argon-microverse-mn9-forcecomargon-force_commander-mnan1-pre1-faceARGON

Real Name: Argon

Identity/Class: Extradimensional (Microverse) humanoid (Homeworld's First Zone native);
    technology-user; mutate

Occupation: Former ruler, rebel leader, and prince of Homeworld

Group Membership: Formerly Homeworld's royal family, Homeworld's underground rebellion

Affiliations: Doc Samson, Enigma Force/Shadow Priest/Time Traveler, Micronauts (Acroyear, Biotron, Bug, Mari/Marionette, Microtron, Arcturus Rann), Microtron, Oberon, Revolutionary Guard, Slug;
    formerly controlled by Baron Karza, during which time he was worshipped by some of the poor people of Homeworld and allied with the Acroyears (notably Cilicia), Antrons race, Centauri race, Centaurus, Death Squad (Ampzilla, Antron, Battleaxe, Centauria, Galactic Destroyer, Lobros, Repto), DeGrayde, Dagon, the Dog Soldiers, Faceless Priests, Hydra, Kronos race, Membros race, Phobos race, Reptos race; likely Lobros race,
    formerly Belladonna, First Zone's palace guards, Huntarr, Shaitan;
    Argon revered (if not worshipped) Dallan and Sepsis Rann

Enemies: Acroyears under Shaitan's rule, Baron Karza, the Dog Soldiers, Phobos units, Shaitan;
    though not directly involved, he likely considered Eved an enemy;
    under Baron Karza's influence, he was an enemy to the Belladonna, Captain Universe (specifically the version composed of Dr. Strange and Arcturus Rann), Desert Demons (notably Margrace, Pharoid), Dr. Stephen Strange, Enigma Force/Shadow Priest/Time Traveler, Queen Esmera of Kaliklak, Homeworld's underground rebellion, Micronauts (Acroyear, Biotron, Bug, Devil, Fireflyte, Huntarr, Mari/Marionette, Microtron, Nanotron, Arcturus Rann), Shaitan, S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Division; notably "Dum Dum" Dugan, Nick Fury), Slug, Spartak's Worldmind, Whirldemons

Known Relatives: Evek (father, deceased), Zoyburt (mother, deceased), Mari (aka Marionette; sister);
    formerly engaged to Slug

Aliases: Argon the First, Force Commander, Holy Herald of Homeworld's savior, Prince Argon

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
    formerly the royal palace, First Zone, Homeworld, Microverse;
    formerly the Body Banks, First Zone, Homeworld, Microverse;
    formerly Fantasyworld amusement park, Orlando, Florida, Earth;

Education: Presumably college equivalence via private tutoring

First Appearance: Micronauts I#1 (January, 1979);
    (identified as Force Commander) Micronauts I#1 (January, 1979; see comments);
    (armored as Force Commander) Micronauts I#8 (August, 1979)

Powers/Abilities: Argon was a skilled warrior, trained in hand-to-hand combat and presumably the use of a blaster and a sword, at least. He was an experienced equestrian, with Oberon being his steed of choice.

argon-microverse-mn1p1   Though he and his family refused to utilize Karza's Body Banks, they had extended lifespans (at least compared to humans). Argon looked to be a young teen over 100 years ago, while in recent years he looked to be no older than a 20-30 year-old human male.argon-microverse-mn6-centaur-escape

    Following mutation in the Body Banks (merging him with Oberon), Argon existed as a centaur, with a human body to the lower abdomen that then then joined onto the shoulders of a horse's body at its shoulders (replacing wear a horse's neck would start); as such, he had two arms and four legs, the latter of which were digitigrade (standing on the bones that would be the fingertips in a person), and was an odd (single)-toed ungulate (hooved creature). See comments.

    The horse's body granted him superhuman running (galloping) speed, perhaps 50 miles per hour; he could also travel extended distances with over 100 pounds (and presumably significantly more) on his back.

    In centaurian form, Argon could  rear up on his back legs to gain greater height and/or use his front legs (and hooves) as additional striking weapons. He could also lean forward to enhance his hind legs' devastating kicking abilities. His dense hooves enhanced the damage incurred his his kicks. 

    Any information on the nature and/or location/duplication of respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and/or endocrine structures within the thoracic and abdominal cavities of his human and equine portions is purely speculative.

    As Force Commander, his armor afforded him protection from physical injury to an unspecified degree (Karza's blasts could subdue him); additionally, it demonstrated some resistance to magic, proving able to resist assaults from the dark magical power/nature of the Whirldemons, at least.

    The Force Commander armor could fire blasts from its gauntlets at well as from the four studs on its chest.

    In his centaurian Force Commander form, he also had a pair of blasters/missile launchers on each side of his equine thorax (chest). The destructive capacity of his blasts (and missiles) is unrevealed, but they were also effective against the Whirldemons

    In his third form under Karza's influence, Argon existed in bipedal rather than centaurian form.

    Additional Body Banks mutations granted him bionic hands/gauntlets that could be launched to strike or grasp/choke others.

    Further Body Banks mutations transformed Argon into energy form, rendering him immune to most forms of physical harm, including poisons and most forms of blunt or sharp trauma.

    He could also form an energy sword extending from his hand and levitate others into the air.

    While Baron Karza possessed Argon's form, he could mentally manipulate and/or control a large numbers of others, much like Karza could do in his own form.argon-microverse-mn11-centaur-blast

    While under Karza's influence, Argon had access to all of Karza's technology, including the Body Banks.

    Argon was brave, standing up to and fighting against powerful foes; noble, opposing Karza and his offer of immortality via the Body Banks and lending royal support (even as a prince) to the underground opposing Karza; and a skilled military leader, at least, rallying troops to battle against larger forces.

    Prior to Karza's initial defeat by the Micronauts, Argon retained his own will but was in the form given him by Karza.

    Following Karza's initial revival and inhabitation of Argon's form, Argon had awareness of Karza's control but was unable to resist, only asking Dallan and Sepsis for aid in the last seconds before Karza retook control.

    After Argon's separation from Oberon and subsequent possession by Karza, Argon became a tyrannical despot, seeking to conquer all of Homeworld and the entire Microverse, and progressively acting more and more like Karza.

    In his last seconds, Argon's first thought was to declare to his people that he had never betrayed them, as he had been controlled by Karza.argon-force_commander-mnii5-youngest-profile

Height: (Human and/or energy form) unrevealed; approximately 6'1"; relative height after standard transfer to Earth; 6.08"
    (centaurian form) unrevealed; approximately 7'8"; relative height after standard transfer to Earth; 7.67"
    his Force Commander helmet likely adds 2-3" to his height
Weight: (Human form) unrevealed; approximately 190 lbs.; relative weight after standard transfer to Earth; 1.75 ounces
    (centaurian form) unrevealed; approximately 1384 lbs.; relative weight after standard transfer to Earth; 12.71 ounces
    (energy form) unrevealed; possibly negligible
    The weight of his Force Commander armor is undetermined as its nature and materials are unrevealed
Eyes: (Human and/or centaurian form) blue; (energy form) red
Hair: (Human form) blond; (centaurian form) blond on head, white body hair; (energy form) none

argon-force_commander-mnii5-youngest-faceHistory:

(Micronauts II#5 (fb)) - On Homeworld's Heritage Day, King Evek and Queen Zoyburt placed an offering before the statues of the dynasty's founders, Dallan and Sepsis.

