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{{ | {{other uses|Micronauts}} | ||
There have been four main publishers of the [[comic book]] series bearing the name '''''Micronauts''''' based on the [[Micronauts|toy lines of the same name]]. | |||
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==1979 Marvel Comics== | |||
The first title was published by American company [[Marvel Comics]] in 1979, with both original characters and characters based on the toys. Marvel published two ''Micronauts'' series, mostly written by [[Bill Mantlo]], until 1986, well after the toy line was cancelled in 1980. | |||
The Micronauts began life as comic book characters thanks to a fortuitous accident on Christmas 1977. Marvel Comics writer Bill Mantlo's son Adam opened a new present, a line of the [[Mego Corporation]]'s [[Micronauts]] action figures. Seeing the toys, Mantlo was instantly struck by inspiration to write their adventures. Convincing then Editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] to get the [[Brand licensing|comics license]] for these toys, Mantlo was hired to script their series.<ref>{{cite journal|title = The Micronauts: Gil Kane Thinks Small|journal = [[Amazing Heroes]]|issue = 7|publisher = [[Fantagraphics Books]]|date = December 1981|location= Stamford, Connecticut<!--location in 1981-->|url = http://www.innerspaceonline.com/AH7.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060023/http://www.innerspaceonline.com/AH7.htm|archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status= live|access-date = September 23, 2013}}</ref> The Micronauts were integrated into the wider [[Marvel Universe]] and often met heroes and villains from other Marvel properties. | The Micronauts began life as comic book characters thanks to a fortuitous accident on Christmas 1977. Marvel Comics writer Bill Mantlo's son Adam opened a new present, a line of the [[Mego Corporation]]'s [[Micronauts]] action figures. Seeing the toys, Mantlo was instantly struck by inspiration to write their adventures. Convincing then Editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] to get the [[Brand licensing|comics license]] for these toys, Mantlo was hired to script their series.<ref>{{cite journal|title = The Micronauts: Gil Kane Thinks Small|journal = [[Amazing Heroes]]|issue = 7|publisher = [[Fantagraphics Books]]|date = December 1981|location= Stamford, Connecticut<!--location in 1981-->|url = http://www.innerspaceonline.com/AH7.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060023/http://www.innerspaceonline.com/AH7.htm|archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status= live|access-date = September 23, 2013}}</ref> The Micronauts were integrated into the wider [[Marvel Universe]] and often met heroes and villains from other Marvel properties. | ||
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From the late 1990s the characters Marionette, Arcturus Rann and [[Bug (comics)|Bug]] (all Marvel properties) have appeared in various Marvel titles (without referencing the ''Micronauts'' label). Bug has appeared in a solo [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]]<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 5787|title= ''Bug''}}</ref> and together with cosmic hero [[Star-Lord]],<ref>{{cite book|last1 = Giffen|first1 = Keith|author-link1 = Keith Giffen|last2 = Gage|first2 = Christos|author-link2= Christos Gage|last3 = Abnett|first3 = Dan|author-link3 = Dan Abnett|last4 = Lanning|first4 = Andy|author-link4 = Andy Lanning|title = Annihilation: Conquest, Book 1|publisher = Marvel Comics|year = 2008|pages = 272|isbn = 978-0785127826}}<br>{{cite book|last1 = Giffen|first1 = Keith|last2 = Gage|first2 = Christos|last3 = Abnett|first3 = Dan|last4 = Lanning|first4 = Andy|title = Annihilation: Conquest, Book 2|publisher = Marvel Comics|year = 2008|pages = 352|isbn = 978-0785127161}}</ref> as part of a new incarnation of the [[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]].