"This doesn't violate our contract with Archie, does it?"
Mega Man Gigamix Vol. 1
UDON Entertainment (May 2011)
WRITER/ARTIST: Hitoshi Ariga ASSISTANTS: Yusuke Suzuki; Tama Tsuchiya; You Muraoka OLD ASSISTANTS: Ryouma Nomura; Takanori Yamazaki; Takashi Matuyama; Rie Takahashi; Yasuyo Satou ENGLISH EDITION: TRANSLATION: M. Kirie Hayashi LOCALIZATION/EDITING: Ash Pauslen LETTERER: Marshal Dillon UDON STAFF CHIEF OF OPERATIONS: Erik Ko MANAGING EDITOR: Matt Moylan PROJECT MANAGER: Jim Zubkavich MARKET MANAGER: Stacy King EDITOR, JAPANESE PUBLICATIONS: M. Kirie HayashiLike the previous series, Mega Man Megamix, Gigamix is a compilation manga of Mega Man stories by Hitoshi Ariga translated into English. For this volume only two stories were presented, no comedy bits, no interviews, and no profiles (outside of some highlights from Megamix to bring everyone up to speed if they hadn’t read the previous volumes.
“Asteroid Blues” is set after the second Megamix story, “R Destruction Order” and features Mega Man’s first meeting with Protoman in a story loosely based on Mega Man 3. I say loosely but it does a better job of explaining why Dr. Light is working with Wily to create Gamma. Although the scientist was captured for his attacks, a discovery of an asteroid that carries a great power source, a series of crystals, is too much for the world’s government to resist, even though the source is heavily guarded. I don’t think I’m ruining anything by saying Wily double crosses him, thanks to the use of a teleporter.
OK, I have to note something here. Mega Man using a teleporter is a standard that dates back to the VERY FIRST GAME! And yet, outside of sprite comics made by fans and the fan film I have never seen it used except as a plot device. The US cartoon and this manga, both official releases, never used it. I don’t think the Dreamwave comics used it either, and I have to ask why? Archie got it right by using one; why nobody official before that? This aside, it’s a very good story, although it probably should have place in that series instead of this one.
The second story is based on both Battle & Chase, a racing game, and elements from Mega Man 7. “Burning Wheel” is more comical, but may still be canon the MegaGigamix continuity. In it, Roll (with Kalinka’s help) enters the Battle & Chase race across the World Bridge between Japan and America, but Wily also enters to get the prize money and forces Mega Man to join as a trap. It’s over-the-top crazy (and Freeze Man comes off…creepy with one note) but fun to read through.
Ariga already proved himself to me with the first series and this is no different. Highly recommended for any Mega Man fan.
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