One of the reasons I've never found most anime all that interesting is the "secret club" factor. Properties like Robotech have been around for decades, and so many stories have been told, it's difficult for newbies to get into it. I think part of the appeal for western fans is that it's a world that comparatively few know about or understand, and being part of the crowd that gets it is probably, on a small level, a special feeling. But for those of us on the outside looking in, it's just confusing.
That being said, though, I felt the creators here were really endeavoring to open the door for those of us outside. We really get a strong sense of the main character here, and the computer-enhanced artwork is thoroughly impressive. Still, the property is bogged down by its extensive continuity.
The year is 2009, and on Macross Island, Robotech pilots show off their skills for the crowd gathered below. Watching from the ground is Max Sterling, a teenager who knows more about the 'Tech and the pilots than just about anyone. Unfortunately, his poor eyesight precluded his enlistment. He suddenly finds himself on the front lines, though, when an attack on Macross Island is launched, forcing those in charge of the battlefortress to take drastic action.
There are elements in the artwork here that put me in mind of the works of such creators as Team Red Star and Bryan (The Ultimates Hitch. The Udon crew really capture a larger than life feel here, but at the same time, they don't dwell on the robot-suits from which the book derives its title. They focus on people and the climactic events that change their lives, not just Big Robots. The colors are vibrant and exciting as well.
The backup story brings more grounded elements to this futuristic premise. At first, the story seems to be about a past as alien as the future in which the main story is set, but then, we discover that the creators have a strong sense of humor as well. The misdirection is entertaining, and the story provides a pop-culture quality to which the reader can relate.
The strongest element in the book, though, is Max. He's a well-developed character, and I love how his awe and fascination with Robotech is tempered by intellect. Still, I feel as though there are pieces of the story I'm missing. I don't know who these alien invaders are, but the way the artwork is laid and the story is paced, I get the feeling I'm meant to recognize them. And I don't.
And suddenly, I'm on the outside again.