    A reporter asked the young Argon to tell the children watching why his parents were doing it, and Argon explained that it was because they were the first king and queen and that they had helped make Homeworld a good place.

    Argon was frustrated when Mari interrupted, noting that it was because Dallan and Sepsis had unified the kingdoms of Homeworld and helped Baron Karza bring them progress.

    When the interviewer asked who was their favorite of the royal family, Argon wasn't sure, but Mari proudly announced that her favorite was Arcturus Rann.

 (Micronauts I#59 (fb)) - At the dinner table with their royal family, Argon argued with Mari that no one was completely without fear, but when he tried to point out the things she was afraid of, Mari hurled food into his face to silence him.

    When their mother, Queen Zoyburt, advised Mari not to behave thusly in front of the servants, Mari argued that she was fearless and the only one worthy of being in the royal family.argon-force_commander-mn59-youth

(Micronauts II#15 (fb) - BTS) - Argon was present at various affairs of state and meals focusing on Mari.

(Micronauts II#15 (fb)) <Over 100 years ago> - Argon stood silently as his family made amends with Prince Eved -- for his inappropriate abuse of a servant the night before -- at a gala ice party his family had arranged. 

(Micronauts II#15 (fb) - BTS) - Argon subsequently watched helplessly as an ice-hydra created by Baron Karza attacked Mari during a performance. 

(Micronauts II#15 (fb)) - After Mari had her legs replaced by Karza, Argon teased her that maybe next time she wouldn't do anything so stupid. 

(Micronauts I#45 (fb) - BTS) - Argon and his younger sister, Mari, engaged in practice combat where she relied on her own gymnastic ability.argon-force_commander-mnii15-formal

(Micronauts I#8 (fb)) - As the social order on Homeworld collapsed (due to Baron Karza's manipulation of the population via the Body Banks to gain wealth and power; see Karza's profile), the Enigma Force manifested as Time Traveler to Homeworld's king Evek; Argon and Mari stood behind their father as he knelt before the manifestation.

    The Time Traveler predicted that the Royal Family would fall -- to one day rise again.

(Micronauts I Annual#1 (fb) - BTS) - King Evek repeatedly warned Argon and Mari of Karza's power.

(Micronauts I Annual#1 (fb)) - Argon and Mari lent their royal support to the underground rebellion acting against Karza.

(Micronauts I Annual#1 (fb) - BTS) - Argon heard that the Acroyear Shaitan had betrayed his brother, also named Acroyear, for power.

(Micronauts I#1 (fb) - BTS) - Argon's steed, Oberon, received telepath training in Evek's stables.

argon-force_commander-mnan1-pre1 (Micronauts I Annual#1 (fb)) - As Mari trained on Argon's steed, Oberon, their father, King Evek, noted that Mari was too reckless; but Argon countered that she was actually fearless and that she was guiding Oberon telepathically.

    Argon further assured his father, despite of his feeling of foreboding that day, that Mari had been riding Oberon since she was a child and that he would never throw her.

    Evek clarified Argon he feared for them all, but before he could tell Argon why he felt thusly, Baron Karza arrived, his presence spooking Oberon and causing Mari to be thrown, although Microtron caught her.

    Although Evek asked how they might serve Karza, Argon, noting himself to be less diplomatic than his father, instead asked how they might be rid of him; Karza merely noted that he had long been aware of Argon's shortcomings, soon after advising the arrogant royal siblings that they would soon crawl to him like the rest of Homeworld.

    Calling Karza a blackguard, Argon argued that he would never corrupt them with his promises of immortality; as he departed, Karza told Argon that meant that they would go to early graves uncorrupted, but that Homeworld would be his either way.

    After Karza's departure, Evek again warned his children of Karza's power, advising Argon he had told them this repeatedly for their own good.

    As Mari noted her disgust for the wealthy who had sold their souls (and paid large sums financially) to Karza in exchange for prolonged life, Argon assured her that their time would come and that people would realize that their choice to remain mortal was a moral one, a way to keep out of Karza's grasp.

    When a transport of offworld prisoners (including Acroyear and Bug) arrived to participate in Karza's Great Games, Mari lamented further mindless slaughter, and Argon told her it would only end when the people rose up and put an end to it.

    Argon further noted, however, that there was currently no hope for those destined to die in the Games.

    Both Argon and Mari were surprised when one of the Shadow Priests advised them to leave their steeds with one they trusted, warning them he could say no more.

    Noting that the Shadow Priests actually served the Enigma Force, Argon had their horses left with Microtron.argon-microverse-mn1p2pan4

    As they entered the Arena, they were brought to new seats next to Karza, who ultimately revealed his coup.

(Micronauts I#1 (fb) - BTS / Micronauts I Annual#1 (fb)) - Karza slew both King Evek and Queen Zoyburt when the former challenged him.

 (Micronauts I Annual#1 (fb)) - Argon then grabbed one of the Dog Soldier's laser-sonic rifles and smashed back Shaitan and that Dog Soldier with the rifle's butt, and -- as he advised Karza there had long been a rebellion secretly acting against him and that they would now join it in earnest to overthrow him.

    After Mari obtained another rifle, they blasted their way to flee down a corridor; when Karza had that shut down, Argon helped Mari leap atop a wall and then had her help him up, using the rifle to gain extra reach; as he climbed, Argon continued to blast at their attackers as he scaled the wall.

    On the wall's other side, they reached Microtron, gained their steeds, and fled. While Mari wished to avenge their parents' murder, Argon advised her that they must let this go for now as the rebellion needed fighters, not martyrs. Argon then instructed her that they would ride to a place called the Shelter, where they would consult one who will know what must be done.

    Karza silently considered that he had allowed Argon and Mari to escape that they might lead him to the headquarters of the rebellion and to the Enigma Force.

(Micronauts I#1 (fb) - BTS) - Karza led Homeworld's population to overthrow their Elite/royal family.

(Micronauts I#1 (fb) - BTS) - King Evek and Queen Zoyburt's palace guard were slain.

(Micronauts I#1 (fb) - BTS) - Argon summoned the Enigma Force.

(Micronauts I#1) - With Mari behind him on his steed Oberon's back, alongside a few palace guards, Argon fled from the Acroyear air patrol. They leapt over a barrier on the thoroughfare but were caught in Dog Soldier crossfire, losing half of his loyal retainer in the process. argon-microverse-mn2-supine

    In the Destruct Zone, pulse-rays slew the rest of his allies, although Argon escaped with Mari and Oberon; a Dog Soldier ordered a Strata-Station to perform a pervasive bio-scan of the entire area. Argon gave Oberon free rein, and he led them to Shelter where they joined other loyal agents.

    There, Argon agreed with Microtron's notation that the people had turned against them because they preferred Karza's assurance of immortality, even if it was serving Karza and his perverted science. After Argon revealed a Time Traveler would get Mari to safety, Dog Soldiers located and fired on Shelter.

    Argon attempted to lead his allies to safety, but they were taken out a blast from Dog Soldiers. However, as per Karza's orders, Argon was knocked out but left alive and then taken to the Body Banks. argon-microverse-mn3-centaur-chained

(Micronauts I#2 (fb) - BTS) - Argon was subjected to unspecified preoperative treatments.

