I just learned quite sadly that Stephen Lee - creator of the Micronauts Aliens figures, Hornetroid and Terraphant - passed away 3 months ago.
Stephen Lee was a wonderful man to talk with - full of ideas and stories, who loved his profession and was very proud of his creations.
In addition to those Micronauts toys, he also designed many of the Aliens and Predator play sets from Galoob's Micro Machines line (including the amazing, canceled-at-the-last-minute Mining Station set), many of the original, earliest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles accessories and vehicles (including the Sewer Speed Boat, Pizza Cannon, Sewer environment play set), and at least a couple of the latter Exo-Squad toys (Maggie's Field Repair frame, and the Amphibious Assault frame). I also learned he was heavily involved in Matchbox's PARASITES robotic car line, and he had a large portfolio of other work from the mid-70's to the present.
In addition to sharing his recollections and his artwork from his Micronauts work, Mr. Lee also signed cards from the Hero Factory Micronauts trading card set that featured his work. He was very happy and surprised that his work was known well enough to be asked to do it, and considered the opportunity an honor.
Farewell, Robert Stephen Lee. I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to learn so much Micronaut toy history from him that might otherwise have been lost, and that so many toys I have enjoyed and admired came from his fertile imagination.
For those of you who haven't seen it, here's an example of his Micronaut work - the original concept art for Repto and Membros. This is what was presented to Mego's top brass for approval in 1978:
- AcroRay
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