Emil Lang (fictional character)

Dr. Emil Lang is a fictional character appearing in the Robotech universe.

Dr. Lang was briefly seen in episodes 5 ("Transformation") and 6 ("Daedalus Attack") of the Macross Saga. He would have had a much larger role in the aborted sequel "". [ [http://www.robotech.com/infopedia/episodes/viewepisode.php?episode=6] ] [ [http://www.robotech.com/infopedia/episodes/viewepisode.php?episode=5] ] The storyline for this series was later realized as a comic book and novel series. Dr. Lang was Earth's chief Robotechnician and has been with Earth Robotechnology development since it was first developed from the crashed SDF-1. It was through his efforts that the SDF-1 was built from the crashed alien ship. He also helped in development of the Veritech fighter. Among his other innovations were the pinpoint barrier system, omni-directional barrier, Cyclone Armor, and the Shadow Fighter.

During his animated appearances in Robotech and Sentinels, Dr. Lang was voiced by Greg Snegoff.

After the end of the First Robotech War, Dr. Lang was made leader of the Robotech Expeditionary Force. He would join Rick Hunter, Lisa Hayes, and the other heroes of the First Robotech War aboard the SDF-3. Dr. Lang was a popular and charismatic leader with the REF, a surrogate father figure to the young scientists and soldiers. He became close to cadet pilot Karen Penn, daughter of his friend and colleague, Harry Penn. Although Karen loved her father, she felt he was too overprotective. Despite Harry Penn's protests, Lang fully supported Karen's determination to be a Veritech pilot.

In addition to scientific research, Lang was also a shrewd politician and diplomat who served on the REF Plentipotentiary Council. Lang repeatedly demonstrated his ability to compromise and draw upon the strength of others as the key to diplomacy. He was instrumental in secretly foiling the plans of certain high ranking REF members who exploited their positions. In this, he was assisted by Janice Em. On the outside, she appeared an ordinary young lady gifted with a beautiful singing voice, but in actuality, she was an android that Lang built to act as a spy much like the Japanese kunoichi.

During the final phase of the Sentinel's campaign, Lang, Exedore, and Janice worked together to create Shadow Technology out of the notes left behind by the now renegade T.R. Edwards who had made significant breakthroughs using captured Invid technology.

As seen in the comic book miniseries , during the final phase of the Third Robotech War, Lang, Exedore, and Janice were in the process of testing the Neutron S missiles that Admiral Hunter ordered used against the Invid's Reflex Point on Earth. Not realizing the power of these weapons, a test firing of the missile released destructive energy that not only disabled SDF-3 but according to , killed all aboard science vessel Deukalion with no survivors except Janice. It is presumed that Exedore who was aboard Deukalion, is among the dead. However, Dr. Lang's fate is debatable as the comic book artwork does not make it clear whether Lang was aboard Deukalion or SDF-3 at this time.

Original "Macross" version

Haruhiko Mikimoto was the character designer for "Macross," the Japanese animated series that was adapted as the first 36 episodes of "Robotech". In the original "Macross" character designs, the unnamed chief engineer in two episodes (later redesignated Dr. Lang in "Robotech") was one of several "Macross" background characters drawn simply with small black eyes. The "Macross" chief engineer is credited with the modular transformation and pin-point barrier system of the SDF-1 "Macross," but none of the other innovations credited to "Robotech's" Lang. In the original "Macross", the eyes had no special reason for their appearance and is simply attributed to one of the trademarks of Mikimoto's artistic style. Characters with similarly drawn eyes have appeared in other anime on which he worked.

Another unnamed character with these eyes appeared in a conference scene in Episode 29 and was seen having a friendly argument with Rick Hunter. This character was retroactively identified as Lazlo Zand in the Jack McKinney novelization.

"The Sentinels" version

The Macross character design was modified in "Robotech II: The Sentinels" animation produced where, in his updated character design, he was given normal eyes. Comic books have off and on reverted to the black marble like eyes without explanation, usually depending on the artist drawing the issue. The Jack McKinney novels have explained it as an indication of Lang's affinity with the protoculture and its Shapings, an aftereffect of Lang's near electrocution during the initial exploratory expedition of the crashed SDF-1 where he tried to access the onboard alien computer. "The Sentinels" comic (which uses his "Sentinels" character design) did show one instance of Lang's eyes turning marble black and of him subduing someone with greater than normal physical strength.

References