(Micronauts I#2) - With Argon strapped across some energy panel in the Body Banks, watched over by the Shadow Priests, Karza told him he trusted the preoperative treatments caused him no discomfort.

    Ignoring this, Argon demanded to know what he had done to his sister. Karza admitted that she had escaped his grasp. Argon praised Dallan that she was free of him, but Karza assured him that this was a temporary state of affairs.

    Further noting how the royal family had always defied him, Karza informed Argon that he would experiment on him for breeding purposes; "Why, when I'm done, you won't even know yourself!"

(Micronauts I#3 (fb) - BTS) - Via the Body Banks, Karza's agents mutated Argon into the form of a centaur.

(Micronauts I#11 (fb) - BTS) - This was done by grafting Argon to his horse, Oberon.

(Micronauts I#3) - After the aged Duchess Belladonna learned that her first choice for a body replacement for herself, Mari, had escaped but that Argon was prisoner, she -- feeling she couldn't be choosy at her age -- requested his body instead.

    As Argon languished in a prison cell, Karza noted that would not be possible, as Argon was serving in a rather special experiment of his.

(Micronauts I#4 - BTS / Micronauts I#5 - BTS) - Hiding her true identity, rebel leader Slug allowed herself to be captured so she would be taken to the Body Banks so that she might contact Prince Argon; she hoped that he might rally the remnants of the Underground.argon-microverse-centaur-mn5

(Micronauts I#5) - As Slug arrived at the Body Banks and began her search, she was surprised as the now-centaur Argon arrived and assaulted the command chamber with a blaster weapon.

    Insisting he would have his revenge on Karza for what he had done to him and his world, he cursed Karza and his mockery of a soul.

    After Argon's blasts failed to penetrate Karza's force field, Karza announced that he had permitted Argon's ineffectual assault as an example to the captives, and then he fired an eyeblast that struck Argon in the head and incapacitated him.

    Slug then rushed forward and angrily cursed Karza, which only served to attract Karza's attention, and he selected Slug to serve as a replacement body for Belladonna. Karza ordered his Dog Soldiers to haul Argon back to his cell.

(Micronauts I#6) - Hearing the sounds of Karza leading his forces in war from his cell, Argon was distracted from his pity as Slug used her disruptor to melt the wall of Argon's cell.

    Slug then entered, asking him if he was Argon, Force Commander of Homeworld; after he confirmed this but lamented his transformation, Slug reminded him how Karza had done far worse to others whose only crime was to remain loyal to Argon. As she reminded him that the Underground needed its leader, the Dog Soldiers discovered her presence. argon-microverse-mn6-centaur-stand

    After Slug used the disruptor to blow another hole in the cell's wall so they could escape, stunning the Soldiers with the force, Argon pulled her onto his back and took off.

     As they escaped, Argon questioned where she had hidden the disruptor; and when Slug explained that it was somewhere even the Dog Soldiers sometimes forget to check, he was impressed, noting that he liked her style.

(Micronauts I#7) - Riding on Argon's back, Slug located the rebels.

    Recognized only as an intruder, Slug introduced herself and Argon, but the other rebels, considering that no one escaped the Body Banks, figured this to be a trap.

    However, one of the Shadow Priests confirmed Argon's identity and urged that everyone hasten to escort him to a place of safety, where they would be told all they needed to know for the final battle.

(Micronauts I#8) - Informing the rebels that Princess Mari had also survived and that Slug had been the one to free him, Argon then reviewed how Karza had seduced and manipulated the population via the promise of immortality via the Body Banks, allowing him to gain vast wealth and power.

    After Argon told the underground of the prophecy of the Time Traveler that the royal family would fall to one day rise again, the Shadow Priest revealed that the Time Traveler had founded their order to foment rebellion in secret while pretending to serve Karza. The Priest further explained how their order waited for the day Karza would leave Homeworld unguarded and preparation had created a network of rebellion in the Shadow Temples, and that the coming of Arcturus Rann to serve as Homeworld's champion had been foretold.

    Argon discounted this prophecy as fairy tale, but the Priest then revealed how Rann had indeed returned after Argon had been captured, and that Rann was beyond the Spacewall with Mari.

    Finally, the Priest told him that Karza had gone offworld in pursuit of Rann and Mari, meaning that the time was ripe for rebellion.

    Guided by the priest, Argon donned the sacred armor of Dallan Rann and asked the rebels if they would follow him as Force Commander; when they cheered, "Yes!", Argon told them to see to their weapons and steel their hearts for battle, as Force Commander would ride today.

(Micronauts I#9) - Argon led Slug and the rebels to assault the Dog Soldiers, announcing that the people of Homeworld were through with tyranny.

(Micronauts I#10) - One of the rebels reported to Argon that the Shadow Priests were arming the people, and Argon ordered all of the cells to be opened, releasing everyone in the Pleasure Pits so they could best fortify the Body Banks before Karza's return.

    When Argon asked a group of the rich if they would fight for the rebellion, they pronounced their loyalty to Karza, leading Slug to mow them down with her blaster. Argon watched Slug, noting that he had never beheld a woman like her and that she would make a fine queen.

    One of the rebels then reported that the Dog Soldiers had rallied, gathering Phobos units and other weapons and overcoming their fear of attacking the Body Banks with artillery in hopes of routing the rebels before Karza's return.

    However, just then, they recognized a loud boom as Karza's ship re-entered Homeworld's atmosphere.argon-microverse-mn11-centaur-leap

(Micronauts I#11) - Argon ordered the rebels to get to the walls, telling them that if Karza sought to reclaim their world then he must be made to pay for it in blood.

    Impressed with Argon having become Force Commander and rallying the people, Slug considered that they would die if the Enigma Force did not come to their aid, and that while she had been prepared for death her whole life, now that she had found Argon, she wished to go on living.

    Karza then appeared, with Rann and Mari in energy bonds, angering Argon. When Karza claimed he had pursued Rann off Homeworld to make the Shadow Priests reveal their true colors and the extent of the rebellion, Argon became furious at the manipulation.

    Mocking Argon and his transformation, Karza transformed into his centaurian aspect. Argon countered that his modification made him Karza's equal, and the two clashed. As the Shadow Priests noted that Force Commander could not stop Karza, the baron fired an energy blast that both knocked off Argon's helmet and subdued him.

    While both Slug and Mari were distraught as Argon crashed to the ground, Argon realized that Karza had toyed with him and that all of his power meant nothing against him. A Shadow Priest told Argon he was too harsh with himself, and that his assault on Karza had forced him to reveal his true power, and it had bought them the time to link back up with Arcturus Rann.

    Argon praised Dallan and Sepsis Rann as the Faceless Priests disrobed, revealing themselves as Time Travelers, while Arcturus was filled with the Enigma Force's power. Argon and the others watched as Karza and Rann battled, noting that they were as gnats regarding the conflict of giants; ultimately, Rann defeated Karza.

(Micronauts I#12) - Argon and Slug stood hand-in-hand beside Commander Rann, who reclined (due to his recent injuries) on a chair as Homeworld's people gathered and cheered his praises. Argon noted that while Rann had changed much since his first departure, so had Homeworld; he asked Rann if he would stay and help rebuild Homeworld into a paradise again.

    Argon and the others bade Acroyear farewell as he departed to care for his people following Karza's forces assaults on Spartak. Argon subsequently noted that Bug, who had seemingly perished in the struggle against Karza, would be enshrined as a hero of the revolution. Argon and Slug also expressed their plans to live a life in peace together.

