The Skinny
The One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon has begun - and the newest Mobile Suits are tested for battle!

Captain Matt Healy leads his team into dangerous territory as the leader of a Special Forces Experimental Unit. Ken Bederstadt is a Foreign Legion Lieutenant working in alliance with Zeon. These two heroes are trying to keep everyone alive... for tomorrow!

My Thoughts
This is a collection of the adventures of the Special Forces Experimental Unit during the One Year War. There is no mention of New Types in here. In the vein of 08th MS Team, the team consists of 3 pilots and 1 combat operator. The team's primary mission is to test the Federation's latest prototype Mobile Suits and participate in special missions deemed necessary by their commander.

Unlike the other currently running Mobile Suit Gundam Ecole Du Ciel, the art characters are drawn in simple lines in a very anime-like style. The action is also pretty well-drawn and easy to follow. The mecha action is also pretty pre-dominant in this series so fans of these will be more than satisfied.

The creators made it a point to make sure that this series follows strictly to the established timeline of the UC Gundam universe which is very nice. So unlike other Gundam series, there's no 'new' mobile suit that pops up that requires serious retconning to explain its existence.

Characterization is a bit weak for this series although I hope they will improve in the 2nd volume. Ken Bederstadt plays a very small (so far) role in the series. He comes across as an honorable officer of the Zeon Corps, much like Norris Packard in the 08th MS Team. Unfortunately, he seems to be a carbon copy of Matt Healy, a no-nonsense leader who cares about his subordinates and does his utmost to fulfill his mission. I find that a bit cliched and one dimensional. But like I said, maybe the 2nd volume will add more characterization to them. The other members of each respective team are also cookie-cutter. On the Experimental Unit's side is a cocky sniper and a happy-go-lucky 3rd MS pilot while Bederstadt's team aren't even elaborated upon. The only significant character is the Experimental Unit's new combat controller who, unfortunately, is as one dimensional as they come. Corporal Noel Robertson basically takes on the 'damsel in distress' role so often given to women characters.

Since this series is placed during the time of the original Mobile Suit Gundam TV series, a nice touch by the writers is to set stories around the White Base's exploits, leading up to Operation Odessa. So you get the first glimpse of the testing of the RX-75 Guntank, the introduction of the MS-09 Dom by Zeon (the capture of which explains the introduction of the RGM-79D as per continuity which leads to Gundam Blue Destiny) and even the Experimental Unit's involvement with Lieutenant Matilda's resupply run to White Base. For those in the know, the supply run added new components to the RX-78 which boosted its performance with the introduction of the G-Armor.

The volume ends with Operation Odessa where the tide of the war turns in favor of the Federation. What adventure awaits Matt Healy and Ken Bederstadt? I expect a rematch (as per usual, since Bederstadt wins Round 1). Will they get together and sing Kumbaya? We'll see...

Conclusion
For any Mecha action junkie, this is an excellent series. Just imagine 08th MS Team's action sequences put on paper and you'd be pretty close to the mark. However, anyone looking for something original, you gotta look elsewhere. I like the neat touch of weaving the stories within the continuity and how they managed to explain how other series in the Gundam universe (08th MS Team and Gundam Blue Destiny) can exist.