“Worlds Unite” has been announced as the sequel to the 2013 Archie Comics Sonic/Mega Man crossover “Worlds Collide.” A 12-part event beginning in “Sonic Universe” #76, “Worlds Unite” sets itself apart from its predecessor in featuring a who’s-who of fan favorites from both Capcom and Sega (“Worlds Collide” was based in Sega’s Sonic The Hedgehog and Capcom’s Mega Man comic series).
Archie Comics hinted at a mega (pun intended) crossover just days before the 2014 New York Comic Con in October. Slowly, the publisher released more information about the characters involved in the comic-book event starting with the announcement that the worlds of Sonic Boom and Mega Man X would be involved in the action.
“The Sonic Boom comic series is part of the latest multi-media initiative from Sega, which includes video games, toys, and an all-new TV series on cartoon Network,” editor Paul Kaminsk told IGN in December. “Mega Man X has been a staple of video game culture for decades, and we were thrilled to begin exploring that futuristic universe in 2014’s Dawn of X storyline in the Mega Man comics!”
Knowing that the Sonic Boom and Mega Man X universes would be central to the series, the announcement of Sticks – the goofy jungle badger of the Boom universe – and X – the stoic hero of the Mega Man X universe – was no major surprise. Though fans of the alternate Mega Man reality will be delighted to see the reveal of one of the event’s villains.
“But the biggest addition of all comes in the form of the villainous SIGMA from the world of Mega Man X, who will play a key role in testing both the resolve and might of our heroes,” said Kaminkski.
Later, Archie Comics released more players in “Worlds Unite” including Sega’s original super-hit Alex Kidd and cult-favorite side-scroller Viewtiful Joe.
“Viewtiful Joe is as wild and colorful as any franchise out there, which makes it a perfect fit for this cross-world adventure,” said event writer Ian Flynn.
With the announcement of veteran and cult icons Kidd and Joe, Archie then opened the flood gates, announcing characters spanning from the worlds of Sega’s Skies of Arcadia and Golden Axe to Capcom’s Street Fighter and Ghost n’ Goblins. See below for a complete list of characters and the game franchises they come from.
“Words Unite” launches in May spanning the Archie Action titles of “Sonic Universe,” “Sonic Boom,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and “Mega Man.” Fans can get a sneak peek on Free Comic Book Day with the “Mega Man/Sonic” flip book available at your participating local comic book shop.
For a look at the covers of the first three “Worlds Unite” issues (and variant covers) visit Death Ray Comics’ blog.
Capcom Characters in “Worlds Unite”
Mega Man
Mega Man X
Sigma (Mega Man X)
Nina (Breath of Fire)
Viewtiful Joe
Red Arremer (Ghosts ‘n Goblins)
Amaterasu (Okami)
Ryu (Street Fighter)
Gore Magala (Monster Hunter 4)
Sega Characters in “Worlds Unite”
Sonic
Sticks (Sonic Boom)
Alex Kidd
Billy Hatcher
Nights
Tyris Flare (Golden Axe)
Vyse (Skies of Arcadia)
Base Wing (Panzer Dragoon)
Trent Hunsaker is a podcaster and popculturalist. Podcasting for Kevin Smith’s SModcast Internet Radio and the A Part of Him Podcast Network, he also operates Death Ray Comics, sweats, and reads comics – but mostly just sweats.