April 1985

 1985 April

ROBOTECH  A NEW BEGINNING:

As seen on TV! That's right. And as you can see, if you were with us for the first issue of what was then simply titled Macross, things have changed. Welcome to ROBOTECH The Macross Saga.

Those of you who are familiar with Japanese animation will be happy to learn that three of the most popular Japanese animated series, Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada, have been adapted for syndication on American television. The three series have been amazingly interwoven and distributed as ROBOTECH by Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc., an American film production company that has acquired the rights to these Japanese classics. ROBOTECH, the 85-episode American television series, is already being viewed in a number of cities across the country and is receiving rave reviews.

COMICO is overjoyed to have the opportunity to present ROBOTECH in a comic book format. Obviously, changes from our first presentation of Macross were necessary. The story continues in its chronological progression from that first issue into this second, though the title has changed as have some of the names in the story. These changes have been made to maintain the continuity created by the television version of what is now ROBOTECH. The alterations are slight and are testimony to the integrity of the American adaptation.

The production of the comic book has been changed also. We have found that though the cel-like procedure that was used in issue #1 was quite attractive and successfully mimicked the actual animated image, it was far from practical as a procedure to be used on a comic with as great a frequency as ROBOTECH will have. This and future issues of ROBOTECH will employ a more traditional approach to the production of the comic. The art will be redrawn, striving always to maintain the excitement captured in the original. All of the ROBOTECH artists are extraordinarly talented and share a passion for the art of Japanese animation. They along with Carl Macek, who not only produces the American television version but is also scripting ROBOTECH for COMICO, are creating an adaptation unparalleled in quality and integrity. ROBOTECH will not be just one series published by COMICO; it will be three. COMICO has opted to take the three Japanese titles, Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada, and publish them as three separate ROBOTECH titles. This has been done to keep the stories fairly current with the television show which airs daily.

The three titles will be ROBOTECH The Macross Saga, ROBOTECH Masters, and ROBOTECH The New Generation. Each title will be published every six weeks. Soon, in the wake of the direction of COMICO's new Editorial Coordinator Diana Schutz, a new ROBOTECH issue will be made available every two weeks.

ROBOTECH is here and COMICO is proud to be bringing you our ROBOTECH line of comic books.

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #2, April 1985.

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #2, April 1985

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SCRIPT: CARL MACEK

PARTIAL LAYOUTS: SVEA  STAUCH

PENCILS: NEIL VOKES

INKS: RICH RANKIN

LETTERS: CARRIE SPIEGLE and GERRY GIOVINCO

COLORS:  KURT MAUSERT

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #2, April 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 of 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.

PUBLISHERS: Gerry Giovinco, Dennis Lasorda, Phil Lasorda.

Bob Schreck Advertising and Promotions Manager (516) 796-1231

Mark Hamlin Sales/Distribution Manager/Marketing Director Distribution Headquarters P.O. Box 1202, Grand Rapids, MI 49501 618/531-7956

[NOTE: That Revell Inc. owned and licensed the trademark of  name of "ROBOTECH" gave permission to Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc, at this time (April 1985).]

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ROBOTECH DEFENDERS

EDITOR'S NOTE (Barry Marx)

By now you've undoubtedly noticed that the ROBOTECH DEFENDERS three-issue mini-series has become the ROBOTECH DEFENDERS two-issue mini-series. 

We apologize to all those who were expecting three issues, but for reasons too numerous to mention, we decided to complete the series in two issues. Since these were the circumstances, we felt that the best compromise would be to give you more for your money at no sacrifice to the story or the artwork. Soooo...here is the dynamic conclusion of the ROBOTECH DEFENDERS saga, told in thirty-two pages without commercial interruption all for a mere seventy-five cents! And as an extra bonus, this issue features two brand-new covers, front and back! Enjoy!

ROBOTECH DEFENDERS #2 April 1985.

THE CONFRONTATION

[NOTE: True to the Editor's word, there is not a scrap of advertising on any side of any page, not even the back cover.]

[NOTE: The issue #2, was promoted to be available “next month”, that is February 1985 (see issue #1), now 3 months late, and on the shelves in April 1985.] 

THE CONFRONTATION

Writer: Andrew Helfer, 

Pencillers: Judith Hunt and Mike Manley, 

Inkers: Murphy Anderson and Dan Zolnerowich, 

Letterer: Ben Oda, 

Colorist: Nansi Hoolahan,  

Editor: Barry Marx.

