Marvel Comics; February 1979
Cover by Herb Trimpe and Al Milgrom

Title: “Raydeen!”
Synopsis: Three warrior prospects are called by the Followers of the Light to take Shogun Warrior Raydeen into battle against Rok-Korr.

Writer: Doug Moench
Penciler: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Dan Green

Review: Shogun Warriors shares two things with another Doug Moench/Herb Trimpe’s Bronze book, Godzilla: 1. For some reason, this reviewer took a pass on both when they originally hit the spinner racks, and 2. Both are better reads than expected. As with Godzilla, fun is the name of the game here as giant robots and bio-mech monsters engage in big punching. Moench’s provides enough back story to make the Shogun Warriors almost interesting, though this debut would have benefited from a stronger graft onto the Marvel Universe. Trimpe’s art is serviceable, but his design work is hit and miss.

Grade: B-

Cool factor: Years ago, this reviewer found a 24” Shogun Warrior Mazinga at a swap meet for just $2. That has nothing to do with this comic, but it certainly was cool!
Not-so-cool factor: Rok-Korr. Lame name. Lamer design. And awful dialogue. The Shogun Warriors needed a better class of baddie!

Character quotable: “Back, servant of good! You face Rok-Korr — and Rok-Korr claims this day for evil!” — Rok-Korr (in case you hadn’t figured that out).

Copyright ©2014 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl takes a look at a Bronze Age Fantastic First. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl’s website, ComicsBronzeAge.com.