“Yesterday’s” Comic> Gatchaman #1

“We’re going to be late for Battle Of The Planets!”

Gatchaman #1

Mad Cave Studios (2024)

WRITER: Cullen Bunn

ARTIST: Chris Batista

COLORIST: Carlos Lopez

SELECTED COVER ARTIST: Inaki Miranda

LETTERER: Buddy Beaudoin

EDITOR: Chas! Pagburm

DESIGNER: Camilo Sánchez

A professor is about to demonstrate his new machine when the city is attacked by one of Galactor’s monsters. The Science Ninja Team have their training of a new beta team to go help, but the giant plant creature seems to have the God Phoenix on the ropes. But is getting rid of Gatchaman and his team their actual goal, or is it the professor’s mysterious new machine?

What they got right: Introducing the five members of the team is handled well enough thanks to two introductory pages as the team heads out. The art style and character models are on point for the Gatchaman franchise we’re already aware of, and new characters look like they belong there.

What they got wrong: Neon Ichiban did cut off the sides on a couple of panels in panel view, at least when I read it. While Beta team seems interesting, I’d rather they got their own series than take over as the main squad. It wouldn’t be the first time they tried to replace the original team with stuff like Gatchaman Crowds and the usual bad adaptations or replacement characters in the US over the years in Hollywood and comics, but I’m here for the original team. Also, is June jealous of the lady beta team leader flirting with Ken? I thought in the original Japanese her romance was with Joe? Maybe I heard wrong.

What else is there?: I grew up with Battle Of The Planets and I won’t apologize for loving that incarnation. I couldn’t get into G-Force: Guardians Of Space but I did kind of enjoy Eagle Riders for what it was, and the 1990s remake of Gatchaman (except for the vehicle redesigns…new God Phoenix sucked!). I do like that they gave the whole team the same G-Force/Gatchaman team name rather than just the dude in white. “Science Ninja Team” is a boring group name, and why was Ken the only one given a codename beyond “G-#”?

What I think overall: This was a good first issue. (Never let the length of got right/got wrong tell you I felt overall. It’s just the words I need to express my opinion.) I hope to get to read more in the future.