(Micronauts I#13) - Argon and Slug met with Biotron, Mari, and Rann, acknowledging and accepting the Micronauts desire and plans to return to space.

    With Mari planning to depart, Argon suggested that Homeworld would not be without a queen for long if Slug was willing to give up rebellion for royalty.

(Micronauts I#14) - As the Micronauts departed, Argon told Mari that Slug would choose a more regal-sounding name the day she became his queen. He further told Mari that his best scientists told him it was impossible to restore him to human form without reactivating the Body Banks, which he had sworn never to do; he considered it a sacrifice made for the revolution.

    After the Micronauts departure, Argon told Slug that they would perhaps once again see them, when they had found what they were looking for, or when Homeworld needed them.

argon-microverse-mn22-face-possessed(Micronauts I#22/2: Tales of the Microverse (fb) - BTS) - Argon learned that Karza had also tampered with his mind, implanting a post-operative suggestion to be activated at the proper signal.

(Micronauts I#22/2: Tales of the Microverse (fb) - BTS) - As Homeworld's double moons had eclipsed its twin suns and a fiery rain fell over Homeworld's royal city (though sparing the Body Banks), Argon was overcome by Karza's programming. He departed the royal palace and headed into the Body Banks. argon-microverse-mn22-full-possessed

    Argon instructed his guards to allow the Centauri into the city and into the Body Banks.

(Micronauts I#22/2: Tales of the Microverse - BTS) - Having observed Argon's departure, Slug investigated the Body Banks.

(Micronauts I#22/2: Tales of the Microverse) - Argon confronted Slug, explaining how he had fallen victim to Karza's pre-programming. When he told her that despite still recalling their feelings for each other that he had no choice but to serve his creator, Slug told him that Karza was dead.

    Blasting Slug unconscious, Argon dramatically asked her, "Is he?"

(Micronauts I#23/2: Tales of the Microverse (fb) - BTS) - Argon carried the bound Slug across his equine back through the night into the vast Syanite desert in Homeworld's Sandzone. They were accompanied by Centaurus and another of the Centauri.

(Micronauts I#23/2: Tales of the Microverse) - Argon asked Centaurus how much further to the Grey Oasis, and Centaurus noted the closeness of the oasis and whom they would meet there.

    Neither Argon nor the Centauri were aware they were observed by Pharoid, Margrace, and the rest of their Desert Demons forces, who identified Slug as royalty and resolved to rescue her; they chose to wait until the Centauri were within an enclosed region, so they couldn't just run off in any direction in the desert.

     As Argon arrived in the grey oasis, he knelt before Shaitan; as Argon stood silently and emotionlessly, Slug related how Argon had been Karza's pawn all along.

    They were interrupted as the Desert Demons attacked.

(Micronauts I#24/2: Tales of the Microverse) - As the Centauri fell before the Desert Demons, Argon remained silent and emotionless. Ultimately, Shaitan led Argon to his sand-skimmer, which his Faceless Priests had prepared, and fled; as he did so, he warned Slug that if she ever saw her betrothed again she would not recognize him.

argon-microverse-mn23-slug-prisoner(Micronauts I#25/2: Tales of the Microverse) - In Homeworld's Primal Zone, the Faceless Priests brought Argon above a volcanic magma pool. Noting Argon to be shivering, Shaitan noted that Argon was not supposed to have enough mind left to know fear or loathing; Shaitan further taunted Argon with the presence of a seemingly sinister sphere floating unscathed amidst the liquid inferno.

    Shaitan then considered that Argon was so mortified that he could experience emotion despite being transformed into a mindless menial. After guiding the Faceless Priests to increase their ritualistic wailing, Shaitan urged Argon forward. Though Argon questioned this, Shaitan correctly noted that Argon lacked the will to resist. As Argon leapt over the edge, Shaitan noted how he had been Karza's, body and soul, since his mutation in the Body Banks. At the last second, Argon's will-power re-established itself, and he cried out, "Dallan and Sepsis! Preserve me!"

    Argon struck the sphere instant laster, and in a burst of energy, Argon's body was taken over by Karza's life force, which transformed his armor to match Karza's and filled it with Karza's power.

(Micronauts I#26 (fb) - BTS) - In Argon's body, Karza traveled to Earth's dimension.

(Micronauts I#26/2: Tales of the Microverse (fb) - BTS) - Slug and the Desert Demons arrived at the cavern in which Argon's empty Force Commander armor laid. They appreciated what had happened to Argon and that Karza was back.

(Micronauts I#26/2: Tales of the Microverse - BTS) - Slug suggested they spare Mari knowledge of Argon's true fate, at least until they reached the royal city.

(Micronauts I#26/2: Tales of the Microverse (fb) - BTS) - Upon reaching the royal city, Slug presumably shared Argon's fate with Mari.

(Micronauts I#26 - BTS) - Karza ambushed Arcturus Rann, defeating him and mind-binding the Enigma Force.

(Micronauts I#26/2: Tales of the Microverse) <48 Xats after Mari's return to Homeworld> - Although Pharoid suggested that Slug, as Argon's betrothed, should address the Planetary Council, Slug yielded to hereditary queen Mari as she best knew Karza's threat from Earth's dimension. Mari advised that they bypass Karza's control of the Enigma Force by contacting the Shadow Priests directly, but they were all disheartened to see Karza manifest himself, showing that he held the Time Travelers in bondage.

(Micronauts I#27 (fb) - BTS) - In Argon's form, Karza forced SHIELD's telepaths to open a mind bridge from the Microverse, Karza came to Earth, took over a faction of Hydra (which he planned to use to aid his forces in conquering two universes), made base on Earth in the Fantasyworld amusement park near Orlando, Florida.

(Micronauts I#27) - As Karza prepared to use his interdimensional transporter to bring his armies to Earth, he struck down Shaitan for demanding more power in return for his aid in reviving him, denying him even the chance to kill his brother, Acroyear.

    Later, after Karza's forces arrived from the Microverse, the Micronauts and SHIELD battled Karza's forces, and Karza had his agent Dagon incapacitate Biotron, after which he ambushed Arcturus Rann. As the two fought, Rann tore off Karza's helmet and was surprised to see Argon's face. After explaining how his mind and powers inhabited Argon's form, Karza defeated Rann and imprisoned him next to the Time Traveler.

(Micronauts I#28) – While Karza's psycho-seal jammed Nick Fury's transmissions, on Homeworld, Mari led a charge against Karza's Body Banks.

    As the Micronauts assaulted Karza's forces, Acroyear attacked Karza, although assaults on Karza were felt in kind by Rann due to their mental linkage.

    Meanwhile, Shaitan, feeling betrayed, turned against Karza and trapped the Baron's space fleet in hyperspace, but allowed the resistance forces from Microverse to travel to Earth to block Karza's assault. Shaitan then summoned the Worldmind of Spartak to slay Karza .

    However, Shaitan's reanimated corpse form could not wield the Worldmind, and his body crumbled away. Acroyear then merged with the Worldmind and battled the Enigma Force-powered Baron. As Karza gained the advantage over Acroyear, Queen Esmera of Kaliklak unleashed her suicide sting into the back of Argon'/Karza's body. Acroyear then summoned the full power of the Worldmind and apparently purged Argon of Karza's domination.

