Phobos (Micronauts)
- For other uses, see Phobos.
Phobos is a the name of both a fictional character and fictional planet in the Micronauts series introduced in as a toy in 1978. Phobos became a Marvel Comics character in 1979.
Micronauts edit
Phobos is the rival of Biotron. He is depicted as a villainous robot in the Micronauts series.
The 1978 JC Penny described Phobos as "helmeted robot provides security for the Micronauts".[1]
Phobos is also the name of the home planet of Iguanos.
Development edit
Phobos was released by Mego in 1978. He was also released by Airfix and Gig.
According to Bryan Wilkinson on Facebook, when Palisades Toys was first planning on Micronauts toys to release they had hoped to release Phobos. This toy was never released by Palisades Toys.
In 2015 ATR Hobby released Deimos, a 3 3/4 inch tall figure inspired by Phobos.
In 2018 several parts for Phobos were released on Shapeways by Mathew Robert Ignash.
Comics edit
1979 Marvel Comics edit
Phobos is a villainous character in the Marvel Comics Micronauts series. Phobos roboids were often depicted as part of Baron Karza's forces, piloted by Dog Soldiers. Unlike Biotron, who was depicted as being about the size of a normal person from Homeworld, Phobos was depicted as a giant.
In "A Hunting We Will Go!" from issue 4 Phobos units aided the Dog Soldiers hunting for Slug.
In "Home Is Where the Heart Is!" from issue 9 rebels closed in on the Body Banks and were fired on by Phobos units.[2]
In issue 10, "Defeat!" Bug attacks and destroys a Phobos unit.
Phobos units were among Baron Karza's forces in Micronauts issue 11.
In issue 14 Phobos units were among Karza's troops on Bug's home world.
In issue 16, "Rendezvous in Sub-Atomica!", Phycho-Man causes Biotron to believe a Phobos is attacking him.[3]
When Marvel lost the license to Micronauts it included losing the rights to Phobos, and they have not appeared again the Marvel Universe.
2004 Devil's Due Publishing edit
Red Phobos units appeared in the Devil's Due Publishing Micronauts stories serving King Atlas.
2016 IDW Publishing edit
Phobos units appear in issue 1 of the IDW Publishing Micronauts comic as agents of the Ministry of Science.
Phobos units appeared among Baron Karza's forces in issue 5.
2018 Micronauts Protectors of Inner Space edit
Phobos is among the cast in the 2018 art series Micronauts Protectors of Inner Space by Brian Vox. He appears on the cover of issue 19.
Toys edit
- Mego Micronauts 71056 Phobos (1978)
- Phobos is a recolor of Biotron with a new head mold. Converts from robot to tank and two Micronaut vehicles.
- Airfix Micronauts Phobos
- A release of the toy in Europe by Airfix.
- ATR Hobby Deimos (2015)
- Based on the Takara Micro Robotman design.
- Gig Micronauti Phobos
- A release of Phobos in Italy by Gig.
- Several parts for Phobos are available on Shapeways.
- Phobos inspired the Microborgs character Phoguy.
Gallery edit
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Phobos instructions
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Micronauts Protectors of Inner Space issue 19, featuring Biotron, Phobos, Space Glider and Time Travelers
