Micronauts #3
Published and © by Marvel and © Mego, March 1979
Title: “Death-Duel at Daytona Beach!”
Synopsis: Still fleeing Prince Shaitan’s forces, the Micronauts find themselves engaged in a very public battle in Daytona Beach.
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Michael Golden
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Review: Three issues in, Micronauts still feels a little cardboard. The large cast and breakneck action has left little room for character development while the team’s escape to Earth slows essential world-building for the Microverse. Hopefully, writer Bill Mantlo will create space for such endeavors in future issues because this series remains thick with potential. The action is routinely excellent, and really shines this issue. And, of course, Michael Golden’s art is elite. Joe Rubinstein’s sturdy inks aren’t the best match for Golden, but do little harm. With some development, Micronauts could become a top-of-the-stack comic.
Grade: A-
Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: That Michael Golden fella could really draw, couldn’t he?
Notable: This issue also includes a Baron Karza pinup by Michael Golden and Joe Rubinstein.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a Whitman variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “And now Baron Karza knows that the are other universes beyond the Microverse. How will he react to this news?” – Time Traveller, story foreshadower
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (v1) on April 4, 2016.
