Battle of the Planets/Science Ninja Team Gatchaman/G-Force/Eagle Riders #1/2 (2003) ft. Ken/Mark the Eagle, Joe/Jason the Condor, Jun/Princess the Swan, Jinpei/Keyop the Swallow & Ryu/Tiny the Owl
Artist: Joe Benitez (All)
27 Comments - 2,466 Views - 25 Likes
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Description"Sometimes we are five, sometimes only one. The mysterious white shadow that steals close to its prey. United, we are GATCHAMAN!"Over a year in the paying and since childhood in the waiting...my first incarnation of the Science Ninja Team (and first Joe Benitez) has arrived to my wall! As a child, I grew more and more fascinated with stories oriented around teamwork. Stories around beacons of nerd culture such as the Ninja Turtles, X-Men, Teen Titans and of course, the Power Rangers. As I enjoyed these characters and all their in-team conflicts, I had little regard for the namesake that is credited for being one of the reasons these legends had a direction to reach the world. Enter high school when I found a comic series along the racks painted by an artist I'd later come to know and love (Alex Ross) with winged characters I felt like I not only knew but were a part of me on a personal level. However, it was during the middle of the series and it never occured to me to look for and collect older issues so I let it go. Battle of the Planets, as this comic series was called and adapted from the imported television show was the tale of five orphans genetically gifted with the speed, strength and nerve to combat a tyrannical alien enemy. Why was this so familiar? Not until my twenties, during a particularly thorough anime rampage did I discover the true name and nature of what was responsible for the trailblazing of not only many of my favorite characters but my favorite teams! Science Ninja Team Gatchaman! The story. The dialogue. The violence. Everything I felt the television show had removed for the sake of sensitivity and dare I say evil...was right here. I later bought the maxi series from Image comics and enjoyed the homage to both the Americanized Battle of the Planets as well as the far superior source material Gatchaman. I swore one day that I would bring home if not an Alex Ross cover from this series then at least...one of the pen and ink pieces as all the good Wilson Tortosa interiors were long snatched up. Turns out, all the painted Ross covers were also long gone. Enter my guardian angel and savior from a kingdom called TDArt...Tatiana Dykes! Tatiana was/is a pure masterclass in good business, patience and kindness no matter how abominable my finances were and no matter for how pathetically long. She showed me every courtesy and even issued me a partial refund to help me cover rent. A greater honor couldn't be demanded than to have met and worked with this majestic art dealer and I cannot wait to return to her site for more! Thank you Tatiana as you have made a fan not only happy but made a grown man child-out everytime I see the team on my wall! Also a big thanks to Joe Benitez for crafting such a surgical cover to this series. Ordinarily I prefer my pencils and inks on the same board but this cover truly gains more for their separate layers. I haven't a catchy finish for this description therefore, I'll let Jinpei/Keyop spin it on home with what in my nerd-heart may be one of the most dope-sauce commands ever: "Ninja technique tornado fighter!" Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Tatiana TDArt Dykes 
Member Since 2005
CAF Administrator
1 - Posted on 4/22/2021
So glad you were able to get this!
A K
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 7/12/2021
I love Battle of the Planets and Benitez really knocked this one out of the park! Congratulations!
Kenneth Carter
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 8/15/2021
Amazing piece. Joe is on my list, so some day!!
Johnny M
Member Since 2014
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 8/16/2021
Whoa! This is a great 1/2 issue cover!! 1/2 issues are the greatest bit of 90's 2000's Top Cow Greatness!
Some Collector
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 8/18/2021
That's fantastic! I remember coming home from school and it being on UHF. OK, I'm old.
Red Raven
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 8/20/2021
Perfect cover battle planets - congratulations !!
Timothy Guerrero
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/3/2021
Wow, this piece is amazing but I wouldn't expect anything else from El Joe!
Davide G.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/10/2021
Great cover, a truly iconic image of the whole team! I'm sure you'll appreciate the Alex Ross pencil study in my gallery ;)
<> Shemp
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 9/27/2021
Great Gatchaman! Loved the show at kid, great memories. Thinking I need a Gatchaman piece now.
MICHAEL FERRELL
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/29/2021
This brings back some fun childhood memories, great piece!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/6/2021
Very cool! Got a Campbell-ish vibe? Still all Joe but has a little more of a cartoony bent, which, uh, makes sense considering the subject matter :) I like lil man set up with a big smile in the middle. And the line work is so clean. Big congrats, Nash!
David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 10/24/2021
Absolutely Amazing, congrats on getting this beauty!!
Aidan (Re-Legion ) Lacy
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/19/2021
This is SUBLIME !!! Great art, a passion for collecting, a kindly art dealer and a GRAIL !!!
Rich Cirillo
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/1/2022
From one Gatchaman fan to another, this cover is Amazing! I love when different artists put their spin on these originally animated characters! Congrats on aquiring a Great one!
Declan Costello
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/11/2023
This cover gives me nostalgic goosebumps,nothing better than watching battle of the planets,followed up with Ulysses 31,what a time to be a kid,we were the last of the free generation,no phones,no internet,come in when the street lights came on,this cover just for me why we collect art,to hold onto our happy memories.
Jason Ladwig
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/16/2023
This is awesome! Fondly remember those Saturday mornings waking up early just to be able to catch the cartoon! Congrats on such a great cover!
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