View source for M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton

{{Short description|American comic book series}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox comics meta series <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|character           = y
|character_name      = M.I.C.R.A.
|image               = Micra7cover.jpg
|imagesize           = <!-- default 250 -->
|caption             = Doctor Lucrane and M.I.C.R.A. on the cover of ''M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton'' No. 7, by [[Ted Boonthanakit]].
<!-- If "character" is set -->
|debut               = ''M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton'' No. 1
|alter_ego           = Angela Griffin<br><small>(born Angela Morales)</small>
|full_name           = 
|species             = Human
|homeworld           = Earth
|alliances           = 
|partners            = 
|aliases             = 
|powers              = [[Superhuman]] strength<br>Superhuman durability<br>[[Flight]]<br>Laser blasts
|titles              = <!-- include issue #s -->
|Superhero           = y
|publisher           = [[David Anthony Kraft|Fictioneer Books]]
|startmo             = November
|startyr             = 1986
|endmo = Spring
|endyr = 1988
|main_char_team      = 
|writers             = [[Lamar Waldron]]
|artists             = [[Ted Boonthanakit]]
|creative_team_month = 
|creative_team_year  = 
|nonUS               = 
|reprint             = 
|altcat              = 
|sort                = Micra
|schedule            = Bi-Monthly <small>(#1–2)</small><br>Quarterly <small>(#3–7)</small>
|format              = Limited series
|1shot               = 
|date                = November 1986–Spring 1988
|issues              = 7
|editors             = [[Dwight Jon Zimmerman]]
|creators            =
|TPB                 = ''M.I.C.R.A: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton'' Graphic Album No. 1
|ISBN                = <!-- ISBN unspecified -->
|TPB#                = 
|ISBN#               = 
|subcat              = 
}}
'''''M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton''''' (often referred to as simply '''''MICRA''''' or '''''Micra''''') is an unfinished creator-owned American science fiction comic book series written by [[Lamar Waldron]] and drawn by [[Ted Boonthanakit]]. It was published between November 1986 and Spring 1988 by Fictioneer Books, an imprint of ''[[Comics Interview]]'' publisher [[David Anthony Kraft]]. Set in 2048–49, the story concerns a young paraplegic college student who is able to take control of the titular robotic body via [[telepresence]].

==Creation==
Waldron conceived of the storyline some four years before publication. He had hoped to again partner with [[Rod Whigham]] after their well-received collaboration on the [[graphic novel]] ''[[Lightrunner]]'', but after the artist found work with [[Marvel Comics]] Waldron instead planned it as a [[prose]] novel. However, he went back to the original plan, intending to work with [[airbrush]] artist Tom Gonzales. The pair were unable to find a publisher until [[WaRP Graphics]] showed an interest, and then only as a black-and-white series. As Gonzales had no experience in the medium he left the project. Waldron found a new artist via a competition at the [[Atlanta Fantasy Fair]], an event he co-founded, which unearthed the [[Thailand]]-born [[Ted Boonthanakit]].

The author aimed to combine aspects of the superhero, science fiction and robot comics in ''M.I.C.R.A.''. Waldron felt telepresence was an achievable near-future technology, and also hoped to address his views on the planet's ecological future, telling ''[[Amazing Heroes]]'' "The trends are there – all I've done is assume they continue to accelerate at the same rate". He hoped that as well as exploring these concepts the work would still be able to present strong characters.<ref name=AHHTH>{{cite magazine|last=Hartman|first=Thom|date=September 15, 1988|title=High-Tech Heroine|url= |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=103}}</ref>

==Publishing history==
''M.I.C.R.A'' was planned as a 12-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 1986|title=Newswatch|url=https://www.tcj.com/tcj-archive/the-comics-journal-no-109-july-1986/|magazine=[[The Comics Journal]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=109}}</ref> Before any material was published the series encountered problems with WaRP. Waldron pitched it to [[Comics Interview]] president [[David Anthony Kraft]], who was looking to expand his portfolio after the success of ''[[Southern Knights]]'', and a deal was struck. Kraft showed the ''M.I.C.R.A.'' concept writeup to his friend [[Dwight Jon Zimmerman]], asking for his input. Impressed by the several pages of critiques and suggestions which Zimmerman returned to him, Kraft asked Zimmerman to be the editor for ''M.I.C.R.A.''<ref>{{cite web |last=Mallonee |first=Dennis |title=Episode 26: A Panel Discussion Remembering Publisher David Kraft |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7U_06ET39M |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=20 December 2024 |date=December 7, 2024}} Event occurs at 14:55-16:21.</ref> The first issue was released in September 1986 (cover-dated November 1986), and was heavily advertised by Kraft with inserts in ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'', which would also run several pieces promoting the series. Kraft would state the tactics led to considerable demand for the first issue.<ref name=AHHTH/> Further support came when M.I.C.R.A was featured on the cover of Kraft's ''Comics Interview'' No. 49, which included a lengthy interviews with Waldron, Boonthanakit and series letterer Susan Barrows.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=February 1, 1987 |magazine=[[Comics Interview]]|title=(various)|publisher=[[Comics Interview]]|number=49}}</ref>

