECH's MACROSS MAIL

1547 DEKALB ST. NORRISTOWN, PA 19401

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #6 September 1985.

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Dear Comico:

My son has had me searching the comic vendors in my area for your ROBOTECH comic books. I have found him the first three issues, but your comics seem to have just vanished from the racks and issue #4 is nowhere to be found.

I have also read these first three issues and found the first exceptional, but can surely understand why the format had to be changed. Happily, you have continued to exhibit excellent art and inking in the subsequent issues. If you continue to show this much care and talent in all your endeavors you are going to make the Marvel Group take notice... good fortune to you all. 

Thanking you in advance, an impressed reader

Bob Wright   DeSoto, MO

[Editor's reply:

"Thanks for the kind words, Bob. It's always gratifying to hear from a satisfied reader-espe- cially one who's also a parent. Hopefully by now you've been able to find ROBOTECH TMS#4 (as well as issues #5 and #6) at your local comic shop."]

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Dear Comico,

Hi. I just wanted to comment on your MACROSS story. I think it's a really great story and I love being able to buy it at the bookstore as well as watch it on TV. I have the first and third issues now (I'll have to find the second somewhere) and I was surprised at how different the TV show was, compared to the comic book version. This book has, for one, changed my view on Minmei, who I thought was a real airhead on the TV show since she never said anything of much intelligence on TV until she got older than she was in the early episodes.

As far as the new art in the third issue goes, I really miss those nice watercolor paintings used in the backgrounds of the first issue. They helped add life to the pictures. The Varitechs and battlepods and the other mecha in the third issue looked a little better than in the first, but the characters in both need improving. I am happy to see that the spelling was greatly improved on in the new issue, compared to the first!

Anyway, despite my pickiness, I think you guys are doing a great job with ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA and I can't wait to get the next issue! 

Your fan, 

Lori Keenan   Sacramento, CA

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Dear Comico,

I am a big ROBOTECH fan and I am glad that you have come out with the comic book version. I bought MACROSS #1 in May for $5.00, but I am glad I spent every cent. I loved it.

I have one question: Is Rick's last name Yamata (as stated in MACROSS #1) or is it Hunter (as stated in ROBOTECH TMS #3 and in the TV show)?

In our city, the cartoon has been taken off the air for the summer. I can't wait until it comes back on, but I am glad that your comic is here, otherwise it would have been a very dull summer!

Your loyal fan,

E. Voon 

[Editor's reply:

"Rick's last name is indeed "Hunter," having been changed from "Yamata" due to the transition from MACROSS to ROBOTECH. In the ROBOTECH TV show other names have also been anglicized: for example, Lisa Hayase has become Lisa Hayes. Since Comico is adapting ROBOTECH, we've changed our characters' names accordingly. Sorry if it's caused some confusion, but now that everything's been straightened out, shouldn't have any trouble figur- ing out who's who!"]

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Dear Robotech Masters,

I've just finished reading ROBOTECH TMS #3 and I'm very impressed. I'm sorry to have missed #2, but the artwork has improved a great deal since issue #1. I watch the TV series daily (which is already up to ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION). I've seen the births and deaths in the TV show, and you guys are doing a great job capturing each charac- ter's personality in your top-notch comic.

Keep up the good work and don't step on any protoculture!

Your fan, 

Pat Youkers,   Butler, PA

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Comico:

Although ROBOTECH TMS #3 wasn't the most complicated story I've ever read, it most assuredly was one of the most enjoyable, thanks in large part to the artistic wizardry of Neil Vokes and Rich Rankin.

The visuals gave the illusion of flow- ing really smoothly from panel to panel which, in my opinion, helped promote the action scenes in ROBOTECH TMS #3, as well as lending a stabilizing effect to the rest of the book.

Also, although I like the look of the new, brighter, more vibrant coloring process, I've got a question for you: Just exactly what steps are involved in the process?

Lookin' forward to ROBOTECH MASTERS and ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION.

