Even in 20XX you can’t escape the gossip rags.
Mega Man #13
Archie Comics (July, 2012)
“SPIRITUS EX MACHINA” part 1: “Shaping The Future” WRITER: Ian Flynn PENCILER: Jonathan Hill INKER: Gary Martin COVER ART: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante COLORIST: Matt Herms SKETCH VARIANT COVER: Johnathan Hill LETTERER: John Workman EDITOR: Paul Kaminski
Rock, Roll, Rush, and Spark Man join Dr. Light at a Robotics Trade Show. There the doctor meets his old friends Drs. Cossack and Lalinde (and her robot, Quake Woman) and ends up debating Lalinde in a debate about giving robots emotions. Unfortunately the debate is interrupted by an anti-robot terrorist group. Meanwhile, Dr Wily isn’t sitting idle as he makes a discover in the Amazon.
What they got right: This isn’t a game adaptation, but an original story, which is a nice change of pace. Maybe that’s how they’ll do it, one original story and one game adaptation? I also like that they have a debate between Drs. Light and Lalinde about the nature of robotics in 20XX, which as one reviewer put it is nice to see in a kid-focused all-ages title. They’re not talking down to kids but not talking above them, the debate isn’t a boring sequence, and it’s something for older readers as well. It’s also nice to see Rock and Roll making new friends like Kalinka and Pharaoh Man.
What they got wrong: They keep changing artists from arc to arc and while I know there are reasons it’s obvious that while they’re trying to keep the style the end result tends to throw me off.
Recommendation: While this isn’t an action-packed story, it sets up this storyline, and a cameo by Pharaoh Man plus the subplot with Light and Lalinde indicates potential for expanding the world. Worth picking up.
The debate would get the Best Scene nomination but it’s a bit long. Nothing else really stood out.
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