Mega Man: Worlds Unite - Battles: Issue 1

Mega Man: Worlds Unite - Battles: Issue 1
Publication Date: June 2015

You know, it’s weird to me. “Worlds Unite” was, by most measures, an even bigger event than “Worlds Collide.” In addition to the twelve part story being spread across four titles, Archie also released two related stand-alone issues. The “Worlds Unite - Battles” sub-series would focus strictly on combat, playing up the “who would win in a fight” element of the crossover. There would be one branded to Mega Man and one branded to Sonic. Despite being such a big event, it does seem to me that “Worlds Unite” received less promotion than “Worlds Collide.” As for the “Battles” books, which were direct market exclusive, I didn’t even know they existed until they popped up in my comic shop’s subscription box.

Maybe Archie thought the crossover would sell itself? Or maybe they just didn’t have the money to promote it. Shortly after the crossover ended, several Archie titles – including the “Sonic” books – would experience delays. The company would also cancel a number of books, including “Sonic Boom” and “Mega Man.” But I guess I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s talk about “Mega Man: Worlds Unite - Battles: Issue 1.” (How’s that for an elegant title?)

The stories in the “Battles” books expand on the fights in the main story we only got a small look at. For example, the first story in the “Mega Man: Battles” depicts Mega Man’s fight with three of the Deadly Six. In part one of “Worlds Unite,” we only see his car get wrecked, the Zetis seemingly getting the drop on him. “Battles” goes into a little more detail. Zazz, Master Zik, and Zomom ambush the Rock as he’s on the way to the store. He transforms into Mega Man but soon gets tossed into a near-by apple orchid. While he puts up a valiant effort, the Zetis’ ability to manipulate technology is his undoing.

Obviously, plot is not the main concern here. We do get some meaningful character beats. Such as Zomom being insulted when Rock calls him a “yellow devil.” Or Master Zik psychically pelting the hero with apples, just to annoy him. These are small moments but they still give the Zetis more character development then they receive in the “Sonic” books. And though it’s totally expected of him, Mega Man refusing to go down because he knows his friends and loved ones are relying on him still displays what a wholesome, heroic guy he is. Zik coldly commanding Rock to shot himself in the head afterwards nicely deflates that moment too.

Otherwise, this story is all about Ben Bates’ stylish, energetic artwork. The dude clearly enjoys indulging in anime-style fight fest. Mega Man and the Zetis spend half of the fight springing through the air or getting tossed around. Bates keeps the sense of motion going throughout all of this, making it feel like the reader is speeding along with the combat. I also like individual panels here, like the one devoted to Zazz scratching Mega Man up. That’s depicted as a series of frenzied hand movements around his screaming head. I don’t even mind that Bates’ work is slightly sketchy in a few panels. That only adds to the story’s energetic feeling.

The second battle gives us more of a look at Zero and Axl fighting Vile outside Sigma’s fortress, which happened in the opening pages of “Worlds Unite’s” first part. That may not seem very exciting  – these guys fight all the time, right? – but just wait. Zero and Axl attempt to take down Vile for several pages, the traitorous Maverick Hunter countering every one of their attacks. That is until he’s frozen suddenly in his tracks. Silver the Hedgehog emerges from the heavens. He’s not certain of who the good guys and bad guys are in this situation and just wants to close the Genesis Portals... The one Sigma just fled through.

This battle clarifies X’s comments in part two of “Worlds Unite,” about how they got from their world to Sticks’. Narratively, there’s not a lot here. Silver’s sudden appearance is a nice surprise, though one we should see coming. The battle banter between Vile and the heroes is mildly amusing. He calls Axl a pretty boy, confirming my suspicions that he’s the token bishonen. We see more of everyone’s abilities here, including Axl’s shape-shifting and Zero’s mastery of the blade. But that’s about it.

Much like the cover story, this one is all about the artwork. Jamal Peppers’ pencils are not as dynamic as Ben Bates’ but they still look pretty damn cool. The “Mega Man X” characters are really designed to look as rad as possible. So seeing them leap around, trading blows and posing in the middle of combat, is their natural habitat. There are several eye-catching panels, such as Zero’s sword slashing at Vile or the reveal of Axl’s transformative abilities. Peppers is one of the few artists equally adapt at drawing both the “Mega Man” and “Sonic” cast, as Silver looks excellent too. My only issue with the artwork is not Peppers’ fault. Vile’s right arm is an energy mace and that looks awkward as hell.

The third and final story in this book is the only one not to be written by Ian Flynn. It instead comes from an entity calling itself “T. Rex.” (Presumably not the ghost of Marc Bolan.) It details the battle that took place between Sonic Man and the Robot Masters, when the blue hedgehog-turned-robot invaded Mega Man’s city in part two of “Worlds Unite.” Despite their best efforts, the heroic Robot Masters are no much for Sonic Man. He’s resistant to their abilities and takes them out in minutes.

This story has the thinnest script of any in this book. Apparently Fire Man talks with a weird cowboy accent. There’s a few jokes in the Robot Masters’ introductory captions. Sonic Man’s cruelty, which includes tossing Ice Man into Fire Man’s blast of flames, is a nice, villainous touch. Otherwise, this one is all about the artwork. It’s provided by Brent McCarthy, someone I’m not familiar with. McCarthy’s artwork is very stylized. McCarthy focuses on the characters’ stretchy faces and big gloves and boots. However, this approach does create a very dynamic approach. McCarthy’s graphically heavy style, especially when combined with Elaina Unger’s deep and rich colors, makes the reader feel the impact of every punch and special attack. That’s a good approach, since this is a story totally devoted to Sonic Man beating the shit out of the good guys. I think an action-packed story is exactly what McCarthy is suited to, as the early panels of Wily and Eggman talking look a little weird and overdone.

Most of the fights in “Mega Man: Worlds Unite - Battles” have foregone conclusion. If you’re reading this comic, you’re reading the main story. And if you’re reading that, you already know Mega Man looses to the Zetis. That the Maverick Hunters make it past Vile, that Sonic Man decimates the Robot Masters. But watching the wreckage get done has some value. This is not a deep book but it is a fun one. If nothing else, it’s worth reading just to see some exciting artwork from a trio of very talented artists. Was it necessary? Nah. And you won’t miss much if you don’t read it. But it is a decent little extra. [7/10]