“Today’s” Comic> Gatchaman #0 Free Comic Book Day edition

“No, Jinpei, it’s this way.”

Gatchaman #0 FCBD

Mad Cave Studios (2024)

COVER ARTIST: Chris Samnee

COVER COLORIST: Jordan Gibson

BOOK DESIGNER: Camilo Sánchez

EDITOR: Chas! Pagburn

Features three stories starring the Science Ninja Team as Mad Cave previews their new comic series starring the original version of what my childhood will always remember as Battle Of The Planets while others will remember it as G-Force: Guardians Of Space or Saban’s Eagle Riders. Those last two may not get a comic of their own while Battle Of The Planets had a great run by Top Cow years ago, which I’ve reviewed on this site. Let’s see how Mad Cave does it under the original character names. At least they have an excuse for not including 7-Zark-7 and 1-Rover-1.

Episode Zero

WRITER: Cullen Bunn | ARTIST: Chris Batista | COLORIST: Carlos Lopez | LETTERER: Buddy Beaudoin

Essentially this is an introduction to the characters and concepts, coming off as a rather short “episode” of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Galactor sends giant blade machines to destroy a city. The Science Ninja Team (I always thought the team was named Gatchaman, but the narrations says Ken (Mark to me) is actually the only one called Gatchaman) uses their vehicles, fight individually against the Galactor ground forces, and then uses God Phoenix in the dangerous “firebird mode” to destroy the machines. The only thing setting it apart is the teaser of a second team that leads into the first full issue. A really good introduction to the cast and concepts, and the art style comes really close to matching the original anime.

Inner Compass

WRITER: Tommy Lee Edwards | ARTIST: Daniel Hansen | LETTERER: John Workman

Ken is injured in an aerial battle, and has to be escorted and encouraged by the leader of Red Impulse (who unknown to Ken is actually his not-so-dead father) back to base. The art isn’t quite as good, or rather not as close to the show but good on its own merits, but it’s the story that works. The text only hints at Red Impulse’s connection to Ken rather than outright stating it even to the readers. I liked it.

The Rival

WRITER: Steve Orlando | ARTIST: Kath Lobo | LETTERER: Frank Cvetkovic

The final story focuses on the villains. One of the sub-bosses is plotting revenge on Berg Katse (he’ll always be Zoltar to me) for shipping him to an Arctic base. The man wants revenge on the commander of Galactor’s operations on Earth (the comic does neglect Sosai X, the supreme leader I know as the “Illuminous One”, as he isn’t even mentioned in the book) and plots with his friend to kill him. Too bad the friend was replaced by Berg in disguise, who kills off his would-be rival. The art is closer to the show than the previous story but still not quite there. Again, it’s the story that really works, giving you a proper introduction to Katse since he only got a mention in the first story.

final thoughts

I wish I could have made this year’s Free Comic Book Day, and this is one of the books I really wish I had picked up. It was a great interpretation of the show and makes me want to read the whole series if I ever get income for more than five days.