Micro Heritage - Palisades Retro Micronauts Series 2.0

Palisades Retro Micronauts series 2 were released in July of 2003. The second series consisted of four different small figures and two larger magno figures. The small scale figure in series 2 included Pharoid, Galactic Defender, Repto and Centaurus. Like series 1, each figures came with all new accessories design by Microman/Micronauts collectors for Palisades. Series 2 were produces by the same factory that produced series 1.5 and these were definitely a giant improvement over the series 1 toys. There were some minor issues but nothing that really would have detracted from the overall fine quality of these products. Also the color schemes for series 2 were much more in-tune with the vintage toys thanks to the hard work of Palisades consulting group. Micronauts 2.0 were produced in extremely limited quantities from the case numbering, it appeared that less than 500 set of these figures were made by Palisades. The toys were sold mainly through on-line outlet and in limited numbers via brick and mortar store such as Sun Coast video store and Sam Goody music store. It was quite unfortunate that these fine Micronauts products would actually get less exposure and smaller run this time around.

Retro Micronauts Pharoid came on green Palisades Micronauts card with beautiful artwork sticker insert by Dave Dorman.

Retro Micronauts Pharoid (white/green version)

Of the four small figures in the second series, Pharoid was the one I was least looking forward to (due mainly to the fact that several incarnations of this same figures had already been reproduced by both Romando and Takara). The decision to reproduce him as Retro Micronauts was probably made because Pharoid was one of the more recognizable Micronauts figures. But with the arrival of series 2, Pharoid figures turned out to be my favorite of the four. Retro Pharoid came in four all new color variants - clear light blue (a homage to Microman M163), white and green military scheme, dark blue and black (similar to New Microman M011 Saram) and a red/gray color (which I think would have been alright if the gray parts were black instead or the red parts were clear like his time chamber, as is he just reminded me too much of the red Time Traveler from the first retro Micronauts series. Beside the all new color schemes, Pharoid also get two new accessories - a new pair of wings design by Micro Bry that can be fitted into 2.5mm socket in his back (much like the Lady Command) and a ray gun (also design by Micro Bry). The gun was a little big (a factory sculpting error) but it still look great overall especially the scarab-like design that really complemented his Egyptian motif. Each figure also came with the vintage style wings and a clear figure stand.

Palisades Pharoid's sculpt was based on the Type 1 style head (Microman Command 2) which I found to be much more attractive than the over-size Space Glider head used later by Mego. Reproduction Pharoid details were quite good with just small anomaly around the lower legs part. The fit for Pharoid was the best of the four figures in the second series. The plastic used for the figures was higher quality than the first series, with the only gripe being the plated parts. It seem some of the chrome parts were touched up by silver paint and the gold plated parts were a little too light (not enough pigment).