<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Abnett, Dan; Lanning, Andy|penciller= [[Paul Pelletier|Pelletier, Paul]]|inker= [[Rick Magyar|Magyar, Rick]]|story= No Future|title= [[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]|volume= 2|issue= #7|date= January 2009}}</ref> | From the late 1990s the characters Marionette, Arcturus Rann and [[Bug (comics)|Bug]] (all Marvel properties) have appeared in various Marvel titles (without referencing the ''Micronauts'' label). Bug has appeared in a solo [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]]<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 5787|title= ''Bug''}}</ref> and together with cosmic hero [[Star-Lord]],<ref>{{cite book|last1 = Giffen|first1 = Keith|author-link1 = Keith Giffen|last2 = Gage|first2 = Christos|author-link2= Christos Gage|last3 = Abnett|first3 = Dan|author-link3 = Dan Abnett|last4 = Lanning|first4 = Andy|author-link4 = Andy Lanning|title = Annihilation: Conquest, Book 1|publisher = Marvel Comics|year = 2008|pages = 272|isbn = 978-0785127826}}<br>{{cite book|last1 = Giffen|first1 = Keith|last2 = Gage|first2 = Christos|last3 = Abnett|first3 = Dan|last4 = Lanning|first4 = Andy|title = Annihilation: Conquest, Book 2|publisher = Marvel Comics|year = 2008|pages = 352|isbn = 978-0785127161}}</ref> as part of a new incarnation of the [[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]].<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Abnett, Dan; Lanning, Andy|penciller= [[Paul Pelletier|Pelletier, Paul]]|inker= [[Rick Magyar|Magyar, Rick]]|story= No Future|title= [[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]|volume= 2|issue= #7|date= January 2009}}</ref> | ||
In the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]], the [[Microverse]] of ''The Micronauts'' is adapted as the [[Quantum Realm]]. | |||
==Image Comics== | |||
In the 2000s, [[Image Comics]] and | |||
==Devil's Due Publishing== | |||
[[Devil's Due Publishing]] each briefly published their own ''Micronauts'' series. | |||
==2016 IDW Publishing== | |||
In 2016, [[IDW Publishing]] published a new comic book series.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.newsarama.com/25138-rom-and-micronauts-finally-return-but-not-where-you-think.html|title= Rom and Micronauts Finally Return... But Not Where You Think|first= Chris|last= Arrant|date= October 9, 2015|publisher= [[Newsarama]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150927134539/http://www.newsarama.com/25138-rom-and-micronauts-finally-return-but-not-where-you-think.html|archive-date= September 27, 2015|url-status= dead|quote= Friday at their IDW & Top Shelf: The Best Panel of All-Time at NY Comic Con, IDW announced more details about the return of ''Rom'' and ''Micronauts'', the holy grails of licensed comic books.}}</ref> A live-action film version of the Micronauts was in development by [[Hasbro Studios]] and [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] in 2015. In May 2023, Marvel re-acquired the licensing rights to publish ''The Micronauts''. | |||
===Publication history=== | |||
=== Marvel Comics (1979–1986) === | |||
===Image Comics=== | ===Image Comics=== | ||
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===Marvel Comics (2023–present)=== | ===Marvel Comics (2023–present)=== | ||
In May 2023, Marvel renewed their license with Hasbro. In May 2024, a [[Marvel Omnibus]] was released that collected the original ''Micronauts'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-micronauts-marvel-omnibus-facsimile-edition/|title=THE MICRONAUTS return to Marvel with new omnibus, facsimile edition|last=Beltran|first=Cy|website=[[ComicsBeat]]|date=May 25, 2023|access-date=May 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525201757/https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-micronauts-marvel-omnibus-facsimile-edition/|archive-date=May 25, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/the-micronauts-return-to-marvel-comics-in-all-new-omnibus-collections|title=From the Edges of Inner Space, the Micronauts Return to Marvel Comics in All-New Omnibus Collections|website=[[Marvel Comics]]|date=May 25, 2023|access-date=May 25, 2023}}</ref> | In May 2023, Marvel renewed their license with Hasbro. In May 2024, a [[Marvel Omnibus]] was released that collected the original ''Micronauts'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-micronauts-marvel-omnibus-facsimile-edition/|title=THE MICRONAUTS return to Marvel with new omnibus, facsimile edition|last=Beltran|first=Cy|website=[[ComicsBeat]]|date=May 25, 2023|access-date=May 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525201757/https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-micronauts-marvel-omnibus-facsimile-edition/|archive-date=May 25, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/the-micronauts-return-to-marvel-comics-in-all-new-omnibus-collections|title=From the Edges of Inner Space, the Micronauts Return to Marvel Comics in All-New Omnibus Collections|website=[[Marvel Comics]]|date=May 25, 2023|access-date=May 25, 2023}}</ref> | ||
