Dual Magazine special, YOUR SELF
The spark that led to the publication of this Dual Magazine spinoff was lit in 3D Journal, a 100-yen companion magazine featuring similar content in a smaller format. Issue 3, sold in April 1984, ran a 2-page article about how to scratch-build your own 1/35 Fatty, and readers could order the plans for a price of 120yen. Takara had discontinued their Votoms model kits by this time, so if you wanted to add this one to your lineup, DIY was the only solution.
The response was strong enough that the editors decided to respond not with just the Fatty plans, but an entire publication that would showcase art and scratch-building instructions for more A.T.s that Takara had neglected. Below is that publication from cover to cover. An exact publishing date is unknown, but context places it in the summer or fall of 1984.
Get a look at some interior pages from 3D Journal in my profiles for Giant Gorg and Galient.
Illustration at right by Mika Akitaka
(Publication statement)
Since the beginning of Dual Magazine, readers have been requesting that we publish a book just about dioramas as a special edition. The editorial department worked toward publishing it, but due to various circumstances, it did not come to fruition. On the other hand, it was necessary to provide modelers and illustrators, who continue to create for DM, with opportunities to present their works in the best possible way.
The “Shinobu Nakamura Fatty Production Drawing” offered in 3D Journal No. 3 became the catalyst for this project. The discontinuation of Votoms SAK model kits must have caused frustration among fans, since we received over 1,500 requests. Creating this special was more expensive than the general route, but we were convinced that it would be possible to publish a small number of copies for heavy users. And with the help of the Dual Magazine modeler team, this book was completed.
We have received many letters of encouragement and requests for the book from readers. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.
Satoshi Chiba
Dual Magazine Editorial Department
Illustration by Takashi Honari
A.T. Anthology: CRUSH
I couldn’t believe my eyes. A sluggish Fatty, that couldn’t possibly be compared to me in land battles, was moving faster than my machine’s roller dash.
“Hovering!”
He was running with air spewing out of the vents on the soles of his feet. Enemy machine gun rounds, or rather shock waves, pierced my body. I felt like my head was being torn to pieces and my existence disappeared.
Illustration by Takashi Honari
BATTLING
“If we beat Cougar Team, we’ll get double the payoff!” the owner called out.
Even though it was a regular game, it was a tag match. The stakes were higher than the market rate. The owner snarled at the head mechanic, urging him to get through the checkup.
We were originally survivors of Henry’s Regiment, 5559th Armored Division, 431st Area, and this is the only way we can make money since we’re only good at destruction. Captain Henry, the owner, is still an officer with a military commission, and he gives us something to live for.
The A.T., which will be in the first game of the day, is a new one stolen from the military warehouse. It’s in a different league from other machines that are on the verge of being scrapped! This is all thanks to the captain.
illustration by Takashi Honari
BATTLING 2
“Don’t lose to Henry’s rotten tomatoes!” shouted my dad, who came up in the supply corps. It seems something happened between him and Captain Henry during the war. He was in a very good mood after killing the opposing player in the previous game, though he lost because of a disqualification.
“Leave it to me. I’ve set the stroke of the arm punch to 1.7 times the standard. This idiot audience won’t even notice.”
The mecha pilot Ruska cheered me on.
“Don’t give up! If you’re just gonna tuck your tail, you don’t belong here!”
Today’s match is going to be rough too.
Illustration by Kazumi Fujita
RESCUE
The variable compressor had already stopped functioning, and the mover’s propellant has long since run out. The A.T., which had exceeded its combat time, had to wait for friendly forces to come to its rescue.
20 hours had passed since the explosion erupted around us. The A.T.’s oxygen tanks were depleted beyond their capacity, and the valve of my spacesuit’s reserve cylinder automatically opened. I only have two hours left to live. But even if there was an infinite supply of oxygen, the silence of this universe would not be enough to calm my nerves.
At that moment, there was a vibration from a tap on the A.T. hatch. It was a friendly force. They came to help me! Despite a one in ten thousand chance, I survived today.
Illustration by Kazumi Fujita
DEPARTURE
The storm caused by the rotors caused a commotion in the jungle. We had come up the muddy river, and now we were going to take a helicopter to attack the enemy base directly.
The helicopter suddenly started playing loud music. I don’t know what it was, but it sounded very upbeat. I think it was called Walkure or something. Battles with BGM are so extravagant.
Come to think of it, they did something similar in a traveling movie I saw the other day.
From here to the end, all pages are dedicated to scratch-building model kits that would not be forthcoming from Takara.
Illustrations by Mika Akitaka
DM Special ②
The World of ATV
(working title)
This will be a book that includes the A.T. History series currently running in Dual Magazine, as well as new illustrations, designs, and other projects. Preorder information will be published in issue 11, which will be released in December of this year.
Regrettably, this note refers to a publication that would never be produced. However, it’s very likely that the effort ultimately led to Votoms Odyssey, the amazing 1985 book from Minori Shobo, which was edited by Satoshi Chiba. Read all about it here.
Taku Koide
First doujinshi magazine to be published! This is introduces a book that is not related to Dual Magazine. A collection of works by the mysterious 4-frame manga artist Taku Koide will be released. Please read it. To purchase, please send a 60 yen stamp to the VTC “Taku Koide Personal Collection” department.
The following pages were included as to-scale foldout plans for the scratch built models presented in the book. This included the Fatty plan promoted in 3D Journal.
