Review of IDW Micronauts: Wrath of Karza #1 (of 5)

Va'al wrote:

Khaaaa-- rzaaaa!
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis

As one universe dies, another is invaded! Microspace — the home of the Micronauts — is collapsing. But Baron Karza has discovered a new universe in which the people of Microspace would thrive, a universe in which he would rule! The first world to be conquered is Earth, and the first enemies to be targeted are the TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, M.A.S.K., and ROM!

token Franchise appearance

Story

So, Micronauts. You might be forgiven for not having followed any of their stories, and end up very confused in the climax (one of many) of Revolution, and consequently not really wanting to know what happened to the Micronauts' big bad in this new mini-series that is both a crossover and another version of Revolution done well. But, hear me out...

Buts for everyone

Cullen Bunn and Jimmy Johnston, the former being the regular writer for Micronauts (which, out of all the Hasbro Universe titles at IDW, you really should give a try reading!), do justice not only to Baron Karza's motives in the overarching world of the Microverse and Revolution and this new storyline - essentially, we have a reason for him to exist. And it is very very well done.

Need a reason?

The link with Transformers? Karza and the rest of the Microverse were originated by Micronus, one of the Thirteen Primes of Cybertronian lore. Add to that just enough from each of the franchises involved in the event, especially on Karza's role so far, and establishing his new powers in relation to what he can do with Earth - and its inhabitants.

Art

Transformers veteran artist Andrew Griffith is on art duties, and he brings the shine that he always had in the very best work - a load also shared with Ron Joseph, who takes on a smaller number of pages, and strangely enough fitting the same criticisms and the issues that I have yet to clear up with their take on some human faces, especially in smaller, seemingly more rushed panels.

But you also get these beauties

David Garcia Cruz does a really good job in keeping to the colouring we find in the Micronauts series (where he is the regular colourist), while also playing around where they can with the panels and lighting. Microverse and Earth are very different palettes, in terms of scapes, and yet we get a nice balance of the two with some truly sparkling gems.

shiiiiiny

Lettering, as could be guessed almost immediately, is by veteran Tom B. Long, and I no longer really have any reason to say more positive things about his work: just look at it, and bask. All the covers, and all the characters involved, in the issue can be found in the database entry for the book, right here; the one chosen for the thumbnail is Paul Pope and Lovern Kindzierski's take on the Baron.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Let's get this out of the way: it's another comics event and a crossover. It is. I get it, I get you, I don't like them either, especially not at this rate. But, that said, Revolution did so badly at working out how everything fit together, that it's good to see the writers and editorial (tip to David Hedgecock there) working to patch that up with Karza's character, even if they place it confusingly in timelines with MASK.

..huh

We get more towards a bigger plot, that will properly, actively impact the Hasbro Universe (before the next universe shattering event), we have TF lore and nostalgia vibes combined, we have a Darth Vader-esque villain who can also be a centaur take centre stage, and we have a pool of books to dive into for the ride, and some nice art to look at - so far, this 'event' works.

. out of

Where is it placed in continuity

In some ways it seems like it should be pre-Revolution.

And the final preview to carry you over for the weekend, we bring to you the iTunes preview for Wrath of Karza part 2 of 5! This book involves the transformers, and specifically Micronus Prime, so it is potentially important to the Transformers universe as we know it. Check out the preview below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Baron Karza has triumphantly executed the first step in his plan to conquer the Earth. Only the Micronauts stand between him and his ultimate goal. Now comes the second step: Destroy the Micronauts.

Kurona wrote:I like how his big wall of threats doesn't include Metrotitan

Maybe he doesn't consider him to be a threat since apparently a Prime can control a Titan

Coming this week from IDW Publishing's Hasbro Universe comics is the crossover event which isn't a crossover but totally is, part of Micronauts and dipping its toes into Transformers, MASK, GI Joe and more - Wrath of Karza #2! Check out the preview below, and head back for a review later this week.

Micronauts: Wrath of Karza #2
Cullen Bunn & Jimmy Johnston (w) • Andrew Griffith (a) • Alex Ronald (c)
Baron Karza has triumphantly executed the first step in his plan to conquer the Earth. Only the Micronauts stand between him and his ultimate goal. Now comes the second step: Destroy the Micronauts.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Variant cover by John Royle!

