So far, I’ve been loving BOOM! Studios’ Mech Cadet Yu. I gave the series’ first issue a 9.5/10 back when it came out, and I haven’t given any issue a score lower than 8/10 since. The last issue was yet another 9.5/10. Needless to say, the creative team has consistently been making magic. In Mech Cadet Yu #7, the cadets face the fallout of their academy’s destruction, and Central Command is revealed to have some unethical plans. Naturally, Yu and his cohorts choose what is right over what is ordered. Does the creative team do a good job capturing these events’ tension? Is the issue good?
As always, this issue is good. Writer Greg Pak does a great job with the characters’ dialogue, and their reactions to the issue’s events are all consistent with their past characterization. Yu’s mother continues to be a scene-stealer, even though she barely receives any page-time here. Park’s actions are perhaps the most interesting of the issue. She’s shown an increase in selfless behavior across this arc, but it’s still difficult to predict her next moves. The sense of tension that arises from her uncertain allegiances helps keep things suspenseful. I also appreciate this issue’s pacing; most of the major plot beats have ample time to breathe. There’s also a moment toward the end involving Yu, his teammates, and their teacher Skip Tanaka that gives major “badass protagonists off to save the day” vibes.
This issue also impresses art-wise. Penciler Takeshi Miyazawa continues to imbue the characters with great personality. Yu’s facial expressions in particular are one of the series’ most consistent strong points. The backgrounds throughout are also well-detailed, and capture the sense of devastation caused by the Sharg’s attacks. Of course, colorist Triona Farrell also deserves accolades. Their work adds a lot to the issue’s atmosphere, and the changing color palette effectively matches shifts in mood. Letterer Simon Bowland also delivers nice, clean work.
Yu’s relationship with his mom continues to be a lot of fun.
With all that said, I still have a few small qualms with this issue. One of the major reveals regarding Central Command gets breezed through too quickly. It make sense to an extent given that the characters are in a hurry, but I still wish there’d been a little more development. There are also some occasions throughout where the difference in level of detail applied to background versus foreground objects is striking enough that the line-work feels a bit rushed.
Cons aside, Mech Cadet Yu #7 is yet another great issue for the series. Yu and his friends continue to do what they think is right at every turn, making it effortless to root for them. With that said, there’s still a nice sense of tension present thanks to Park’s mixed allegiances as well as the conflict between the cadets and their higher-ups. The artwork is also, as always, a joy to look at. All in all, Mech Cadet Yu continues to be one of best comics currently on shelves.
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