Worlds Unite

Worlds Unite is an upcoming twelve part story arc epic comic crossover between the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man comic series published by Archie Comics, and the sequel to "Sonic & Mega Man: Worlds Collide". The story assembled characters from the largest amount of properties: as well as the main Sonic and Mega Man universes, the universes of their respective spin-off titles Sonic Boom and Mega Man X and later characters from numerous other Sega and Capcom properties. The story continues from where the Mega Man storyline "Dawn of X" left off.

This crossover will span across four comic book titles, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, Mega Man and Sonic Boom. It began on 27 May 2015.

Development
Like in the previous crossover "Sonic & Mega Man: Worlds Collide", the story will be written by Ian Flynn and all cover artwork for the issues partaking within the crossover will be drawn by Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante. According to Paul Kaminski, "Worlds Unite" will be an even bigger than the previous crossover, making it the biggest crossover event in Archie Action history, and that this time "no universe will be safe..."

On December 12, 2014, a promotional image of Sticks the Badger with Mega Man X appeared. Paul Kaminski explained that the universes of Sonic Boom and Mega Man X will collide along with the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man series for this crossover which would begin in spring 2015. Kaminski also quoted that this revelation was "only the tip of the iceberg…"

As part of the lead-up to the crossover, beginning with Sonic Boom #5, Sonic the Hedgehog #271, and Sonic Universe #73, the respective series will have a countdown timer of how many issues are left before the start of the crossover on the covers, each being two issues. Mega Man #47 will also feature the same countdown on its covers, only it is three issues before the crossover in its case.

On February 23, 2015, it was revealed that "Worlds Unite" will not only include the traditional Mega Man and Sonic casts and the characters from the Mega Man X and Sonic Boom games, but also a number of other popular franchises from both Sega and Capcom, which would be revealed over the course of the next few days. For this, a teaser image was released, showing Sonic, Mega Man, Sticks and Mega Man X along with silhouettes of the other cast members. It has been explained that bringing together the drastically different worlds of Sonic Boom and Mega Man X will add a combo of comedy and action to the crossover, and that the villain Sigma from Mega Man X will play a key role in the crossover to test both the resolve and might of the heroes. Also, according to Ian Flynn, because they had established both Sonic and Mega Man in "Worlds Collide", the story will dive right into the action of the story from Act one.

On February 24, 2015, an update to the teaser image was given, showing the characters Alex Kidd, Billy Hatcher, Viewtiful Joe (Viewtiful Joe) and Nina (Breath of Fire), and as well an insight in the crossovers plot: Following the formation of reality-traversing "Genesis Portals", the heroes will be taken to new worlds from throughout the Sega and Capcom universes to do battle with Sigma's forces. Ian Flynn disclosed that Alex Kidd and Billy Hatcher was included due to their significant roles for Sega and that Viewtiful Joe's wild and colorful franchise fit perfectly into this epic.

On February 25, 2015, another update to the teaser image was revealed, revealing the characters NiGHTS, Tyris Flare (Golden Axe), Red Arremer (Ghosts 'n Goblins) and Amaterasu (Ōkami). Ian Flynn disclosed that Golden Axe and NiGHTS were two iconic Sega franchises on opposite ends of the timeline while Ghosts 'n Goblins and Ōkami were Capcom's classic and newer masterpiece. On February 26, the final characters on the teaser image was shown, revealing Ryu (Street Fighter), Vyse (Skies of Arcadia), Base Wing (Panzer Dragoon) and Gore Magala (Monster Hunter 4). Deeming them the best franchises saved for last and legendary in their own right, Ian Flynn disclosed he especially looked forward to work with Vyse again after Sonic Universe #45.

On March 17, 2015, an interview with Vincent Lovallo, the lead editor on "Worlds Unite", unveiled the Worlds Unite Battle Books, a miniseries of stories that will run parallel to the main storyline of the crossover. According to Lovallo, this miniseries will tell the stories of other major characters in the crossover when they are not appearing in the main storyline, thereby allowing the staff to give the many characters that will appear, but would otherwise not get much screen time, the recognition they deserve and expand upon them. The staff behind these books will include a mix of veteran members and newcomer employees to the Archie Comics.