Elvis Orten   Dawson Springs, KY

[Editor's reply:

"As regards our "new" coloring process, Elvis, flat color is in fact the system of color separa- tion most commonly used in comic book production. Comico Art Director Gerry Giovinco explains: "The hand cut screens used by Comico are measured in four percentages that allow us a range of hundreds of colors above the usual 65 colors used by our major competitors. This system enables our colors to remain consistent from page to page, issue to issue. It is also less time-consuming for our colorists and less expensive than full color process, which is the photographic process used in MACROSS #1 and MAGE." Speaking of coloring, we hope you're as enthralled with this issue's cover as we are. After being pencilled and inked by Messrs. Leeke and Kalnick, the cover was then painstakingly painted by New York artist Tom Reilly and we think it's outstanding."]

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[Message from the Editor:

"By the time this lettercol sees print, the following information will be slightly old news, but it's certainly worth noting just the same:

ROBOTECH fans are in for a real treat with issue #23 of David Anthony Kraft's COMICS INTERVIEW, which features interviews with Neil Vokes, the talented penciller of ROBOTECH MASTERS, and Carl Macek, producer of the ROBOTECH TV show. That issue also features an interview with Eclipse Comics Editor-in-Chief Cat Yronwode, a fine human being whose words are always worth reading.

And in the meantime, keep those cards and letters coming. We read every single letter of comment sent to us here at Comico and we really value your input. 

Cheers!

- Diana Schutz"]

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[NOTE:  That Gerry Giovinco (Comico's Art Director), is quoted as saying "The hand cut screens used by Comico are measured in four percentages that allow us a range of hundreds of colors above the usual 65 colors used by our major competitors. This system enables our colors to remain consistent from page to page, issue to issue.” - so there must be a basic set of 65 colours, compared a range in the Hundreds!]

[NOTE:  Having found, and bought a copy of Issue #23 of “ David Anthony Kraft's COMICS INTERVIEW” (1985), I have narrowed it down to either May 1985, or June 1985 for the date, which matches a magazine's deadline of 3 to 4 months in advance of printing advertisments. With the sub-title of ROBOTECH, and featuring interviews with Pencileer Neil Vokes, and Carl Macek whose planning brought Anime to US TV screens, and pioneered Cinematic releases of Anime Dubbed into English, is worth a fresh read .]

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[Side-NOTE: When the Editor Diana Schutz uses the word "Messrs." when referring to Leeke and Kainick,it is an abbreviation meaning "the plural of Mr.". It's an old-fashioned way of referring to two or more men, particularly in business contexts. In French, it's a plural of "Monsieur".]

[NOTE:  *Pat Youkers, of  Butler,  (that is about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh) has been watching ROBOTECH Monday to Friday, and at the time of writing, is already up to the Last story-arc named “The New Generation”.  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PA), was number 10 on the TV stations (WPTT,  Channel 22) currently showing  ROBOTECH reported\printed in May's issue 3 of  “ ROBOTECH the MACROSS Saga”.  So we should be able to do some mathematics here?   Episode 61 "The Invid Invasion" starts this run, so by the end of week 13 (episode 65), given that each week (Monday to Friday) is 5 episodes, it is only 20 episodes, or so away from finishing the 85 running total, and just over 4 months of TV on air-time overall.   All these factors are part of  the television syndication in North America (U.S.A.), And the branding and spread of this franchise.]

[NOTE: *E. Voon, in their letter brings up the name changes of characters, after picking up ISSUE ONE “MACROSS” nearly 6 months later (what a bargain at only $5). His example is “Rick Yamata” to bring “Rick Hunter” in the ROBOTECH Comic-books and TV show. The Editor confirms this and adds “other names have also been anglicized: for example, Lisa Hayase has become Lisa Hayes” , and that this is all part of the translation into ROBOTECH. This shows the awareness of Fans to spot the Japanese origins, and inquire about the cross nationalisation in media.]

