Micronauts #5 Review

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Acroyear, Ander Zarate, Baron Karza, Biotron, comics, Cullen Bunn, David Baldeon, David Garcia Cruz, Force Commander, IDW Publishing, Max Dunbar, Micronauts, Micronauts #5, Micronauts #5 review, Microspace, Microtron, Space Glider, The Micronauts, Time Traveller

Micronauts #5 Review

Review by Paul Bowler

The search for the Time Travellers begins in Micronauts #5, as the threat of the entropy storm closes in. Captain Oziron “Oz” Rael and his crew are now prisoners of the Force Commander Baron Daigon, but it seems that Oz knows far more about the Pharoids and their connection to the mysterious entities known as the Time Travellers than even his shipmates could have expected, and with Barron Karza about to strike the secrets of past could soon have long lasting repercussions for the Microspace and Earth…

After last issues flashback issue to Baron Karza’s treacherous rise to power and the courtship of the woman who would become his wife, the Mistress of Spies, Shazrella, writer Cullen Bunn returns to the present day events in Micronauts #5 as Oz and the crew of the Heliopolis face the prospect of torture and eventual execution by The Ministry of Science once Barron Daegon has acquires the information they seek from Oz. It is in these early scenes that we see the bond between space pirate Oziron Rael, daredevil Space Glider Phenelo-Phi, seasoned Space-Warrior Acroyear, Orbital Defender Larissa, and Oz’s sharp witted first mate, the small robot Microtron, really beginning to evolve into something very special, and the great, and often fun, banter they share really helps with polarising these newly forged relationships between the characters.

They also learn more about Oz’s past, his connection to the Pharoids, and why the Force Commander believes Oz’s dormant abilities could save Microsapce from the entropy storm. However, fooling his captors long enough for them to find a way to escape isn’t going to be easy, especially with Membros, the chief Ministry of Science interrogator, eager to take a more “hands on” approach to Oziron’s interrogation. Cullen Bunn provides some great moments of characterization for Oz and his crew throughout the course of this issue, while also keeping the suspense building right from the outset as Barron Karza plans his next move.

Micronauts #5 also features some great artwork from Max Dunbar as well. From the sweeping display of military might as Baron Karza rallies his forces, to his startling transformation to lead the charge into battle, it is the quieter moments in the cell between Oz and his crew that really pack an emotional punch, and Dunbar’s art excels when the action kicks into high gear at the midway point and all hell break loose. The colors by David Garcia-Cruz and Ander Zarate are glorious rich and vibrant, and their skilful use of tone and shade accentuates the finer points of the action perfectly. Baron Karza’s “enerchange”, the creepy Membros, and the frenetic breakout from the cell, are just some of the many standout moments in this issue.

Micronauts will also be involved in IDW Publishing’s ambitious REVOLOUTION event which will bring ROM, the Transformers, G.I. Jo, M.A.S.K, and the Micronauts together in a one shared universe for the first time, and Micronauts #5 provides a tenuous lead in for this series’ inclusion in IDW’s major bran-wide comic book event .

It’s not long before the crew of the Heliopolis seize their chance to breakout of their cell, retrieve their weapons and their Biotron unit, and make a dash for freedom. Micronauts #5 poses some tantalizing mysteries about Oz’s not-quite-to latent abilities, Karza’s forces reveal a surprising secondary objective in the heat of battle, and the cliff-hanging final moments strike the unwary in the most shocking and unexpected way imaginable.

IDW’s new Micronauts universe is really starting to take shape now, Micronauts #5 is a tautly plotted and exciting issue by Cullen Bunn, with stylish and detailed artwork by Max Dunbar, we are beginning to have a greater sense of what this new Micronaut series, inspired by the classic Marvel series by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden and the original toy line of interchangeable action figures, will be like as the creative teams new spin on the premise and its characters begins to settle into a cohesive narrative of its own, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Oz and his team mates will feature in REVOLOUTION as the IDW universe range of titles finally converge at last.

