robotech

The 21st issue of Robotech (2017 comic series) was published on June 15, 2019. It followed up on the events of Robotech Free Comic Book Day 2019, and properly started off the events of Robotech: Event Horizon.

It featured numerous important plot points, including, strangely enough, a direct continuation of the obscure Robotech 3000 pilot.

Summary

After experiencing a surreal vision of a distorted Earth with Minmei, Rick Hunter awakens in New Macross City, unsettled by what feels like more than a dream. As Rick returns to reality, several subplots unfold across the globe and beyond: Claudia investigates sabotage aboard the SDF-1; Max reflects on Miriya; Lisa and Rick reunite at Alaska Base, where a mysterious girl in stasis, Dana Sterling, awakens with knowledge of a dark future, arriving from the future with warnings of an imminent multiversal invasion. Meanwhile, the Regess escalate the threat of a multiversal invasion, and including a new Invid Over-Mind. In the distant future, a Federation vessel is caught in a new Invid attack, confirming the crisis has already begun.

Synopsis

The chapter opens in a surreal, dream-like realm where Rick Hunter and Lynn Minmei find themselves in a distorted version of Earth. The terrain is unrecognizable, warped by time and possibly reality itself. Rick speculates they might be experiencing a vision or projection, while Minmei identifies the presence of Invid, although unsure how she knows this. The sensory details — heat, breeze, and pressure — feel real, and a creature identified as a Hellcat appears to detect their presence without fully understanding them. The two reflect on their past bond during the SDF-1 era, referencing a deep connection that transcends logic (Robotech 20). Minmei becomes overwhelmed, pleading to return to the real world.

Suddenly, Rick wakes up in New Macross City, seemingly returned to reality. Disoriented, he questions the experience before rushing to prepare for his flight. The timestamp reads 09:43 AM, suggesting he overslept, possibly due to the vision.

Meanwhile in Yokohama, Japan, Minmei attempts to contact Rick via phone but gets no answer. She’s soon interrupted by Kyle, who reminds her of her touring schedule and criticizes her lack of focus. There’s tension between them, as Kyle questions whether her success in Macross City was due to her own talent or the influence of her Protoculture-enhanced voice. Minmei, clearly emotionally drained, asks Kyle to leave so she can prepare for the next appearance.

The scene shifts to Waikiki Beach, Oahu, where Max Sterling enjoys shore leave. Despite the relaxing setting and attention from locals, his thoughts linger on Miriya, revealing his inner conflict and unresolved feelings.

Onboard the SDF-1, now docked at Moon Base Aluce, Claudia Grant investigates the mysterious disappearance of weapons inventory. While they've located some of the missing gear, the culprit remains unknown. A soldier reports that not all weapons have been accounted for. Claudia orders a low-profile watch for the unknown intruder, referencing a mysterious "steerage class" passenger. Determined to uncover the truth, she promises to get to the bottom of the situation before Captain Hayes returns.

Claudia records a captain's log summarizing the challenges at hand: A mysterious infiltrator aboard the SDF-1 is managing to elude all security systems and surveillance. A nonexistent section of the ship—an entire area not present on any internal schematics—has suddenly appeared. It is shielded from sensor scans and resistant to physical entry, baffling the crew. The intruder, while concerning, is given the lowest priority compared to the newly emerged spatial anomaly and the unknown architectural addition to the ship.

Following a recent alien attack by a cybernetic organism believed to originate from what the crew has begun calling "Invid-Space", Dr. Lang intensifies his efforts to seal the breach left by the disappearance of the SDF-1’s spacefold engines. Claudia focuses obsessively on work to avoid confronting personal grief. In a rare emotional moment, she breaks down while holding a photo of her late partner, Roy Fokker, revealing the toll the war and isolation have taken on her. Her voice wavers as she tries to remain composed.

In Dr. Lazlo Zand hidden pocket dimension. Zand observes unfolding events with frustration but remains confident. He believes the hidden chamber—what he refers to as Zor’s inner sanctum—was designed to withstand even the Robotech Masters, which explains its resilience. He finds the Invid attack concerning, given their usual aversion to shadow technology, suggesting that he drastic drove them to act.

