Mega Man Meets Mega Man X In Archie's "Dawn Of X" Crossover

Here at ComicsAlliance, we're big fans of Archie's Mega Man series, but ever since the series started, we've been wondering when -- not if, but when -- they were going to get around to introducing Mega Man's far future counterpart, Mega Man X. It's been hinted at in the series, both in the main storyline and in backup stories, but now, we know for sure that the two video game heroes of different eras are going to meet.

In this summer's Mega Man #37, the two robot-fightin' robots are going to team up in "Dawn of X," a four-part crossover where 8-bit and 16-bit collide, courtesy of Ian Flynn, Jamal Peppers, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms. Check out some early art from the story below!

For those of you who may not be aware, Mega Man X first saw life on the Super Nintendo as the next-gen version of the popular Mega Man series that ran on the NES. Set 100 years after the original, X told the story of a future world where robots were given intelligence and emotions based on breakthroughs made by Dr. Light on the original Mega Man. Unfortunately, the robots that were built using that programming -- "reploids" -- were vulnerable to a virus that caused them to go "Maverick," attacking humans and causing X and his counterpart, Zero, to hunt them down, hopefully in a particular order that would give them weapons that could exploit the weaknesses of other robots.

While the Mega Man series was fantastic, Mega Man X (particularly the first one) was one of the best constructed video games of all time, so it has a pretty strong fan base even today. As a result, we've all been pretty sure that it would only be a matter of time before X made an appearance in the ongoing Mega Man series, and while the actual crossover doesn't start for a few months, Archie told us that the events get started in the next issue, Mega Man #35. From the looks of things it will differ quite a bit from the MM/MMX crossover that took place on the 1994 Mega Man animated series.

Here's the official solicitation for Mega Man #37:

"THE MEGA MAN / MEGA MAN X Crossover is here! The next big video game event from Archie Comics has at last arrived in DAWN OF X Part One! It's a brand new adventure so MEGA-EPIC that it would be impossible to contain it in just one time period! Witness a struggle that spans across time as both the original Mega Man AND Mega Man X battle a long-lost Wily weapon for the safety of all mankind! Featuring heroes and villains from both hit Capcom franchises, plus the surprise return of a character that will affect the very course of time and space as we know it! Get in on the ground floor of this century-spanning special event that features a cover and variant from Mega Man art legend Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, as well as a special "Villain Variant" cover featuring SIGMA and VILE by painter Erik Ly! "X" Marks the spot!"

"WORLDS COLLIDE was just the beginning! The next major Archie video game crossover event hits this April with DAWN OF X pt1 in Mega Man #37! Fans have been demanding this look into the future of Mega Man's universe since we began the series three years ago, and we're so excited to bring the rich, expansive and HARDCORE world of Mega Man X to life in the comics!"

"The DAWN OF X storyline features new cover art from Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante and interior art from Jamal Peppers, the team that brought the Sonic/Mega Man WORLDS COLLIDE storyline to life! These interior shots from Jamal, with inks by the incomparable Gary Martin, give a glimpse into the time-spanning epic adventure that will change the Mega Man, and perhaps the entire Archie video game comics line, for years to come!"

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante
"Relics of the Past" Variant Cover: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante