Mega Man X (character)/Archie Comics

This article is about Mega Man X (character) in the Archie Comics series.

History
X was given an indirect mention in Issue 5 of the Mega Man Archie Comics serial, where Dr. Light expressed hope of creating a robot able to replicate the X-factor of humans.

X first appeared in the story, "The X-Factor: Part 1". The story is set mere months before the original game. Having been created by Dr. Light, X was sealed in a capsule to analyze his systems and ensure that he would be stable. Unfortunately, Dr. Light's advanced age meant that he wouldn't live long enough to awaken X, nor was there anyone left to continue the project. As such, 100 years later-70 years longer than the process was intended to take-X was unearthed by Dr. Cain while the latter was doing an archaeological expedition. He later witnessed the creation and mass-production of the Reploid race, but grew worried about whether or not the Reploid development was going too fast, due to necessitating thirty years for his own development to ensure he didn't malfunction and end up a disaster for all. In Issue 35, the second part of "The X-Factor", Mega Man X received news of a Maverick attack, with a confirmed human casualty, and that the Mavericks responsible were put down with great difficulty. Mega Man X was disturbed by the news, as it meant the Maverick outbreaks result in the deaths of both humans and reploids. He eventually met with then-Maverick Hunter commander Sigma, who offered him a place amongst the Maverick Hunters, which X declined.

In the first issue of the "Dawn of X" story arc, X dealt with two members of the Emerald Spears, and grew disturbed after learning from Zero their past and motives, due to the implications that a similar event happened in the distant past to the recent events of Reploids going Maverick. He also appeared in the end of the comic, where he and Cain, unearthing the mesa laboratory that Mega Man, Bright Man, and Pharaoh Man entered a century earlier, found the Wily Walker. He later attempts to hold off the Wily Walker long enough for the Maverick Hunters (composed of Zero, Vile, and three unnamed Reploids) to arrive and engage it. Afterwards, upon their arrival, he then is instructed to regroup with Dr. Cain to see if he had found anything relating to the Wily Walker. Upon arriving, Dr. Cain informs X that he found a capsule containing information about the Wily Walker, and also reveals that the Wily Walker weapon contained chemical weapons. X then rushed back to the Maverick Hunters and helped participate in the battle, warning them of the discovery. X as well as Zero reacted with horror when Vile, in a desperate attempt to prevent the Wily Walker from escaping, ended up endangering innocents by blowing up a bridge. X then went to tend to the wounded, and discovered a man who apparently died in it. He was then confronted by Xander Payne, who mistook him for Mega Man and accused him of leading the robot revolt. X then recognized him as being an Emerald Spears, shocking him for it existing into the century. He then left to battle the Wily Weapon, mostly to keep an eye on Vile thanks to his erratic behavior. He later was tasked, alongside Zero, Vile, and the other Maverick Hunters, to distract the Wily Weapon while Sigma personally confronts the weapon to disarm its chemical weapons. Unfortunately, the Wily Weapon began arming just that kind of weapon upon witnessing Sigma's presence. X then aided in distracting the Wily Walker with Zero and Vile while Sigma confronted it, eventually damaging it enough to take it down before it could release its chemical weapons. He also witnessed Sigma and Vile's conversation where Sigma implied agreement with Vile's assessment of humanity being inferior to Reploids with some concern, before Sigma states that their being inferior is the reason why they must protect humanity.

Although he doesn't actually appear in Issue 41 itself, he is present in the ComicCon cover variant, manning a meet-and-greet table at a convention, with Roll approaching his table.

Mega Man X will appear in the upcoming crossover event Worlds Unite, marking the second inter-series crossover event he's been in (after the aforementioned "Dawn of X" crossover) as well as the first one to involve the Sonic franchise.

Short Circuits
In Issue 34's segment, X and Zero are excited about finally appearing in the comic, although they are escorted off by Mega Man and Roll, who informs them that they should get their own comic series as they haven't even gotten to Mega Man 3 yet. He also appeared in Issue 35's segment, where he offered to trade Sigma for Dr. Wily after Mega Man complained that the latter villain was the worst. In Issue 37, as a prank, Dr. Cain (roleplaying as a pirate) had him mark an "X" on a treasure chest, to X's embarassment. In Issue 38, Mega Man X proceeded to go on an adventure with his predecessor. In Issue 39, Mega Man X, at Mega Man's request, reluctantly explains what will happen to him in the future (as he didn't want to risk messing up the timeline), although Sigma and Wily destroy his explanation by popping out of the panel.