Mad Cave Got Your Gatchaman

When we were kids, some of us knew the series as G-Force. In the decades since, we’ve learned that what some of us watched was a sanitized if decently dubbed version of a popular anime called Gatchaman. Toys and comics have come and gone, and honestly, it’s not one with a storyline that stuck in my memory. But the character design — I’ve always loved the character design.

Last summer at Comic-Con I met up with a rep from Mad Cave Studios and he told me about their plans for 2024. So the announcement that they’re going to release an ongoing Gatchaman series this summer came as no surprise. It’s just one more comic that proves to me that if you haven’t been paying attention to Mad Cave, you’d better start.

In addition to a relaunch of Dick Tracy, they’ve got a few more licensed properties in the hopper that I trust they’ll do right. But I’ve also been digging into their original books, and they’re quite simply good. Quirky on occasion, but good. I like quirky. I look forward to connecting with them again this summer.

From Mad Cave Studios:

The first of the new GATCHAMAN is on the way! Mad Cave Studios is kicking things off this Free Comic Book Day with Gatchaman #0, featuring a cover by Chris Samnee (Thor), followed by Gatchaman #1 and the exciting one-shot Gatchaman—Ken: Deathmatch in June!

The Gatchaman ongoing Teen+ series features a masterful collaboration between writer Cullen Bunn (A Legacy of Violence) and comics artist Chris Batista (Justice League), with Cover A by Inaki Miranda (Godzilla: Here), colors by Carlos Lopez and letters by Buddy Beaudoin.

GATCHAMAN #1
(W) Cullen Bunn (A) Chris Batista (C) Carlos Lopez (L) Buddy Beaudoin

The triumphant return of Gatchaman, the iconic Japanese animated franchise of a five-member, bird-themed superhero team!

A mechanical terror has descended upon numerous cities and the world’s greatest scientists are disappearing. Our only hope: Science Ninja Team Gatchaman! As they battle these machinations from the international terrorist organization known as Galactor, their strength, willpower, and even vehicles are pushed to the absolute limit. If they fail…who’s waiting in the wings to take their place? The first exciting issue in an ongoing series that expands upon the original anime series!

Connecting B covers are provided by Eisner and Ringo Award-winning artist Sanford Greene (Bitter Root)! The issue also features Cover C by Chris Batista, Cover D Blank Sketch Cover edition, and two retailer incentive covers including Cover E by Francine Delgado (Batgirl) and Cover F by Mike Deodato (Wonder Woman).
Cover by Francine Delgato, Mike Deodato

“Was I born to write this series? I was certainly forged in the Phoenix-technique fires over the course of my life to be here now,” said Cullen Bunn​​. “Gatchaman is loved by so many, and it is humbling and exciting and a little scary to be telling new stories in that world now. I’m emboldened by the amazing people I’m working with—Chris Batista, Tommy Lee Edwards, Steve Orlando (who’s working on the upcoming Galactor miniseries), and the Mad Cave Studios team. Each and every one of us loves these characters and this world. And we’ve had such tremendous support from the Tatsunoko team. This isn’t just an adaptation. We’re not just painting by numbers. These are new, in-continuity tales with exciting, game-changing elements that enhance and expand this already rich storyline.”

“The cartoon that left the most lasting impact on me as an artist, is without any doubt, Gatchaman,” said Chris Batista. “It was like nothing else, so vibrant, dynamic and unique. As much as I loved the heroes of Marvel and DC, there was just something cooler about the Gatchaman team. I’ve been obsessed ever since. Gatchaman has always been at the very top of my creative bucket list…a dream project that could never happen….until now. I could never have imagined we would be doing this project in conjunction with Tatsunoko and the amazing team at Mad Cave Studios. I am truly honored to be a part of this incredible creative team that shares the same love for Gatchaman that I do. I hope fans get the same jolt of electricity I get whenever I read the new script from Cullen. I’m equally thrilled and terrified to be a part of the return of this unmatched and timeless property!”

GATCHAMAN—KEN: DEATHMATCH
(W) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Mindy Lee (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman

Ken goes undercover to infiltrate an underground gambling ring where martial artists from around the globe fight to the death. There, the winners are captured and brought to a secret Galactor recruiting base. If they refuse to join, the captives are dropped in the jungle and hunted as prey for Galactor’s training program. Can anyone make it out alive?

This one-shot special, a story that works perfectly as an easy-entry standalone but also contributes to Mad Cave’s overall world-building for the Gatchaman series, written by Tommy Lee Edwards (Batman, Hellboy) and art by Mindy Lee (Masters of the Universe Revelation); Cover A by Tommy Lee Edwards and Cover B “The Breakfast Club homage” cover by Chris Batista.

“I’m so excited to be writing Mad Cave’s first Gatchaman special issue focusing on one specific member of the Science Ninja Team,” said Tommy Lee Edwards. “Deathmatch is my love letter to Ken the Eagle, a heroic and idealistic anime character that helped shape my childhood. We’ve crafted this comic as an adventure tale to satisfy a deeply familiar fanbase, while introducing unique stories and completely new characters. I honestly feel like I’ve been training for this challenge my whole life!”

“I’m having such a good time drawing Gatchaman! I’ve enjoyed Tommy’s script so much—it’s provided wonderful opportunities to work with the franchise’s iconic designs!” said Mindy Lee.

Gatchaman #1 and Gatchaman—Ken: Deathmatch hit shops June 26th. Collect all these exciting covers and dive headfirst into the all-new story arcs with Mad Cave Studios in their partnership with Tatsunoko Production!