Archie Announces New Mega Man Comic Book at NYCC (Updated)
Today, during the “Archie Comics Means Business!” panel at the New York Comic-Con, Archie Comics announced that, through a partnership with Capcom, they will be producing a new comic book series based on the original Mega Man in 2011.
As many of you may know, this is not the first time Archie Comics has ventured into the arena of video game-based comic books. They first tread this ground back in 1989 with a five-issue series based on Konami’s The Adventures of Bayou Billy, and subsequently followed it up with SEGA’s NiGHTS into Dreams and Sonic the Hedgehog, the latter of which going on to sell over 215 issues and counting, not including numerous specials and spin-offs.
The last attempt at an American (or rather, Canadian) produced Mega Man comic book was in 2003 by the now-defunct Dreamwave Productions. The series ended after only four issues, and the promises of a Mega Man X series fell through as the company went bankrupt in 2006.
Presently, plans are for current Sonic the Hedgehog scribe Ian Flynn to take on the task of writing, while renowned Sonic and Mega Man comic artist Patrick Spaziante (whose previous interview with us can be found here) will also be involved in some way.
We’ll update with more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you are in attendance at the New York Comic-Con, both Flynn and Spaziante are there as well, so you can try to squeeze some more info out of them– or just express your delight while asking for autographs.
Update: Press release following the break.
New York, NY (October 8, 2010): Archie Comics—home to Sonic the Hedgehog comics—is about to become the base of operations for a comic series featuring Capcom’s heroic video game legend, Mega Man!
The Mega Man® franchise is hotter than ever and in the spring of 2011, Archie Comics will take his heroic adventures to new heights with a brand new monthly comic!
With the aid of his mighty Mega Buster blaster arm and a killer creative team including renowned artist Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante and infamous Archie action/adventure writer Ian Flynn, Mega Man is equipped to blast his way back into the comic book world in his own monthly action. Arriving Spring 2011, the new Mega Man™ comic from Archie Comics promises to build a faithful legacy while exploring a vast universe of heroes, villains, and robots.
“Since 1987, the enormously successful Mega Man franchise has conquered media from video games to television to manga. Archie Comics is ready to carry on this tradition of success, holding true to the spirit of the old school with a fresh eye on Mega Man’s strong potential in the world of American comics,” promised Archie Comics editor of Sonic and now the Mega Man franchise, Paul Kaminski.
The Mega Man comic book series will follow the original Rock/Mega Man in his battles against the maniacal Dr. Wily. Mega Man’s jam-packed, fast-paced adventures are told from the perspective of Rock (a.k.a. Mega Man) the young boy with a peaceful heart now thrust into a life of conflict.
“Readers can expect non-stop action, as well as an exploration of the themes of family, choice and loyalty that make the Mega Man franchise a property that connects on a very personal level,” continued Kaminski. “From there, we hope to fully explore not only that classic world, but the other spin-offs including Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man Legends and more!”
“We’re thrilled to be creating a definitive version of Capcom’s Mega Man to American audiences,” remarked Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “And to do it with our top-notch creative team who all love and understand the property inside and out is going to be spectacular!”
In honor of the announcement at NYCC, Archie Comics and Capcom® will each be hosting signings of an exclusive print with the Mega Man creative team Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante and Ian Flynn.
Stay tuned to ArchieComics.com for updates on the “Mega Man” comic series coming from Archie Comics in Spring 2011.
Capcom, and Mega Man are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
Image via Comics Alliance
Tags: Archie, Capcom, comic book, Mega Man Classic, New York Comic-Con
Filed under: Mega Man News
I always preferred Fleetway’s Sonic the Comic over Archie’s series. But I’m curious how they’re gonna handle Mega Man.
If it turns out well, let’s hope it’ll last longer than 4 issues…
I have confidence.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
Oh man, I like where this is going XD
Small Correction: Sega’s NiGHTS into Dreams came after the sonic series started. I should know since I’ve been collecting the series since 1993. This is an interesting newstip for me as there have been lots of artists and writers (good & bad) that have come and gone into the comics. Since I never read the Dreamwave comics, I can’t say how this’ll be different from it but knowing Ian’s part of the writing I have hopes for this one.
As long as Spaz is doing the art, you can count me in!
Wh-WHAT?!
Oh no, I am positively excited. I was aware of the “surprise” Ian Flynn was hinting at, and knowing he was a Mega Man fan as well, I was helplessly hoping for it to be a new MM comic series. It’s interesting to see that UDON isn’t the one making it. Wonder what made Capcom go with another company for this?
I hope this means Patrick Spaziente will be comic’s penciler. He was one for Dreamwave’s short-lived MegaMan series, and even the occasional artist for Sonic. In fact, that’s his work in that picture there, isn’t it?
Oh man, not like I need to spend MORE money on comics, and yet I will. I will get this comic the day it’s out. Whenever that will be…
Rock-X: Indeed, never said NiGHTS came first; there was simply more to say about Sonic, and it’s the one still running, so I put it last.
Moogy: That is indeed a Mega Man pic Spaz made for us at the top of the article, yes.
And I figure that they likely went with Archie due to distribution, among other reasons. Most MM fans I know never got to see the Dreamwave book, as they don’t have comic shops near them. UDON’s first-run comics, like Street Fighter, tend to only be released in comic shops, unlike Archie’s Sonic, which can be found in drug stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, bookstores, etc.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
…source? Or were you actually there, LBD?
