“Yesterday’s” Comic> Robotech: The Macross Saga #16

From Minmei’s movie, “Deadly Feet Of The Pacifist”.

Robotech: The Macross Saga #16

Comico The Comic Company (December, 1986)

“Battlecry”

ADAPTATION: Jack Herman

PENCILER: Mike Leeke

INKER: Mike Chen

COLORIST: Tom Vincent

LETTERER: Bob Pinaha

EDITOR: Diana Schutz

Captain Gloval has to break it to the citizens of Macross City that high command won’t let them off the ship, but the message released really does nothing to help them react positively to that news. At the time the bridge crew have joined Rick and Max at the restaurant just as Kyle is being welcomed home and right in the middle of a recording of Minmei performing a new song. Not surprisingly the citizens are angry and a small group in the restaurant want to get answers from the soldiers there, even if they have to beat it out of them. Rick and Max fight back, with surprising help from Kyle despite his pacifism and his dislike of soldiers. Just as that fight is over Khyron launches yet another attack on the ship and Azonia sends her own forces to bring him back (although one of her troops, Myria, is happy to let him attack the Micronians). Kyle’s words shake Lisa a bit and her hesitation leads to Rick ending up right in the middle of friendly fire. He survives but according to the episode he also needs surgery.

What they got right: More antics with the infiltration trio. We get a bit of insight into Kyle’s character as well as the growing inner conflict within the Zentraedi thanks to Khyron’s antics. There’s also a nice bit of artistry with a word balloon going behind someone’s head and appearing on the other side to point to the person in the middle, thus keeping the same shot as in the episode. I like details like that from a creative perspective.

What they got wrong: As noted in the summary they left out the scene where Rick is rushed into surgery. They could have had one less panel of the search and replaced that with a panel of Rick being run into the operation room. We also don’t get a real reason why he hates the military or fighting despite demonstrating some serious marital arts skills. We know he joined the peace movement and left Macross Island before the Zentraedi’s first appearance. Kyle could have been an interesting character but they ruined that. Also there a little boy in one scene of the episode who looks more like a little girl in the comic.

Recommendation: It’s a pretty good episode, and the issue translates it well. Might be worth a look but I usually push for the show first.