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Writer: Cullen Bunn / Art: Max Dunbar

Colors: David Garcia-Cruz & Ander Zarate

Letters: Tom B. Long

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Micronauts #3 Review

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Acroyear, Baron Karza, Biotron, comics, Cullen Bunn, David Baldeon, David Garcia Cruz, Force Commander, IDW Publishing, Max Dunbar, Micronauts, Micronauts #3, Micronauts #3 review, Microtron, Space Glider, The Micronauts, Time Traveller

Micronauts #3

Review by Paul Bowler

Captain Oziron “Oz” Rael and the crew of the Heliopolis face imminent danger in Micronauts #3 as the universe grows ever more divided by war. Marooned on a backwater world and attacked by Baron Karza‘s forces, the Micronauts now, by chance, find themselves prisoners of Force Commander – Baron Daigon – who also knows Oziron Rael – and that connection is one that could make Rael and his crew even more of a target for Baron Karza’s forces!

The new Micronauts series from IDW Publishing, written by Cullen Bunn, with art by Max Dunbar, and based on the fondly remembered toy line and the original Marvel comic book series, continues the adventures of space pirate Oziron Rael, thrill-seeking Space Glider Phenelo-Phi, Space-Warrior Acroyear, Orbital Defender Larissa, a stolen Biotron unit, and Oz’s witty first mate, the small robot Microtron. Having fended off a deadly Acroyear Swarm to protect the local population on this barren world, the Micronauts relief when the Space Glider’s turned up to help proved short lived, as they are now… guests of the enigmatic Force Commander, and it looks like Oz’s past is starting to catch up with him…

I really like the way writer Cullen Bunn begins to flesh out the characters more in Micronauts #3 as Oz and his crew find themselves incarcerated and taken aboard Baron Daigon’s star ship. It quickly becomes clear that Oziron Rael has had dealings with this Barron of the Ministry of Science before, and he’s even afforded a modicum of “special treatment” which he capitalizes on to keep his crew together. However, news of Daigon’s intervention and the destruction of the Valtricos Research Station soon reaches Barron Karza on the Ministry of Defence deep space outpost situated on the fringes of the entropy cloud, where it seems deceit, paranoia, and suspicion make uneasy bedfellows in these troubled times of interstellar conflict.

After all the non-stop action of the first two issues, Cullen Bunn instigates a refreshing change of pace with this issue of Micronauts. It gives us a chance to pause for breath and to really get to know the characters more, especially Ozrion Rael, as we discover where he comes from, and the role his race played in the grand scheme of things in times long since past. Bunn’s new take on the Micronauts really begins to form a clearer narrative now with these revelations. The characterization also shines, with the banter between Oz, Microtron, and Acroyear proving to be another highlight of the issue, and great fun at times, Phenolo-Phi and Larissa also begin to forge a close bond, and the simmering undercurrent of mistrust between Baron Karza and his wife, the Mistress of Spies, Shazrella, is a gloriously warped and duplicitous state of unholy matrimony!

Max Dunbar’s artwork for this issue is also highly impressive. Unfussy, yet concise, page layouts ensure the story flows seamlessly between characters and locations. The opening scenes provide a sweeping backdrop for Baron Daigon’s forces as Oz and his crew are processed for departure, while the interchangeable nature of the classic Micronaut toys is powerfully realized by Dunbar as Karza throttles his would be assassin, and the insightful moments in the cell really conveys the raw emotion of Oz’s story as he discusses his past with his crewmates. The colors by David Garcia-Cruz are fresh and vibrant throughout, providing excellent contrasting shades and tones between the many locales. For me though, the standout moment is a flashback to a key point in the history of this micro universe, where mysterious time chambers, Pharoids, and the legacy of the Time Travellers entwine with all encompassing paradox of the entropy storm that now threatens all existence.

Events in this issue build towards a tantalizing cliff-hanger, when Oz is summoned for a meeting with Baron Daigon. It’s a pivotal scene, especially when Oziron’s pacifism challenges the Force Commanders scientific reasoning, because there’s no escaping the fact that when it comes to the crisis now tearing their universe apart the role of scientist and warlord has now become virtually indistinguishable from the other.

Micronauts #3 steers this new IDW series to even greater heights, with its engaging storyline by Cullen Bunn and dynamic artwork by Max Dunbar, miracles, science, technology and faith, are skilfully threaded through the narrative of this new Micronaut universe in the most sublime and exciting way imaginable.

