ROBOTECH: RICK HUNTER #1, from Titan Comics on 8/2/23, picks up five years after the Great Robotech War when Maj. General Rick Hunter leads a squad to investigate a rogue Zentraedi attack.
The Details
- Written by: Brandon Easton
- Art by: Simone Ragazzoni
- Colors by: Bryan Valenza
- Letters by: Deron Bennett
- Cover art by: InHyuk Lee
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 2, 2023
Is It Good?
Darn those pesky Zentraedi. ROBOTECH: RICK HUNTER #1 picks up five years after the Great Robotech War to deliver a new threat from an old enemy, plenty of high-flying Robotech action, and a new role for one of RoboTech’s greatest pilots. Brandon Easton delivers everything you could want in a Robotech story, so fans will be well and truly pleased.
Easton’s script centers on Rick Hunter’s new role as Major General and overseer of the Robotech forces while SDF-3 continues construction. Suddenly, an atypical Zentraedi attack on Yokohama puts the planet on alert, especially when intel reports conclude a rogue Zentraedi faction is determined to appease the Robotech Masters with the help of valuable equipment stolen from a captured flagship.
What’s great about this comic? Again, everything you want in a Robotech comic is present in ROBOTECH: RICK HUNTER #1. You get the spirit of military pride and adventure that comes through soldiers fighting together in the heat of battle. You get military strategy and tactics, infused with human courage. And Easton ends the issue with a shocking cliffhanger that escalates the already-high stakes for Rick Hunter.
What’s not so great about this issue? Technically, the down point of ROBOTECH: RICK HUNTER #1 is also a positive, depending on your point of view. Much of this first issue recaps characters, events, and relationships from the original Robotech series. Therefore, if you’re a new reader, this issue makes for an excellent jumping-on point, which is a positive. However, if you’re already a Robotech fan, the plot takes a backseat to the information you already know, so you won’t get much new story out of ROBOTECH: RICK HUNTER #1.
How’s the art? Simone Ragazzoni and Bryan Valenza deliver the goods with solid character interpretations from the source material, explosive aerial dog fights, and decent character acting. The trademark Manga/Anime style is missing, so you don’t quite get the Robotech “feel,” but the art team’s work is good enough to get the job done.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a recap of the events of the last Great Robotech War. Earth is undergoing a revitalization era, and Rick Hunter accepts a promotion to Major General to lead the Veritech forces into the future. Suddenly, an alert sounds, and all eyes watch as Zentraedi ships attack Yokohama and abruptly leave for an unspecified location in Australia.
Hunter is assigned to investigate the Zentraedi attack group, so far considered a rogue faction. The situation is complicated further when an intelligence briefing discloses that the Zentraedi rogues have captured an EArth flagship which contains the last Hyper Fold Engine near Earth.
Hunter takes a Veritech squad to the Southern Hemisphere toward Australia. En route, the squad is attacked by the Zentraedi rogues. The Veritech squad eventually wins with some casualties, but a bigger surprise is waiting just over the horizon.
We conclude the issue with big fights, big hearts, and a fiery discovery.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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ROBOTECH: RICK HUNTER #1 delivers mountains of military heroics, high-flying dogfights, and an escalating threat to Earth’s newfound peace. However, much of the issue is a recap, which is great for new readers to jump on, but not as good for existing fans who already know the score.
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