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Worlds Unite

The teaser image of "Worlds Unite".

Worlds Unite is a 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 crossover spanned across four comic book titles, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, Mega Man and Sonic Boom, as well as a prequel issue released for Free Comic Book Day and two one-shot issues. It began on 27 May 2015.[1]

Development[]

Like in the previous crossover, "Sonic & Mega Man: Worlds Collide", the story was written by Ian Flynn and all cover artwork for the issues partaking within the crossover was drawn by Patrick Spaziante. According to Paul Kaminski, "Worlds Unite" was to 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 12 December 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…"[2]

As part of the lead-up to the crossover, beginning with Sonic Boom #5, Sonic the Hedgehog #270, Sonic Universe #73 and Mega Man #47, the respective series had a countdown timer of how many issues were left before the start of the crossover on the covers, each being three issues.

On 23 February 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.[3]

On 24 February 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.[3]

On 25 February 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.[3] On 26 February, 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.[3]

On 17 March 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.[4]

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.[5]

Plot[]

Previously[]

Worlds Unite Unified Army

The heroes and villains of Worlds Unite.

In Worlds Collide, Dr. Eggman and Dr. Wily were brought together by a chance meeting from across realities due to the power of a Chaos Emerald. Bonding over their high intelligence and hatred of a respective blue hero, the kindred spirits got the idea to team and put together a plan to take over both of their respective worlds. After constructing the Skull Egg Zone (a pocket dimension connecting their worlds) and the Wily Egg, the doctors used the Genesis Wave to alter the reality of their worlds.[6]

On a completely altered version of Sonic's World and a time-warped version of Earth 20XX, the doctors set their plan into motion by kidnapping Sonic's friends and changing them into the Roboticized Masters, before sending them to hunt down the rest of the Chaos Emeralds, all while Sonic and Mega Man themselves were tricked into fighting each other. Before long, the blue heroes caught on to the doctor's plans, but not long before their lackeys Metal Sonic and Bass had kidnapped Mega Man's creator and father (and Wily's former colleague) Dr. Light. The heroes ventured into the Skull Egg Zone to save and restore Sonic's roboticized friends and to rescue Dr. Light. With heroes from both worlds gathered, they proceeded to make their final assault on the Wily Egg, going up against a army of Dr. Wily's Time-Cloned Robot Master Army. The last of the Chaos Emeralds gathered, the doctors, their relationship considerably strained by this point, put into motion the final phase of their plan; to unleash the Super Genesis Wave and completely rewrite both worlds in their own respective image with no limitations. The wave launched, Sonic and Mega Man transformed into their super forms in their attempt to reverse the wave. Following Sonic's example, Mega Man successfully pulled off Chaos Control upon his reality, restoring it to its original place in the timeline. Sonic's attempt to restore the already extremely fragile fabric of his reality on the other hand, was disrupted by a spiteful Eggman, and their world was enveloped in a white light.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

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.[18][19] 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.[20] 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.[18]

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.[18][21][22] 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.[20] M'egga Man is engaged by the Royal Guard, the remaining 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.[23][24]

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 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.[25]

Act II: Broken Bonds[]

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.[26] Along the way, Roll is briefly attacked by Sticks, who believes that her broom is a spy due to its design.[27] 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.[26] During the fight, Sticks falls through a Genesis Portal and ends up in a new world, 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.[28] 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.[29]

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.[30] 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, revealing the world she was in to be the world of Street Fighter, to attack the leftover Mavericks. With that threat defeated, the heroes prepare to pursue Sigma's forces to the worlds they have invaded.[31]

Act III: Allied Forces[]

Following the example of Sticks' excursion, the Unified Army recruit other heroes from different Sega and Capcom universes, including the worlds of Alex Kidd, NiGHTS into Dreams..., Ōkami, Skies of Arcadia, Breath of Fire III, Billy Hatcher, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Golden Axe, Monster Hunter, Panzer Dragoon and Viewtiful Joe.[32][33] Although Sigma destroys the Sky Patrol, all of the characters join together and launch a full-scale assault.[33][34] When Sigma reemerges in an even stronger form, Sonic and Mega Man transform into Super Sonic and Super Armor Mega Man, as whom they destroy Sigma.[34][35] However, it turns out that Sigma's abuse of the Genesis Portals has severely compromised the fabric of reality, causing it to fall apart. Meanwhile, Eggman and Wily, having infiltrated the Lost Hex, are betrayed by Xander, who opens a Genesis Portal to the moment where Sigma escaped to the Lost Hex and blasts him through the portal with a raygun, thus preventing the events of Worlds Unite from happening. Despite this, Sonic, Mega Man, Sticks, and the doctors retain their memories of the experience, and of each other.[35]

List of issues[]

Sonic & Mega Man Worlds Unite (5)

The issue release dates of Worlds Unite.

