For years I’ve heard of this legendary anime called Science Ninja Team, or Gatchaman, and been very interested in checking it out. When Mad Cave Studios announced this title I was super excited that I had an in to this series, even figured out how to watch the original series and I am currently making my way through it. Then they announced the creative team and it immediately jumped onto my pull list.
For the first issue of Gatchaman the story keeps things very simple, in very much a good way. We get to meet out team through a training scene that shows us their abilities. We get to see the teams vehicles and then get small bios on their strengths as part of the team. And finally we get to know the big bad organization that they will be fighting, their version of Hydra or AIM. I thought Cullen did an amazing job of presenting the cast in a way that makes it easy for newcomers to learn while also telling a fun action story that sets up drama for future issues. In short it was a really good start for a series that for most of the readership will be essentially a new IP.
Cover Gallery
The art team does a really great job of combining classic looks with modern sensibilities throughout the issue. I really love the way the art feels like the classic cartoon in its motion and designs, but more clean and elegant in its presentation. Each character and vehicle has it’s own unique look and feel. The fight sequences all flow really well with each individual character getting their moment to shine. And the book is so colorful that it stands out even in a market today that emphasizes more color. Also a quick shoutout to the letterer for this comic. I always say that lettering is the thankless job of the comics industry because if you do the job right we rarely notice but if you screw up it can ruin a comic. In this issue I really liked how they handled off screen conversations with a little icon for each character that went beyond just their logo but instead featured a cartoony version of the characters. It was a really cool twist that I noticed and loved immediately.
With the first issue of Gatchaman the team here managed to pull me in. Everything presented in this issue gives a feeling of fun classic cartoon adventure with a Japanese superhero twist. Even if you have never seen the anime this comic will be accessible to you. I would recommend this to people to enjoy superhero comics, and classic Saturday morning cartoons.
Gatchaman will be available at your local comic shop and digitally June 26th. All cover art and the review copy of this comic were provided by Mad Cave Studios.
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Comic Review!: Gatchaman #1
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Writer-Cullen Bunn
Artist-Chris Batista
Colorist-Carlos Lopez
Letterer-Buddy Beaudoin
For years I’ve heard of this legendary anime called Science Ninja Team, or Gatchaman, and been very interested in checking it out. When Mad Cave Studios announced this title I was super excited that I had an in to this series, even figured out how to watch the original series and I am currently making my way through it. Then they announced the creative team and it immediately jumped onto my pull list.
For the first issue of Gatchaman the story keeps things very simple, in very much a good way. We get to meet out team through a training scene that shows us their abilities. We get to see the teams vehicles and then get small bios on their strengths as part of the team. And finally we get to know the big bad organization that they will be fighting, their version of Hydra or AIM. I thought Cullen did an amazing job of presenting the cast in a way that makes it easy for newcomers to learn while also telling a fun action story that sets up drama for future issues. In short it was a really good start for a series that for most of the readership will be essentially a new IP.
The art team does a really great job of combining classic looks with modern sensibilities throughout the issue. I really love the way the art feels like the classic cartoon in its motion and designs, but more clean and elegant in its presentation. Each character and vehicle has it’s own unique look and feel. The fight sequences all flow really well with each individual character getting their moment to shine. And the book is so colorful that it stands out even in a market today that emphasizes more color. Also a quick shoutout to the letterer for this comic. I always say that lettering is the thankless job of the comics industry because if you do the job right we rarely notice but if you screw up it can ruin a comic. In this issue I really liked how they handled off screen conversations with a little icon for each character that went beyond just their logo but instead featured a cartoony version of the characters. It was a really cool twist that I noticed and loved immediately.
With the first issue of Gatchaman the team here managed to pull me in. Everything presented in this issue gives a feeling of fun classic cartoon adventure with a Japanese superhero twist. Even if you have never seen the anime this comic will be accessible to you. I would recommend this to people to enjoy superhero comics, and classic Saturday morning cartoons.
Gatchaman will be available at your local comic shop and digitally June 26th. All cover art and the review copy of this comic were provided by Mad Cave Studios.
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