Micronauts #9
Published and © by Marvel and © Mego, September 1979
Title: “Home Is Where the Heart Is!”
Synopsis: The Micronauts flee Earth and end up on Acroyear’s homeworld – and under attack from the forces of Baron Karza!
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Michael Golden
Inker: Al Milgrom
Review: The Micronauts’ homecoming repositions this series as a straight sci-fi book, and Bill Mantlo’s fast-paced script is largely up to the task. Free of the Lilliputians-in-the-Marvel-U trappings of recent issues, Mantlo offers some nice world-building and characterization moments, with some surprising diversity elements given the era. It remains to be seen how the Worldmind plot will develop; there’s certainly the risk of the story taking a deus-ex-machina turn. The art from Michael Golden remains solid, though Al Milgrom’s thicker line isn’t the best match. Still, overall, Micronauts remains one of Marvel’s best offerings from this time period.
Grade: A-
Second opinion: “Micronauts is developing into a surprisingly good series.” – Les Chester, Comic Media News International #39, May-June 1979 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: It’s good to be home.
Not-so-cool factor: The toy-based tech doesn’t always translate well to the comic-book page.
Notable: First appearance of Cilicia.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Let’s face it team – we just -tic- ain’t lucky!” – Bug, Insectivorid warrior and stater of the obvious
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (v1) on Sept. 12, 2016.
