It was my first giant robot!

Titan Comics has a pretty good track record for me, with the current Conan and Solomon Kane books; but this one was even more specifically for me! From 2026, UFO Robot Grendizer #1, written by Xavier Dorison and Denis Bajram, art by Denis Bajram, Brice Cossu, Alexis Sentenac, and Yoann Guillo. 

 The inside cover notes, it took about five years to complete this series; but good news: it was worth it! Picking up after the anime series (you can watch the Force Five Grandizer movie on Internet Archive!) the warlike last survivors of Vega have returned to earth, intent on taking all of Japan as their new homeland, and giving the Japanese a week to clear out. Only Duke Fleed could stop them, if he wasn't a prisoner of the Japanese army, and seemingly punishing himself over losing his home a second time... 

The first issue is largely set-up, setting the stakes and getting the band back together; so no giant robot action right away! It's still really well-done, and probably has to roll like that, since Grendizer was like the Cadillac of the 70's super robots: great ride, all the accessories, the high end. The later issues have the action, although it also touches on refugees, PTSD, and how long will you hate an old enemy...? 

I suspect this series was largely not for Americans: Grendizer was way bigger in French speaking countries, if I recall. Still, I'm glad my local comic shop was able to get me these! They were able to find it, even though I consistently use the English 'Grandizer' spelling and it was probably listed under 'U' for 'UFO Robot.'

 Anyway, some housekeeping: tomorrow, toy show! Sunday, I'm probably out to Montana for a few days to see my family--shoot, I kinda have to finish my Christmas shopping before I go, if I don't wanna ship anything! Better get started.