Jim Lee’s Robotech Relaunch

Jim Lee’s involvement and WildStorm’s efforts helped bring Robotech back into the spotlight during a period of 1980s nostalgia, and it’s a great example how to revive a property that’s been sitting on the bench for a stretch.

Jim Lee, renowned comic book artist and publisher, played a significant role in reviving the Robotech franchise in the early 2000s through his WildStorm imprint at DC Comics. This revival aimed to capitalize on the nostalgia for 1980s properties, while introducing the mecha-filled world of Robotech to a new generation of readers. In 2002, WildStorm launched its Robotech comic book series with a #0 preview issue. Jim Lee, already semi-retired from interior work at this point, contributed to this issue alongside other top WildStorm artists, showcasing their love for the franchise and building anticipation for the upcoming series. The timing of this revival coincided with Harmony Gold’s plans for a direct-to-DVD release titled Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles. This synergy allowed the comic book series to tie in with both the 1980s animated series and the upcoming movie

The WildStorm series was positioned as a prequel to the original 1980s animated series, with Harmony Gold creative director Tommy Yune plotting the stories and Jay Faerber providing scripts. This approach allowed the creators to explore new ground while still maintaining connections to the beloved original material. The series aimed to flesh out the world of Robotech beyond just the mecha battles. It explored the backstories of characters like Roy Fokker and Rick Hunter, adding depth to their relationships and motivations. This approach gave the comic a unique flavor, blending Japanese source material with elements of Americana.

One of the obvious strengths of the WildStorm Robotech series was its art. The creative team managed to evoke the look of Robotech while meeting the expectations of modern mainstream comic books. The artists, particularly those from Udon Studios, incorporated distinctive anime influences as the series progressed, adding real visual flair to the storytelling. The series faced some criticism for its pacing, but we think this “decompressed” storytelling style was pretty common in comics of this era. Spreading plot points across multiple issues was sort of the norm in the early 2000s.

At the end of the day, the WildStorm Robotech series demonstrated an obvious affection for the property. Each issue featured Easter eggs and nods to the 1980s animated series, while striking that balance between rewarding longtime fans while attempting to be accessible to newcomers. Jim Lee’s involvement and WildStorm’s efforts helped bring Robotech back into the spotlight during a period of 1980s nostalgia, and it’s a great example how to revive a property that’s been sitting on the bench for a stretch. While it may not have reached the heights of popularity of some other revived properties, it played a significant role in keeping the Robotech franchise alive, and introducing the characters to a new generation.