    Via his link to Karza, Rann was sent into a catatonic state via Acroyear's attacks.

    As Karza's ebon armor was shattered, Argon, naked but now apparently free of Karza's manipulation and back in his humanoid form, fell to the ground, unconscious.

(Micronauts I#30 (fb) - BTS) - Both Argon and Oberon reverted to normal.

(Micronauts I#29 (fb) - BTS) - Additionally, the extradimensional energy transfer required to defeat Karza led to Spartak's destruction.

(Micronauts I#29 - BTS) - Argon, Slug, and Pharoid were presumably present at the mass ceremony on the SHIELD's Helicarrier's open deck, jointly mourning the deaths of numerous SHIELD agents, as well as Biotron, Esmera, and Shaitan.

(Micronauts I#29) - As superhuman psychiatrist Doc Samson explained the dangers in sending Acroyear, Bug, Mari, and Microtron into Rann's mind with his Psychotron cannon -- specifically that Rann's nightmares would seem real and could kill them -- Slug asked Argon to beg Mari not to take the risk. Argon noted that while he could not order Mari to return to homeworld, he asked Mari to consider that their science on Homeworld might offer a safer cure, but Mari felt the degeneration in Rann's condition justified the risk. Slug was shocked when the beam caused the Micronauts to seemingly vanish, but Argon explained that they had been reduced in size and dispatched into Rann's mind/brain.

(Micronauts I#29 - BTS) - The effort successfully revived Rann, while Microtron destroyed Dagon after he/it revealed its true loyalties. The Micronauts and their allies then returned to the Microverse.

(Micronauts I#30) - Back in the Royal Palace in Homeworld's First Zone, Argon was present -- alongside Slug, Pharoid, and the Micronauts (Bug, Marionette, Microtron, Arcturus Rann) -- as Rann showed and Microtron translated the subliminal message that had been inscribed deep within his brain and that had been found when the other Micronauts had traveled inside his brain: With the Time Travelers having been destroyed by Karza's assault on Rann's mind, they must locate the three Keys mentioned in the message and use them to contact/reawaken the Enigma Force in order to preserve the Microverse.

    When the Royal City was rocked by planetquakes, Argon concluded that this marked the beginning of the great distress mentioned in the message. Argon then sent messengers to every corner of his kingdom to search for the Keys. argon-microverse-mn34-face

    Astride Oberon, Argon advised the departing Rann that his scientists would pinpoint the origin of the planetquake, perhaps providing a clue to the keys' location.

(Micronauts I#49 (fb) - BTS) - Argon soon began to come under Karza's influence again.

(Micronauts I#34 (fb) - BTS) - Following the initiation of this quest, Argon became progressively more irrational, seeing enemies where there were only friends; many were imprisoned.

    Argon subsequently reopened Karza's Body Banks, and his scientists resumed genetic experimentation on anyone considered an "enemy of the realm."

(Micronauts I#36 (fb) - BTS) - Argon had unwilling participants in the Body Banks converted into an army of assassins as his Death Squad.

(Micronauts I#33) - As Rann reported remotely, Argon expressed his displeasure that the Micronauts had recovered two of the three Keys to the Enigma Force but seemed unwilling to use them to protect his subjects, as both Seazone and Polaria had suffered in the process. Rann replied that the Enigma Force's withdrawal seemed to have forced stale and stagnant cultures back on the road to progress, and that the people of the other zones deserved a right to decide their own fates.

    Argon nonetheless insisted that the Micronauts recover all three keys and use them to restore the connection to the Enigma Force before any more of his realms suffered disaster; Rann considered that Argon acted as if he cared more about the Microverse than the Micronauts did.

(Micronauts I#34 (fb) - BTS) - Argon traveled with Slug and his guard to Aegypta.

(Micronauts I#34 (fb) - BTS) - Argon's patrols captured Acroyear and Devil and restrained them in stasis shackles.

(Micronauts I#34) - As the rest of the Micronauts (Bug, Mari, and Rann) arrived at the entrance to Aegypta, Argon's Revolutionary Guard, now wearing Karza's Dog Soldier uniforms, ambushed and captured them (taking the Keys Rann had gathered) with Pharoid's aid, after which Argon (astride Oberon) revealed that Acroyear and Devil were his prisoners as well.

    Rann questioned the reasons for this as they had been on a mission for him, but Argon blamed the Micronauts for not preventing the destructions of Seazone and Polaria during the mission. When Slug questioned Argon's apparent betrayal of loyal allies, Argon assured her he was just placing them in protective custody while his scientists fathomed the working of the keys. Adding that he must rule as king even if it seemed heartless, he then departed, saying he could waste no more time on words.

(Micronauts I#34 - BTS) - Slug considered that Argon had gone mad, and then she departed with Margrace when he expressed his disgust for Pharoid's behavior.

    Slug, Margrace, and the roboid Nanotron subsequently freed the captured Micronauts, and they were joined by Pharoid, as well, after which Fireflyte led them to the keys she had located.

(Micronauts I#34 (fb) - BTS) - Argon's spies informed him that the Underground had been activated again by Slug.

(Micronauts I#34) - DeGrayde informed Argon that the Keys were composed of a metal unknown on Homeworld and that they may be even older than the Microverse itself. Argon accused DeGrayde of blasphemy, but DeGrayde reminded him of his experiences on
Earth before noting that their origins were less important than how Argon might use them to further his domination of the Microverse. As Argon considered the keys' power, the Micronauts arrived and noted that the keys were too powerful for him to possess. argon-microverse-mn35-blackarmor.

    Noting his suspicions of Slug's involvement, Argon told DeGrayde that once he had fathomed the keys' workings, he would turn Slug over to his Body Banks.

    Rann then tackled Argon, telling him he had been driven mad by power and that the keys would only respond to someone (like Rann) who had been touched by the Enigma Force. Argon argued that any man who dared could use the keys to gain the power to command the Enigma Force; he further proclaimed that he would unify the Microverse.

    With the other Micronauts holding off the Dog Soldiers, Rann pummeled Argon, accusing him of following the path of Karza, whom he once opposed. Fighting back, Argon knocked down Rann, as he noted that Rann was no longer a man to be feared since he had lost his connection to the Enigma Force.

    As Argon leveled his hand blaster at Rann, Fireflyte distracted him with light and song, allowing Rann to kick away his weapon before furiously beating Argon unconscious.

(Micronauts I#34 (fb) - BTS) - Pharoid, Margrace, and other Desert Demons took down Argon's Dog Soldier sentries guarding the Micronauts' astro-station.

(Micronauts I#34 - BTS) - The Micronauts escaped with the three keys, and Rann sent Microtron and Nanotron retrieve their space ship Endeavor while the rest of them headed to Dead Zone. Slug and Mari lamented over the loss of their once-noble brother and lover, respectively.

(Micronauts I#34) - Recovering, Argon led the Dog Soldiers to ambush and Margrace, Pharoid, Slug, and the Desert Demons.

(Micronauts I#35 (fb) - BTS) - Margrace, Pharoid, Slug, and the Desert Demons apparently fled (see comments).

(Micronauts I#34) - Knowing the Micronauts were heading to Deadzone, Argon insisted that the Enigma Force's power belonged to him as lord of Homeworld, and he declared the Micronauts and all who befriended them as outlaws and traitors to the realm.