In another interview with Vincent Lovallo on 30 April, 2015, it was revealed that the idea for "Worlds Unite" was brought up shortly after the success with "Worlds Collide", with the emphasis on including other franchises to push "Worlds Unite" to the next level in terms of scale. Further information revealed that more cast members, aside from those in the teasers, would be revealed when the comics come out, and that the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog/Mega Man Free Comic Book Day 2015 would provide a great starting point for newcomers to "Worlds Unite" while also presenting new content for the long-time fans to enjoy. Lovallo's statements also cast some more light on the plot of "Worlds Unite" and the Worlds Unite Battle Books, and that events established in this crossover would become key in the future Sonic comic storylines. Closing statements from Lovallo promised that the Mega Man characters would quickly figure out everything despite retaining few memories from "Worlds Collide" to make the story clear and easy to follow for readers, and that the crossover would have plenty of overlap with the games and comics so both gamers and comic readers can enjoy the story.

Act I: Deadly Fusion
In the year 21XX of Mega Man's World, the Maverick Hunters attack Sigma's latest fortress in an effort to finally finish off the Maverick leader, only for him to escape through a Genesis Portal to Sonic's World while Zero and Axl are battling Vile. X and his two teammates are aided in opening another portal by Silver the Hedgehog, who is on a mission to close the Genesis Portals and prevent their use by evil powers, and wind up in the Sonic Boom Zone. This leads to a surprising alliance with Sticks the Badger and her Team Sticks, with all six departing to continue the hunt for Sigma. Meanwhile, on Sonic's World, Dr. Eggman has enslaved the Deadly Six and taken over the Lost Hex, only for Sigma to destroy the Cacophonic Conch. Forced to convert his facilities into Sigma's new base and build Sigma a new body, Eggman is unexpectedly paired back up with Dr. Wily, who retains no memories of their previous alliance. The pair are then put to work building power-enhancing armor for the Deadly Six which is later used to put them under Sigma's mind control, as well as building the Unity Engines that Sigma intends to use to harness the power of entire worlds.

Secretly scheming to turn Sigma's plans to their advantage, Wily and Eggman suggest that he have Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog captured, and the Deadly Six are sent to accomplish the task. Brought to the Lost Hex, the pair are soon converted into the latest Roboticized Masters, M'egga Man and Sonic Man. They are respectively sent to Mobotropolis and Mega City to set up Unity Engines, while also secretly being programmed to attack and cure each other by Eggman and Wily, who have renewed their friendship and intend to have the heroes defeat Sigma for them. M'egga Man is engaged by the Honor Guard, the remaining New Freedom Fighters, Knuckles the Echidna, and Gemerl, while Sonic Man faces the Mega City Police, the Light Robot Masters, reformed Wily Robot Masters, Quake Woman, and Break Man. These heroes prove unable to stop the pair, and the Unity Engines are activated, causing the two worlds to start merging together. M'egga Man and Sonic Man are brought together as a result, and begin battling.

As a result of the planets merging, the Freedom Fighters and their allies are brought into contact with the Robot Masters, while the Maverick Hunters and Team Sticks arrive on the scene as well. The two Roboticized Masters cure each other, and Eggman and Wily flee with the Deadly Six in pursuit as Sigma recognizes their treachery. In the course of various elements of the two worlds being fused together, Xander Payne escapes from prison while Team Dark, Abraham Tower, and Amanda Tower apparently perish along with the G.U.N. vessel Letter of Gabriel and the occupants of a government building in Mega City. Mega Man and Sonic reunite, with Sonic bringing Mega Man up to speed on the events of Worlds Collide. The Freedom Fighters, Robot Masters, Team Sticks, Maverick Hunters, and their allies-including Dr. Light and Roll-board the Sky Patrol to find and confront Sigma and undo the damage he has caused. Sigma, however, is unworried, as his base on the Lost Hex has enabled him to build or rebuild a number of Mechaniloids to serve as his army.

Act II
The heroes determine that the Unified World is breaking down as a result of the two planets being fused together. Meanwhile, Xander Payne rescues Eggman and Wily from the Lost Hex and brings them to the Sky Patrol. After a brief imprisonment, they inform the heroes of Sigma's plans, and the Sky Patrol is redirected to the Lost Hex. Along the way, Roll is briefly attacked by Sticks, who believes that her broom is a spy due to its design. The heroes and their unlikely allies soon arrive at the Lost Hex, where they are forced to contend with the Deadly Six and Sigma's Mechaniloid army while Sigma Time-Clones an army of Mavericks. During the fight, Sticks falls through a Genesis Portal and ends up in the world of Street Fighter, where she sets out to recruit some new allies. Back on the Sky Patrol, the heroes make headway against the villains, but the Zeti then use their powers to force the robot and cyborg heroes to attack their allies. This leads to a confrontation between Knuckles and Break Man, the latter of whom suggests that Knuckles sacrifice him to help stop their enemies, but Knuckles refuses.

