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Grand_OoF
06-05-2011, 10:29 PM
Although I am by no means a fan of the original Mega Man games (primarily on account of the simple fact that they are typically masochistically difficult and I generally have a low tolerance for absurdly challenging games), that doesn't mean I don't like Capcom's Blue Bomber. Quite the opposite, in fact.

As is the case with other game titles, while I may not like the game I may be a fan of certain characters or the series' narrative and lore. And that's the case with Mega Man. And that is precisely the reason I picked up issue #1 of the brand-spanking new Mega Man comic.

A Grand_OoF! Review:

Mega Man #1

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/mega-man001.jpg
What is so practical about sticking a giant laser pointer on a robot's arm?

Stats:

System: Archie Comics
Genre: Action/Adventure/Kids
Players: 1 reader
Rating: Rated E for Everyone


Okay, before I go any further, yes, I WAS going to review Pokemon White. However, I haven't beaten the game yet and to be honest I've had a somewhat hard time mustering up the motivation to keep going. At least for now. So I could give a review, but it would be a rather sloppy one.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/Pokemon-Black-and-White-50-Cent-Eminem-Cover-630x250.jpg
And this joke would be in it somewhere.

Anyway, that's Pokemon. This is Mega Man. One game series at a time.

Now, when you probably think of a serious comic book company, you might be more inclined to think of DC or Marvel. Or maybe one of those indie comic companies, if you're into that sort of thing.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/scud.jpg
Which I am. Take THAT, Big Two.

However, chances are that for the sophisticated, mature, comic collector, the last publisher you would probably think of is Archie comics. And why would you? Archie really only has two main series: Archie and Sonic the Hedgehog. And neither has exactly been too relevant in the last...oh...two decades or so.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/Foxkei%20Faces/archie.jpg
Not helped by a diminishing reader base due to pure jealousy.

But before you turn up your nose and forget all about the publisher entirely, consider taking a second glance for Mega Man.

From a story standpoint, it serves as your pretty typical origin story. Even I, the rookie that I am, know Mega Man's origins, so chances are the long standing Mega Man fans will probably not find a lot of meat in this story. It basically just establishes our main characters, Wiley stealing the Robot Masters and re-programing them for evil, and then Rock making the decision to become Megaman. Standard fair, but even so, it's re-told very well. It even builds upon Light and Wiley's former friendship, the jealousy that springs up and the simple fact that both doctors actually have FIRST NAMES. Did you know that Dr. Wiley's first name is Albert, 'cause I didn't.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/2i9ifmc.jpg
Apparently, your only career choice if your name is Albert is evil mad genius.

But the somewhat standard origin story is beside the point. The real star of the show is the art.

It is gorgeous.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/MegaMan1-3.jpg

Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante, the comic's resident artist, really steps up and delivers colorful, smooth, crisp art. To be honest, at first glance I would have thought the art was done by the pros over at Udon (who handle all the other Capcom comics). The style is simply wonderful and fun and fits the Mega Man universe like a glove.

And to top it all off, the issue is only $2.99, which is less then most Marvel comics and several DC comics. That's not too shabby for 32 pages.

So for the Mega Man fans or those looking for a good read and want to start from the beginning, do yourself a favor and give the first issue of Mega Man a try. It's an excellent comic and should absolutely get your attention. I for one am looking forward to issue #2

+Great for Mega Man fans or for people looking to jump into something new
+$2.99 is a great price
+Fun story
+Fantastic art

-Origin story is a bit played out to most people even remotely familiar with Mega Man

Grand_Oof awards Mega Man #1 a B+

NEXT TIME...:

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/5369781424_0b1850e5f7.jpg

AlucardsFate
06-06-2011, 01:51 AM
I wonder how they are going to keep this from getting stale as they go. Yeah they have 10 games to work from for story...but all those games don't have much of a story. Just sayin. But I suppose the Megaman diehards won't really care either way. The art is pretty fitting.

