“Yesterday’s” Comic> Robotech: The Macross Saga #23

Bron realized that day he had an incest fetish.

Robotech: The Macross Saga #23

Comico The Comic Company (November, 1987)

“Reckless”

ADAPTATION: Markalan Joplin

PENCILER: Mike Leeke

INKER: Mike Chen

COLORIST: Tom Vincent

LETTERER: Bob Pinaha

EDITOR: Maggie Brenner

In the issues currently missing from my collection some of the Zentraedi learned about life in Macross City from the returning spy trio and decided they wanted to defect and live a life beyond warfare. Khyron decided he didn’t like that and events resulted in a war within the city itself. As we join in even some of Khyron’s men want to defect and Khyron shows his displeasure with lasers. Meanwhile, Rick finds Minmei and Kyle at the remains of the theater and sees Kyle kiss Minmei, leaving before seeing her reject her advances. (My friend Sean noted in the comments of a previous issue that this isn’t frowned upon in Japan and someone might bring up Jerry Lee Lewis, the rocker, but I still find it creepy. Maybe because I didn’t have sisters, just cousins.) After the battle Rico, Konda, and Bron go to Captain Gloval requesting asylum. Some of the general reject this even after learning that for all purposes the Zentraedi register as genetically human. Rick and Lisa have time to talk while guarding and cleaning up the restaurant while their friends check on Kyle in the hospital but another attack happens, convincing Lisa that she has to return to RDF command and attempt to barter with her father for this chance at peace while an unaware Rick plans to ask her out.

Usually I separate the review portion into what they got right and wrong but it’s kind of mixed here. Joplin appears willing to ignore the script, despite the shows having all aired by this point. I’m of two minds on this. In some cases he does clarify or improve on dialog but in other cases it changes the tone and interaction a bit too much. Joplin tries to take advantage of knowledge unavailable when the episode aired, like referencing the Robotech Masters, but there are times he changes too much and weakens it as an adaptation. The art has improved to the point that while you can still tell it’s American style the replication of Japanese elements have gotten better as have the art overall.

As for my recommendation, this is at the end a good issue. Compare it to the episode (currently available for free with ads on Tubi or VuDu–I usually use the latter) and decide with is better.