EDIT: Wrong thread, delete this post

If you haven't been reading this mini-series or didn't read its predecessor, simply known as Micronauts, I'd invite you to at least go read the summary at the top of the Micronauts Comic Series page in the Vector Sigma Database here on Seibertron to learn a little bit about why this series, to me, was a natural draw as a Transformers fan. I picked it up out of curiosity when it came out and was quickly hooked by the charming characters, fantastical science fiction settings, and briskly moving plot. Having a fresh continuity reboot, helped along in at least some small way by Marvel retaining the rights to the original series' protagonist Arcturus Rann to this day, also helped the book feel very accessible. With that (sales pitch) out of the way, I'll start this quick review by saying that Wrath of Karza #3 continues with the fun, accessible Micronauts stories that drew me in and is closer to those than the immediate post-Revolution story that took a few months to find its footing.


Karza's invasion continues, with the book picking up right where the second issue left off in the aftermath of a battle that has separated our tiny heroes. Exactly when this is going down in the scheme of the overall Hasbro Universe remains a mystery. Or is it? Are these events even really happening? There's an intriguing tinge of doubt to it which had seeds planted back in the fantastic Micronauts Annual released earlier in the year. It's very likely not a black and white thing, just as Karza continues to be a villain rendered with internal conflict - but only a little. There's not too much worry on his part when it comes to the subjugation of Earth. Instead, it's only when he ponders the fate of his home universe, Microspace, that this conflict and confusion emerges. The parts focusing on Karza never bog down the tone despite the background knowledge that these sections are about a despotic invader.


Some fun moments are in store that play off elements of the Micronauts toy line as well, with new characters being introduced in a way that plays true to "bringing the toy box to life". This was done in past issues to excellent comedic effect with Acroyear's weeble, a fine weapon, and now Microtron gets in on the action by building some more companions. Each is given just enough characterization in a short stretch to enhance the book in a positive manner which also lends some plausibility to the chances of survival for the book's protagonists.


Through it all, the art will be familiar to many Transformers fans, with Andrew Griffith handling most of the pages. The big splash pages are easy to follow, and the work to blend the organic humanoid characters of Microspace, Earthlings, and robotic characters together is well executed throughout. Pictured somewhat further below in the review is a snippet from the two trippy pages handled by Ron Joseph, though without having read the credits I don't know I would have noticed the change in artists, likely due to David Garcia Cruz's appropriate and varied colors lending a cohesiveness to the book despite a great variety of locales being seen along the way. Tom B. Long's usual tremendous lettering helps give it some easy visual continuity with other books in this universe, so it's nice to see that consistency. Griffith lends a cover as well, with colors by Thomas Deer, and you can see all the covers and credits in our database page for Wrath of Karza #3.


A friend on Twitter (and regular Twincast Podcast listener, if you don't mind the shameless plug) has called Micronauts "The Fun Book" in the past, and this mini-series is really living up to that title for me. It's a quick read that's also filled with some fun rewards if you've followed the entire series, but there isn't too much here that I think would be over-daunting to new readers - assuming "new reader" means you picked up 1 and 2 of this same mini-series.

If you're here on Seibertron.com for the Transformers there are not many of them in this issue for very long at all, but without saying too much, it looks like that might turn around pretty quickly as we approach the last two issues of the series. If you don't like chocolate in your peanut butter, you'll find this book to be mostly Micronauts peanut butter with only an outer coating of Hasbro Universe chocolate - whether that's a positive to you or not is for you to judge. Personally, I think you should give the first few issues of Wrath of Karza a shot if you haven't. You might be surprised at how much fun you have!

Kurona wrote:Welp, you've convinced me to try Micronauts again later. I'm assuming the reading order is #1-#6, Revolution, #7-#9, Annual, #10-#11, Wrath of Karza?

Right off the top of my head, this sounds correct. 7 and 8 are a little slow but necessary.

Nik Hero wrote:Do you think this happens before OP #1 or right before First Strike?

There's no way all of this and the second half of Micronauts happens between Revolution and Optimus Prime #1, which started immediately after Revolution. Considering the lack of Karza, but the presence of Shazraella in First Strike, I imagine this series will end with Karza's defeat and leading Shazraella to join up with the other villains for First Strike.

If there was, it was very brief, probably just a month or so.