Micronauts #8
Published and © by Marvel and © Mego, August 1979
Title: “Earth Wars!”
Synopsis: The Micronauts and Baron Karza finally come to blows – with Earth as the battlefield! Plus, the debut of Captain Universe!
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Michael Golden
Inker: Bob McLeod
Review: Now, that’s more like it: After several slow issues, Baron Karza finds his way to Earth through the Prometheus Pit and all hell breaks loose. The Micronauts clash with Karza, and the battle is soon joined by new hero Captain Universe, an embodiment of the mysterious Enigma Force. Meanwhile, back on Homeworld, Prince Argon dons the armor of Force Commander and rallies the rebel forces. Writer Bill Mantlo’s story pops this issue, while Michael Golden’s pencils get a nice solidity from Bob McLeod’s line. Micronauts is in fine form as the tiny team heads back home.
Grade: A
Second opinion: “The Enigma Force, like its Star Wars namesake, is that unimaginative literary contrivance that is there to sweep away any problem placed before our heroes … not to mention for Mantlo anytime he has painted himself into some inescapable corner.” – Alexandre Koehn, The Comics Journal #49, September 1979 … “When (Captain Universe) first appeared, he wasn’t incredibly different from the rest of Marvel’s superpowered line. … Unknown force gives normal human superpowers, human uses powers to back up personal ideals.” – Kurt Busiek, LOC #1, January 1980 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Finally, we pick up the pace.
Not-so-cool factor: After seven issues of build up, the Micronauts get heroblocked by Captain Universe.
Notable: First appearance of Captain Universe.
Character quotable: “I – I think I’m going to lose my fluid!” – Microtron, sounding a little too human
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (v1) on July 11, 2016.