Initially the comic was bi-monthly, but it changed to quarterly from No. 3. Issue No. 7 featured a recap, with advertising flagging it as a good starting point for new readers and linking the story matter with the successful film ''[[Robocop]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=February 29, 1988|title=(advertisement) |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]] |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=136}}</ref> The comic reputedly had a circulation of 30,000, outselling acclaimed titles of the period such as ''[[Love and Rockets (comics)|Love and Rockets]]'', ''[["Omaha" the Cat Dancer]]'' and ''[[Xenozoic Tales]]'', but was a victim of a glut of small publisher black-and-white comics on the market. Feeling Kraft was unable to support the title in the competitive market, Waldron did not renew the contact with Fictioneer following the publication of No. 7.<ref name=NB>{{cite magazine |last=Pruett |first=Joe |date=1994|title=Micra – Is the long vacation over?|magazine=[[Negative Burn]] |publisher=[[Caliber Press]]|number=12}}</ref>

Waldron looked for another publisher to continue it, possibly as a colour title.<ref name=A145/> [[Apple Comics]] were announced as ''M.I.C.R.A'''s new publisher in 1988 with issue No. 8, "All Hell Breaks Loose" announced<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Decker|first=Robert R.|date=January 15, 1989|title=M.I.C.R.A.|url= |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=157/Preview Special 1989|access-date=}}</ref> and a [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] containing the stories to date also planned for 1989.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Decker|first=Robert R.|date=January 15, 1989|title=Apple Comics|url= |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=157/Preview Special 1989|access-date=}}</ref> Apple also planned to continue the series further after the initial 12-issue storyline was completed.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Decker|first=Robert R.|date=August 1989|title=M.I.C.R.A.|url= |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=170/Preview Special|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=NB/> However, no further issues were produced before Apple folded in 1994.<ref name=fraser>{{cite web|url=https://atomicjunkshop.com/a-comic-you-should-own-well-if-you-dont-mind-the-story-will-never-finish-micra/|title=A comic you should own — well, if you don't mind the story will never finish: MICRA|website=Atomic Junk Shop|date=August 22, 2020 }}</ref>

==Synopsis==
In 2048, much of Earth's atmosphere has become polluted, and the [[United States]] is controlled by the authoritarian President Corman. The privileged Insiders live in A.S.Ds (Air Supported Domes) where it is pure, while the poor live beyond as Outsiders, many of whom die young from cancer. Spoiled rich girl Angela Griffin, a bioengineering student at King University in the [[South Dakota]] A.S.D., is visiting Yellowstone Recreation Dome with her boyfriend Matt. The dome comes under attack by rebel Free America Now forces, and Angela is left comatose and [[quadriplegic]]. Her distraught adoptive father dies in a Speeder crash shortly after visiting her. On Christmas Day, Angela regains consciousness. Her bratty attitude irritates the King University Hospital staff, including her nurse Tanya. Over the next couple of months she gradually comes to regret her attitude, and is visited by her classmate Eric Jensen, who arranges for Doctor Aleta Lucane to meet with her. The professor is sympathetic towards Angela's plight and offers the hope of a human application for the M.I.C.R.A. (Mind Controlled Remote Automaton) technology if she resumes her studies. Wanting to avoid the scrutiny of principled Vice President Paula Robinson while exploring the military potential of M.I.C.R.A., Corman and General Wyler underwrite Lucane's research budget, with Colonel Barr assigned as observer. After a few weeks, the M.I.C.R.A. synthetic android is ready, and Angela [[Telepresence|mentally transfer]]s to the robot.<ref>{{cite comic |title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=1 |date=November 1986|story=The Beginning|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref>