Source? Archie.
I wish I could have been there, but alas, it was not to be. Thanksgiving weekend here and all that.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
Yo, LBD!
How big a fan of the Blue Bomber is Mr. Flynn anyhoo? An inquiring mind wants to know.
awesome news! i have the all the megaman dream wave comics including the number one varients!
Pyro: Hmm, “how big,” you ask?
I’d say around, maybe a bit over the 5’6″ mark.
But seriously, while I don’t know exactly how much he knows, I do know he has a couple of people around him who are big fans that should help keep things set straight.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
Art style is kinda cute. But I probably won’t be getting the issues of this, but I’ll keep an eye on it.
Ironically, I too have been working on a comic series based on the original Mega Man as well…
Dude. Dude? Really? Awesome. I don’t really like the art style in those sketches, but I will DEFINITELY look forward to this. the Sonic comics they do are really, really good, so…
SPAZ you say? Sold.
Hmm, the sketch… Proto Man, I could possibly see Spaz having done. But Mega Man seems off (compare to the top of this post).
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
Oh god, that NiGHTS comic made me lose all respect for that Archie guy…
Hopefully this won’t end at only four issues — a curse apparently, as many MM comics seem to die off with only a handful made.
With archie, I’m sure they can handle it, look at Sonic. If they can handle both, I’m sure they’ll be the biggest VG comic book guys since the manga adaptors.
Well, this is going to suck.
I love Megaman, but archie comics, especially Sonic’s, suck. The artwork for Archie comics is decent but they are notorious for screwing up canonicity, creating mary-sues for the comic just so canon characters can bang them and also making characters ooc in the comic.
So, yeah… This most likely will be bad.
@ LBD
I agree about Mega Man looking nothing like Spaz’s style. In fact, wasn’t it said that Chad Thomas would work on the comic, too? He’s the guy who pencilled for Young Salem, and that Mega Man there looks LOADS more like his style if you ask me.
Now, I could easily be wrong about this, but that’s just my guess. That Protoman’s definitely Spaz’s, though.
Sounds interesting, I wonder how that’ll turn out.
http://www.sonicstadium.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/megaman11.jpg
Oooh snap.
Moogy: I think that was mentioned somewhere, yes… that might explain it.
Erdile: I disagree, but to each their own. At the very least, I think Sonic has come a long way in recent.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
A-A-Archie Comics????
Of Sonic The Hedgehog comics?????
WHY MUST CAPCOM DECIDE TO BREAK MY WALLET???!!!!
Well, this is pretty interesting. I’ve been buying a lots of Sonic The Hedgehog comics that was made by Archie Comics, but now this is pretty exciting! Now I wonder if they be able to make Megaman X series next?
I just hope Sega and Capcom will let Archie do a crossover. I’ve seen enough fan comics where Sonic and Megaman crossover to want to see how Archie would handle it.
come to think of it, why hasn’t Archie done a crossover with Sonic and Archie yet?
@suroguner:
If I remember correctly, there are a couple of halloween specials that feature a semi-crossover of archie & friends with sonic & knuckles. Unfortunately, I read that its only a throw away type of crossover & something not part of comics series.
Actually, there was a two-part (if memory serves) crossover with Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, but that was it.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
Sonarchie fans will be happy
Looking forward to this.
Maybe a Crossover would have Sonic investigating a vortex created by Time Man and Astro Man’s combined powers, and it would tap into Mobius, and Sonic would find himself in 200X, where he would meet Capcom’s OWN Blue Hero.
Great news. I was wondering if they were ever going to make a MM comic that could last. There are definitely some great plot ideas for it.
I’ve heard of video game comics like Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog and Dreamwave’s Mega Man, but I’ve never read any in my entire life (heck, I couldn’t find one local comic book store)! Well, from what I’ve read, I can tell there are a lot of “haters” of the VG comic series; however, I won’t judge until I’ve read at least one. Just how bad could they be? I’m amazed to see Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog lasted over 200 issues! Even for a so-called “bad comic”, that’s a record! I wonder how Archie’s Mega Man will turn out. :/ Spring is a long way from now.
Mega Mix is what I judge all Mega Man comics on. The Dreamwave series was absolute garbage. I can’t say I care for the way Mega Man looks in that sketch, but maybe it will improve. Based on their Sonic stuff, I can’t say I expect much though. Guess we’ll see.
I heard that this news was originally supposed to have been announced at the San Diego Comic Con this year, but for some reason it wasn’t. XD
Being a fan of Spaz’s works, I can’ t wait to see this. =3
So long as Ken Penders is kept far, FAR away from this, consider me interested.
Archie’s Sonic series has done very well for itself, and is certainly an enigma in the world of video game comics (it must be; it holds the record for the longest-running one). Ian Flynn is the best writer the team’s had yet, and that’s saying something – he has a real penchant for the “old-school” and also doesn’t shy from a little self-directed humour when it comes to comic book and video game clichés. The fact that they now have two ongoing series, as well as a full-length graphic novel coming out, should say something about how well the comic is doing now, and hopefully, for all the eyebrow-raisers, hint at the fact that it would be far stranger for this upcoming Mega Man series to be bad than not.