WE RIDE TITANS #1/ Story by TRES DEAN/ Art by SEBASTIÃN PRIZ/ Color Art by DEE CUNNIFFE/ Letters by JIM CAMPBELL/ Design by TIM DANIEL/ Published by VAULT COMICS

The Hobbs family have protected New Hyperion for generations, piloting the massive Titan mecha that is the only weapon capable of slaying the kaiju which regularly menace the city. When something happens to her brother that results in the worst disaster New Hyperion has ever seen, Kit Hobbs reluctantly returns to her hometown to save the family business, lest the local government step in and assign control of the Titan to someone else. Kit may be able to save the city, but can she rebuild the bridges she burned long ago?

The first issue of We Ride Titans is a riveting introduction to a classic manga concept. The basic idea of giant piloted robots fighting equally huge monsters is nothing new. What marks this series as unique, however, is the protagonist and the mystery of why she had a falling out with her family. Rather than being focused upon monster battling, Tres Dean’s script is centered around Kit’s conflict and her reluctance to return to Hyperion City, despite the duty she feels to do what no one else can.

This issue is surprisingly light on action following an early kaiju fight, but these scenes are well-executed and well-drawn by Sebastián Piriz. The colors by Dee Cunniffe give the art a smooth, military look in the opening scenes in Hyperion City. This contrasts nicely with the more vibrant, natural tones utilized when the story introduces Kit and her wife, Jen, subtly highlighting the difference between the life Kit built for herself and all she left behind.

Fans of the mecha and kaiju genres will definitely want to check out We Ride Titans. It will also appeal to LGBTQIA drama enthusiasts, though it remains to be seen if Kit’s sexual orientation is tied into the reasons she left her family behind. In either case, this is a series to keep an eye on.

We Ride Titans #1 releases on January 12, 2022.