AUGUST 1985

 

1985 AUGUST

ROBOTECH's MACROSS MAIL

1547 DEKALB ST. NORRISTOWN, PA 19401

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #5 

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Dear Carl and company:

All I can do right now is praise you for the fine job you are doing on ROBOTECH, which has improved con- siderably since the first ish. However, though, I feel the dialogue could be bet- ter in some areas but considering that you, Carl, are busy handling both the comics and the television series, I give you credit for being able to handle the pressure of doing both and making both among the best in their respective fields.

Keep up the good work on ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA.

It's ichi ban!

Aaron Reed    Brockton, MA

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Dear Comico,

For years I have been tuned out to the comic scene, due to the fact that the companies that had (nearly) cor- nered the market were producing such commercial crud that all the characters were the same superheroes with cardboard cut-outs as accessory characters and enemies that belonged in the funny farm. The art looked like black and white sketches with color arbitrarily thrown in to keep readers satisfied and the storylines were totally interchangeable.

With sci-fi comics the setting was so futuristic that all problems were solved through technology and the villains did what they did just for the sake of being evil. It seems that it took the Japanese to throw us out of our apathy with the animation of Macross and an alternative company like Comico to start as a catalyst for change.

In ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA the heroes are not super in any way, just intelligent or gifted. The villains are not villains; the conflict is between the haves and the have-nots, although the haves don't know that they have anything. I liked the innovative artwork in the first issue and was somewhat disappointed by the second issue's artwork, but I guess a deadline is a deadline.

Are there any plans for other Japanese cartoon-comics? 

Doug Welch   Redwood City, CA

[Editor's reply;

"By now, Doug, you should have been able to pick up both ROBOTECH MASTERS #1 and ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION #1 at your local comics emporium.   These two exciting new comics are adapted from the popular ROBOTECH TV series currently in national syndication.   The MASTERS and NEW GENERATION segments of the ROBOTECH show are based upon the Japanese animated series, Southern Cross and Mospeada, respectively."]

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Dear Comico,

I can't believe it. I read MACROSS #1 and ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #2 and there's only one word (or more) that can describe those issues. Totally awesome! Excellent! Extravagant! Spectacular! In other words, It! Was! Great! I loved every page.

Gintas Grabauskas   Chicago, IL

[Editor's reply;

"Thanks! A! Lot!"]

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Editor:

When I saw the first ads for MACROSS in Comico comics, I was overjoyed. I thought it would either be an English translation of the actual Japanese comic or the photo-novel style of STAR BLAZERS. When the first issue came out, I was disappointed not only because it wasn't what I expected, but also the following: the art did seem distantly inspired by the Japanese version, but I'm afraid I found it substandard.  The backgrounds were also not skillfully done.

The second issue was a definite improvement with an excellent cover and the inking skills of Rich Rankin improving the inside art as well.   The pencillers still have to work on small details, such as Japanese-style eyes, as well as overall art to achieve the "integrity" desired.  Cityscapes, for example, are difficult but a real disappointment if not done well.

On the whole, ROBOTECH is a hopeful project and I look forward to following its progression. 

Craig Maher   Poughkeepsie, NY

[Editor's reply;

"And on the other hand... Craig Maher, meet Dan Cherney..."]

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To the production staff of ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA:

I was quite impressed with the first issue of this new comic. The cover art alone was worth the price of the comic. I was also pleased that you decided to recapture the feeling and look of cel animation in your artwork. All in all, a job well done.

But... that first issue did have its pit-falls.  The artwork on page 2 is god-aw-fully bad.  There are a few other complaints (mostly with background artwork), but it's nothing that a few lessons in perspective and proper color usage couldn't cure.

Then came your second issue a truly shocking disappointment.  The cover art is one of the most garbled, busy, and confusing pieces of cover art I've ever seen.  Terrible stuff, just terrible.  What happened?  And then there's the interior art and lettering.   It was a big let down to see that you abandoned the "cel-animation" technique, but I suppose that I'll eventually get used to the standard comic art format.

All criticisms aside, I wish you good luck on your future efforts. There is room for improvement in your book and I think you can turn it into something special.

Dan Cherney   Cleveland, OH

[Editor's reply;

"We here at Comico already think our ROBOTECH books are something special, Dan!   As much, however, as we would like to return to a cel-like approach to the art, it's simply not practical for a series like ROBOTECH, which is published twice a month.   Still, we do think you'll agree that each of our titles maintains the integrity of its Japanese counterpart and the books are improving all the time!   By the way, what did you think of this issue's creative team?  Everyone involved really put their heart and soul into the issue you're holding... and we think it shows!"]

[NEXT ISSUE: Join us for the debut of the art team of penciller Mike Leeke and inker Chris Kalnick. You've seen their outstanding covers these last three issues, now watch what happens when they take over the entire book! Be here for "Blitzkrieg"!]

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[NOTE: These Letters to the Editor, were mainly aimed at issue ONE (MACROSS), and issue TWO (now called ROBOTECH The MACROSS Saga), published 8 to 4 months after their printing. (December 1984, & April 1985  to now August 1985).   People writing their views via APPs, and the Internet, can get replies to thier feedback, within seconds, or minutes, or at the very least a few days.  What a differance!]

[NOTE:  Dan Cherney of Cleveland, OH. USA. had a "shocking disappointment" when came to the "cover art", and the "interior art", but looked like he was resigned to "that I'll eventually get used to the standard comic art format."  the Editor's reply being "As much, however, as we would like to return to a cel-like approach to the art, it's simply not practical for a series like ROBOTECH, which is published twice a month." So massive deadlines, and time constraints for a $1.50 comic book! ]

[NOTE: Craig Maher of Poughkeepsie, NY. USA. Had high hopes for the MACROSS comic book "When I saw the first ads for MACROSS in Comico comics, I was overjoyed.", this must have been in late 1984 (I would guess 1 to 3 months before its 1984 DECEMBER printing),  but "I thought it would either be an English translation of the actual Japanese comic or the photo-novel style of STAR BLAZERS."  - It maybe that in 1980 and 1983 printed photo-comic\novel style (issues 1 to 5 by West Cape) books had a limited run for STAR BLAZERS, as it would be a few more years before Comico would themselves run 2 mini series.]

ROBOTECH THE MACROSS SAGA #5

$1.50 USA   $2.25 CAN

SCRIPT: JACK HERMAN,

PENCILS: DAVE JOHNSON,

INKS: JEFF DEE,

LETTERS: L. LOIS BUHALIS,

COLORS: TOM VINCENT,

EDITS: DIANA SCHUTZ

ROBOTECH The Macross Saga #5, August 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 #5 AUGUST 1985.

"TRANSFORMATION"

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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