==Fictional team history | ===Fictional team history=== | ||
The Micronauts originate in the [[Microverse]], a microscopic universe full of strange planets like the human-inhabited Homeworld which is made up of diverse spherical habitats that are linked together in the fashion of a [[molecule|molecular chain]]. The original team comes together in response to the threat posed by Baron Karza, former bearded and balding academic turned murderous immortal black-armored dictator, who gained control of Homeworld through the creation of the Body Banks, where life-extending [[brain transplants]] are performed on the rich and inhuman genetic alterations on the poor. | The Micronauts originate in the [[Microverse]], a microscopic universe full of strange planets like the human-inhabited Homeworld which is made up of diverse spherical habitats that are linked together in the fashion of a [[molecule|molecular chain]]. The original team comes together in response to the threat posed by Baron Karza, former bearded and balding academic turned murderous immortal black-armored dictator, who gained control of Homeworld through the creation of the Body Banks, where life-extending [[brain transplants]] are performed on the rich and inhuman genetic alterations on the poor. | ||
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Weary of war, the surviving Micronauts leave behind the known Microverse (which they discover looking back resembles a galaxy shaped like a [[Nucleic acid double helix|DNA Helix]]) and embark on a journey of exploration.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Gillis, Peter B.|penciller= Jones, Kelley|inker= Patterson, Bruce|story= Shadow of the Makers!|title= Micronauts: The New Voyages|volume= 2|issue= #1|date= October 1984}}</ref> They eventually discover the true nature of the Microverse and, in a final act that restores their ruined world, sacrifice themselves in order to repopulate the planets.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Gillis, Peter B.|penciller= Jones, Kelley|inker= Bulanadi, Danny|story= Worldhome!|title= Micronauts: The New Voyages|volume= 2|issue= #20|date= May 1986}}</ref> | Weary of war, the surviving Micronauts leave behind the known Microverse (which they discover looking back resembles a galaxy shaped like a [[Nucleic acid double helix|DNA Helix]]) and embark on a journey of exploration.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Gillis, Peter B.|penciller= Jones, Kelley|inker= Patterson, Bruce|story= Shadow of the Makers!|title= Micronauts: The New Voyages|volume= 2|issue= #1|date= October 1984}}</ref> They eventually discover the true nature of the Microverse and, in a final act that restores their ruined world, sacrifice themselves in order to repopulate the planets.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Gillis, Peter B.|penciller= Jones, Kelley|inker= Bulanadi, Danny|story= Worldhome!|title= Micronauts: The New Voyages|volume= 2|issue= #20|date= May 1986}}</ref> | ||
== Team members == | === Team members === | ||
* '''Acroyear''' - The former ruler of the armor-clad Acroyears of the harsh and rocky planet Spartak. He possesses superhuman strength and wields an energy sword. | * '''Acroyear''' - The former ruler of the armor-clad Acroyears of the harsh and rocky planet Spartak. He possesses superhuman strength and wields an energy sword. | ||
* '''Biotron''' - The first of the part machine, part organic roboids who accompanied Arcturus Rann on his 1,000 year mission. The loyal and dependable co-pilot of the ''H.M.S. Endeavor'' was destroyed and later resurrected in giant form as a sentient starcraft known as the Bioship. | * '''Biotron''' - The first of the part machine, part organic roboids who accompanied Arcturus Rann on his 1,000 year mission. The loyal and dependable co-pilot of the ''H.M.S. Endeavor'' was destroyed and later resurrected in giant form as a sentient starcraft known as the Bioship. | ||
