SDCC 2013: ‘Robotech’ returns in comics crossover with ‘Voltron’

Dynamite has announced (via a press release) that not only have they acquired the rights to the anime Robotech, but via a sub-licensing arrangement with DC Entertainment and Harmony Gold USA, Dynamite will also publish a new comic series beginning with a Robotech / Voltron crossover event. Just in time for Voltron’s 30th anniversary, a Robotech series will also following from Dynamite.

“Robotech and Voltron are two of the most recognizable anime series that defined ’80s pop culture,” says Tommy Yune, creative director at Harmony Gold and mastermind behind the upcoming crossover.  “Both franchises have endured in their popularity today and fans have long speculated of an epic crossover between the universes.  The opportunity to do so is an honor, and it’s a welcome challenge to construct a storyline that works well with key characters on both sides.  Most important of all, it’s going to be a lot of fun with plenty of surprises.”

Coming off the back of a kaiju/giant robot revival with Pacific Rim in cinemas, this exciting venture is comes from a property that is already a mashup of sorts. The original 1980s cartoon was a combination of three Japanese anime series (Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Genesis Climber Mospeada, and Super Dimension Century Southern Cross) that were combined (Gattai!!!) to form a single narrative about several generations of human battling alien invaders using alien technology.

Dynamite has had the Voltron franchise since 2011, itself an adaptation of the original anime Beast King Go Lion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV. The English language TV series, which screened between 1984 and 1985, made several major changes including the omission of several character deaths. Indeed, death was mostly off-limits for the English language version, with the alien soldiers becoming robots and the destruction of Earth neatly avoided by making it a fictional planet.

The 1980s lives again, but the real question is whether it ever actually left us?