[NOTE:*Lori Keenan of Sacramento tells us that “this book has, for one, changed my view”, recounting that character of 'Minmei' “never said anything of much intelligence on TV [in the TV SHOW] until she got older than she was in the early episodes”, and thought that Minmei' was “a real airhead”, but having read the comics has a more positive recollection.   Demonstrating that comic-books can add depth to the storytelling']

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ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #6

$1.50 USA   $2.25 CAN

SCRIPT: JACK HERMAN,

PENCILS: MIKE LEEKE,

INKS: CHRIS KALNICK,

LETTERS: BOB PINAHA,

COLORS: RICK TAYLOR,

EDITS: DIANA SCHUTZ

*COVER: TOM REILLY (PAINTER) - With help from  MIKE LEEKE (PENCILS), & CHRIS KALNICK (INKS).

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #6, September 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 #6, September 1985.

"BLITZKRIEG!"

ROBOTECH's MACROSS MAIL.

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May 1985

 

1985 May

ROBOTECH's MACROSS MAIL

1547 DEKALB ST. NORRISTOWN, PA 19401

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #3

[Message from the Editor; (Gerry Giovinco\Diana Schutz, with imput from Carl Macek), printed May 1985 ; 

"Welcome to the first installment of "ROBOTECH's Macross Mail". Please take advantage of this space because, outside of an occasional plug or two from the person with that strange editing tool, this page belongs to you, the reader. Every comic boasts about how it values your imput, so who are we to be different. Let us know what's up! What do you think? How are we doing? What's going on out there in ROBO land? You can believe it; We really do care! So, keep us posted or a Varitech fighter may just transform into your house!"

"The following letters are all in response to MACROSS #1. Please do not be confused. MACROSS was the former title of ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA. The title change was initiated with the second issue along with a ton of explanations for the change. Yes, a certain popular TV series had something to do with the change but if you want the full scoop go pick up the issue."

"Everybody got it straight? Good. On with the mail!"]

[NOTE: over 5 months after the first issue, and only the 3rd issue the Fan Letters Page was born.]

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Dear Comico,

I've just read Macross #1. I liked it. The big part of the enjoyment was the art style. Other- wise, it was okay. Your typical robot-space cartoon. However, I was deeply surprised to see the adult conversations the characters held!

Them Bones  McDonough, GA

[Editor's reply;

"Well Mr. Bones, we like to think that those types of character interactions that you mention are what makes ROBOTECH TMS not so typical."]

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Carl,

I'd like to congratulate both you and Comico on/for Macross #1. While reading Macross #1 I felt as though I was actually watching the onimored series, rather than reading the adaptation. The artwork was so beautifully rendered that it gave the illusion of being three-dimensional, and the illusion was further heightened and supported by the use and placement of the various types of colors.

All things considered, "Booby Trap" was quite impressive for a first our. (Or, for that matter, any outing.)

Elvis Orten    Chicago, IL

[Editor's reply;

- Elvis, you may have noticed that the style of coloring MACROSS has changed with the title. Let us know what you think of the current process.]

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Dear Sirs,

One word on your English adaptation of MACROSS.

Bravo!!

Keep up the good work!

Thanks,

David Ledermann    Cahokia, IL

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To: Carl Macek and all involved

Ar last!! An ENGLISH version of a beautiful Japanese animation show. This is first attempt at doing a comic book in English based on one of the Japanese animation shows. The Japanese of course, have many photo-novel type comics for their shows, which are excellent, but none are in English. Dedicated admirers of Japanese animation must too often rely on word of mouth descriptions of plot lines and characters, which vary in accuracy. Each new animation we view is an exercise in creative interpretation of the visuals and the vocal inflections of the characters. It's a major credit to the show that we will endure all these hardships, and still treasure what little we get to see.

And now, how do I react to your comic? I must say I was more confused by the comic than after watching the original show in Japanese. The drawings aren't faulty, but could definitely be improved. If a bi-monthly schedule is required to achieve the quality this comic deserves, I think it can be endured. I think the comic needs more narration or dialogue to explain what is going on. Hopefully in future issues you can start to explain the intricate relationships and motivations behind each of the characters.

