Allen, Andrew :: Micronauts (1981 MARVEL) - Issue 25-26 KARZA WAR 2

Micronauts 26 pg 21

Artists: Pat Broderick (Penciller) , Armando Gil (Inker)

69 Views - 3 Comments - 5 Likes

Additional Images:

Before Cleaning and Glue Removal

Before and After Cleaning

Closeup of Stat Image

Published Color

Hidden Artwork Under the Stat

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Artwork Details

Title:	Micronauts 26 pg 21
Artist:	Pat Broderick (Penciller)
Artist:	Armando Gil (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	Permanent Collection
Views:	69
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Comments:	3
Added to Site:	1/23/2026
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Here we have a page from a noteworthy issue of MICRONAUTS: number 26, a �Baron Karza Returns!� storyline.

When this page was offered at auction, the description correctly noted that the first panel was a �stat.� When I won that auction, I was expecting that the presence of the stat merely signified a minor change on Editorial�s part - with the original hidden under the stat.

When the page arrived, I was found to be� incorrect in my assumption. When held to a light source, there appeared to be nothing but blank paper behind the stat. This is pretty uncommon, and a little frustrating.

Obviously, this means that the artwork for this panel was executed on a separate page, not included with this auction. Shame.

One can also infer that this artwork was probably a different scale than the space to be filled on the published page. I can pretty safely make this inference by the fact that, with the typical production processes in use at the time, if the replacement artwork was created at the same size as the space to be filled, both pages were cut apart with scissors, and reassembled with tape.

(A process used in other examples from this very same issue).

Since they used a stat instead, then it stands to reason that Broderick drew this replacement panel too large to be taped in, and it had to be reduced in size via a stat copy. Close examination of the art on the stat suggests it was inked with varied techniques and brush sizes as well, suggesting larger art tightened up by a reduction in scale. The word balloons are separate stats as well - 'stats on top of stats' ...but only for this panel.

If I had to guess, the artwork for this panel probably took up an entire 11x17 page.

Needless to say, if anyone knows better, or knows where this missing artwork might be, I would love to hear. It would be satisfying to unite the page. I hope it still exists somewhere; if my guess on size is correct, one could easily understand how it might have been separated from its brother page in �For Sale� piles at conventions, or even sent to the inker rather than the penciller.

...or perhaps it's gone forever. >shrug<

I handed off this page to my usual paper conservationist, who discovered that there were indeed loose pencils by Broderick underneath the stat, but displaying a vastly different take on the scene. Removal of original adhesive has revealed some detail, but the pencils are, of course, 40 years old and glue-stained. I include a pic for your amusement. The stat was re-applied with archival adhesive, hiding these old unused pencils.

Speculating now: I think there were further corrections in scale in the very next page from that issue, pictured above. I�ve thought for years that the inks on that splash seem very, very broad and thick. Now, with some knowledge of their production processes, one might guess that the original art might have been drawn with the central figure of Marionette much smaller, and surrounded with much more molecule-cosmic-filler business. Maybe that page is a giant stat as well, with a smaller Mari hidden underneath? We�ll never know until the page surfaces. (But I�d bet I�m right!)

If the Underbidder for this auction happens to see this gallery post, please feel invited to contact me.

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About the Owner

	Andrew Allen ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2007
Last Login:	January 2026
Website:	http://comicbookinvest.com/2017/09/15/collector-spotlight-andrew-allen-part-2/
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Andrew's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About AndrewAllen

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/23/2026

The level of sophistication and imagination was too far ahead of what the process was at the time. The bottom half has some good effects too.

Ron S
Member Since 2007

Posted on 1/23/2026

I love detective stories! Thanks for cluing us in. The detail in the top panel is just way too much for the original scale. I wonder if Broderick did that kind of thing often?

John C
Member Since 2014

Posted on 1/23/2026

Very interesting. I'll try to track down Frank and Joe, though last I heard Frank was in jail for fight-fixing.

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