“Gatchaman” returning to comics for Free Comic Book Day
Word Balloons #1214: Series was adapted as “Battle of the Planets” in the United States
Saturday, May 4, 2024, is Free Comic Book Day, during which comic book stores around the world give away selected comics to customers who visit.
Participating locations can be found at freecomicbookday.com. Enter your ZIP code to find the location nearest you.
One of the titles making its debut as a Silver-level sponsor comic is “Gatchaman” #0 from Mad Cave.
“Science Ninja Team Gatchaman” is a Japanese animated franchise of a five-member, bird-themed superhero team. The original anime series debuted in 1972.
According to a news release from Mad Cave, the series follows five young superhero ninjas employed by Kōzaburō Nambu of the fictitious International Science Organization to oppose an international terrorist organization of technologically advanced villains who are trying to control Earth’s natural resources, such as water, oil, sugar, and uranium. Recurring themes of Gatchaman involve conservation, environmentalism, and the responsible use of technology for progress.
Mad Cave Studios will be publishing new Gatchaman stories that take place in the world of the original series setting.
“Mad Cave couldn’t be more excited to partner with Tatsunoko and bring Gatchaman back to North America,” said Mark Irwin, Mad Cave Studios Senior VP of Business Development. “We have big plans for the science ninja team, and look forward to sharing their fantastic adventures with readers, new and old.”
The #0 issue will feature a new story that leads into the “Gatchaman” series that launches with issue #1 in June.
“Gatchaman” was the source material for the “Battle of the Planets” American adaptation produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment starting in 1978. This led to two comic book series, one from Gold Key from 1979-1981 and another from Top Cow from 2002-2003.
The creative team for “Gatchaman” is writer Cullen Bunn with artist Chris Batista.
Free Comic Book Day, held annually on the first Saturday in May, is a worldwide event in which participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away selected comic books absolutely free to visiting patrons.
Free Comic Book Day will be held at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N. Porter Ave. in Norman, Oklahoma, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.