True Blue, Part Five: Destiny and Uneasy Alliances

Welcome to the fourth installment of True Blue, our weekly recap of Archie Comics‘ crossover event between the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man series, “Worlds Unite.” Each installment, we’ll recap the notable moments of the latest chapter in “Worlds Unite” with Archie Action Editor Vincent Lovallo, and take a look at what lies ahead for the next chapter of the crossover event.

Previously in "Worlds Unite," Sonic and Mega Man had been captured by Sigma, transformed into evil versions of themselves by the doctors Wily and Eggman, and sent to one another's worlds to plant Sigma's Unity Engines. Once activated in Mega City and Mobotropolis, the Unity Engines started the process of combining Mega Man's and Sonic's worlds into one. It was then that Sonic Man and M'egga Man first set eyes on each other, and began fighting immediately. While chaos ensued all around them, the Robot Masters and Freedom Fighters did their best to salvage a terrible situation. Unbeknownst to Sigma, Wily and Eggman implanted a fail-safe into both M'egga Man and Sonic Man's designs. When struck at the proper time, Mega Man and Sonic freed themselves from Sigma's control, and were able to return to normal. Unfortunately, they may already be too late to save their worlds.

"Worlds Unite" Part Five gives the characters a bit of a breather after a few chapters of big battles and frantic action. The majority of Sonic Universe #77 takes place aboard Sky Patrol, the aerial mobile command base for Sonic and the Freedom Fighters. There, Sonic, Mega Man, Mega Man X, the Maverick Hunters, the Freedom Fighters and Sticks are contemplating the next move now that they have a clear enemy in sight. Unfortunately, though everyone knows Sigma is to blame for the predicament, nobody knows how to find him.

If you recall last chapter, Xander Payne escaped from prison with the help of a portal that shot out of his eye. You might also remember Sigma learning of Wily's and Eggman's betrayal, and his sicking the Zeti on them. Isn't it a perfect coincidence then that Payne's portal takes him directly to Lost Hex, where he saves Wily and Eggman from Sigma's clutches? Payne claims his destiny was to save the two doctors, and that's how he was able to find his way to this secret base. Payne also knows to then teleport everyone to the command deck of the Sky Patrol, where Wily and Eggman meet up with Sonic, Mega Man and the gang to offer assistance in stopping Sigma. It's a little deus ex machina-y, but since Payne's powers aren't super-defined, and the plot needs to move along, we'll allow it.

Now that everyone that isn't Sigma and that wants to stop him, regardless of the motivations, is on board the Sky Patrol, it's time for a montage. Reluctantly, Sonic and Mega Man let Wily and Eggman help conceive a plan to stop Sigma, though Payne remains in lock-up as he's waiting for destiny to call again. The remainder of Part Five jumps around to different heroes prepping for the upcoming attack on Sigma. Sticks bounces around trying to turn this universe's Sonic heroes into the Boom versions, Sonic eats some chili dogs, Tails helps the Robot Masters repair themselves, X and Sally discuss strategy; it's all set up for the upcoming fight at Lost Hex. There are some threads set up for potential payoff later in the event, particularly with Shadow Man and Break Man, but outside of that, Sonic Universe #77 is the calm before the storm.

ComicsAlliance: Now that our heroes are all together, this issue is all about prepping for a big battle with Sigma. While all this planning is going on though, we get a lot of little nods and hints throughout the issue about various character relationships. Sticks keeps trying to turn this world's Sonic characters into the Boom versions, Wily has some key moments with Zero and Shadow Man, and even Sonic and Mega Man have a moment together. As nice as it was to see everyone enjoying themselves during this calm before the storm, I have to ask, are we going to see payoffs for these moments? With Mega Man going on hiatus shortly after "Worlds Unite," it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot of time to develop these threads.

Vincent Lovallo: Rest assured, readers will definitely see some sort of payoff for these moments within the frame of time we have laid out. It’s true that there isn’t a whole lot of time to play with, but that’s why we try to make those moments we can include count.

CA: Another key point this issue centered around Xander Payne. Last chapter we saw him escape prison through his own portal, and it ended up leading him to Lost Hex. As Hex so well hidden and remote, how did Payne know to find it, or was it destiny (and randomness) that brought him there just in time to save Wily and Eggman?

VL: Xander Payne was guided by his “destiny”. Xander has experienced multiple visions since his tampering with the time stream in our Mega Man “Dawn of X” storyline (Mega Man #37-40). His experience of traversing through time in addition to his visions have fueled his obsession with destiny and his overarching goal to wipe out all advance robotics. His visions have guided him to Lost Hex. He knew that he had to find the doctors, though the reason for rescuing them is still something that he does not understand. Xander is the type of person that would do anything to fulfill his destiny, even if it means teaming up with the mad doctors to do it.

CA: Uneasy alliances were really prominent this chapter. We had multiple enemies saddling up for the impending battle for the greater good, but knowing characters like Eggman and Wily, it's only a matter of time until they turn this team-up to their advantage. There's still a lot of track to run in this crossover, but how much longer can these arch enemies possibly behave?

VL: The doctors know better than to show their hand so quickly after teaming up with the heroes, though you can anticipate that their treachery will be unveiled soon enough! Until then, I think that readers will enjoy their interactions with the heroes while they’re on the same team. I know I ended up laughing out loud at some of the banter between Sonic and Dr. Eggman.

CA: We don't see much of Sigma this issue, beyond assembling his army. When we do finally catch up with him, he's bringing back Chill Penguin through a Genesis Portal. If he could just summon his own troops through the portals, why hasn't he brought the rest of his Mavericks over to stall the Freedom Fighters and Robot Masters while he's powered up by the Unity Engines?

VL: Sigma has a plan and he is following through with it in stages. He has also just recently tapped into a huge amount of power from the unified worlds and has only just experimented with his new abilities. You’ll see what he has in mind soon enough. Please eagerly await Sonic the Hedgehog #274. I guarantee it will knock your socks clean off and send them straight to the moon.

CA: Now for the most important question of all time: will we ever learn the truth about spy brooms, and how can we prevent a spy broom attack?

VL: The truth will be revealed. I guarantee it. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot you can do to prevent it, as they are a silent, static, and manipulating bunch. Most people have been anticipating the zombie apocalypse, but we of the Archie Action department know better and have been prepping our own plans of attack for the spy broom takeover. We’ll be ready to sweep the floor with them when the time comes.

And now, get an advance look at the next chapter of "Worlds Unite" with our exclusive preview of Sonic Boom #9.

SONIC BOOM #9
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Edwin Huang, Gary Martin, John Workman and Gabriel Cassata
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Evil Friends Forever E.F.F. Variant Cover: Brent McCarthy
Covers Unite Variant (6 of 12): Ben Bates

The SONIC/MEGA MAN crossover event GOES BOOM! “Worlds Unite” Part Six: The war against Sigma has been waged! Sonic, Mega Man and X lead their unified friends against hordes of mechaniloids led by the armored, super-powered Deadly Six! That sounds pretty scary and exciting, and now is definitely the time for everyone to work together and pay close attention. Especially Sticks. She tends to do some distracting stuff, like falling off the Sky Patrol and landing into a Genesis Portal or something—wait? Did she really? Well, where did she land? No way! Is that – -?! You won’t believe where Sticks lands, but what you BETTER believe is that this issue sports some awesome cover art by Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante and the return of the EVIL FRIENDS FOREVER (E.F.F.) variant by Brent McCarthy! Plus part 6 of the epic 12-part connecting variant cover series by artist Ben Bates!
On Sale Date: 7/1 | 32-page, full color comic | $3.99 U.S.