Nearby, a clone of Captain Gloval speaks to Roy Fokker, confirming they've waited long enough. Roy affirms the time has come to act. He and Gloval plan to disrupt Zand’s efforts before the scientist can re-phase them or regain control. Their goal: to multiply Zand’s problems by finding a way to unlock the sanctum’s sealed doors.

At Alaska Base, Lisa Hayes greets Rick Hunter, now a lieutenant commander. Their conversation is formal, though charged with unresolved emotions from their past. Rick refers to their missed opportunity to talk at the recent ceremony, while Lisa informs him that he is expected in a high-level meeting. The nature of the summons remains cryptic, leaving Rick confused and uneasy.

Lisa leads Rick to Admiral Hayes, where he spots a mysterious young woman in stasis and questions her identity.

Lisa leads Rick to Admiral Hayes, where he spots a mysterious young woman in stasis and questions her identity.

As the two enter the briefing chamber, tension arises again as they both remember a past romantic moment (a kiss). Lisa composes herself and leads Rick to Admiral Hayes, who is awaiting his arrival. Inside, Rick sees a mysterious young woman in stasis and questions her identity. Lisa hints that Rick may be the key to solving the puzzle. Admiral Hayes reveals that the pod the girl arrived in was damaged, possibly during reentry. Rick immediately recognizes the Robotechnology signature and instinctively attempts to synchronize with the pod’s systems. As he connects with the pod, Rick experiences a powerful vision: a glimpse of himself, older and wearing an admiral’s uniform, speaking to the mysterious young woman.

Overwhelmed, Rick stammers, “M-me… It’s me!”—realizing that the girl somehow knows him from a future timeline where he holds a higher rank. Lisa is concerned, but Admiral Hayes urges caution, noting Rick has made some kind of link with the pod’s occupant. Suddenly, with a soft release of steam, the pod’s damaged casing opens. The young woman inside gasps for air and steps out, disoriented but alert. Her eyes land on Rick, and she recognizes him instantly—only to be startled by how young he appears. Lisa and Admiral Hayes try to calm the girl, who appears disoriented but determined. The girl declares her name: Dana Sterling. Rick is visibly shocked.

Back on the SDF-1, Karl Riber trains in solitude, wielding a weapon in a training bay. He is approached by Sherwin Parkes, who commends Karl's survival and curiosity. Karl, once presumed dead, explains the truth behind Mars Base Sera: it was never about peace or diplomacy—it was a hidden weapons facility used to experiment with dangerous Robotechnology applications. Karl recounts how his warnings were ignored, and he was hunted by a black ops unit. The chaos that followed was not an accident—Mars Base Sera was destroyed by "Shadowtech".

On Optera, the Regess unveils a terrifying creation: a Hybrid Over-Mind, an entity that merges Invid biology with Terran Shadowtech. Though she calls it an “abomination,” she justifies its existence as retaliation against humanity’s destruction of Invid worlds. With this new weapon, she opens a Shadow Portal and commands her forces to begin a multiversal invasion—the "sack of all realities." Back at Alaska Base, Dana Sterling panics. She has overslept in stasis and missed her window by over ten years. She urgently tells the others that the crisis has already begun. The invasion is underway.

In Protoverse-113, Robotech 3000 Era. Aboard the Federation patrol vessel Corsair, Captain Noble monitors an away team on the surface of dwarf planet LV-427. The team is responding to a malfunction at a Protoculture mining colony. On the surface, Lieutenant Suzy Kramer discovers that a Protoculture surge have evolved the excavators into sentient machines, which rebelled. Just as Kramer reports the situation appears contained, a violent spatial disruption occurs, a Shadow Portal tears open nearby. From within, a wave of Invid forces bursts through. Declaring the world rich in Protoculture, they begin a full assault: “Commence the reaping!”

Memorable quotes

Appearances

Characters

Mecha

Vehicles

Locations

Robotech 3000

Vehicles

Mecha

Locations


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