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Years later Arcturus, Marionette and Bug (both Marvel properties) reappear as a team called the Microns. They aid the mutant [[Cable (comics)|Cable]] when the scientist [[Psycho-Man]] abducts the shape-changing [[Copycat (Marvel Comics)|Copycat]].<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Jeph Loeb|Loeb, Jeph]]|penciller= [[Ian Churchill|Churchill, Ian]]|inker= [[Scott Hanna|Hanna, Scott]]|story= True Lies|title= [[Cable (comics)|Cable]]|issue= #37|date= November 1996}}<br>{{cite comic| writer= Loeb, Jeph|penciller= Churchill, Ian|inker= Hanna, Scott; [[Vince Russell|Russell, Vince]]|story= In Perspective|title= Cable|issue= #38|date= December 1996}}<br>{{cite comic| writer= Loeb, Jeph|penciller= Churchill, Ian|inker= Hanna, Scott|story= All Things Great And Small|title= Cable|issue= #39|date= January 1997}}</ref> They battle Microverse inhabitant Baron Zebek of Aegyptus alongside the visiting super-team [[Alpha Flight]]<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Steven T. Seagle|Seagel, Steven T.]]|penciller= [[Anthony Winn|Winn, Anthony]]|inker= [[Aaron Sowd|Sowd, Aaron]]|story= Small Sacrifices|title= [[Alpha Flight]]|volume= 2|issue= #10|date= May 1998}}<br>{{cite comic| writer= Seagel, Steven T.; [[Joe Casey|Casey, Joe]]|penciller= [[Ariel Olivetti|Olivetti, Ariel]]|inker= [[Pier Brito|Brito, Pier]]|story= Microcosm|title= Alpha Flight|volume= 2|issue= #11|date= June 1998}}</ref> and later assist [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]] and [[Genis-Vell|Captain Marvel]] during their adventures in the Microverse.<ref name="CM6">{{cite comic| writer= [[Peter David|David, Peter]]|penciller= [[ChrisCross]]|inker= [[Anibal Rodriguez (comics)|Rodriguez, Anibal]]|story= It's A Small Universe After All|title= [[Genis-Vell|Captain Marvel]]|volume= 4|issue= #6|date= June 2000}}</ref> In another largely untold tale, they also reteam with the X-Men against Baron Karza, who had recently been reborn, and his ally [[Thanos]] who seek to merge several of the sub-atomic universes.<ref name="CM6" /> Arcturus Rann and Princess Mari became involved in the Psyklop invasion of K'ai, [[Jarella]]'s homeworld.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Scott Reed (comics)|Reed, Scott]]|penciller= [[Miguel Munera|Munera, Miguel]]|inker= [[Terry Pallot|Pallot, Terry]]|story= Book 1: Conquest of Jarella's World|title= Realm of Kings Son of Hulk|issue= #1|date= April 2010}}</ref> | Years later Arcturus, Marionette and Bug (both Marvel properties) reappear as a team called the Microns. They aid the mutant [[Cable (comics)|Cable]] when the scientist [[Psycho-Man]] abducts the shape-changing [[Copycat (Marvel Comics)|Copycat]].<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Jeph Loeb|Loeb, Jeph]]|penciller= [[Ian Churchill|Churchill, Ian]]|inker= [[Scott Hanna|Hanna, Scott]]|story= True Lies|title= [[Cable (comics)|Cable]]|issue= #37|date= November 1996}}<br>{{cite comic| writer= Loeb, Jeph|penciller= Churchill, Ian|inker= Hanna, Scott; [[Vince Russell|Russell, Vince]]|story= In Perspective|title= Cable|issue= #38|date= December 1996}}<br>{{cite comic| writer= Loeb, Jeph|penciller= Churchill, Ian|inker= Hanna, Scott|story= All Things Great And Small|title= Cable|issue= #39|date= January 1997}}</ref> They battle Microverse inhabitant Baron Zebek of Aegyptus alongside the visiting super-team [[Alpha Flight]]<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Steven T. Seagle|Seagel, Steven T.]]|penciller= [[Anthony Winn|Winn, Anthony]]|inker= [[Aaron Sowd|Sowd, Aaron]]|story= Small Sacrifices|title= [[Alpha Flight]]|volume= 2|issue= #10|date= May 1998}}<br>{{cite comic| writer= Seagel, Steven T.; [[Joe Casey|Casey, Joe]]|penciller= [[Ariel Olivetti|Olivetti, Ariel]]|inker= [[Pier Brito|Brito, Pier]]|story= Microcosm|title= Alpha Flight|volume= 2|issue= #11|date= June 1998}}</ref> and later assist [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]] and [[Genis-Vell|Captain Marvel]] during their adventures in the Microverse.<ref name="CM6">{{cite comic| writer= [[Peter David|David, Peter]]|penciller= [[ChrisCross]]|inker= [[Anibal Rodriguez (comics)|Rodriguez, Anibal]]|story= It's A Small Universe After All|title= [[Genis-Vell|Captain Marvel]]|volume= 4|issue= #6|date= June 2000}}</ref> In another largely untold tale, they also reteam with the X-Men against Baron Karza, who had recently been reborn, and his ally [[Thanos]] who seek to merge several of the sub-atomic universes.<ref name="CM6" /> Arcturus Rann and Princess Mari became involved in the Psyklop invasion of K'ai, [[Jarella]]'s homeworld.<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Scott Reed (comics)|Reed, Scott]]|penciller= [[Miguel Munera|Munera, Miguel]]|inker= [[Terry Pallot|Pallot, Terry]]|story= Book 1: Conquest of Jarella's World|title= Realm of Kings Son of Hulk|issue= #1|date= April 2010}}</ref> | ||
==Other versions== | ===Other versions=== | ||
