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I recently sat down with Udon Entertainment to get answers to some of your biggest questions about the new Mega Man comics announced at Comic-Con last weekend.
From the continuation of Archie’s Mega Man series and the new Mega Man X prequel to the Mega Man Legends mini-series and more, here’s what Udon had to say.
Protodude: Dawn of Sigma is a prequel to the original Mega Man X and will feature an original Maverick. Is this a completely new character created by Udon, or is it perhaps a lesser-known Maverick pulled from elsewhere in the games?
Udon: This is a completely original Maverick character, not taken from any existing deep lore.
Protodude: News of the six-issue Mega Man X2 adaptation was met with a lot of praise from fans. If the series performs well, is Udon interested in eventually adapting each mainline game in the X series?
Udon: That's the plan. If things keep going well, we'll do one MMX game adaptation every year.
Protodude: The Mega Man Legends mini-series was a huge surprise. What are Udon’s goals for the project? Will it adapt the games, tell an original side story, or perhaps explore something along the lines of a would-be Mega Man Legends 3?
Udon: The main series, #1-4, is an original side story. The Legends games are petty big stories, tough to adapt. And "Legends 3" is something Capcom probably wants to tell themselves one day. BUT... we will start off with an issue #0 that gives a bit of all the other things you mentioned.
Protodude: Is the goal for Mega Man Adventures (Archie Comics Mega Man) to become a ongoing series following issue #0/#56?
Udon: That is the goal. Issue #0 is certainly 'to be continued'. If fans come out for this initial #0 issue, we can green light it to a series.
As a side note, this parts of this #0 story were originally part of the Adventures Vol.4 hardcover bonus 6-page story. But when Ian Flynn got the chance to tell a full issue, he pulled those elements out and wrote an alternate bonus story for Vol.4.
Protodude: What does the planning and approval process with Capcom look like for these comics, both when adapting existing games and when developing original stories? Are they fairly hands-on, or does Udon have a good amount of creative freedom?
Udon: The Mega Man team has been pretty great so far. They haven't turned down any of our project ideas outright yet, and in fact have encouraged us to tell an 'UDON version' of the games rather than be trapped by the exact game events. They have though made some small requests and changes to keep us in line with the brands. Examples of the types of changes they ask for:
1) SHOWDOWN SPECIAL: From our original pitch, they asked to change exactly when in the timeline this Proto Man/Bass fight takes place. I think in the end it worked out better for it.
2) GEAR MASTERS: They asked for a small change in the GEAR MASTERS series because it conflicted with some info we'll learn in DUAL OVERRIDE. All good.
They DO give us some fairly specific notes about character design details. But I think we're getting better at avoiding those problems as we learn what their preferred versions of all the characters are.
Protodude: Are there any updates you can share on Mr. Mega Man Volume 3 or Little Mega Man Volume 3?
Udon: There have been some logistical delays in licensing these last volumes, but we'll get there!
Protodude: And I have to ask, because everyone always asks me to ask you: is there any update on Mega Man X: Mega Missions?
Udon: No hurdles left in getting it released, but I think it best to wait and release it after the X2 comic series. It's a different continuity, but that is when the story is set, and I think that'll cause the lease confusion.
I wonder if they would do Mega Man Battle Network and Mega Man Star Force as well?
ReplyDeleteThey did have that mmbn oneshot that, if I remember correctly, left off on an open note. So I wonder if there is more plans for mmbn
DeleteIf Mega Missions is back on the table for adaptation, does that mean the rest of Hitoshi Ariga's Mega Man work is able to be reprinted?? Megamix and Gigamix have been largely unavailable besides the first volumes worth of stories.
ReplyDeleteyes!!! please udon!! i still dont have gigamix volume 3 physically and its burning a hole in my bookshelf
DeleteSo they're basically holding Mega Missions hostage because Daniel can't fathom the thought of his boring comics to be overshadowed by the much superior manga. This is all about ego and nothing else. If fans had the opportunity to read both the X2 adaptation and Mega Missions, the latter would definitely sell better and be more well-received. That's literally what this all boils down to.
ReplyDeleteAlso, original stories is hilarious considering the X comics, and Gear Masters are just retellings of their respective games. And saying the comics are essentially not canon to the official canon is already a no-brainer. Archie was its own separate continuity, so why in the world would anyone think Udon is exempt from that? Unbelievable.
“And ‘Legends 3’ is something Capcom probably wants to tell themselves one day.”
ReplyDeleteLol. Lmao, even.
I love how two people had the exact same response to that line. Definitely an optimistic take, to put it nicely.
DeleteHey, I like to think I’m more optimistic than Elpizo, A.K.A. the biggest incel in Mega Man history!
DeleteIf they want my optimism, they need to earn it. But post-Inafune, Capcom has avoided Legends content at every chance they have.
I'm sure there’s a more legally binding reason than just Matt or whoever personally wanting to see the game first, but that’s not what they said. The claim is “Capcom wants to make Legends 3,” and yes, I find that a funny statement.
"And "Legends 3" is something Capcom probably wants to tell themselves one day."
ReplyDeleteLol. Lmao even.
Thanks for getting these updates! Great news all around. Really happy to hear that they are still committed to finishing the Mr. and Little Mega Man manga. And an annual 4-6 issue game adaptation for every X title sounds really cool.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the Archie continuation is more than a single issue and that they do release Mega Missions eventually. I'm perfectly fine with several versions of a game adaptation, whether it be something original or the re-printing of an older story. They're all fun to read in my eyes.
Speaking of the comics- Any news on the Dr. Wily one-shot? It was supposed to be out in June according to the Udon store, but is still listed as a preorder there. I have it on my pull list at the local comic shop and was just thinking "Huh, they should have said it was in by now..."
ReplyDelete