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REVIEW: Robotech: Rick Hunter #1
3.90/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: PG
Creative Team:
Writer: Brandon Easton
Artist: Simone Ragazzoni
Colors: Bryan Valenza
Letters: Deron Bennett
Cover: Lee InHyuk
Editor: Calum Collins
Publisher: Titan Comics
Ratings:
Story: 3.8 Stars
Artwork: 4.1 Stars
Cover Artwork: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 3.9 Stars
Mechanics: 3.8 Stars
Editing: 4.3 Stars
About the Book:
The Robotech franchise origins began with a Super Dimensional Fortress (SDF-1) crashing on an island in the South Pacific. Humans found a way to utilize the technology from the wreckage to create mechs that could transform. Humans weren’t the only ones interested in this technology. An alien race called the Zentraedi wanted to reclaim the ship for their overlords. Thus began the first of three interstellar wars.
Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 begins some years later. Rick Hunter, a hero from the wars, has been promoted to the rank of Major General. Before he has time to enjoy the moment Hunter is called to duty. Yokohama, Japan has been attacked by a squadron of Zentraedi battle pods and power armor. Hunter finds himself looking back on his life while gearing up for what may be his biggest conflict yet.
Reader’s Notes:
Full disclosure. While I love everything from the 80’s, Robotech isn’t really in my wheelhouse. Growing up we lived on a farm that was in the shadow of a mountain. The mountain blocked the signal of the UHF channels. Without the marketing or overwhelming presence in the toy aisle that its contemporaries had, all I knew was that the Valkyrie looked just like Jetfire from Transformers with a different paint scheme. In fact, I spent years believing that Robotech had appropriated the design to make an appealing lure to bring Transformers fans into the fold.
I loved how there was foresight to help bring newcomers up to speed with a great synopsis of the franchise on the first page. It’s not enough to transform a first time reader into a subject matter expert. It’s much more than I expected though. It was appreciated.
I also appreciated getting a small bio on the main characters on the second page. As someone unfamiliar with the franchise I found it very helpful. Even without the bios the reader can get an idea of some of the history between characters.
I enjoyed the story. We get plenty of action. We get a compelling plot with interesting characters. This is the kind of story that makes people that are unfamiliar with the franchise want to come back for more.
The artwork on this cover is very well done. It has great lines. The colors are rich and vibrant. It’s a great nod to fans of the franchise. Personally, I liked seeing the Valkyrie flying across the moon.
I was very fond of the artwork on the interior pages. The level of detail is impressive. It’s a little thing; but the lines going across the monitors during the teleconference really stood out for me.
Lettering in comics and the creative genius behind it is far too often overlooked. To me it’s akin to being an official/referee in sports. If the job is done correctly it’s taken for granted. The onomatopoeia from the attack on Yokohama was game changing and people won’t even realize how much it pulled them into the story. Outstanding work, Mr. Bennett.
As a geek on a budget I would highly recommend checking out Robotech: Rick Hunter #1. Mr. Easton and company got it right. This book is a great continuation of the franchise for longtime fans while not alienating the new arrivals with so many references to previous events that they can’t keep up. I look forward to seeing where the adventures in this new (to me) universe will take us!