(Micronauts I#35 (fb) - BTS) - Pharoid's defiance of Argon cost him his throne.

(Micronauts I#35) - Now wearing black armor and riding a black steed (perhaps Oberon re-colored?), Argon ordered his Dog Soldiers to their fighters.

    However, he then saw the charge of the Desert Demons from out in the Syanite Desert, after which Slug charged him and condemned him as a despot. After he told her he would have made her queen of the entire Microverse, Pharoid came to her aid, engaging Argon in single combat; nonetheless, the Dog Soldiers, aided by their airborne forces, devastated the gravely outnumbered Desert Demons.argon-microverse-mn35-vswhirl

(Micronauts I#35 - BTS) - Others of Argon's war-fleet caught up to the Micronauts' astro-station, but the Micronauts destroyed their attackers.

(Micronauts I#35 (fb) - BTS) - Argon joined his Dog Soldiers, as well as his Death Squad, in journeying to Dead Zone, where they gathered at the tomb of Prince Wayfinder and prepared for the Micronauts' arrival.

 (Micronauts I#35) - As the Micronauts -- joined by Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange (who had traveled to investigate an ancient obelisk on Earth) -- approached Wayfinder's tomb, Argon's forces fired on them, and Argon further accused them of disloyalty due to their alliance with a man from the macroverse. When Argon offered, for their having served him in the past, to spare them if they turned over the three Keys to the Enigma Force, Rann refused, and both he and Strange argued that they must be allowed to use the keys to save the Microverse.

    Ignoring their pleas, Argon sent his Death Squad, backed by his Dog Soldiers, to claim the keys, at which point the powerful Whirldemons arrived, intending to keep any from accessing Wayfinder's tomb. As the Whirldemons tore into the Dog Soldiers, Argon ordered the Death Squad to attack the Micronauts that he might access the Enigma Force and destroy the demons.

    Argon found his Force Commander armor to be protection against the Whirldemons, while his armor's and hand-blaster's assaults caused them to shriek in pain. However, he considered that he might instead strike a bargain with the demons, with Earth for their kind and the Microverse for him. He further noted that once he had obtained the Enigma Force's power, he could seal off the spacewall and prevent them or any others from accessing the Microverse again.

    Sensing Argon's thoughts, the Whirldemons noted the proposition to be interesting.

(Micronauts I#35 - BTS) - Guided by Fireflyte's song, which repelled the Whirldemons, Rann approached Wayfinder's Tomb and began inserting the keys.

(Micronauts I#35) - Sensing the manifestation of the Enigma Force, Argon called to the leader of the Whirldemons to unite with him, but he cursed as the lord demon, distrustful of mortals, made no reply.

    However, after Rann placed the second key, Argon repeated his offer, and the lord demon telepathically assented. Argon ordered his troops forward, but Rann inserted the third key.

(Micronauts I#35 - BTS) - The Sword-in-the-Star, a manifestation of the Enigma Force, combined Rann and Strange into Captain Universe, who restored the Spacewall to protect the Microverse and Earth universe from each other. Fireflyte exhausted her life energies binding the Whirldemons and their power for all eternity.

(Micronauts I#35) - Enraged by their using the Enigma Force in defiance of his authority, Argon ordered his Dog Soldiers to slay the Micronauts, but then Microtron and Nanotron arrived with the Endeavor, with which they drove back the Dog Soldiers, allowing the Micronauts to board and escape with them. argon-microverse-mn40-handlaunch

    Furious at having lost the chance to harness the Enigma Force, Argon vowed that the Micronauts would never know a moment's peace from this moment forward.

(Micronauts I#36 (fb) - BTS) - As the Micronauts traveled to the Earth universe, Argon ordered the Death Squad to pursue and capture or kill them.

(Micronauts I#36 - BTS) - After the Micronauts defeated the Death Squad, DeGrayde, who had donned Battleaxe's armor, warned that wherever they fled, Force Commander would find them...and he hoped Force Commander would find him, as well.

(Micronauts I#37) - As Iann-23 finished the decontamination process in the Body Banks, Argon generated a force-bolt to bring Iann to him. Iann struck Argon, cursing him as a tyrant and noting he would rather die than bend a knee to him, after which Argon had his Dog Soldiers batter him for striking his lord and master. Argon acknowledged that he couldn't beat his defiance out of him, but that he could breed it out of him in the Body Banks, where he would be genetically engineered until he no longer had needs of any kind.

    At the conclusion of his time in the Body Banks, Argon noted that the subject no longer had his memories and that he now served Argon body and soul. Accepting this new role and the name given to him by Argon, Huntarr announced his mission to destroy the Micronauts.

(Micronauts I#40 (fb) - BTS) - At some, unspecified point, Argon began altering his own biostructure in the Body Banks.

(Micronauts I#39 (fb) - BTS) - Argon sent his battle fleet to confront the Acroyears space-arks, where he sent word that he had located Lady Cilicia's former lover, Acroyear.

(Micronauts I#39) - Having failed to defeat the Micronauts, Huntarr begged Argon to slay him; Argon refused, nothing that this would be a waste of good material; instead, he sent him back to the Body Banks for further mutation and told him he would be called up to serve him again.

    Argon then met with Duchess Belladonna who asked to be given the body of the Lady Slug as a reward for her helping to rally the elite to his cause. Argon agreed to this and then met with Lady Cilicia, informing her that Acroyear was on Earth and instructing her to dispatch her Acroyear army to seek revenge for his destruction of Spartak.

(Micronauts I#40) - Atop a throne in the Body Banks, reiterated his offer to Belladonna. When DeGrayde advised proceeding cautiously to avoid turning the population against him, Argon launched his right/hand gauntlet to choke DeGrayde, subsequently explaining how he had already begun the process of  using the Body Banks to shed his humanity.

    Released from the gauntlet, DeGrayde noted that Argon was becoming like Karza, and Argon agreed, but further claimed to be becoming greater than Karza ever was, as he had taken months to dominate the Microverse, while Karza took a millennium. He further noted that he cared not whether the people had trusted him, as he just required their abject obedience, which arose out of the fear he inspired.

(Micronauts I#43 (fb)) - In return for her aid, Argon offered Belladonna a boon, and she noted that she wished youth. He told Belladonna she could go to the Body Banks and take any body she chose, and Belladonna noted there was only one she wished, Slug. Argon told her she could have Slug's form, as she no longer meant anything to him (it's difficult to tell whether this discussion was repeated (see the entry for #39), or whether it was shown in two slightly different variations).

(Micronauts I#43 (fb)) - Disbelieving Argon's statement that Slug meant nothing to him, Belladonna felt that Argon's attraction to Slug was strong enough that if he had a version whose craving for power matched his own, he would again wish to make her his queen.

    Argon had his Dog Soldiers take Slug and prepare her for the mind-transference.

(Micronauts I#43 (fb) - BTS / Micronauts I#46 (fb)) - Within the Body Banks, DeGrayde transferred Belladonna's mind into Slug's body and vice-versa.

(Micronauts I#41 (fb) - BTS) - Argon completed his transformation into an energy being.

(Micronauts I#41) - When Belladonna, now wearing Slug's form, paraded in front of Argon, he instructed his soldiers to leave him, and Belladonna danced seductively before Argon. argon-force_commander-energy-head

    Assuming the silent Argon to be ensorceled by her beauty, Belladonna imagined being able to manipulate him as she wished. As she tried to seduce him, however, Argon cast her aside telling her he had no such carnal desires and then revealing he had transformed himself into energy form.

