Micronauts [2016] #7 - IDW Publishing

MICRONAUTS No. 7, November 2016

Disconcertingly set “in the aftermath of Revolution”, “one of the biggest events in IDW’s history”, Cullen Bunn’s opening three-page summary as to just how this comic’s titular characters have somehow become “trapped in a world inhabited by giants” following their recent flight from Karza’s forces in Microspace, must have proved a bewilderingly essential read for any non “IDW Faithful” who happened to ‘have been living under a rock’ in November 2016. In fact, even then, the rationale behind the GLAAD Media Award-nominee’s narrative for Issue Seven of “Micronauts” probably didn’t make a great deal of sense to some of its 5,918 bibliophiles until they perused Editor-in-Chief David Hedgecock’s “Welcome To The Hasbro Universe” exposition at the back of the book, within which he explains that “thanks to the storylines created in Revolution, some of Hasbro’s most popular franchises are now tied into one universe of epic proportions.”

Luckily however, understanding just how the tiny team have come to be trapped within a reinforced glass tank awaiting lethal experimentation at the hands of Mankind’s modern-day scientists isn’t essential to enjoying a thoroughly entertaining re-imagining of “Land Of The Giants”, as Acroyear lays down a seriously impressive smackdown upon a group of armed guards which results in at least one of the armour-clad goons losing a few teeth. This action-packed scene is tremendously well-paced, packed full of sense-shattering gun-play, and helps define just how formidably powerful the genetically engineered super-warrior still is despite his sudden diminutive size.

Indeed, the entire sequence imbues the American novelist’s storyline with some arguably much-needed energy, which then adds extra urgency to the subsequent exploits of Biotron and Microtron as they unsuccessfully attempt to outrun a pair of slavering sentry-dogs who seem intent on chomping up Acroyear as a tasty snack; “I really do wish everyone was conscious to witness this… Back! Back, you slobbering beast!” Such well-handled interplay between this comic’s non-human cast provides all three individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate their unique personality traits, with the “self-deprecating wit and biting sarcasm” of Oz’s first mate proving particularly humorous.

Max Dunbar’s beautiful illustrations also help to endow this twenty-page periodical with a palpable positive vibe, courtesy of some pulse-pounding storyboarding. The frantic nature of the heroes’ headlong flight to freedom is easily-captured by the Canadian’s pencilling throughout, and even gives the group’s meeting with a well-meaning, sympathetic biologist some noteworthy punch when Acroyear wrongly decides that “the giant who sent us to our condemnation! Now… stands in our way” and roughly brings her tumbling to the ground with a whack’ to the ankle.

Written by: Cullen Bunn, Art by: Max Dunbar, and Colors by: Ander Zarate