Voltron #1
Voltron #1 (Modern, 1985) holds the distinction of being the first appearance of Voltron — and the entire Lion Force cast — in American comic books, translating one of the mid-1980s' most-watched children's television properties into the comics medium for the first time. The book arrived at the peak of the animated series' cultural dominance, when Voltron: Defender of the Universe was the top-rated syndicated children's show in the country, making it a direct artifact of the anime-to-American-pop-culture pipeline that defined the Copper Age. As the opening chapter of a compact three-issue limited series, it also established the template for how licensed anime properties would be adapted into done-in-one Western comic storytelling, a format that would become standard practice throughout the decade.
In "Willpower," Prince Lotor and Haggar deploy a mind-control device to seize Keith and take over the Black Lion, plunging the Voltron Force into a desperate battle to reclaim their leader. With the team racing against time, they launch a daring assault on Lotor’s forces, testing their courage and unity in a fight to free Keith and restore the Black Lion. Written by Henry Vogel and illustrated by Dick Ayers, with colors by Rich Ayers and letters by Dick Ayers, the issue features a striking cover by Mac Fury.
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Modern Comics, operating as an imprint of Charlton Comics, acquired the Voltron license on the strength of the animated series' extraordinary ratings success after its September 1984 syndication debut. The series itself had a famously accidental origin: World Events Productions, the St. Louis company behind Voltron, had originally planned to adapt a different Toei anime but received Beast King Go-Lion by mistake — and preferred it so strongly that it became the foundation of the franchise. With writer Henry Vogel scripting and Silver Age veteran Dick Ayers handling interior art, Modern assembled a creative team that straddled the divide between comics industry tradition and contemporary licensed-property production; Ayers, best known as Jack Kirby's longtime inker and the decade-long penciler of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos, brought considerable craft to what was nominally a children's tie-in book. The cover was produced by Jim Fry and Mark McKenna.
Trivia · 7 facts
- First appearance of Voltron and the entire Lion Force team — Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Princess Allura, Coran, King Zarkon, Prince Lotor, Haggar, and Voltron itself — in American comic books.
- Published in 1985 by Modern Comics, confirmed by multiple sources to be an imprint of Charlton Comics.
- Story titled 'Will Power!' — written by Henry Vogel, with interior art by Dick Ayers; cover by Jim Fry and Mark McKenna.
- The plot centers on Prince Lotor and witch Haggar using a mind-control device to seize command of Keith and the Black Lion, with the rest of the Voltron Force mounting a rescue.
- The Grand Comics Database notes minor but documented coloring errors throughout the issue, including Hunk's and Coran's hair incorrectly colored gray early on, and Lance's uniform mistakenly colored red on page 15.
- The issue was part of a three-issue limited series — the entirety of the 1985 Modern Comics Voltron run — all three issues written to be compatible with the television series' continuity.
- Interior artist Dick Ayers was a Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame inductee (2007), celebrated as one of Jack Kirby's primary Silver Age inkers and co-creator of the original western Ghost Rider character — lending unexpected pedigree to this licensed children's tie-in.
Cast · 13 characters
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↩ Reprints The Futurians by Dave Cockrum #1 (1985)
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