Unable to fight without harming their allies, the Freedom Fighters are forced to retreat into the Sky Patrol's interior. Fortunately, Eggman and Wily have been working throughout the battle, and unleash their Egg-Wily Uppity Robot Scrambler Cannon. The device not only frees the manipulated robots, but also destroys the armor of the Deadly Six, who are then imprisoned aboard the Sky Patrol. Sigma then activates his latest body, a massive form that erupts from the Lost Hex and towers over the Sky Patrol and his enemies, while unleashing his Mavericks upon the heroes. Most of the Mavericks are then dispatched to various worlds to set up more Unity Engines, while a handful remain behind to destroy the heroes. Fortunately, Sticks then returns with Chun-Li and her friends to attack the leftover Mavericks. With that threat defeated, the heroes prepare to pursue Sigma's forces to the worlds they have invaded.

List of "Worlds Unite" issues
Like Sonic & Mega Man: Worlds Collide, "Worlds Unite" is split into three acts each consisting of four parts. Unlike the previous crossover however it spans over four titles: the initial three involved in the first crossover, plus the Sonic Boom comic series. Preludes to the crossover also appear in the Sonic/Mega Man Free Comic Book Day 2015 and in Sonic Super Special Magazine #15.

Prelude

 * Sonic/Mega Man Free Comic Book Day 2015
 * Sonic Super Special Magazine #15

Act I: Deadly Fusions

 * Part 1: Sonic Universe #76
 * Part 2: Sonic Boom #8
 * Part 3: Sonic the Hedgehog #273
 * Part 4: Mega Man #50

Act II

 * Part 5: Sonic Universe #77
 * Part 6: Sonic Boom #9
 * Part 7: Sonic the Hedgehog #274
 * Part 8: Mega Man #51

Act III

 * Part 9: Sonic Universe #78
 * Part 10: Sonic Boom #10
 * Part 11: Sonic the Hedgehog #275
 * Part 12: Mega Man #52

Worlds Unite Battles
Along with the main entries, a sub-series named "Worlds Unite Battle Books" will be released during Worlds Unite. This mini-series features side-stories that expand upon the battles that readers caught glimpses of in the main story. The contents of the two books, while canon, are particularly vital to the overall plot.


 * Sonic the Hedgehog: Worlds Unite Battles #1
 * Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1

Graphic Novels
Like Worlds Collide, the story is set to be collected in graphic novel form. The collection will consist of three volumes for each act:
 * Sonic the Hedgehog/Mega Man: Worlds Unite Volume 1: Deadly Fusion (November 2015) (Sonic Universe #76, Sonic Boom #8, Sonic the Hedgehog #273, Mega Man #50 and selections from Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1)
 * Sonic the Hedgehog/Mega Man: Worlds Unite Volume 2 (March 2016) (Sonic Universe #77, Sonic Boom #9, Sonic the Hedgehog #274, Mega Man #51)

Trivia

 * "Worlds Unite" was hinted in Mega Man #44 where Xander Payne, while insanely ranting about the future he saw and etching his visions onto his cell wall with a makeshift shiv, ominously states that "worlds will collide again."
 * Like Worlds Collide, this crossover will have two anniversary issues cross through the series with Mega Man #50 and Sonic the Hedgehog #275. As well, like the original, Sonic Universe #75 will be the last issue of that title before the jump into the crossover.
 * This story arc holds the record in the Sonic comic series for the largest series of interconnecting covers: twelve of the variant covers connect to make a giant 4x3 image.
 * It was confirmed that for the Mega Man X universe, the event will take place chronologically between Mega Man X7 and Mega Man X8. As such, characters from X through X7 are present, including Axl. However, due to Sigma's use of the Genesis Portals to bring minions from his own time period to the present, Mavericks from X8 also appear.
 * Ian Flynn has confirmed that, while he wanted Mega Man X to join in with their Super Forms with a "Super Force Armor" form (a golden version of the armor from Mega Man X4), Sega said no.