But I'm not even sure where you found that, I never really thought about it before but I don't see Archie comics anywhere anymore. (not that I'm looking for them) Either way, way to keep the review section alive. (I just haven't had the energy)

RedWizard
06-06-2011, 01:55 AM
Actually, there's 11 games if you count Mega Man & Bass. Or 12 if you count Wily Wars.

Yep, I knew about Wily's first name. Also, Dr. Light's first name is Thomas. And other than the fact that you misspelled Mega Man a few times, I enjoyed reading the review. Didn't realize they'd started a new Mega Man comic. Maybe I'll hop on this one.

AlucardsFate
06-06-2011, 02:26 AM
Oh yeah...Megaman and Bass, I did forget about that.

But Wily Wars doesn't count and you know it.

Grand_OoF
06-06-2011, 03:52 AM
I wonder how they are going to keep this from getting stale as they go. Yeah they have 10 games to work from for story...but all those games don't have much of a story. Just sayin. But I suppose the Megaman diehards won't really care either way. The art is pretty fitting.

But I'm not even sure where you found that, I never really thought about it before but I don't see Archie comics anywhere anymore. (not that I'm looking for them) Either way, way to keep the review section alive. (I just haven't had the energy)

Understandable. Thank you for the praise. I had the itch to write and I figured this was a good way to scratch it. I certainly have the free time for the time being...

Anyway, I suspect that Archie will take some liberties with the canon (within reason...since Capcom's pretty strict about that kinda thing, and Mega Man is one of the few video game series with an established canon...period). Otherwise there's no way they could keep it going. Or they'll do spin-offs. You know, cover each of the different areas in the Mega Man timeline...X, Legends, ZX, Zero, etc. etc.

As far as finding Archie comics, well, I have to say shame on your comic book store if they don't carry them. True, this is the first comic published by Archie I've picked up since the sixth grade, but still, they're pretty popular with kids and...people who read Archie comics (whoever they are). But if not you might have more luck finding them in book stores. I know I saw Archie comics including Mega Man when I was in Borders the other day in the Springs.

Or it could just be you didn't see them because you weren't looking. All I know is my comic shop has a whole huge rack of kid's comics and manga right near the front of the store, and this was the last copy they had.

Actually, there's 11 games if you count Mega Man & Bass. Or 12 if you count Wily Wars.

Yep, I knew about Wily's first name. Also, Dr. Light's first name is Thomas. And other than the fact that you misspelled Mega Man a few times, I enjoyed reading the review. Didn't realize they'd started a new Mega Man comic. Maybe I'll hop on this one.

I wasn't sure if it was Mega MAN or Megaman. Glad you could help me out on that one.

I also didn't know Dr. Light's first name until this comic either. I'm learning so much. But anyway, I suggest you give it a try. I'm willing to bet you'll enjoy it more then that Assassin's Creed comic you tracked down.

Thanks for the comments fellas.

AlucardsFate
06-06-2011, 03:55 AM
Wait that Assassin's Creed comic was meh?

...So it was pretty faithful to the game eh?

RedWizard
06-06-2011, 04:42 AM
Wait that Assassin's Creed comic was meh?

...So it was pretty faithful to the game eh?

It had nothing to do with the game, butt muncher!

AlucardsFate
06-06-2011, 04:48 AM
It had nothing to do with the game, butt muncher!

It just strove for the same level of quality. Average. Fartknocker...

RedWizard
06-06-2011, 04:53 AM
The comic was terrible. Absolutely terrible. The art was decent (I guess), but everything else sucked. Maybe it's cuz it was a comic, or maybe it's because the "hero" was a drug-addled sociopath who was probably suffering from the Bleeding Effect but had no positive or heroic qualities whatsoever.

AlucardsFate
06-06-2011, 05:07 AM
Well storywise it had very little to work with. Can't fault it for trying to make gold out of a stone.

Grand_OoF
06-06-2011, 05:59 AM
http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp332/NintendoFB19/Foxkei%20Faces/40721_low_1285880483.jpg