-take note that most of the accounts below are that from a perspective of a 12 year old boy from 1985. 25 years have past and much as been learned. Yet, this is what I thought back then. Stay with me and I'll show you how it changed my life...
March 1, 1985. Codename: Robotech had just premiered on KCOP channel 13. A new era in my life had begun.
For the 12 years before that moment, I had been a kid that enjoyed only one thing more than G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. And that was Star Wars. After Return of the Jedi, had left the theaters in 1984. Star Wars had been forgotten by the coolness of G.I.Joe. By 1984, I had watched two G.I.Joe TV mini-series, rushed to buy the toys and anticipated the next TV commercial advertising the next issue of the Marvel Comic book. Yet, on March 1, 1985 that would change. It was the day that G.I.Joe stopped being my fanatical hobby and the day a new show- Robotech would take over my imagination.
I can still remember the apartment (Valle Encantada on Sunset and Poe). The burnt gold sofa that I had sat comfortably. The old Zenith television dialed to channel 13 (KCOP). Not truly understanding the story unfolding before me, I knew this was the coolest show I had seen in my entire life (of 12 years). Up until now, I would have said the coolest cartoon ever was Battle of the Planets. At 12, I would still contour my arm in a sideways "V" and yell, "trasmute!". The summer before 1985, I would say the coolest cartoon of the last year was Voltron: Defender of the Universe. I would watch it while drawing at the coffee table. Drawing battles between the ships of the Drule Empire and Earth or Zarkon's Fleet invading Arus. But those days were now gone.
The best part of watching Codename: Robotech was the advertisement to tune in Monday for the series premiere of Robotech! The 90 minute special was not the end. Now Monday seemed so far away. After watching Codename: Robotech, I wish I could watch it again. Wished to see more of the space battles. See more of the transforming Veritechs. And to see if I could understand it more with a second viewing. But this was the days before we got our first VCR. We wouldn't get that until Christmas 1985. Until then, I would have to settle on the replay in my mind.
Monday would eventually come and I spent most of the day anticipating the bike ride home. I remember Robotech started at 4:30 right after The Flintstones. Since I had Robotech on the brain for the days prior, I remember being very alert and attentive to the opening credits that first day. At the time, I had no clue this show would span three generations and three sets of characters. So, I had wondered when I would see the other mechs and characters that were in the brief scenes of the opening credits.
I don't recall the exact feelings I had after watching Booby Trap (episode I of the Macross generation). I do know that I was hooked. I wasn't confused anymore. A giant alien spacecraft had crashed on Earth. It contained the secret to Robotechnology. And now some 50 foot tall Zentraedi wanted the ship back. There was a character named Rick Hunter who had rescued a young girl named Minmei. The invasion of Macross Island had started and Rick was left in shock. I know I subconsciously connected this show with the likes of Voltron and Battle of the Planets. Again, I was unaware of the true origins of the show (and what would then be referred to as Japanimation). Instead, I just assumed that the creators of those other shows had a hand in drawing and creating this new show!
-With only a week and 5 shows under my belt, I knew this show had changed my life. It would influence how I would participate in fandom for the next 25 years...
Denver Comic Con
