Microtron

From WikiAlpha
Revision as of 10:20, 24 October 2019 by Mathewignash (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search
Microtron
Micronauts character
Microtron-box.jpg
Microtron toy box
First appearance

Micronauts volume 1 number 1, January 1979 by Marvel Comics
Created by

Mego
Japanese name

Micro Robot 1
Release number

71050
Information
Aliases The Micronaut
Species Robot
Abilities

Affiliation

Micronauts

Microtron (Micro Robot 1 in Japan) is a fictional character from the Micronauts series introduced in 1977. He is a heroic robot character.

Micronauts

Microtron is a heroic robot member of the Micronauts.

Development

The Microtron toy was designed by Iwakichi Ogawa and was filed for US patent in 1976.[1]

Takara released Microman Micro Robot 1 in 1976.

Microtron was released in 1976 by Mego. He was also released by Airfix and Grand Toys.

Concept art for a new version of Microtron was done by Mike Bazzell as part of Palisades wave 3, although the figure was never produced.[2]

In late 2004 Micronauts was licensed to SOTA Toys to make Micronauts. They planned to produce a line of stylized 6 inch figures under the name Micronauts Evolution. Art for a Microtron figure was made, but because of legal issues with Takara the toys were delayed and never released.[3]

In 2018 several parts for Microtron were released on Shapeways by Mathew Robert Ignash.

Reception

Fictional biography

A personal roboid -- jester, tutor, servant and guardian to Princess Mari!

Animated series

Microtron was featured in the 2005 Micronauts Revolution DVD digital comic by Eagle One Media which was based on the first 5 issues of the Image Comics Micronauts comic series.

Comics

1979 Marvel Comics

Micronauts volume 1 issue 2 by Marvel Comics

Despite being a large robot in the Micronauts toy line, Microtron is depicted as a squat roboid companion to Princess Mari in the Marvel comics series, possibly inspired by the Star Wars character of R2-D2. He has extending arms, has chest blasters, has a retractable drill, can hover by spinning one of his arms like a helicopter blade. Microtron often was the sidekick of Biotron.

When the Micronauts breached the space wall to escape Baron Karza they arrived on Earth, where they discovered they were about 6 inches tall compared to the native human population.

Microtron had a loving relationship with the female roboid Nanotron.

In the series eventually Microtron was killed in issue 48.

A new Microtron was built to replace him in issue 58. This Microtron was rebuilt into a new sleeker form in volume 2 issue 4.

When Marvel lost the license to Micronauts it included losing the rights to Microtron, and he has not appeared again the Marvel Universe. A new robotic character named Neutron seemed to take his place in the Ant Men.

2002 Image Comics

Microtron was among the cast regulars in the 2002 Image Comics Micronauts series. He was still depicted as a small robot, and was heavily redesigned. Microtron started as a robot probe sent from Earth through a rift.

2004 Devil's Due Publishing

Microtron continued to appear in the Devil's Due Publishing Micronauts stories, which continued the story from Image Comics.

2016 IDW Publishing

Microtron was among the cast regulars in the 2016 IDW Publishing Micronauts series. He was still depicted as a small robot, continuing his similarities to R2-D2.[4]

A MT class robot similar to Microtron, but with the alternate toy head, was seen in issue 5, working for Baron Karza.

Microtron was features on a toy-inspired cover of issue 9 of the series.

2018 Micronauts Protectors of Inner Space

Microtron appeared in the 2018 art series Micronauts Protectors of Inner Space by Brian Vox. Unlike all previous fictional appearances of Microtron, he was depicted as a large robot like his toy. He formed the Rescue Pod with the Astro Station and Biotron. He appeared on the cover of issues 11.

Toys

  • Takara Microman Micro Robot 1 (1976)
  • Mego Micronauts Microtron (1976)
A 1:18 scale robot toy by Mego Corp. Based on the Takara Microman Micro Robot 1 toy.
The recolored body of Microtron, with mostly new accessories, was used to make Nemesis.
  • Airfix Micronauts Microtron (1978)
  • Grand Toys Micronauts Microtron
  • Microtron inspired the Microborgs characters Microbike and Microguy.

Gallery

References

External links

This article is a stub. You can help WikiAlpha by expanding it.