BOOM! Studios has just announced a new monthly series, Mech Cadet Yu, launching August 2017. Leading this new series is longtime collaborators Greg Pak (The Incredible Hulk) and Takeshi Miyazawa (Runaways). The pair have previously worked together on Code Monkey Save World and ABC Disgusting, and are widely known for the creation of Amadeus Cho – who eventually starred in Marvel’s Totally Awesome Hulk. The first issue features covers by Miyazawa, Marcus To (Joyride), and Juan Doe (Uncanny X-Men).
Mech Cadet Yu follows Stanford Yu, a young janitor who is chosen to join the sacred ranks of the mech cadets at Sky Corps Academy. Once a year, giant robots arrive from outer space to bond with cadets on earth in an effort to defeat the alien race, the Sharg. After unintentionally bonding with his robot, Yu is thrown into training, endeavoring to prove he is worthy of being there at all.
“I love giant robots. And I love quirky, personal stories about lonely kids trying to find their crew and mission in the world. So many of the stories I’ve written over the years are rooted in things I loved the most when I was 10 years old—like giant robots, natch. It’s a thrill to finally be writing that kind of story from the point of view of a character who’s an actual kid. And I’m excited to be writing multi-dimensional Asian American lead characters in a genre that’s so beloved by so many Asian Americans, but seldom features them,” said Pak.
“To me, working with Greg Pak is a chance to work on something special. Mech Cadet Yu is one of those special projects, an underdog story about beating the odds, making friends, and kicking alien butt in giant robots. When he came to me with the idea, it was something I couldn’t turn down,” added Miyazawa.
“Tak’s got an incredible ability to bring out all the emotional nuance and humor that makes the friendships and rivalries of young characters feel utterly real and relatable. And he draws giant robots like nobody’s business. He’s delivering fun and wonder in every page and every panel,” Pak said.
This August, print copies of Mech Cadet Yu #1 will be available at local comic shops and at the BOOM! webstore. Digital copies will be available for purchase on ComiXology and the BOOM! Studios app.