Robot God Akamatsu, Vol. 1  by James Biggie, illustrated by Frankie B. Washington, and lettered by Josh Van Reyk

Zetabella Publishing, 2013

ISBN-13:  9781927384152

Available: Graphic novel hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition

Robot God Akamatsu is the first volume of a YA graphic novel series. Back in the days of Atlantis, humanity was protected by the titular Robot God Akamatsu and the three pilots who operated the robot god from a space station orbiting the Earth. To engage the Robot God, they would invoke the term Deus Ex Machina, which translates literally to “god from the machine”.

In the present day, Akamatsu is recovered and brought back online in time to fight his brother, URU. URU is the lord of Kaiju (sea monsters) and is currently exiled to a place called the Abbation plane. Now that Akamatsu has been awoken, URU plots to use the Robot God’s power source to bring URU and his horde of monstrous warriors to Earth. For once, the action all occurs around the city of Boston, and New York City is spared destruction.

This is a very fun graphic novel. I would like to see Biggie and Washington create further installments in the epic battle of Akamatsu and URU. This is recommended for readers of comic books, and lovers of Kaiju and classic robot sci-fi. If you enjoyed Pacific Rim, this is the graphic novel for you. Recommended.

Contains: Comic book mayhem

Reviewed by Benjamin Franz