Much 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 would have been in Sonic Super Special Magazine #15.

Prelude[]

Act I: Deadly Fusions[]

Act II: Broken Bonds[]

Act III: Allied Forces[]

Worlds Unite Battles[]

Along with the main entries, a sub-series named "Worlds Unite Battle Books" was released during Worlds Unite. This mini-series features side-stories that expand upon the battles that readers caught glimpses of in the main story.[4] The contents of the two books, while canon, are particularly vital to the overall plot.

Graphic novels[]

Like World Collide, the story was available to be collected in graphic novel form. The collection consisted of three volumes for each act:

Trivia[]

  • "Worlds Unite" was hinted in Mega Man #43 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."
  • 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 takes 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 revealed a number of details about ideas that were considered for the Worlds Unite crossover but rejected by Sega and Capcom,[36] namely:
    • He wanted Mega Man X to join in Super Sonic and Super Armor Mega Man's Super Forms with a "Super Ultimate Armor" form (a golden version of the Ultimate Armor from Mega Man X4), Sega said no.[36]
    • He wanted to have Phantasy Star Online as one of the Sega properties in the crossover.
    • He wanted to have Team Dark help the Freedom Fighters and the Unified Army.
    • There was originally a cameo of Frank West from Dead Rising at a news conference, but it was vetoed because Capcom didn't want kids to look up Frank West and Dead Rising. [37]
    • There was also supposed to be a cameo of Phoenix Wright from Ace Attorney, which would involve him defending some construction workers that were on trial for destruction of public property by arguing that rather, it was a giant mechanical rhinoceros with drills that was responsible and Edgeworth would question as to who's going to believe such a nonsensical defense, leading to Sticks crashing through a wall while fighting Tunnel Rhino and shouting "Objection!". This was denied on the grounds that he would feel out of place since he wasn't a fighter. [38]
  • As a small trend for Worlds Unite, Ian Flynn made the titles in the main story begin with the letter equivalent to their position in the alphabet:[39]
    • Across Time and Space
    • Broken Heroes
    • Clash of the Corrupted
    • Death and Destruction
    • Everybody in the Same Boat
    • Fire in the Sky
    • Gears and Wills
    • Holes in Reality
    • Infinite Possibilities
    • Justice Across Worlds
    • Killing the Giant
    • Last Rights
  • This crossover actually marks the third time Sonic and Mega Man have appeared in something together. The first being in Worlds Collide, while the second was in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.
    • Said game also included Ryu of the Street Fighter series, also in the crossover, who was added as a downloadable fighter, ironically, while the crossover was going on.
      • This also makes it the third time Ryu and Sonic have appeared in something together. The second being in the aforementioned game, and first being as cameos in the Disney animated movie, Wreck-It Ralph.
  • This crossover bears the following similarities to Worlds Collide:
    • The first and last act contained a landmark issue of Mega Man and Sonic, respectively, namely Mega Man #50 and Sonic the Hedgehog #275.
      • The Mega Man landmark was the final part of the first act.
      • The Sonic landmark was a 48-page issue which contained a reprint of a previous story and also sported a wraparound cover. It also contained a double-page spread of all the combatants of the final battle as one of the opening pages.
    • A Mega Man issue in the first act was released with a convention-exclusive variant cover.
    • The crossover was proceeded by a Sonic Universe landmark issue which heavily featured Metal Sonic, namely Sonic Universe #75.
    • The crossover was accompanied by a "prequel" flip-book for that years Free Comic Book Day event.
    • Art duties for the first act are shared by two pencillers (though to a much greater degree than before).
    • Sonic and Mega Man begin the story running through the Green Hill Zone and at Light Labs respectively.
    • A portion of the first act features "evil" versions of the two main heroes causing trouble in each others worlds.
    • The final part of the first act is the point where Sonic and Mega Man finally decide to team up.
    • The third act contains a visual gag in which a character is seen writing out their last will (both instances appeared in a Sonic issue).
    • Ends with Sonic and Mega Man entering their super forms for the final battle.
      • The cover art for that issue featured the two Super States front and center.
  • Ian Flynn revealed that a third crossover was in fact planned and was going to come out two years after Worlds Unite, with the multiverse at the end of Worlds Unite being a tease for the third crossover. Flynn has since stated that he is glad this idea never came to be due to the fact that he would have had a little over a year to start writing for it and would have to put his plans on hold and tell the story without throwing off the plots of the main books.[40]
    • It was also revealed that Archie Comics (particularly Paul Kaminski, who was an editor at the time) intended to include Super Mario characters in the planned third crossover, titled Worlds at War. Compared to Marvel Comics' Secret Wars storyline, the story would have been set on a "battle planet" within the multiverse's nexus, with the Mario cast's unfamiliarity with the other heroes being used to help explain the crossovers to new readers. This too would not come to fruition, however, as Kaminski would leave Archie before the idea could be pitched to Nintendo.[41]

