Antartic Press-Robotech

Synopsis: On the first page we are introduced to a new character, Commander Kohrah. The SDF-1 is already in space and headed for Earth. Currently it is approaching Jupiter. To compare with the origial TV series we start just after episode #6. Fokker is taking Sterling out on his first combat patrol when a scouting party is ambushed by a cloaked Zentardi patrol. Roy and Max help defend the scouts until the Zentardi break off. Back on Kohrah's crusier we learn he is using the cloaking field to fly ahead of the SDF-1 and wait un Jupiter's red spot.

Prototype: This is the second story which takes place while the SDF-1 is being repaired and Robotechnology is still under development. The Guardian mode has just been discovered and the Tigercat has been built to test its combat tactics. The last page is an interlude of someone else testing their own prototype-veritech.

The Good: 1) Veritechs are no longer made of tissue paper! Here we see one get hit by missiles and plasma blasts. But not only does the pilot survive, but the veritch itself manages to limp its way back. They must have a better manufacturer this time. 2) The characters are more well rounded. Roy's confidence and Max's humility are more noticable giving them a bit more depth. 3) Captian Henery Gloval in a chef's hat. 4) The artwork is spectacular. 5) The decloaking of the Battle Pods is very good.

The Bad: 1) Max is a 2nd LT and not only has he not done any combat patrols, he's allowed to customize his fighter? While he is my favorite character, this is a bit much to expect. Gaining a rank that high without combat is not realistic no matter how good your test scores are. 2) Prototype, personally, I'd rather have eight more pages of the main story than Return to Macross pt2. 3) The writers are assuming everyone who reads this has already knows about the original series. But the fact remains that if Robotech is to survive, we must gain new readers. Without background I fear younger readers (who never saw the TV series nor read the books) will get confused. I would have liked to see a "Story so far:" section in inside the front cover. 4) It's bi-monthly.

The Intresting: 1) The Super-veritech is already in use, though apparently reserved for the SDF-1 top guns. (Though I find it intresting that Max was able to keep up with it.) 2) Ichi (from NHS) makes an appearance on the far side of page 5 (next to the woman complaining about the coffee).

Synopsis: Kohrah makes his move. Using Jupiter's red spot, Kohrah creates a massive gravity well trapping the SDF-1. Using the unique steath and deflection technology given to him by the Robotech Masters, Kohrah manages to lure away the defence patrols while he personally leads a squad of powered armor to destroy the one thing which could ruin his plan, theSDF-1's anti-grav engines.

Prototype: More technical details about the Tigercat, but mostly dialogue between Lisa and Roy. Interlude continues with an armed Tigercat being used by a terrorist group.

The Good: 1) The standards from the first issue are being kept - artwork, story, and lettering are still excellent. 2) Another VT with a custom paint job. This one is a combination green/blue and part of the Vermillion Squadron. 3) Still no Rick and Minmei.

The Bad: 1) Prototype is still here and still too short to make it worth the pages spent. 2) Gloval had only one squad of VTs defending the ship. Granted, the destroids were on reserve and a few were already on duty. But wouldn't it make more sense to have several VTs ready to relieve those already out there?

The Intresting: 1) Why is Max the only member of Blue Squadron with a blue VT? How can the different squadrons tell each other apart? 2) What did Lisa do between the captian's mess and the bridge? She was the last one to arrive despite the fact everyone having the same departure and arrival points.

Synopsis: Korah's plan to capture the SDF-1 ends in failure and his own destruction thanks to Fokker and Sterling. The expiermental Super Veritech is sent back to R&D for further refinment.

Prototype: Roy gets a haircut (or so he says) and the terrorist reviels its own VT.

The Good: 1) Since AP is merely adding additional episodes to the Robotech series instead of retelling all of it, they did a pretty fair job of maintaining contunity. 2) Still no Rick and Minmei and it doesn't look like we'll be seeing them for some time. 3) At leat Roy got to fly the Super VT once before he died.

The Bad: 1) There are some minor contunity problems with Sterling and his combat record. In episode "Sweet Sixteen" the computer never mentioned Sterling's actual combat time? Is secrecy so important not even his commanding officer can know about it? 2) AP is not retelling the entire story, making it their own. Instead they choose to add minor stories between the episodes like Dragonlance Tales. 3) Despite the less-than-perfect performance of the Super VT I'd still say it was worth putting into production. With a finite supply of pilots and a larger stockpike of materials, it would behoove the RDF to use the best VTs possibile. But this logic was scarificed for the sake of continuity. If AP decided to continue with Macross I suspect this early version of VT armor would have stayed (like in Macross DYRL).

The Intresting: At least now we have some idea why Max dyes his hair blue. Does everyone in the Blue Squadron do it or just the aces?

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Again AP has decided to split the comic into two stories. Here the second is a diary of Scott Benard complete with frames from Invid Invasion leading up to Wolf's death.

The Invid Invasion this time focuses on a small group of rebels. The sole military member is treated with disrespect and suspision and is treated like an incompetent.