    Mocking Belladonna's desire for love now that she was in a nubile form, Argon noted that they would indeed be wed, as his apparent marriage to rebel leader Slug would take some of the fire out of the rebellion.

(Micronauts I#43) - As Belladonna (in Slug's body; henceforth, unless otherwise noted, "Belladonna" refers to the mind of Belladonna in Slug's body) stood arm-in-arm with Force Commander in the castle balcony and was announced as his bride-to-be, the newly returned Mari wondered why Slug would have joined the man she so opposed.

    As Argon advised Belladonna not to pull away from him, as he didn't want the crowd to think she couldn't bear his touch, Bug noted to Mari how the horror on her face indicated she was with Argon against her will (they had no idea that this was Belladonna's mind in Slug's body).

    As Argon and "Slug" returned to the castle's interior, DeGrayde noted how they had deceived the crowd and disheartened the rebellion; DeGrayde further shared that his spy-eyes had detected Acroyear, Bug, and Mari in the crowd. Argon noted the absence of Commander Rann, who was the only one he might fear due to his connection with the Enigma Force, and ordered his Dog Soldiers to bring Mari to him.

    After the Micronauts present escaped with aid from a member of the rebellion, Argon appeared and denounced his Dog Soldiers, as he knew the rebel leaders could hide his foes away for weeks; nonetheless, he vowed to find and destroy his sister and all the Micronauts.

 (Micronauts I#44) - Within the Royal Palace, Belladonna offered Argon some poisoned drapa (a drink made from Tropica's pears). Argon told her she need not serve him, but when she told him it was her honor and desire to do so. Removing his helmet and then converting from energy into human form, Argon mocked her trembling as she was unnerved by what he had become. As he drank the drapa, however, he told her he knew it was poison and that he was drinking it only to show her that she could not kill one who was no longer alive.

    Argon then struck down Belladonna with a backhanded slap and told her he knew all of her thoughts, including her fear and hatred of him, and her treachery. Nonetheless, he tolerated her because she could not possibly harm him, and he demonstrated his power over her by briefly causing her to revert to her aged true form (or at least made it appear that he had done so). However, he told her he wouldn't take away her youth as the real Slug would then regain it, and she might find some way to upset his plans. As he departed, he reiterated her true value in disheartening the rebellion by making it appear that the rebel leader was marrying him.argon-microverse-energy-vs-mari

  (Micronauts I#45) - Argon laughed as Slug (in Belladonna's body; henceforth, unless otherwise noted, "Slug" refers to the mind of Slug in Belladonna's body) battled Belladonna. An arriving but unwitting Mari struck down the body of Belladonna as she leveled her weapon at the body of Slug, after which Argon revealed the mental transfer of the women and, manifesting his energy form, revealed he had transformed himself into something more than human. When he identified himself as a true force commander, Mari denounced him as a monster and that -- for toying with the lives of their subjects -- like Karza, he must be destroyed.argon-force_commander-energy-face

    Extending long and short energy swords from his hands, Argon asked if Mari would be the one to destroy him. As she rushed forward with her own paired swords, he further mocked her, as she had typically relied on her innate athletic abilities in the past.

    As the two fought, Mari explained that she had come not impress him but to kill him, and when Argon asked if it was Rann who had awakened the warrior-woman within her, she told him that it was seeing the horrors he had reaped upon their people that made her realize that only his death would free Homeworld.
    As the recovering Slug reclaimed her pistol and took aim again at Belladonna to punish her for everything she'd done, Argon then fired an energy dagger into Slug's right forearm, forcing her to drop her pistol. As Mari was distracted by concern for Slug, Argon stabbed his energy longsword through her mid-section. Agonized, Mari fell backwards and out the window, and Argon noted that it was a pity she would not be able to attend the wedding.

 (Micronauts I#46 (fb)) - As Mari fell, Argon urged her to die, and to let her death prove to the rebellious masses that no one, not even his royal sister, could raise up arms against Force Commander and live.

 (Micronauts I#45) - Slug again picked up her pistol with her trembling and wounded right hand and nonetheless blasted Argon straight in the chest, vowing that there would be no wedding.

    Unfazed by the blast, Argon levitated Slug into the air (during which she dropped her blaster) and informed her that Belladonna would marry him in her body, while Slug's punishment would be to live and continue to age; he mockingly laughed as he told Slug that perhaps he would allow her be Belladonna's handmaiden, advising Belladonna how to use the body she had stolen to please her monarch.

 (Micronauts I#46) - As Argon looked out the window to observe Mari's fate, Argon's Dog Soldiers arrived. Argon questioned how Mari might have bypassed all of DeGrayde's security measures, although he ultimately credited Mari's skills for that accomplishment.

    Aided by the Dog Soldiers, Argon again donned his armor, noting his respect for Mari's skill and wondering how -- if she survived her fall -- she might apply the lessons she had learned of his power.

    When DeGrayde reported that a rebel assault on the Body Banks had been beaten back, Argon surmised that the assault on the Body Banks had been an a distraction that had facilitated Mari's invasion/assault on the palace so she could learn why the rebel leader was marrying the tyrant of the Microverse.
argon-force_commander-statue
(Micronauts I#46 (fb) - BTS) - While Argon was distracted, Slug and Belladonna fled.

(Micronauts I#46) - Learning this, Argon ordered his Dog Soldiers to find them.

(Micronauts I#46 - BTS) - In the royal palace's bowels, as Belladonna helped Slug down the stairs, Slug asked why she was helping since she it was her most fervent desire to kill Belladonna. Noting the horror she had experienced with Argon, Belladonna acknowledged her folly and begged Slug's forgiveness.

    After Slug shared her history, Belladonna asked how she could aid the rebellion, and Slug noted she could start by pulling the short sword from her forearm, after which they could discuss long-term plans.

(Micronauts I#48) - Argon instructed DeGrayde to spread the news of the capture of Acroyear and Bug, noting that, combined with the his marriage the next day should break the rebellion's backbone.

    When DeGrayde asked, "What if it doesn't?" Argon informed him he would expunge the resistance by exterminating every man, woman, and child if necessary and then allow DeGrayde to create for him new subjects in the Body Banks.

    Argon then asked if his reluctant bride-to-be had been found, and DeGrayde informed him that they had determined both Slug and Belladonna to be within the Body Banks, noting that anyone foolish enough to seek sanctuary there would soon be begging them to accept their surrender.

(Micronauts I#49 (fb) - BTS) - Argon's agents recaptured Slug and Belladonna at the Body Banks before they could force the technicians to return their minds to their original bodies.

 (Micronauts I#49 (fb) - BTS) - Wedding plans were made for Argon and Slug (he would marry the woman who appeared to be Slug, with the mind of Belladonna) with the goal of demoralizing the rebels and making them think the resistance had come to an end.

(Micronauts I#49) - Within the arena, Argon asked "Slug" if it was not a beautiful day for a wedding. When DeGrayde commented that their weather machines had assured the cloudless sky, Argon reminded him he had asked "Slug."

