Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2014

Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2014 is the eighth issue in the Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day comics.

Official solicitation

 * Its TWO free comic books in ONE! Hot off the heels of the ultra-successful Sonic/Mega Man crossover event, “Worlds Collide”, comes a showcase issue of the hottest new storylines in both characters' universes — exclusively for Free Comic Book Day! Sonic stars in “Blast to the Past” and the origin of his Freedom Fighters! Then, on the flipside of this issue, get ready for the “Mega Man X” crossover event with this primer story!

The X Factor - Part 1
A comic version of The Journal of Dr. Cain. 100 years into the future, Dr. Cain is searching the ground for fossils. He writes in his journal that he hasn't found anything since he started the expedition in March, although he later manages to located an oddly metallic signal underground. He eventually digs it out and discovers what is apparently Dr. Light's Laboratory. He then investigates and finds a capsule containing Mega Man X, and a recording from the then-long deceased Dr. Light explaining who X is and that he should not be removed from the seal until 30 years have gone by and X is determined to be safe for operation. Realizing that more than thirty years have gone by, and that the tests came up green, Cain debates whether he should release X or not, as well as whether X would still function after being sealed all this time. Cain releases X, and with his help he manages to create Reploids. The Reploids become popular and start being massproduced, and the work together with humans. Dr. Cain is proud to have played a part in fulfilling Dr. Light's dream of humans and robots living together. However, X is worried if the world isn't moving forward to fast, as Dr. Light thought it would be decades before robots like him were ready to the world, and now Reploids are being produced by the hundreds every day. The story ends with a human chef arguing with his Reploid employees, with one of them holding a cleaver in an ominous way while looking to the chef.

The X Factor - Part 2
In the year 21XX, the city of Arcadia was referred to as the center of the civilized world due to the creation of Reploids. Reploids were unique compared to Robot Masters in that they had the capacity of human emotions and thought, as well as living as individuals. Reploids became a crucial part by living side-by-side with humanity, although they were a new invention, which meant unforeseen incidents as a result. A platypus-type Reploid was seen helping people cross the street while Blast Hornet (or a similar reploid) befriended a kid with a balloon.

It then cuts to X receiving the news from Dr. Cain that a Maverick incident occurred almost an hour ago that resulted in the death of a person at a crosswalk, with police investigating it, being the first in a series of Maverick incidents that resulted in a fatality. X then attempted to question the status of the Reploids involved, although he ended up confused by the term "Maverick," causing Dr. Cain to explain that it was a buzzword for any Reploids that engaged in irregular behavior. Dr. Cain then explained after a quick search that the Reploids were put down by the police, although with enough difficulty that they nearly called in the military. Cain also alleged that the Reploids were acting insane. X was not comforted by this news, as it meant neither humans nor Reploids could come out of it alive. Dr. Cain had to end the conversation early as he had been summoned to a hearing relating to the recent incidents, inviting X to drop on by and support him.

In the Arcadia Council Chambers, a councilor tells Dr. Cain that somebody has to answer fot the incidents. He introduced Reploids to the world, and she asks if he can explain what's giving rise to Mavericks. Dr. Cain notes that there have been only three instances so far, the councilor saying that three is too many. Cain agrees, but that's not enough to discern a pattern or cause. It could be any number of causes, like faulty wiring in the brain, bugs, or glitches within the personality coding, and he doesn't know why they choose criminal behavior or why some become violent and act insanely. Noting that Reploids are all new, he doesn't think anyone has the answers yet. One of the councilors asks if they should suspend Reploid production until they have discerned the problem, and other says that while the Maverick incidents are a concern, it is not enough to derail all production, they need a means of regulating the problem. Dr. Cain notes that he has a few thoughts along those lines.

Months later, the Maverick Hunters are formed, with Sigma becoming their leader for two months. They have been able to prevent any further injury to the population. As Sigma is one of the most intelligent Reploids created by Dr. Cain, containing his latest circuit designs, he believes that his systems will be immune to any problems. Organized units have been placed around the world, handling any Maverick activity. X has often gone out to inspect the work of the Maverick Hunters. Sigma notices it and asks if he thinking of finally joining them, but X doesn't want to retire a Reploid, Maverick or not. Sigma than asks why he is seeing them, and he says that he is looking for answers. He knows that the Mavericks are a problem, but he doesn't believe that the Hunters are the best solution. Sigma asks if he thinks they are only fighting the symptoms and not the disease, and X agrees to be something like that. Sigma notes that X can feel more deeply than any of them, and it's one of the many things he finds remarkable about him. If there is another way to find lasting peace between humans and Reploids, he is sure X will find it, and until then, he assures X that he will keep the Reploids safe.

Sonic Comic Origins: Sally--The Exiled Leader
The story starts with Sonic pushing Sally out of the path of several lasers, shot by a Scorpius-like robot. Sonic complains that the training isn't supposed to be mentally scarring, and Sally agrees. As Sonic comments that they do this type of thing all the time, Sally thinks about the peaceful past, when she could play with her father peacefully. She then thinks about how Rosie rescued her when Dr. Eggman performed his coup, and banished King Acorn and Ixis Naugus to the Special Zone. Sally then fled with Uncle Chuck, Muttski, Antoine D'Coolette and others. They hid in the village of Knothole in the Wood Zone, but it wasn't safe forever. Eventually, inspired by Sonic's heroism, the Knothole Freedom Fighters were formed. Sally reflects on how they fought the Eggman Empire, and restored the kingdom and saved her father. From there, they constantly foiled each and every one of the mad doctor's plans. Some time later, Sally pleaded for her father to let her stay in the Freedom Fighters longer, and King Acorn agreed. Sonic interrupts her thoughts and asked if Sally would coordinate the team, and after some friendly banter the two split up.

Sonic Comic Origins: Rotor--The Exiled Inventor
Sonic runs to where Rotor and Tails are located, building a cannon, and taunts the Scorpius-like robot about how it constantly misses with its lasers. While working on the cannon, Rotor thinks about his past, when he invented and built machines out of the little he had. However, his father didn't approve of this, and as a result came to not like Rotor. He ran off to find Mobotropolis, only to find it conquered by Dr. Eggman. Rotor managed to find Knothole, and became an integral part of the Freedom Fighters, helping Tails with new inventions. He worked hard, smashing Badniks, and building. Rotor built weapons, vehicles, and his most recent creation-the Sky Patrol. Tails interrupts Rotor's thoughts as he finished wiring the cannon, and Rotor blasts the Scorpius robot to smithereens. Sonic compliments the duo of mechanics, and they head on to the next gate for the training.

Trivia

 * This is the second time that a Sonic Free Comic Book Day special is a tie-in with the Mega Man comics, the first being Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2013.