Review – Voltron: From The Ashes #1 (Dynamite)

September 15, 2015

2–3 minutes

Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Blacky Shepherd
Release Date: 16 September 2015

Strictly speaking with regards to giant robots, I grew up on a diet of Power Rangers and Transformers: Beast Wars. Unfortunately, Voltron was a little before my time. Since his short cartoon stint, however, he has lived on within comics and this latest release from Dynamite not only features the original Lion Force, but also fast forwards 200 years beyond the original timeframe to introduce us to a new set of pilots.

Bunn is clever in keeping the set-up fairly straightforward. The series may draw upon existing series regulars, but not once as a new reader do you feel you’re missing any backstory. The issue opens with old Voltron nemesis, Haggar, entombed and floating through space. In her slumber, she relives the same battle over and over between her array of gruesome minions and Voltron, with the outcome of the fight ever eluding her. If that wasn’t bad enough, the poor woman’s a dead ringer for Ivan Ooze in the opening panels. Upon release in the final third, however, we do thankfully discover she’s at least had her bat-eared cat for company throughout the millennia (no, really…it’s awful and genius, all at once).

The sequence allows Blacky Shepherd to really have fun depicting some robot-on-monster action. There’s even a sun-infused, skeleton demon involved by the end. Though my personal favourite has to be the frog creature, solely for the commentary provided by the team as it attacks (“I think the frog creature is trying to eat us.” “Oh…gross.”). The colouring is bright and childish, which perfectly suits the tone of the comic. There’s cheesy dialogue a-plenty – “Hurry back, little buddy! But make sure you drop your friend off first” being one magnificent example –but what else would you expect (or want) from a comic about a giant robot that saves the universe?

In the second half of the comic, we leave the pilots of old behind to be introduced to our new set of cadets. We join Jayce, Niki, Rei, Kirin and Vega being put through their paces at the Voltron Academy with other cadets for the honour of being the latest pilots. Jayce is a clear contender to replace Keith as Commander of the squad, with enough swagger and arrogance to rival even James T Kirk. We’re also treated to a really lovely sketch-like drawing of Voltron resting abandoned amongst the sand dunes as the characters debate Voltron’s continued relevance to the galaxy. It’s almost close to rivalling the amazing cover by Alex Milne; his Voltron is proud, but battered – a hero that has seen his fair share of scrapes.

I will caveat my review by saying you’ll need to have certain tastes to enjoy this particular comic. It is, after all, stupendous nonsense. Luckily for me, however, stupendous nonsense is right up my alley. It’s a playful introduction to a series that promises fun and lots of cheddar to chomp down on. If you need some light relief after a hard day’s work, this is the one for you.

Rating: 3/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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