    When Belladonna argued that he could control the weather but not her heart, Argon mocked her as she used to crave power, not love; he asked if finding her youth again had softened her hard, cold, heart. However, he told her it mattered not, as she would wed him, and the people would not know the deception

    Argon then taunted the real Slug, noting that he felt her aged eyes upon him, and reminding her that it could have been her beside him this day, soon to become Homeworld's queen. He further noted that at least her body would know that pleasure while her spirit withered and died inside Belladonna's form.

    Announcing the start of the wedding games, Argon taunted Acroyear, Bug, and Pharoid as they were released into the arena, noting he left them their weapons because they would need every resource at their disposal to survive the games. He further returned Pharoid's star sceptre to him. As DeGrayde's monstrous spider-creature was released to confront them, Argon complimented DeGrayde on this masterpiece.

    Denying Belladonna's request to spare the Micronauts, Argon was infuriated when DeGrayde pointed out that it was raining, and he realized that Marionette must still be alive and that she must have destroyed his weather tower. Soon enough, Mari arrived alongside Huntarr and attacked Argon's Death Squad. argon-force_commander-final_words

    After Acroyear slew the spider-creature, he, Bug, and Pharoid joined Huntarr and Mari against the Death Squad. argon-force_commander-karza_emerges

    As the population rose up and denounced Argon, he mocked the secret true meaning of their cry, "Death to Force Commander." As Slug's guidance, Belladonna rushed forward and pulled off the Force Commander helmet to show the people the true monster he had become.

    However, as they people were appalled, Argon's true face manifested within his energy form, beseeching his people to forgive him, as he had not betrayed them but had been under the control of another.
    With that, Baron Karza revealed his presence, tearing open and emerging from the screaming husk of King Argon and the Force Commander armor.







Comments: Created by Bill Mantlo, Michael Golden, and Josef Rubinstein.

    Argon is called Force Commander in #1 and #6, but it is a big deal when he dons Dallan Rann's sacred armor and takes on the role of Force Commander in #8.
Maybe Force Commander was Argon's title, but #8 was the first time he donned the armor of previous Force Commander Dallan Rann?

    At the end of Micronauts I#34, it seemed like the Dog Soldiers ambushed and captured Slug and the Desert Demons, after which Argon, in his usual white Force Commander armor, denounced the escaped Micronauts as traitors. At the start of Micronauts I#35, Argon was denouncing the Micronauts, so it seemed like a recap...but now Argon was wearing a black version of the Force Commander armor and riding a black steed. And then Slug and the Desert Demons attacked and fought a protracted battle.
    I had initially thought #35 was just expanding on the events of the last page of #34. However, on closer examination, in #34, Slug and the Desert Demons were standing outside the entrance to subterranean Aegypta, and they were ambushed by the Dog Soldiers. In #35, Argon is with his Dog Soldiers on the surface when Slug and the Desert Demons charge in astride Ostras from the desert. It makes most sense that these are just subsequent events, and Argon progressing to the black armor fits with that, too.

    While in centaurian form, Argon appeared to retain his human upper body proportions, which in turn indicated that his equine body was of equivalent horse proportions.

    Estimations are based on a terrestrial thoroughbred horse, but Argon's centaurian form may or may not have been significantly stronger, faster, and/or more durable.

    Thanks to esteemed Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe colleague Mike Fichera for his engineering expertise in estimating Argon's height and weight in his various forms.

Some additional notes, courtesy of Stella Holley:

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Argon should be distinguished from:

images: (without ads)
Micronauts I#1, pg. 1 (fleeing on horseback);
       pg. 2, panel 4 (face/hat-lateral);
    #2, pg. 8, panel 1 (supine; restrained);
       panel 3 (face; lateral);
    #3, pg. 8, panel 5 (centaur chained);
    #5, pg. 13, panel 2 (centaur, breaking out);
    #6, pg. 10, panel 4 (centaur form, standing);
       pg. 11, panel 4 (escaping with Slug);
    #8, pg. 6, panel 4 (Time Traveler appearing before King Evek);
       pg. 8, panel 2 (adopting Force Commander role);
    #9, pg. 7 (Force Commander leading rebels);
    #11, pg. 6, panel 1 (centaur form, blasting at Karza);
          panel 5 (centaur form, leaping forward);
    #22/2, pg. , panel 4 (face-possessed eyes);
       pg. , panel 1 (centaur form blasting Slug);
    #23/2, pg. 1 (centaur form; Slug across back);
    #34, pg. 4, panel 5 (Argon face);
    #35, pg. 1 (black armor);
       pg. , panel 1 (vs. Whirldemons);
    #41, pg. 8, panel 4 (energy face);
    #45, pg. 19 (energy form vs. Mari);
       pg. 21, panel 5 (energy form face);
    #47, pg. 18, panel 2 (people kneeling before Argon statue);
    #49, pg. 29, panel 6 (Argon's face in energy form);
       pg. 20 (Karza emerging from Force Commander armor);
    #59, pg. 17 (young Argon at dinner table)
Micronauts I Annual#1, pg. 13, panel 1 (mostly full, distant, standing by Evek);
          panel 2 (face);
Micronauts II#5, pg. 9, panel 3 & 4 (young boy, mostly full profile & face)
    #15, pg. 13, panel 2 (teen; ice-party formal wear);
       pg. 21, panel 3 (casual wear);
       

Appearances:
Micronauts I#1-7 (January-July, 1979) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Michael Golden (penciler), Josef Rubinstein (inker/embellisher), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#8 (August, 1979) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Michael Golden (penciler), Bob McLeod (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#9-12 (September-December, 1979) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Michael Golden (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker/editor)
Micronauts Annual#1 (1979) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Steve Ditko (artist), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#13-14 (January-February, 1980) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Howard Chaykin (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker/editor)
Micronauts I#22/2 (October, 1980) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Pat Broderick (penciler), Armando Gil (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Micronauts I#23/2 (November, 1980) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Pat Broderick (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Micronauts I#24/2 (December, 1980) - Bill Mantlo (writer, co-plotter), Pat Broderick (penciler, co-plotter), Armando Gil (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Micronauts I#25/2-26/2 (January-February, 1981) - Bill Mantlo (writer, co-plotter), Pat Broderick (penciler, co-plotter), Armando Gil (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Micronauts I#27-30 (March-June, 1981) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Pat Broderick (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Micronauts I#33-34 (September-October, 1981) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Pat Broderick (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Micronauts I#35 (November, 1981) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Val Mayerik (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Mark Gruenwald (assistant editor), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Micronauts I#36 (December, 1981) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Keith Giffen (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Micronauts I#37 (January, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Keith Giffen & Greg LaRoque (pencilers), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Micronauts I#39 (March, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Steve Ditko (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#41 (May, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Gil Kane (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#43 (July, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Gil Kane (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#44 (August, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Gil Kane (penciler), Danny Bulanadi, Carl Potts, & Al Milgrom (inkers), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#45 (September, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Gil Kane (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#46 (October, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Luke McDonnell (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#47 (November, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Mike Vosburg (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#48 (December, 1982) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Butch Guice (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#49 (January, 1983) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Butch Guice (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Al Milgrom (editor)
Micronauts I#59 (August, 1984) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Kelley Jones (penciler), Bruce Patterson (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Micronauts II#5 (February, 1985) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Kelley Jones (penciler), Pat Redding (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Micronauts II#15 (December, 1985) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Kelley Jones (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)

First posted: 03/06/2020
Last updated: 05/09/2020

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
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Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

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