Angela bonds with Eric and Tanya. M.I.C.R.A. undergoes flight testing, while Angela learns she was adopted. Led by Rita Morales, Free America Now seizes control of the [[Dallas]] A.S.D. Government commandos are sent in to reclaim it, with both sides causing collateral damage. Most of Rita's followers are killed but she escapes on a Speeder. Wounded, she crashes and her Speeder's distress signal is picked up by M.I.C.R.A. When Angela sends the robot to investigate it comes under fire.<ref>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton |issue=2|date=January 1987|story=Redemption and Revenge|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref> M.I.C.R.A. attacks the rebels, only to be disabled by an electrical blast. Angela reboots M.I.C.R.A. and confronts Rita, discovering she is her biological sister, and they were both born Outsiders. Discovering M.I.C.R.A. has automatic weaponry built in, she disables the Free America Now soldiers, though Rita escapes. M.I.C.R.A. is then sent to the Detroit A.S.D. to meet an army informant; however, the spy has defected to Free America Now and M.I.C.R.A. is trapped.<ref>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=3|date=April 1987|story=Resurgence|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref> Army reinforcements arrive in time to prevent the destruction of M.I.C.R.A., who is filmed by a news crew. Enraged over the military's interference in the project, Locane declares that M.I.C.R.A. will be shut down.

Angela's attorney locates her birth mother, Maria Morales. Barr persuades Locane to continue the M.I.C.R.A. project, with the compromise that Angela will have manual control of the weapons systems. They use M.I.C.R.A. to visit the [[San Simeon, California|San Simeon]] slum looking for her mother. However, she discovers Maria was killed in a riot shortly after her adoption, with another resident drawing her [[social security]] checks. With the help of the resident she learns Rita has been working at the [[Monterey]] ASD in an Esctasite, a high-tech brothel. M.I.C.R.A.'s enquiries there are fruitless as Rita is at a Free America Now rally in [[Lusk, Wyoming]], announcing on TV that the whole settlement is being held hostage.<ref>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=4|date=July 1987|story=Retribution|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref> With the regular army unable to make any impression on Rita's forces, M.I.C.R.A. is sent to [[Wyoming]], bargaining for better treatment of Eric in return. Rita uses an electrical generator to knock M.I.C.R.A. off-line. Angela reboots the robot and attempts to convince Rita of her identity, but Rita is seemingly killed by army reinforcements. Angela is enraged, especially when the army begins massacring surrendering rebels, shooting down one of the government speeders. Upon M.I.C.R.A.'s return to Kings University, Angela tells Barr she no longer wants to be part of the program. He attempts to talk her out of it, revealing he is secretly aligned with Robinson, who contacts Angela and asks her to continue as M.I.C.R.A.<ref>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton |issue=5|date=October 1987|story=Reunion|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]] |artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref> Angela tells Barr of her relation to Rita and her actions in Wyoming, and with the support of Locane and Eric they conspire to use M.I.C.R.A. to covertly curb the military's excesses while Robinson works to end martial law through legitimate political means. The Free America Now survivors, led by Rita's friend Flik, reach the [[Colorado]] dome. M.I.C.R.A. is sent in to help. The terrorists are captured, as are numerous councillors loyal to Robinson, as part of Corman's plan to equate her hopes of ending martial law with the terrorist group. The president is eager to mass-produce M.I.C.R.A. for the armed forces. Angela uses M.I.C.R.A. to free the councillors held in Colorado without discovery, and begins a relationship with Eric. Lucane and Barr also grow closer.

Military intelligence learns of Angela's origin as an Outsider, and that she is sister to Rita.<ref>{{cite comic |title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=6|date=December 1987|story=A New Beginning|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref> In the [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] dome, Wyler and his adjutant Evans realise that Angela and her friends are actually helping the rebels during an action at [[Cheyenne]]. Wanting them killed before he is disgraced, Wyler contacts Angela, offering her radical surgery to end her paralysis. The tactile feedback from a feeling body would make her unable to use M.I.C.R.A. Wyler kidnaps Flik and fellow rebel Woryer, planning to use them as stooges for the murders of Locane and Eric, while arranging for the hospital's power supply to go off during Angela's operation. Tanya, a mole for military intelligence, tearfully confesses the plan to Angela. She protests as the operations begins, and the surgeon tells her she has to decide whether she wants the treatment or not. Barr is shot by Wyler after attempting to break free, and the general waits for the powercut that will signify Angela's death.<ref>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=7|date=Spring 1988|story=Final Mission?|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref>

