Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa make their triumphant return to Mech Cadets in the wake of the new Netflix series! Dive into the world of youthful heroes and the symbiotic robots they pilot in Mech Cadets #1 by BOOM! Studios.

MECH CADETS #1

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colorist: Ian Herring
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Editor: Shantel LaRocque
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 9th, 2023

Previously on Mech Cadets: Conceived by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, cadets from the Sky Corps Academy merge with sentient robots to defend Earth from alien threats! Led by Olivia Park, her team has continuously saved the world by doing what was right, not by following orders.

Mech Cadets #1 takes off one year after the original series, starting with a commendation ceremony for Stanford Yu, Maya Sanchez, Frank Olivetti, and Olivia Park. Olivia’s father, a General, extols the team’s ability to follow orders, but the group continually defied commands. General Park privately expresses disappointment to Olivia about her insubordination. Despite this, the crew embarks on a mission to halt looters, only to realize that these “looters” are individuals salvaging about-to-expire food with no violence in sight. Instead of intervening, the squad actively aids and organizes them. Olivia faces reprimand and demotion for her actions.

The team is then dispatched on a mission to locate Frank’s cousin, Franklin, led by Maya. In outer space, they stumble upon Franklin, under attack by a fleet of alien vessels. To complicate matters, Franklin has befriended a new extraterrestrial ally. However, orders dictate a retreat, fearing the unknown alien’s influence on Franklin.

I’m drawn to anything scripted by Greg Pak, though I confess to having missed the original Mech Cadets series from several years ago. Thus, I entered Mech Cadets #1 without context, confusing me about these established relationships and story points. I attempted to glean some background, but this issue resembles an Act 2 installment. The underlying tension between Olivia and her father, which likely shapes her character progression, eludes me, and it’s somewhat disheartening to engage with a narrative without a clear grasp of its foundations. Nonetheless, there’s enough here to capture my interest and guarantee my viewership of the forthcoming Netflix adaptation. In that regard, this comic may have achieved its intended purpose. The themes of good and defiance is a tale as old as time remind me of characters like Robin Hood but with robots. Fantastic world-building and setting in this title.

Mech Cadets #1 boasts commendable artistry and prose. I’m intrigued by the setting and the evolution of characters and themes. Yet, the sensation of delving into a story midway sucks. Despite that, I consider it a worthwhile pick-up, especially for the concurrent release of the Netflix show. Get this comic and read it with a younger reader for added enjoyment! Mech Cadets #1 has a score of 4 out of 5 stars.

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Mech Cadets #1

80%

80%

Merits a Read

Mech Cadets #1 has a fascinating premise but feels like a continuation of the 2017 title.

• Writing

  8
• Art

  8
• Coloring

  8
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
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