SNS: Atop the 4th Wall Mechakara Special

I’ve mentioned Atop the 4th Wall more than once on this blog, but this time around, Linkara did something interesting enough to be a “Saturday Night Showcase” entry. Since June of 2009, some of his videos have included an actual story arc, as Linkara is hunted down by his evil, alternate universe duplicate, “Mechakara”. (Because he’s a robot.) He would pop up, disappear for a few episodes, and then pop up again.

Recently, the finale of this arc, complete with epic Linkara/Mechakara showdown, was posted. I found it interesting to go back, track down the episodes that feature the arc, and then post the finale it all its glory. So join me now on a trip through time and space (or just the AT4W archives) and watch the story of Mechakara unfold.

Originally starting in the Superman vs. Terminator review, the saga would reach to even earlier stories, and continue through into the new year, as fans were wondering just who Mechakara was, why he was after Linkara, and what his evil scheme actually was. Thanks to this handy timeline, you can read the comments section and watch what fans were thinking after each episode. Being the usual bad comic reviews otherwise, they were also crossposted at “That Guy With The Glasses”, but you’ll have to go there yourselves to find their reaction.

To speed things up I looked at those comments to figure out which episodes formed the arc, and an e-mail to Lewis Lovhaug himself helped with the Spoony Experiment stories that weaved in. (I knew the first one that was “retconed” into the origin story.) Any other episodes also included the “Black Lantern Spoony” sub-subplot that will continue on his show at some point. Also, I may miss an AT4W episode that other fans missed, but I’ll correct any missing data with updates. I can do that. I know how.

If you’re already up on the events you can just zoom right to the video postings. Otherwise, here’s the timeline leading up to the finale, listed by comic reviewed:

1. Spoony Experiment> Warrior #1: Retconed into the arc, this story has SE character (and occasional harasser of Linkara, kind of like how Doctor Doom took a break from bothering Reed Richards by bothering Tony Stark) Doctor Insano messing with space/time, which allowed Mechakara entry to “Earth-AT4W”.
2. Superman vs. Terminator: The first appearance of Mechakara, after the credits. Also guest-stars Daddy Linkara as “Future Linkara”, and the residual effects of Insano’s messing with “hypertime” from the SE episode.
3. Countdown part 1 and “15 Worst Moments“: Mechakara somehow charges the “Countdown” pile to form a Countdown Comic Monster (no official name). Actually not explained how he does that. Oh, and part 2 is where Insano first mentions being forced to cut his hair, for those of you who already saw the finale.
4. Cable #1: Cable is unhappy with Linkara’s review of his crappy comic, but Mechakara stops him from doing our hero harm. But why? (That is explained later.) For AT4W fans, this is also the debut of “Bloodgun”. Has anyone ever drawn this guy?
5. Zero Patrol #1: Something happens to the Continuity Alarm after declaring “I know who he is, I know what he wants!”. Mechakara claims to not be responsible during the finale. New enemy? Insano? Disgruntled newspaper boy who just wants his two dollars?
6. Blackest Night: Linkara & Spoony: OK, this one needs some flashing back to The Spoony Experiment. In the finale of Spoony’s series on Final Fantasy VIII (a review I have certain reasons for not linking to), the Spoony One is killed by Dr. Insano and Squall, but Linkara finds what’s left of him. In part one of Spoony’s review of The Clones of Bruce Lee, Linkara restores him, or possibly clones him. However, this installment finds that original is apparently brought back as a Black Lantern. (Shades of Batman in the whole Final RIP Return stuff.) Although Linkara is able to revive him in this installment, Mechakara kills him again and returns him to the ranks of DC’s notazombieweswear. (I believe this was filmed during the crossover event from the first Channel Awesome anniversary, as was the Warrior #1 review.)
7. Extreme Super Christmas Special #1: Potential cameo. Also, Poyo’s line is considered another clue.
8. At this point a couple episode ended with a countdown to the finale, but why include them if they’re not part of the story itself?
9. The Ultimates 3 #5: In the finale of Linkara’s review of the worst of the Ultimates mini-series, he mentions that he burned his hands, hence the gloves. However, when he turns on the fans (although I have to admit, he has a point–somebody’s buying this stuff to do something other than review it), the real Linkara walks in the door, revealing that the gloved Linkara is in fact Mechakara! This would be the first meeting, unless that’s actually him in the Christmas special.

And if your still with me here, congratulations. I’m sure somebody is going to correct me on this list at some point if I missed anything, but now you’re up to speed and it’s time for the two part finale. So sit back and watch as Linkara and his evil alternate universe robot duplicate battle to see who will stand atop the fourth wall!

NOTE: And my apologies to Linkara if the ad revenue doesn’t come through, because for BOTH videos I got that weird thing that blip.tv does to me now and then where the picture goes superhuge, but the video goes to normal size when you go to play it. Why does it do that, and what causes it to happen intermittently? (Check my Hanukkah posting of That Jewish Guy in the Christmas Spotlight to see what I’m talking about.) Hopefully it still comes through using Vodpod as a third-party. This is on top of my internet connection or blip or something going funky while trying to watch the videos, which made collecting the info for this post as frustrating as reading the comics he was reviewing. Also, I think I broke the scroll wheel on my mouse. Luckily, I was planning to get a new one soon.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

You can also check the commentary version of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers review for some behind-the-scenes information, like how the Mechakara arc was put together. Something I noticed while getting this together: with the exception of Spoony Experiment stuff that was worked into the arc and the potential Christmas cameo, the Mechakara stuff all took place during stories when robots rebelled against the humans. Seriously, look through the list. Only the review of Cable #1 doesn’t feature renegade mechanoids. Just people shooting lasers out of their cybernetic hands.

Between two webcomics, a series of novels he might not want me mentioning again, and this series, Lewis “Linkara” Lovhaug continues to prove that while he blasts bad writing, he does know what works and does so himself. I hope to see more bad comics burn in the future, as well as more battles with the forces of evil (usually in the comic industry 🙂 ).