The Sharg War continues apace, and things are starting to look bad for Earth.  Can Stanford and the other Sky Corps Cadets turn the tide?  Your Major Spoilers review of Mech Cadet Yu #7 awaits!

MECH CADET YU #7

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Editor: Cameron Chittock
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Previously in Mech Cadet Yu: “Once a year, giant robots from outer space come to Earth and bond with young cadets from the elite Sky Corps Academy to defend the world from the terrifying aliens known as the Sharg.  It’s a great honor to be chosen, but this year…well, the wrong kid was picked.  Now, Stanford and his fellow students are enlisted into Earth’s last-ditch effort to drive off the Sharg invasion…”

“THEY HAVE A MOTHERSHIP…”

After last issue’s battle blew up Sky Corps Academy, the Mech Cadets find themselves without a home base, which is fine since Central Command has commanded that all Mechs and Cadets return to Central Command for reassignment.  It’s clear that something is up, though, as as everyone on their transport is tight lipped about the status of the war with the Sharg.  When the truth comes out, it becomes clear that the entire Earth is in trouble, and something just doesn’t seem right at Central Command.  When Stanford and Park discover what’s really going on (and it’s a shocker; poor Bronto), it becomes clear that if they’re going to act, it’s going to have to be now.  Park makes a heroic move, Stanford and the other Mech Cadets make a run for it, and everything hits the fan all at once, which begs an important question: Are four Mechs going to be enough to defeat an alien mothership?  And will Park make it five or will she obey her dad?

THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

I can’t help but compare this story to ‘Ender’s Game’, which was a fave-rave of mine once upon a time, before I knew much about its creator.  This features similar aspects of child soldiers with a much more likeable protagonist and the neat giant robot motif and a much more young-reader-friendly take on interstellar combat.  Miyazawa’s art is charming, clear and dramatic, and the horrifying reveal in the Central Command “repair” bay is both shocking and horrible.  I love the main character, but this issue even has me warming up to Cadet Park, as well as the rough-edged Captain Takana and the upping of the stakes also makes this a gripping issue.  I like how, even with familiar tropes in play, this feels like a new and fresh take, and I really love the deceptively simple robot designs.  Best of all, since this issue is my first issue, I got to immediately go back and grab the first six issues as well, making for a lot of fun reading all at once…

BOTTOM LINE: A REAL CLIFFHANGER ENDING

This issue ends with a real conundrum for one of our primary characters and what feels like an important turning point in the battle against The Sharg, but the best moments are all about the characters and their interactions, making for a lovely read.  Mech Cadet Yu #7 is the kind of book that immediately sent me out to find all the previous issues, which is a rare enough treat, combining with a clear, entertaining comic book experience and earning 5 out of 5 stars overall.  Also, now I want a giant robot of my own…

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