Gatchaman at Mad Cave Studios. The Story So Far…

Fans of Gatchaman (not Battle of the Planets) will love everything that’s being developed to bring this original sentai team to the modern audiences! And what I offer is summary of what has transpired since the comic book’s launch mid last year!

Gatchaman Volume One Trade Paperback Cover
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Ever since Gatchaman returned to the anime fandom’s radar, I’ve been paying attention. Not only did I want to remind myself of what went on in the animated front before touching the comic book continuation, but also my love for this Space Ninja Team got reignited. Who knows, maybe I can find a model of the God Phoenix at a reasonable price.

The first trade paperback collecting the first six issues is out (Amazon link), and although that did not include the one-shots, that’s okay. I flipped to the back and found out that it will be released later this year. This publisher has been steadily releasing individual issues every month, and what I offer is a quick recap, information about upcoming releases, and/or a review. Spoilers are ahead.

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Fanhome is All Power Rangers with this Latest Subscription Pre-Order Offer!

The good thing about this subscription-based “mystery box” type offering is that you know what’ll be coming, and every item that’s included will whet your appetite for next month!

Fanhome is all Megazord
Officially licensed by Hasbro. Preorder here!

Who needs mystery boxes when fandom has Fanhome? I certainly don’t because after asking convention attendees if they’re worth it, the answer is a general no. Even I knew after buying just one, and have been on the lookout for other offerings that are subscription based and not as random. When I know what I’m getting from this publisher/distributor includes lore cards and better swag in every package, I’ll say yes to signing up!

Their recognition as a leader in subscription-based collections and models has made me very excited with this latest offering–Megazord from Power Rangers. When locating the planes, trains and automobiles are next to impossible for Gatchaman and collector’s pricing for Voltron parts to build any mech is crazy, just hearing about this is much appreciated! I’ve always wanted a combiner bot from any IP and this will be a fun retro blast of the 90s. Shipping begins in October and the starter price is very reasonable.

Another selling point is that when this ‘bot is fully assembled, it can be controlled remotely and it has illuminated parts. I can’t wait to get started on this build, and will chronicle my journey with this product here on this blog. In the meantime, I’ll most likely have to find some STL files to print up some Power Rangers to go along with my display.

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Gonna Need ‘Em All. In Search For Gatchaman – Ken: Deathmatch

Just what gets set up in Gatchaman Ken: Deathmatch hints that Galactor is looking for heavy hitters to take the Space Ninja Team down!

Gatchaman - Ken Deathmatch CoverMad Cave Studios

I feel author Tommy Lee Edwards had Enter the Dragon in mind when writing Gatchaman Ken: Deathmatch. And I’ll get confirmation of that feeling is true when issue number two is released. Here, this seminal leader of the Science Ninja Team gets kidnapped while undercover, investigating a fight club of sorts.

The costumes these fighters wear are as wacky as those WWE costumes and the memories this comic book brings are why I’m paying attention! Other than offering a sharper design to the series, what’s shown is as wonderful as those classic moments from the Gatchaman series. For the tale at hand, the story is familiar. Artist Mindy Lee and colorist Giada Marchisio really nail the dynamics that I fondly recall from the cartoon.

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Between Duty and Obligation, Ultraman Rising Delivers DreamWorks Style Quality To This Japanese IP

The beauty that’s found in Ultraman Rising is that it’ll appeal to anyone who doesn’t know a thing about this franchise.

Ultraman Rising PosterComing to Netflix Nov 14, 2024

Just how many Ultramen exist depends on who you ask. With Netflix hosting its own series simply titled after this hero (which feels like a rehash of Iron Man Armoured Adventures) and also Ultraman Rising, the count has unofficially increased by two. Back in 2013, Tsuburaya Productions acknowledged thirty-six heroes existed since Ultra Q’s debut in 1966. As for how many more have existed since then, I believe at least eight have been added

Here, Ken Sato (Yuki Yamada) is an all American baseball star by day, and a Japanese hero by night. The only reason he’s pulling double duty is that his father, who was the previous incarnation, suffered an injury. Someone said it’s best for him to come home.

Even though everybody in Japan loves Ultraman, not everyone agrees. There are other folks who see him as a vigilante. Dr. Onda (Fumihiko Tachiki) is kind of like Harvey Bullock in the Batman universe; he’s a staunch opponent, although both protect Japan from monsters. This scientist leads the Kaiju Defence Force whereas the sports personality is solo. And that attitude won’t get him far in a sport dependent on teamwork.

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My Summer With Gatchaman and Space Ghost, Two Comics Worth Reading Anywhere! (Part One)

Fans of the classic or even new material set in the Gatchaman universe will enjoy this continuation!

Gatchaman #1 Comic Book CoverThis Summer, two cartoons from the 60s and 70s are getting a huge reboot in the comic book front. Not only is there Gatchaman from Mad Cave Studios but also Space Ghost from Dynamite Comics! The latter is now out, and I’m anxiously waiting for the release of the second issue to read before going further–that will be a separate article.

In America, the former is better known as Battle of the Planets. Although this series wasn’t the same as the Japanese broadcast because of editing out problematic elements for Western audiences, as a kid, I wasn’t aware and still enjoyed it! Even though some aspects don’t stand the test of time (namely the inclusion of the robot narrator), I fondly think back to this series because G-Force’s plane could transform into a bird of fire; I even made a LEGO model that’s loosely based on that design! (but I won’t dare set it on fire)

I can’t wait to see what this East Coast publisher is preparing. To whet fans’ appetites, the publication offered during Free Comic Book Day shows readers what to expect. There’s three stories in all, and none of these prologues are vital to know what’s coming.

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The Tiger’s Apprentice Mewling Roar. Looking into the Bold Differences.

Just what viewers can learn from The Tiger’s Apprentice is buried in a fairly standard monomyth. Had there been more emphasis on this aspect of the narrative, this work could have roared.

The Tiger's Apprentice DVD CaseNow Available to purchase on Amazon USA (DVD)

Raman Hui‘s attempt to adapt the novel, The Tiger’s Apprentice, to become a possible new animated franchise sort of works. When it’s supposed to look at Chinese folk beliefs, what’s shown feels quite light. It lacks that sense of wonder which Light Chaser Animation‘s works excels at. The differences is well explored with the home video release due to the bonus content, and although this film has its heart in the right place, I wished it could’ve done more with why Ming yun (destiny) matters.

Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo) must be ready to become the next guardian and when he’s not even sixteen yet, the force determined to kill him must do so before the coming of every Lunar New Year. Most people know that a select group of animals represent each lunar cycle, and I get the sense that Loo (Michelle Yeoh) is not picky on when to destroy him. I’m also not sure if she’s been trying those few weeks before the end of every twelve months, but if she doesn’t do so quickly, he’ll be strong enough to defeat her! That sense of urgency isn’t conveyed, because during this film, the last time she successfully chased the boy down is during the Year of the Ox.

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