External links[]

References[]

  1. Crecente, Brian (7 October 2014). Worlds Unite in new Mega Man, Sonic crossover series. Polygon. Retrieved on 8 October 2014.
  2. Schedeen, Jesse (12 December 2014). Sonic Boom and Mega Man X Unite in Comic Book Crossover. IGN. Retrieved on 27 December 2014.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Schedeen, Jesse (23 February 2015). Capcom and Sega Join Forces for Worlds Unite Comic Book Crossover. IGN. Retrieved on 24 February 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 EXCLUSIVE: Archie Announces Worlds Unite Battle Books, Promotes Vincent Lovallo To Edit Mega Man and Sonic. Comicbook (17 March 2015). Retrieved on 19 March 2015.
  5. Schedeen, Jesse (30 April 2015). What Happens When Sega and Capcom's Heroes Unite?. IGN. Retrieved on 1 May 2015.
  6. Mega Man #24, "When Worlds Collide Part One: Kindred Sprits"
  7. Sonic Universe #51, "When Worlds Collide Part Two: Mistaken Identities"
  8. Sonic the Hedgehog #248, "When Worlds Collide Part Three: No Holds Barred"
  9. Mega Man #25, "When Worlds Collide Part Four: Through the Looking Glass"
  10. Sonic Universe #52, "When Worlds Collide Part Five: The Advance Guard"
  11. Sonic the Hedgehog #249, "When Worlds Collide Part Six: Friends or Foes"
  12. Mega Man #26, "When Worlds Collide Part Seven: Evening The Odds"
  13. Sonic Universe #53, "When Worlds Collide Part Eight: Liberation"
  14. Sonic the Hedgehog #250, "When Worlds Collide Part Nine: All-Out War!"
  15. Mega Man #27, "When Worlds Collide Part Ten: No Holds Barred"
  16. Sonic Universe #54, "When Worlds Collide Part Eleven: Worst of the Worst"
  17. Sonic the Hedgehog #251, "When Worlds Collide Finale: Best of the Best"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Sonic Universe #76, "Worlds Unite! Part One: Across Time and Space"
  19. Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1, "Worlds Unite Battles: Maverick Hunters Versus Vile"
  20. 20.0 20.1 Sonic Boom #8, "Worlds Unite Part Two: Broken Heroes"
  21. Sonic the Hedgehog: Worlds Unite Battles #1, "Sonic the Hedgehog vs. Three of the Armored Deadly Six!"
  22. Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1, "Mega Man vs Deadly 3"
  23. Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1, "Worlds Unite Battles: Sonic Man vs The Robot Masters"
  24. Sonic the Hedgehog #273, "Worlds Unite Part Three: Clash of the Corrupted"
  25. Mega Man #50, "Worlds Unite Part Four: Death and Destruction"
  26. 26.0 26.1 Sonic Universe #77, "Worlds Unite! Part Five: Everybody in the Same Boat"
  27. Sonic the Hedgehog: Worlds Unite Battles #1, "Sticks vs Roll"
  28. Sonic Boom #9, "Worlds Unite! Part Six: Fire in the Sky"
  29. Sonic the Hedgehog: Worlds Unite Battles #1, "Knuckles vs. Break Man"
  30. Sonic the Hedgehog #274, "Worlds Unite! Part Seven: Gears and Wills"
  31. Mega Man #51, "Worlds Unite! Part Eight: Holes in Reality"
  32. Sonic Universe #78, "Worlds Unite Part Nine: Infinite Possibilities"
  33. 33.0 33.1 Sonic Boom #10, "Worlds Unite Part Ten: Justice Across Worlds"
  34. 34.0 34.1 Sonic the Hedgehog #275, "Worlds Unite Part Eleven: Killing the Giant"
  35. 35.0 35.1 Mega Man #52, "Worlds Unite Part Twelve: Last Rights"
  36. 36.0 36.1 Flynn, Ian (20 May 2015). August Solicits: Mega Man #52. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015.
  37. https://youtu.be/ql4rPnrxjQw?si=toBbnRA1StFTMeNx
  38. https://youtu.be/ql4rPnrxjQw?si=toBbnRA1StFTMeNx
  39. MM#52 -Worlds Unite 12/12 Discussion & Spoilers (16 August 2015). Retrieved on 19 August 2015. "Ian Flynn: Putting this up a bit early since I've got a busy week ahead. Here at the end, did anybody notice the small trend I put into the titles? Nothing major - something for my own amusement."
  40. IDW Sonic One-Year Retrospective - BumbleKast #91. YouTube. BumbleKing Videos (13 May 2019). Retrieved on 20 August 2019.
  41. https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=1710&v=uZzxzLFFU5U
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