#wu1

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

Oh yeah, the Off Panel jokes are written by the Sonic Boom guy. His jokes are usually not my cup of tea, but Jon Gray’s art more than makes up for it.

[sfnena415]

TUCAN / WU1 / BKF - Mission District

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

Hey, remember the last issue had Eggman just sitting in Lost Hex, with Zavok just round the corner? Well, this issue decides to skip past a couple events and now we’re suddenly in a position where the bad guy is being enslaved by not only the Zeti but also the crossover’s Big Bad.

Its done in a creative way where its like a “captain’s log” style of narration, but it doesn’t distract me from the fact that the comic rushed past important events from Sonic Lost World just to introduce the Deadly Six early. They’re already a typical, by the numbers squad of bad guys; they didn’t need to be introduced lazily too!

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

In typical Deadly Six fashion, the same time they are introduced and get given silly uniforms, they turn on Sigma with their newfound power. However, Sigma’s just able to control them through their suits, making this odd kind of chain of command with the various villain groups.

I’m aware originally the Deadly Six were meant to have outfits that fitted their methods of attack in Sonic Lost World (a fruit outfit for Master Ziz, dragon armour for Zavok, etc.), but that was shot down by Sega for one reason or another. I’d say its for the best, because it probably would have been a nightmare to draw and this crossover is already so visually cluttered. xD

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

I enjoy the thought that Mega Man keeps getting stopped while driving because he looks underage. xD

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

In a matter of pages, the powered up Zeti take out Sonic and Mega Man and have them captured for the villains to experiment on. I’d be almost willing to believe the heroes were just caught unawares and that’s why they fall to three members of the Deadly Six each, but I can’t help but see it as just a cheap reason for plot to progress. At least the Worlds Unite Battles shows exactly HOW they get overpowered and defeated?

And that was the first issue of this crossover. “Rushed” is certainly a word I’d describe it as, to the point where most of the issue is just Sigma explaining the plot in Eggman’s blackened garage. The action scenes are good when they’re there, but the tone is already set for the next parts to come.

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

It wouldn’t be a Worlds Collide sequel without the scientist duo returning! Only this time its so they can both be forced to build things for Sigma. Plus Dr. Wily doesn’t remember the events of the last crossover and the two don’t share nearly as many “bro-mance” moments ‘cause the story’s going at full speed.

I still like the irony that Eggman is kept inside one of his own Prison Eggs though.

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

“The NeXt Battle Begins!“ indeed. We’re finally at the fated sequel to the much-beloved Sonic+Mega Man crossover. While it later delves into a mess of a plot that calling it “cluttered“ would be charitable, I think its worth re-reading to see if there is anything we can salvage that is actually good.

As crowded as this cover is, Patrick Spaziante’s illustrations are still rather impressive, and the early issues of this crossover are at least tame by comparison.