The Micronauts toy line was a series of science fiction-themed action figures, vehicles, and playsets produced by Mego Corporation from 1976 to 1980. The toys were based on the Japanese “Microman” toy line, which was created by Takara Co., Ltd in 1974. The Micronauts toy line was popular in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The toy line featured a variety of characters, including space explorers, robots, and alien creatures, as well as a range of playsets and vehicles.
The concept centered around a universe of small (3.75-inch) action figures, vehicles, robots, and playsets, all part of a shared micro-universe. These toys were noted for their high quality, intricate designs, and the ability to interchange parts among different figures and sets, promoting creativity and extended play.
It was incredibly successful in the first two years of release, helped in part by the lack of Star Wars toys on the market (Kenner didn’t release the first figures until early 1978, with a few vehicles following later that year). Baron Karza was JUST close enough to Darth Vader that kids used him as an adequate substitute.
The Micronauts comic book was first published by Marvel Comics in 1979. The comic followed the adventures of a group of resistance fighters known as the Micronauts, who lived on a planet called Homeworld. Homeworld was in a subatomic universe, also known as the Microverse. The storyline cleverly played on the toys’ scale, depicting the characters as action-figure sized beings when they arrived on Earth, blurring the lines between the toy line and the narrative universe.
The comic was initially written by Bill Mantlo and illustrated by Michael Golden. The series expanded the toy line’s universe by adding depth and narratives to the characters and their world. The story followed the adventures of a group of freedom fighters from the Microverse battling against the tyrannical Baron Karza. The team included characters from the toyline and new ones created for the comics. The comic outlasted the toyline, thanks in part to becoming a direct-sales only line (meaning it was only available in comic shops and not newsstands), but eventually ended after 59 issues.
However, the series gained a cult following in later years, leading to several revivals and reprints. It also repeatedly crossed over with the Marvel universe, and featured appearances of the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man.
(Because Hasbro eventually gained the rights to the Micronauts toy line, for years no company could reprint the Marvel series… Then a deal was reached last year and the first 35 issues will be reprinted in a deluxe omnibus this year.)
In 2002, Devil’s Due Publishing acquired the rights to the Micronauts and released a new comic series, which ran for 12 issues. In 2007, IDW Publishing also released a new series, which ran for 11 issues.
The toy line
The main characters in the Micronauts toy line are:
- Baron Karza – the primary antagonist, a tyrant who seeks to conquer the Microverse and rule over the entire Microverse.
- Acroyear – a warrior from the planet Spartak, known for his combat skills and fierce loyalty to the Micronauts.
- Biotron – a highly intelligent and technologically advanced robot, serving as the team’s strategist and engineer.
- Time Traveler – a time-traveling scientist who uses his abilities to help the Micronauts in their missions.
- Space Glider – the leader of the Micronauts, a brave and noble hero who fights for freedom and justice.
- Microtron – a shape-shifting robot with the ability to transform into various forms and objects, serving as the team’s scout and spy.
- Galactic Warrior – a fierce and powerful fighter from the planet Arcturus, known for his strength and bravery.
There were numerous vehicles and playsets released, the most popular being the Battle Cruiser and the Stratastation.
The comic book
The characters in the Micronauts comic book include:
- Prince Acroyear – A powerful warrior from the planet Spartak and leader of the Micronauts.
- Commander Arcturus Rann – An explorer from the planet Homeworld and a member of the Micronauts. Aka Space Glider.
- Biotron – A sentient robot and member of the Micronauts.
- Marionette – A member of the Micronauts who is the brother of Force Commander
- Microtron – Marionette’s servant robot.
- Force Commander – The leader of the resistance against Baron Karza.
- Time Traveler – An everpresent narrator and cosmic figure eventually revealed to be linked to Commander Rann
- Baron Karza – The main antagonist of the series, a powerful dictator from the planet Homeworld.
- Bug – a member of the Micronauts who is a rebel from the planet Kaliklak
The series went through various plotlines, as Karza was defeated at the end of issue 11, and then was resurrected twice through the run of the series. After the first Karza return, the series seemed to lose its way, as new characters were introduced like Devil and Huntarr.
Closing
Hasbro had plans to create a Micronauts movie, as hart of an extended “Hasbroverse”, but with the declining fortunes of Hasbro the past few years these plans were shelved (and Hasbro sold off their eOne TV and movie production branch in 2023). Hasbro also reissued a Micronauts three pack as a Comic Con exclusive in 2016. Since then, no new product has come out. Hopefully if the aforementioned Marvel omnibus sells well it will prompt Hasbro to once again release Micronauts figures.
But if that never comes to pass, we can still pickup old figures via toy shows and ebay. That is how I have replaced much of my collection over the years, and now have almost every item I once owned and played with as a child. And if you can’t afford the $150 Marvel is selling the Omnibus for, you can always pickup older reprints or the original issues fairly cheaply (again, through eBay or comic shows).