===Unpublished material===
The series went out of publication before the storyline could be resolved, ending on a [[cliffhanger]]. Waldron suggested that ''M.I.C.R.A.'' No. 8 would see someone else take control of M.I.C.R.A.,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sodaro|first=Robert J.|date=January 15, 1988|title=M.I.C.R.A. |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=133/Preview Special}}</ref> and that the main cast fight their way out of the dome and winter with the Outsiders in [[North Dakota]]. The third arc from #9–12 would have been set several months later.<ref name=A145>{{cite magazine |last=Sodaro|first=Robert J.|date=August 1, 1988|title=M.I.C.R.A. |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]] |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=145/Preview Special Summer 1988}}</ref> Reputedly Waldron was frequently asked about the resolution of the cliffhanger at conventions in the following years.<ref name=NB/> A text story featuring M.I.C.R.A. originally written for a [[fanzine]] by Waldron was printed in issue 12 of [[Caliber Press]]' anthology ''[[Negative Burn]]'' in 1994,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Waldron|first=Lamar|date=1994|title=Born to Fire|magazine=[[Negative Burn]] |publisher=[[Caliber Press]]|number=12}}</ref> and the character was featured on the cover using new art created by Boonthanakit. In an accompanying interview, Waldron was still optimistic about Apple Comics publishing new material for the series.<ref name=NB/> {{As of|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}} the work remains incomplete.

===Additional material===
Timelines of the series' "future history" written by Waldron were printed in ''M.I.C.R.A.'' No. 2,<ref>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=2|date=January 1987|story=Highlights of Future History|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]}}</ref> No. 4<ref>{{cite comic |title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=4|date=July 1987|story=Highlights of Future History |publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]}}</ref> and No. 6<ref>{{cite comic |title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=6|date=December 1987||story=Highlights of Future History|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]}}</ref> Boonthanakit also produced a [[pin-up]] of M.I.C.R.A. for ''[[Amazing Heroes]]''' 1987 [[Swimsuit]] issue.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 15, 1987|title=Swimsuits 1987 |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=115}}</ref>

==Reception==
[[Don Thompson (Comics Buyer's Guide)|Don Thompson]] graded the first issue 'A' in a review for ''Comic Buyer's Guide'', calling it "one heck of a good comic book" and praising Boonthanakit's art.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 21, 1986|magazine=[[Comic Buyer's Guide]]|location=|title=Micra|publisher=[[Krause Publications]]|number=679|access-date=}}</ref> R.A. Jones of ''Amazing Heroes'' was also positive, noting it "combined the genres of superheroes and science fiction with overtones of Japanimation to yield a comic that's truly unique", also complementing the art.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 1, 1986|title=Reviews|url= |magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|location= |publisher=[[Fantagraphics]]|number=107|access-date=}}</ref> 
The cover of the second issue carried praise from [[Stan Lee]] and [[Ray Bradbury]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42325/cover/4/|website=[[Grand Comics Database]]|title=MICRA: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton #2}}</ref> while the collected edition also bore [[testimonial]]s from [[Roger Zelazny]], [[Trina Robbins]], [[Will Eisner]], Thompson and [[Robert Bloch]].<ref name=MGA>{{cite comic|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton|issue=Graphic Album No. 1|date=October 1988|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]|writer=[[Lamar Waldron|Waldron, Lamar]]|artist=[[Ted Boonthanakit|Boonthanakit, Ted]]}}</ref>

[[Joe Pruett]] would later describe ''M.I.C.R.A.'' as the first comic to deal with [[virtual reality]] and one of the first with a "realistic ecological theme".<ref name=NB/> In a retrospective review for Atomic Junk Shop, Fraser Sherman was positive about the series, noting it "was good stuff, but not successful stuff".<ref name=fraser/> D. Aviva Rothschild also felt the lack of completion was frustrating, calling ''M.I.C.R.A.'' "first-rate science fiction" when covering ''Graphic Album'' No. 1 for reference book ''Graphic Novels''.<ref name=rothschild>{{cite book|title=Graphic Novels – A Bibliographic Guide to Book-length Comics|date=1995|author=Rothschild, D. Aviva|publisher=[[Libraries Unlimited]]|isbn=9781563080869}}</ref>

==Collected Editions==
An album containing the first three issues, a foreword by Waldron and early sketches by Boonthanakit was released by Fictioneer in 1988.<ref name=rothschild/> {{As of|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, issues #4-7 have not been collected.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! ISBN !!  Release date !! Issues
|-
| ''M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton Graphic Album'' No. 1
| {{ISBN missing}}
|October 1988
|''M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton'' #1–3
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{gcdb series|id=3277|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton}}
*{{gcdb series|id=38500|title=M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton Graphic Album}}

[[Category:1986 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1988 comics endings]]
[[Category:American comics]]
[[Category:Comic book limited series]]
[[Category:Comics publications]]
[[Category:Comics set in California]]
[[Category:Comics set in Montana]]
[[Category:Dystopian comics]]
[[Category:Science fiction comics]]
[[Category:Superhero comics]]
[[Category:Fiction about telepresence]]
[[Category:Unfinished comics]]