BUG of the MICRONAUTS. Pinups. Versions 01 & 02. (Patreon)

Good morning, my beautiful Patrons!

As a kid, comic books weren't just a hobby; they were my lifeline. Like many young queer kids, I faced the daily gauntlet of bullying, and comics were my escape hatch from the school-day "shit-show." You know my love for Alpha Flight and the X-Men, and my recent Marvel fan art has been a nostalgic deep dive into the characters that shaped me. I've even shared how these heroes and their creators influenced my own journey as a comic artist.

But there were a few other titles that left a profound mark on my young, creative soul. Today, let's talk about one of them: THE MICRONAUTS.

In the 1980s, before I discovered the holy grail of my local comic shop, keeping up with a series was a Herculean task. But I devoured THE MICRONAUTS whenever I could. It was an ensemble masterpiece, penned by the legendary Bill Mantlo, and it had everything: action, mystery, high stakes, and breathtaking art by industry greats the likes of Butch Guice, Michael Golden, and Pat Broderick. But most importantly, it had BUG!

Yep, BUG!

Now, on the surface, Bug might seem like an odd choice for a childhood hero. He was... unique. But there was something about him that resonated deeply with my young, closeted self. He was brave, heroic, and, dare I say it, incredibly sexy. Of course, as a kid, I didn't fully grasp those feelings. But THE MICRONAUTS was a surprisingly mature comic, perhaps even too mature for my young eyes. It tackled themes that most mainstream comics shied away from, leaving a lasting impression.

Let's talk about Bug's origin story, shall we? In issues #14 and #15, Bug is literally sold into erotic slavery by his own father. Yes, this is canon! I distinctly remember a panel from #15 featuring a stripped and chained Bug in a dungeon that was... shall we say, highly effective on my developing psyche. (And tomorrow, I'll show you just how effective!) Mantlo's willingness to explore these darker themes only amplified Bug's allure for me. While he wasn't exactly drawn as a classic Adonis, I've decided to rectify that today.

I present to you my take on Bug! He's the inspiration behind LOCUS and the SEKTAN species. I always loved Bug's design but felt it could be... enhanced to better reflect my personal vision. Alas, I wasn't in charge of Marvel back then (or now! LOL!), so I couldn't make those changes. But with my new Digital Action Figure and Pinup fan art, I finally can!

Imagine Bug as the Microverse's distant cousin to LOCUS, and the Insectivorids (or Kaliklakians as they were occasionally called) as loosely related to the Sektans.

Bug's return marks my foray back into Digital Action Figures. He might seem like an unlikely choice, but I'm yearning for the simpler days of my youth. These Marvel parodies and fan art projects are a therapeutic escape from the anxieties of the real world. I suspect many of you feel you need a little light-heartedness in your daily lives these days as well. I hope my art can bring a little levity to your day, as it does for me. In our current climate, that feels more important than ever.

Whether you're a Micronauts aficionado or have no idea what I'm talking about, I hope you enjoy my Bug artwork. I've created three versions: one faithful to his original costume, one "Class Comics Universe" inspired look (a little more revealing, naturally!), and one of Bug in all his glorious, chiseled, muscular green splendor.

Enjoy Bug, my friends! And remember, tomorrow I have another Bug-related surprise for you. Stay tuned!

Illustration by Patrick Fillion.

Colors by Cabrera and Fillion.

BUG and the MICRONAUTS are© COPYRIGHT & ™ 2025, MARVEL CHARACTERS Inc / HASBRO. All rights reserved.