Robotech comics first officially appeared in print in 1985, though Comico published the first issue of its license from Harmony Gold USA under the Macross name. When Harmony Gold was releasing the first few episodes of its original Macross dub in 1984, it was discovered that Revell already had a Robotech Defenders line of scale model kits that included the transformable Macross mecha. The potential for brand confusion caused concern that Harmony Gold would have problems selling its own transformable Macross toys. Harmony Gold and Revell were able to come to a co-licensing agreement — when producer Carl Macek had the idea to combine Macross with Southern Cross and Mospeada to create an 85-episode television series, he chose to use Revell's pre-existing Robotech name and logo to strengthen the title's brand recognition. Publication history DC Comics (1984) A little-known Robotech Defenders limited comic book series was first published by DC Comics in 1984. Based on the Revell line of plastic models, this series actually combines mecha designs from Macross, Orguss, and Dougram. It predates the television series by about a year. The comic was originally intended to be a three-issue limited series; however, due to poor sales (and reportedly, pressure from Harmony Gold to "clear the way" for the TV series), the series was truncated down to only two issues. Robotech Defenders (no connection to the television series) Revell (1984) Revell's division in West Germany, Revell Plastic, GmbH, published a one-shot promotional issue of Robotech Defenders with a subtitle translating to "The Defenders of the Cosmos." Written by W. Spiegel with Artwork by W. Neugebauer, this original comic was not a reprint of the DC Comics series and was not connected to its continuity. Like the DC Comics series, it also had no connection to the TV series. Robotech Defenders: Die Verteidiger des Kosmos (no connection to the television series) Comico (1985-1989) Comico's Robotech comics consisted almost entirely of adaptations of the Robotech TV episodes, released alongside or just after their TV airings. Rather than releasing them sequentially, they released all three series at once. Of the 85 TV episodes, only "Dana's Story" was not directly adapted; it was later re-published in an expanded graphic novel. The main reason for this was not to provide spoilers for the outcome of The Macross Saga. Each issue also contains script lifted verbatim from the show. The Robotech Graphic Novel was not based