Gatchaman: Galactor… trying really hard to be professional here. This spin-off of the main title spoils a bit of issue 2, yet I can’t deny that focusing on the best part of Gatchaman has its strengths. Berg Katse, has always been a fascinating character, both for their strategies, showmanship, and brutality. But this series goes into the emotional core of a mutant fighting for their place.
Gatchaman: Galactor – Uncertainty of Villainy
Steve Orlando writes Katse as a larger-than-life figure, equally cultured as they are fearsome. But they are also extremely tragic figures walking on a razor-thin wire. Between working for an abusive father figure and constantly needing to fight off competition to their command, Katse gets some sympathy. Especially since they’re afraid to come out of the closet about their unique anatomy.
It also gives layers to their methods. Their intelligence and tactics are a result of trying to live up to the high standards Galactor’s Leader X put on Katse. So when foils comes up to reflect Katse’s situation, readers are left in a strong sense of anticipation. If Katse succeeds, they’ll continue living in denial while throwing their emotional damage on others. But if they fail, readers will feel the loss of someone who makes following this franchise worth it. In a way, Katse has readers under their thumb as much as everyone under them.
Superiority In Perspective
Kath Lobo presents Katse’s actions and reactions with their own gravity. In just the first panels readers see how much Leader X throws onto Katse’s shoulders. In a big room, Leader X looks like a sun with lights orbiting around him in reflection. Meanwhile Katse looks like a small planet eclipsed by his presence. Doubly so with Frank Cvetkovic’s lettering acting almost like a moon hanging over Katse.
In juxtaposition, the next page the lights from X’s monitors look inviting to Katse kneeling without breaking posture. While their eyes are obscured by their mask and one panel shrouds them in darkness to X’s lights, when speaking to X, Katse looks like they’re bathed in warm light. These pages show that X both belittles and empowers Berg Katse.
Because unlike times with big dramatic shifts that throw the panels out of alignment with glitching visuals, this intro is perfectly stable.
The Papa Wolf
Now let’s put this in contrast to the mafiosos Katse’s fighting against. The Lupo’s have that familial love and ferocity from gangster flicks. They love and support each other in defiance to survival of the fittest.
The Don unlike X genuinely loves and cares for everyone under him. Whether that’s his sons, his family butler, or his mutant sister. He nurtures loyalty like a parental figure, cooking and serving meals to inspire loyalty.
That’s best seen through the mutant Sky Wolf. Her origin sounds like she’s overcompensating to surpass Katse. Yet she has the love and acceptance from everyone despite her status. It empowers her with passion and discipline to see her family prosper.
In any other place, they’d be heroes despite being cutthroats.
Hail Gatchaman: Galactor
They say that villains are more interesting than heroes. And they’re right! With the cheesy dialogue and hijinks pushed to the left, Berg Katse shows why they move this franchise not the Science Ninjas. Not only do they keep everyone on their toes, but they have layers of character. From sympathetic motivations, cathartic brutality, and subtle tragedies, this is something to remember. 9/10
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.