25: Micronauts: Lost In Space

To reintroduce Micronauts and Moon Knight to newsstand distribution, Marvel relaunched both books from #1, with added subtitles. Nowadays titles often get relaunched on a yearly basis, but at the time it was practically unheard of. Sales wise this gambit didn't meet with success: Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu only lasted 6 issues. Thankfully Micronauts: The New Voyages fared somewhat better...

Micronauts: The New Voyages #1-2 (1984)

Pencils: Kelley Jones
Inks: Bruce Patterson

The opening scene introducing a sentient asteroid, absorbing periodic energy from its cepheid variable star, immediately establishes that New Voyages is going to be proper science fiction. Some might argue that it's Star Trek level, backed up by the space suited 'nauts and a "Ship's log" recap, but it's still at a level rarely seen in mainstream US comics.

The Micros jet off in their shiny new Endeavor starship, seeking new worlds to relax in. A convenient hyperspace malfunction quickly puts paid to that dream, leaving them stranded in the great unknown, with Rann now missing a left hand, Skywalker style. There they encounter said bio-mechanical asteroid, which they manage to escape just before it fulfills its life cycle: to give birth before accelerating to zero velocity, becoming one with the Makers. Unbeknownst to the Micros though, their direct exposure to solar rays has left them dying from radiation sickness...

A terrific two part opener filled with tension and big ideas. If this was a Star Trek episode, I'd rate it as upper middle tier. This perfectly sets up the epic Makers storyline, which spans the entire length of the New Voyages.

Micronauts: The New Voyages #3-4 (1984-5)

Pencils: Kelley Jones
Inks: Bruce Patterson, Ian Akin, Brian Garvey

Love Michael Golden's cover of the new look Huntarr.

Being stranded far from home is a common staple of classic literature: The Odyssey, Gulliver's Travels, Ulysses 31, Star Trek Voyager (apologies for that sentence). The difference here is that the Micronauts no longer have a home to return to, so are purely motivated by a sense of wonder and discovery. Their search for a hospitable world takes them to a planet coated in a metallic mirrored surface, which would be enough to deter less foolhardy space tourists. Again the environment (specifically the star) proves the unwitting enemy here, as their ship gets lasered by focused sunlight, destroying droids Biotron and Microtron. Gillis must've been in a hurry to dispose of these annoying C3PO and R2D2 stand-ins.

This isn't quite as compelling as the opening two parter, but it furthers some of its mysteries, plus the continued emphasis on exploring the bizarre unknown makes for a unique and fascinating read. 

This offbeat shared dream between Rann & Mari is a highlight.