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Robotech comics first officially appeared in print in 1985, though Comico published the first issue of its license from Harmony Gold USA under the Macross name.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2007) |
| Robotech | |
|---|---|
The first Robotech comic book, Robotech Defenders #1, published by DC Comics in January, 1985. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics Comico Comics Eternity Comics Academy Comics Antarctic Press WildStorm Productions Titan Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Genre | |
When Harmony Gold was releasing the first few episodes of its original Macross dub in 1984, it was discovered that Revell already had a Robotech Defenders line of scale model kits that included the transformable Macross mecha. The potential for brand confusion caused concern that Harmony Gold would have problems selling its own transformable Macross toys. Harmony Gold and Revell were able to come to a co-licensing agreement — when producer Carl Macek had the idea to combine Macross with Southern Cross and Mospeada to create an 85-episode television series, he chose to use Revell's pre-existing Robotech name and logo to strengthen the title's brand recognition.
A little-known Robotech Defenders limited comic book series was first published by DC Comics in 1984. Based on the Revell line of plastic models, this series actually combines mecha designs from Macross, Orguss, and Dougram. It predates the television series by about a year. The comic was originally intended to be a three-issue limited series; however, due to poor sales (and reportedly, pressure from Harmony Gold to "clear the way" for the TV series), the series was truncated down to only two issues.
Revell's division in West Germany, Revell Plastic, GmbH, published a one-shot promotional issue of Robotech Defenders with a subtitle translating to "The Defenders of the Cosmos." Written by W. Spiegel with artwork by Walter Neugebauer, this original comic was not a reprint of the DC Comics series and was not connected to its continuity. Like the DC Comics series, it also had no connection to the TV series.[1]
Comico's Robotech comics consisted almost entirely of adaptations of the Robotech TV episodes, released alongside or just after their TV airings. Rather than releasing them sequentially, they released all three series at once. Of the 85 TV episodes, only "Dana's Story" was not directly adapted; it was later re-published in an expanded graphic novel. The main reason for this was not to provide spoilers for the outcome of The Macross Saga. While each issue adapted one episode, most issues made small changes to the dialogue and sometimes inconsequential changes to the story itself. The final issue of The Macross Saga had an expanded ending that further set up the story of Robotech II: The Sentinels.
The Robotech Graphic Novel was not based on any TV episodes, but instead provided a backstory for some elements of the TV series. The events of the Graphic Novel also were depicted in the first Robotech novel, written by James Luceno and Brian Daley.
Though the Comico comic adaptations are no longer considered official continuity by Harmony Gold, the first 25 issues of The Macross Saga comic series, along with Robotech: The Graphic Novel, was reprinted in four trade paperback collections published by Wildstorm in 2002–2003.
Comico did not get the license to adapt Robotech II: The Sentinels however at least one internal mock-up cover for a Sentinels comic was created.[2] Comico's final issue pointed fans to Eternity's run of The Sentinels, which began 3 months prior.
Eternity Comics began publishing Robotech comics in 1988 with a license that only included The Sentinels series, which included direct adaptations of the scripts and novels as well as prequels and guide books that had The Sentinels branding in their title. In 1991 Eternity Comics' license with Harmony Gold expanded beyond The Sentinels, allowing for their titles to take place in any part of the Robotech timeline.[3] Also, as the series progressed, the writers began deviating from the Sentinels novels, adding new story elements and new characters. For the entirety of the Eternity run, the artwork for the Sentinels adaptation was handled by Jason and John Waltrip.
When Malibu Comics was purchased by Marvel Comics, Eternity (a Malibu imprint) was closed. The Robotech comics license was acquired by Academy Comics, an independent publisher.
Academy Comics acquired the Robotech license from Malibu, as well as Jason and John Waltrip and long-time Robotech comics writer Bill Spangler. Academy initially re-launched all of Eternity's then-current comic series, as well as several new lines. The Sentinels comic picked up directly from where Eternity had left off, with the Waltrips taking over the writing and art work.
While the academy Sentinels comics were well-received, the other comics suffered from often inconsistent writing and artwork—both Invid War: Aftermath and Clone were canceled prematurely after their respective writer/artists left the company. Despite these problems, the academy Robotech comics were often well received by fans.
In 1996, Harmony Gold abruptly revoked Academy's Robotech license, handing it to Antarctic Press. Academy folded shortly thereafter.
These stories consisted chiefly of standalone side-stories and spinoffs featuring mostly the original Macross Saga characters. Most of the stories were strongly revisionist in nature, and sometimes involved established characters acting out-of-character, even occasionally to the point of camp. The stories featuring the Macross Saga also frequently used character and vehicle designs unique to the film Macross: Do You Remember Love?, which Harmony Gold did not have rights to license at the time. Because of Antarctic Press' decision not to enlist the talents of John and Jason Waltrip to finish The Sentinels (which, by the end of its academy run, was 80% complete, story-wise), many fans are highly critical of Antarctic's Robotech comics.
Most notably criticized was Sentinels: Rubicon, which theoretically picks up many years after the Sentinels story would have concluded. Those two issues bore no resemblance to any previous (or subsequent) Robotech material, and featured art that was virtually incomprehensible. Rubicon ended abruptly, two issues into a proposed seven-issue series, with many fans applauding the decision.
Antarctic's Robotech license was abruptly revoked in 1998, with no explanation offered.
Antarctic Press' first issue of Robotech in March 1997 advertised an upcoming series titled Robotech: Mospeada, which was never published.
In 2002, with the publication of the Wildstorm (DC) comics, Harmony Gold officially decided to reboot and retcon the Robotech universe.[4]
Rather than running a continuing series with side stories as the previous holders of the Robotech comic license had done, Wildstorm instead ran several limited series. The last Wildstorm publication was the trade paperback of Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles in 2010.
On April 1st, 2006, the official Robotech website published a joke article soliciting a fictitious 12-issue series titled Robotech: Before The Prelude to The Shadow Chronicles with each issue featuring a tribute to the character Lynn Kyle and each issue being signed by Alan Smithee.[8]
In July 2013, Dynamite Entertainment announced at San Diego Comic-Con the future publication of a Robotech/Voltron crossover title, via a licensing agreement with DC, Harmony Gold, and World Events Productions.[9] While more comics were planned, these concepts were cancelled when it became clear that DC Comics would not be renewing their license to the comics.
In June, 2016, Harmony Gold and Titan Comics announced a collaboration to release a new Robotech comic line in 2017.[12] A cover was revealed in October, drawn by the Waltrip brothers.[13]
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