* In 1997, Marvel accepted a proposed reboot of ''Micronauts'' as a new series written by Shon C. Bury, penciled by [[Cary Nord]] and inked by [[Dan Green (artist)|Dan Green]], using new character designs based on the original characters.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/06/19/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-160/|title= Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #160|first= Brian|last= Cronin|work= Comics Should Be Good @ CBR|date= June 19, 2008|publisher= [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160331123832/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/06/19/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-160/|archive-date= March 31, 2016|url-status= live}}</ref> Scripts were written for five issues and three issues were penciled, though Marvel was not granted the Micronauts license by the copyright holder, Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, forcing the series to be canceled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb1.htm |title= The Lost Micronauts: The un-told story of the ''Micronauts'' re-launch...that never left the launching pad. Interview with Shon C. Bury Part 1|publisher= Innerspaceonline.com|date= February 2, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424163956/http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb1.htm|archive-date= April 24, 2014|url-status= live|access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb3.htm |title= Shon C. Bury's Original ''Micronauts'' proposal to Marvel/unpublished plots 1997|publisher= Innerspaceonline.com|date= n.d.|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927040937/http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb3.htm|archive-date= September 27, 2013|url-status= live|access-date= September 24, 2013}}</ref> | * In 1997, Marvel accepted a proposed reboot of ''Micronauts'' as a new series written by Shon C. Bury, penciled by [[Cary Nord]] and inked by [[Dan Green (artist)|Dan Green]], using new character designs based on the original characters.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/06/19/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-160/|title= Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #160|first= Brian|last= Cronin|work= Comics Should Be Good @ CBR|date= June 19, 2008|publisher= [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160331123832/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/06/19/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-160/|archive-date= March 31, 2016|url-status= live}}</ref> Scripts were written for five issues and three issues were penciled, though Marvel was not granted the Micronauts license by the copyright holder, Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, forcing the series to be canceled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb1.htm |title= The Lost Micronauts: The un-told story of the ''Micronauts'' re-launch...that never left the launching pad. Interview with Shon C. Bury Part 1|publisher= Innerspaceonline.com|date= February 2, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424163956/http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb1.htm|archive-date= April 24, 2014|url-status= live|access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb3.htm |title= Shon C. Bury's Original ''Micronauts'' proposal to Marvel/unpublished plots 1997|publisher= Innerspaceonline.com|date= n.d.|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927040937/http://www.innerspaceonline.com/scb3.htm|archive-date= September 27, 2013|url-status= live|access-date= September 24, 2013}}</ref> | ||
* The Micronauts play a role in Marvel's ''[[Earth X]]'' series. | * The Micronauts play a role in Marvel's ''[[Earth X]]'' series. | ||
==Collected editions== | ===Collected editions=== | ||
The first five-issue story arc of the Image series have been collected into a [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]]: | The first five-issue story arc of the Image series have been collected into a [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]]: | ||
* ''Micronauts Vol. 1: Revolution'' (112 pages, Image Publishing, June 2003, {{ISBN|1-58240-311-2}}) | * ''Micronauts Vol. 1: Revolution'' (112 pages, Image Publishing, June 2003, {{ISBN|1-58240-311-2}}) | ||
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Marvel Comics, May 2024 | Marvel Comics, May 2024 | ||
==In other media== | |||
===In other media=== | |||
===Animated television series=== | ===Animated television series=== | ||