Mega Man Issue 44 (Archie Comics)


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Mega Man #44 is the forty fourth issue in the Mega Man comic series by Archie Comics, to be released in 2014.

Publisher's Summary
The blue-BOMBastic conclusion to LEGENDS OF THE BLUE BOMBER is here! The battle is about to reach its shocking conclusion—or will it? Based on the legendary game Mega Man 3 comes “Legends of the Blue Bomber” part 4! Hard Man is all set to destroy Mega Man—so why is he offering his enemy a free recharge? Spark Man won’t hold back as he sets out to avenge his fallen brothers! Meanwhile, Dr. Wily puts the finishing touches on his greatest creation to date, meaning this isn’t the end of Mega Man’s battles! Featuring new cover art from Mega Man art legend Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante and variant cover by Ben Bates!

Summary
Roll goes looking for Auto, only to find the room she expected him in to be dark. Upon flipping a switch, she notices that the lights aren't working. She then calls out for Auto and asks where he is and why the lights aren't working. Growing more terrified, she looks in a broom closet that was ajar, saying in a quivering tone that this isn't the time for hide and seek. To her shock and horror, she discovers her friend inside the cabinet, only to find him viciously disassembled.

Meanwhile, in a deep underground mine Hard Man awaits Mega Man's arrival, and is informed of his presence by a Monking. Thanking the robot, he then tells it to resume its regular functions. Mega Man then bursts in and exclaims that he found him. Hard Man then surprises Mega Man by offering him an E-Tank, citing that he seems exhausted. Mega Man, after hesitantly accepting, then asks if it's a bomb, with Hard Man replying that he wishes to fight Mega Man honorably. After recharging both himself and Rush, Mega Man questions the directing power behind Hard Man and his brothers' actions, noting that while Dr. Wily claimed to be under Ra Moon's control, the actions of Robot Masters seemed like one of his plans. He then offers Hard Man the chance to come with him peacefully, but the powerhouse robot responds that he intends to fight despite his previous kindness. The two begin to battle, and Mega Man quickly discovers that Hard Man is stronger and that his armor is too hard for an ordinary attack to penetrate after trying to punch him, only for Hard Man to look at him ominously without even flinching from the punch.

Trivia

 * In the variant cover, the robot masters have their sprite poses from Super Adventure Rockman, and Mega Man's pose is taken directly from the "Weapon Get" screen of Mega Man 3.
 * This is the fourth Mega Man comic to be printed in the "Archie Action Series" style.
 * In the Short Circuit there is a Robot Master named "Dupstep Man", which has a hairstyle like the electronic dance music DJ Skrillex. "Drop the Bass" is a song from Skrillex and also a famous internet meme. This leads to the joke with the Robot Master Bass.