Publisher: IDW Publishing / Writer: Cullen Bunn / Art: Max Dunbar

Colors: David Garcia-Cruz / Letters: Tom B. Long

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The Micronauts #1 (2016) Review

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Acroyear, Baron Karza, Biotron, comics, Cullen Bunn, David Baldeon, IDW Publishing, Micronauts, Microtron, Space Glider, The Micronauts, Time Traveller

The Micronauts #1

Review by Paul Bowler

From beyond a dying universe, Acroyear, Space Glider, Biotron, and their many allies must escape the clutches of the evil Baron Karza in The Micronauts #1, the brand new series from IDW Publishing, written by Cullen Bunn and featuring art by David Baldeon. Based on the fondly remembered toy line and popular Marvel comic book series, this new take on the Micronauts splices science and magic in a universe where natural recourses are exhausted, Barron Karza rules supreme, and the legendary power of the Time Travellers offers the Micronauts their only hope for survival – but could their salvation mean the end of our own world?

While it’s not exactly the same team of Micronauts from the original Marvel title by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden that debuted in 1979, we won’t see Commander Rann, Marrionette, or Bug, as IDW’s Micronauts series is an entirely new version by Cullen Bunn and David Baldeon. Don’t panic! There are still lots of popular characters for old school Micronaut fans to enjoy in IDW’s new series that are based on the original toy line of interchangeable action figures, vehicles, and comics.

There’s no misstating that writer Cullen Bunn is a huge fan of the Micronauts, he brings a fantastic new slant on the series and characters with The Micronauts #1, and its done with such style and dedication to the source material that you’ll be relived to know that this reimagining is in such safe hands. It certainly ticks all the right boxes for Micronaut fans and newbies alike, as we are plunged into the universe threatened by an reality shattering Entropic Wave whilst a civil war rages between The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Science. After the dramatic opening on a doomed world observed by a contingent of Biotron’s, Cullen Bunn quickly introduces us to the intrepid crew of the star ship Heliopolis, an interesting mix of old and new characters including rogue space pirate Oziron Rael (Oz), thrill-seeking Space Glider Phenelo-Phi, the space-warrior Acroyear, and Oz’s first mate on the Heliopolis, the loyal, though often sarcastic, robot Microtron. When a deal on Micropolis-12 goes bad, Oz and his crew have to strike a deal with the wheeler dealing Hezlee to retrieve urgently needed medical supplies from a space station being blockaded by Baron Karza’s forces.

Along with new crew-member, the tough orbital defender Larissa, joining Oz’s crew of the Heliopolis on this mission, we catch up with the villainous Baron Karza, who it seems has lost none of his military cunning and ruthlessness. Meanwhile, a quick warp jump away, the crew of the Heliopolis find the Valtricos Research Station has some rather nasty surprises in store for them! I love the uncanny juxtaposition of science and mysticism in this new Micronaut series, it brings an entirely new spin on the Microverse / Innerverse as we know it, and the characterization is also excellent. This issue does a good job of introducing the new characters and setting up the storyline, and we still have old favourites such as Acroyear, Microtron, and of course Baron Karza in this issue as well.

The art by David Baldeon is very impressive, along with finishes provided by Fico Ossio, Max Dunbar, Jack Lawrence, and colors by David Garcia Cruz, Joaa Lafuente, Thomas Deer, and John Paul Bove. From those apocalyptic opening moment, to the events that bring Oz and his team together, and the action packed sequences on the space station, The Micronauts #1 is a really impressive looking issue. The Entropy Cloud is an amazing sight, Baron Karza is as powerful and as imposing as ever, the space station is dark and menacing, and the colors employed throughout the entire issue complement the incredibly detailed artwork very nicely indeed.

The issue races towards an explosive climax, as the space stations true purposes is uncovered, and it looks like Oz has greatly underestimated their mission. While it may not be the Micronauts of old, this new IDW series makes The Micronauts #1 a fun, exciting, and visually impressive new beginning to this fantastic series!

Publisher: IDW Publishing / Writer: Cullen Bunn

Art / Colors: David Baldeon Fico Ossio, Max Dunbar, Jack Lawrence,

David Garcia Cruz, Joaa Lafuente, Thomas Deer, and John Paul Bove

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