ROBOTECH DEFENDERS 2 Published monthly by DC Comics Inc 666 Fifth Avenue New York NY 10103 Copyright © 1984 by DC Comics Inc All Rights Reserve stories characters and incidents mentioned in this magazine are entirely fictional ROBOTECH DEFENDERS AQUALO CONDAR GARTAN TALOS THOREN OLTEK AIRBORNE ATTACKERS COMMANDO ROBOT RECOVERY UNIT and all other characters herein along with their related indicia are trademarks of Revell.   by permission Printed in USA   DC Comics Inc A Warner Communications Company.

{Sadly, with such a short run, of just 2 comic books, their was no feedback or voice from Fans for ROBOTECH DEFENDERS.}

JANUARY 1985

 

1985 JANUARY

ROBOTECH DEFENDERS #1

A 3 part mini series by;

 ANDREW HELFER (Writer), JUDITH HUNT (Penciller), MURPHY ANDERSON (Inker).

USA 75c   CAN 95c   U.K. 30p

ROBOTECH DEFENDERS #1 JANUARY 1985.

Only 7 robot\mecha designs were used, all from 'Fang of the Sun, Dougram'.

[Japanese original names; Dougram, Ironfoot, Blockhead, Bigfoot, Roundfacer, Bushman, Mackeral.]

"FOR THE INNOCENT PEOPLE OF ZOLTEK, THE WAR WILL SOON BE OVER. BUT FOR THE ROBOTECH DEFENDERS THE WAR IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"

[NOTE: ROBOTECH DEFENDERS 1 Published monthly by DC Comics Inc., - 1984 by DC Comics Inc. All Rights Reserved. The stories, characters and incidents mentioned in this magazine are entirely fictional. ROBOTECH DEFENDERS. AQUALO, CONDAR, GARTAN. TALOS, THOREN, ZIYON, ZOLTEK, AIRBORNE ATTACKERS, COMMANDO, ROBOT RECOVERY UNIT, and all other characters herein along with their related indicia (distinguishing marks) are trademarks of Revell Inc. Used by permission. Printed in USA  DC Comics Inc. A Warner Communications Company. ]

STORY CHAPTER ONE; the GATHERING.

Writer: ANDREW HELFER 

Penciller: JUDITH HUNT 

Inkers: MURPHY ANDERSON and DAN ZOLNEROWICH

Letterer: BEN ODA 

Colorist: BOB LE ROSE 

Editor BARRY MARX

ROBOTECH FORCE (was the title in the advert... at the back of the comic-book).

[NOTE: "BUILD THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEM".

"You've built the deadliest aircraft. The most awesome tanks. And the mightiest warships. Now, maybe, you're ready for Robotech Force: Super-powered robots equipped with radar-directed, rapid fire lasers. And powerful computerized brains, programmed to seek and destroy all enemies. So protect the world from attack. Put yourself in command of the most awesome defense system that the world has ever known. Robotech Force. (TM) "

In my own opinion, this marketing advert has no conection to the storytelling of the comic book.]

[NOTE: the very small print (in white), shows the oragins of the Model kits as "Manufactured by Takara Co Ltd. Takyo Japan" -  Takara but no link to the Anime  TV series 'Fang of the Sun, Dougram' created by Ryosuke Takahashi with Nippon Sunrise (Studio) for TV Tokyo Corporation.]            

Revell, distrobuted scale model kits.

[NOTE: Revell GmbH is an American-origin for the manufacturer of plastic scale models kits.]

ROBOTECH DEFENDERS.

[NOTE: Revell had these unconnected lines of scale model kits, and with DC Comics pland to release comic books in a 3 issues run (limited Mini Series), entitled “Robotech Defenders” as a direct tie-in to boost sales.  

ROBOTECH DEFENDERS 

(mainly from the TV Anime show "Fang of the Sun,  Dougram")  

and 

ROBOTECH CHANGERS 

(from the TV Anime shows; Super Dimension Century Orguss, and Super Dimension Fortress Macross ).

ROBOTECH FORCE (was the title used in the advert... at the back of the comic-book).]

[NOTE: No promotion of the Japanese origins, but the American name ROBOTECH, will have an impact on Anime, Anime Fandom in the English speaking World from 1984 to this day!]