Keep up the good work, and we'll follow along as the Earthlings discover the bizarre workings of the spaceship MACROSS!!

Rich Arnold    Aurora, CO

[Editor's reply;

Look for ROBOTTECH TMS every six weeks from now on and kiss those two month waits good-bye!]

[NOTE: ROBOTECH TMS refers to ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA storyline, as it is the first of three eras that the ROBOTECH comico comics will run.]

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Dear Gentlemen,

I really love your comic MACROSS! I like it so much I can't wait for it to come out at my local comic book shop. I think it might even be a bigger hit than STARBLAZERS! I really like your characters and spaceships.

Your loyal fan, Steve Morey    Elyria, OH

[NOTE: "STAR BLAZERS" is the localised English name for the Japanese TV show and film franchise  “Space Battleship Yamato” (mainly aired from September 1979 to December 1984). It contributed to the Anime Fandom that spread out from Northern California . - The Anime Fan Club The E. D. C. (Earth Defence Command) based in Dallas Texas, had its roots as a 'STAR BLAZERS' Fan Club.]

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Dear Mr. Macek,

The Macross comic was spectacular! Being a fanaticist and known professor of such "mecha" as giant robots in my neighborhood, I'd known about the Macross for about two years, and had often wondered why the Zentraedi's commander had smashed in the Valkyrie's head in its battroid mode. Hopefully you could put that scene into print.

Again, or for the first time, congratulations for producing your English translation of Macross. It turned out great.

Sincerely, Gene G. Moy    Morton Grove, IL

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Dear Sirs,

I just finished reading Macross #1. I am very happy to say I will try to get every issue possible.

Sincerely, J. Tupta    Milwaukee, WI

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[Editor's reply;

Finally, special thanks to Tom Vincent for going to bat for us in the early innings with his paint brush. Tom colored the first ten pages of this issue as his professional debut but man- aged to miss the front page credits. You will see Tom in these pages again. Thanks, Tom, fine job.

signing out Gerry Giovinco ]

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[NOTE: Gene G. Moy  of  Morton Grove, IL. USA, used the phrase "Mecha", and was a big fan robot shows , and he knew about Super Dimension Fortress Macross, this sounds plausible, as it had aired in Japan from October 1982 to June 1983.]

[NOTE: Steve Morey of Elyria, OH, USA, is quoted as  forcasting that MACROSS will be such a success "I think it might even be a bigger hit than STAR BLAZERS!".]

[NOTE: Rich Arnold of Aurora, CO, USA, puts in wrting what it was like as a Japanese animation Fan; "Dedicated admirers of Japanese animation must too often rely on word of mouth descriptions of plot lines and characters, which vary in accuracy. Each new animation we view is an exercise in creative interpretation of the visuals and the vocal inflections of the characters."] 

(as many of us at the time viewed Anime in raw Japanese, NO sub-titles, NO English Dubs!)

[NOTE: Message from the Editor Gerry Giovinco; "Every comic boasts about how it values your imput, so who are we to be different. Let us know what's up! What do you think? How are we doing? What's going on out there in ROBO land? You can believe it; We really do care!" and adding to this the instution of "Please take advantage of this space" in refering to the Letters Page "MACROSS MAIL".]

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #3

$1.50 USA   $2.25 CAN

SCRIPT: CARL MACEK,

PENCILS: NEIL VOKES,

INKS: RICH RANKIN,

LETTERS: BOB PINAHA,

COLORS: KURT MAUSERT,

EDITS: DIANA SCHUTZ

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #3, May 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 #3 MAY 1985.

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #3 MAY 1985.

[NOTE: Two to the Twenty seven televisions  (Philadelphia  & Washington, D.C.) would NOT start to broadcast ROBOTECH until September of 1985, leaving Twenty five already showing  ROBOTECH each Monday thou to Friday, across the United States of America.]

It is solely my opinion, in that a generation DID NOT grow-up smoking pipes!

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Comico's first issue of MACROSS, (December 1984) that many of the letters refer to.

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