Mega Man Issue 43 (Archie Comics)


 * Previous Issue ←—→ Next Issue

Mega Man #43 is the forty third issue in the Mega Man comic series by Archie Comics, to be released in 2014.

Publisher's Summary
The battle ain't over yet, and the legend has only just begun! Based on the renowned game Mega Man 3 comes 'Legends of the Blue Bomber,' Part Three. We've seen Mega Man battle Robot Masters many times before, but now witness the automaton insanity unfold from the perspectives of their creators! Magnet Man wonders if he's led his brothers astray as he prepares to stop Mega Man. Needle Man won't go quietly, instead choosing a battle on his own terms! Meanwhile, Auto makes a shocking discovery about Dr. Wily-but will he survive to report it?! Featuring all-new cover art from the legendary Patrick 'SPAZ' Spaziante and classic Capcom variant cover to complete your Mega-collection!

Legends of the Blue Bomber Part 3: Without Direction, With Disdain
The issue picks up right where the previous issue left off: one of Gemini Man's holographic copies emerged from behind Mega Man and fired a shot at him. However, because Rush managed to warn him and tackled the holographic copy, Mega Man managed to dodge the shot with only his right shoulder being scraped. Mega Man managed to retaliate by shooting the real Gemini Man in the face, with his holographic copy only expressing disbelief that Mega Man managed to dodge his attack as he fades away. Dr. Light then called in inquiring Mega Man's status because of his receiving a severe damage report. Mega Man then explained that he let his guard down, but is certain he avoided any major damage. It then cuts back to Light Labs on Earth, with Roll, and Dr. Light looking concerned, with Light also telling Mega Man not to push himself too hard, and implied that he might need repairs. However, Mega Man cut him off and told him he'll have plenty of time for repairs later, as he needs to find the remaining Robot Masters, stop them, and retrieve the Energy Elements before they do something extremely dangerous with them that might result in countless casualties. While this is going on, Dr. Wily reacts with a suspicious amount of nervousness, with Auto noticing. Mega Man then asks Dr. Light for the coordinates of any of the others. Dr. Light confirms that one of the processing plants receiving materials from the asteroids is getting reports of tampering with the work force. Dr. Wily, clearly recognizing who he is referring to, then sheepishly tries to dismiss himself, further fueling Auto's suspicions. As Auto prepares to follow Wily, Wily begins making a call to Magnet Man and, in a hushed tone, informs Magnet Man that Mega Man is on his way to him.

Meanwhile, at the processing plant, Magnet Man receives Wily's transmission, and informs Wily to let Mega Man come, as he's prepared for him while a huge force of Mag Flies and New Shotmen are advancing. Secretly, however, he realizes that Mega Man coming back to Earth means four of his brothers are gone, and feels responsible for their deaths, as he was the one who suggested to Dr. Wily the Missing Asteroids tactic. However, before he could finish his thought, he realizes that one of the magnetic dynamos have been turned around again, interfering with his systems, expressing irritation that Wily doesn't make sure to avoid the most powerful dynamo interfering with his systems, and vows to defeat Mega Man quickly so he doesn't have time to capitalize on his design flaw, and thus ensure that Wily rules all. As he is monologuing, some Peterchy are sucked into the dynamo and detonate, causing some damage.

A short time later, Mega Man manages to tear through Magnet Man defenses as the renegade Robot Master watches. He then notes that although in theory, Wily's strategy makes sense as Mega Man is to be worn out by the time Magnet Man arrives, he also realizes that it wasn't working the previous twenty times and Mega Man is still going through his forces way too quickly to wear him down, which is ignoring his susceptibility to magnetic interference. He notes it doesn't matter at this point, as Mega Man is already on his way to the door. He then readies himself in preparation for the door to open so he can blast Mega Man once he enters his range, but then Mega Man appears from the door behind him and demands Magnet Man's surrender.

Events

 * Mega Man finishes his battle with Gemini Man and goes on to face Magnet Man and Needle Man.
 * Auto discovers Dr. Wily's treachery but is prevented from reporting it by Wily.

Trivia

 * This is the third Mega Man comic to be printed in the "Archie Action Series" style.
 * The variant cover is taken directly from the package artwork for Rockman Complete Works 3, a Japan-exclusive PlayStation remix of the original Mega Man 3. However, it's not a complete copy-and-paste; the artwork was edited to change Proto Man to Break Man.
 * Xander Payne implies that he also witnessed the events of Worlds Unite when ranting in his cell that "worlds will collide again."