Zeonic|Scanlations

[EXCLUSIVE] Record of Mobile Suit Wars

Added 2024-11-03 15:27:46 +0000 UTC

ABOUT THIS TITLE

This groundbreaking series, which ran in Comic BomBom from 1984 to 1985, marked the dawn of original Gundam comic storytelling. Under the masterful guidance of Masaya Takahashi and the visionary Craft Group for composition, it painted the One Year War through the eyes of a lone Zeon soldier. The series' dedication to authenticity - from the intricate mobile suit engineering to the visceral combat sequences - set new standards that would echo through the Gundam universe, particularly influencing the celebrated MSV series and beyond. Hailed as both pioneer and masterpiece of Gundam side stories, it seamlessly wove series elements like the legendary Black Tri-Stars and the climactic Odessa confrontations into its narrative. The compelling protagonist, Frederick Brown, would become a recurring figure in Kondo's expanding universe, though he would later argue that it's not necessarily the same individual from this original story.

While it began life as Mobile Suit Gundam MS Senki, time would see it evolve into MS Senki Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Sidestory, finding its place alongside Kondo's later masterwork Mobile Suit Gundam 0079. Fans were particularly thrilled to see Frederick Brown's return in the main series.

The road to publication wasn't smooth - despite earning recognition from Kodansha's Young Magazine in 1984, editors initially balked at the distinctive art style. Yet Kondo's extraordinary talent for bringing mechanical warfare to life found its home in Comic BomBom. Though the series concluded after four chapters, an unreleased fifth chapter exists, shelved only due to the arrival of Zeta Gundam. This success launched Kondo into adapting Zeta Gundam for Comic BomBom from 1985 onward.

2009 saw Kodansha bring the series full circle, releasing an accessible convenience store edition under the original title Mobile Suit Gundam MS Senki.

Publishing curiosities include Bandai's first edition bearing "2079" instead of the correct "0079," and subtle variations in the MediaWorks editions' cover art, where later printings simplified the Zaku's backdrop.

There are pages omitted from this first chapter because they're of a timeline that isn't widely accepted as official anymore. I'll replace it with imagery from the older release when I wrap up the volume. I'm posting this from the cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, so I'm not sure if this will work out entirely!