The Dawn of X Begins in MEGA MAN #37

MEGA MAN #37 was released this week. This is the beginning of a four-part "Dawn of X" storyline featuring the historic first meeting of Mega Man and X (Mega Man X). I wrote about the lead ups to this storyline here and here. I will say one thing about this cross-over. Neither of the characters actually manage to cross over and meet each other -- yet! But everything has been laid out for their first meeting, presumably next issue.

Meanwhile, there appear to be four main players in this story:

X: X is the first of a future line of living robots, also known as Reploids. Since being activated by Dr. Cain, X has been struggling to find his way in the world. So far, we have seen Arcadia City rocked by robotic attacks on human by Maverick Reploids. But MEGA MAN #37 introduces an extra challenge by anti-robot human terrorists known as the Emerald Spears. They are doing their best to get humanity to reject the robots around them:

Mega Man: The present-day adventures of Mega Man begin in the Badlands, where Mega Man and two Robot Master allies (Pharaoh Man and Bright Man) checking out one of Dr. Wily's secret laboratories looking for a host of evil Robot Masters who stole some powerful technology last issue (here for more information). The lab is supposed to be devoid of active security devices, but we quickly discover that this isn't the case. Fortunately, Dr. Wily is back at Light Labs remotely directing them around his traps. In theory, anyway...


Dr. Wily: Speaking of the reformed robot engineer, one has got to wonder why fewer people aren't questioning his role in last issue's Robot Master attack? I know they've bought into the idea that he was mind-controlled by Ra Moon, but he's always been a selfish, unstable fellow. You would think that they'd keep him on a shorter leash. Instead, they are deferring to him to keep Mega Man & Friends safe from harm.


Xander Payne: Meanwhile, we learn that present-day Emerald Spear terrorist Xander Payne has infiltrated the Chronos Institute. He has a time-traveling scheme to halt the "robot revolution" before it begins. He uses the technology at the Chronos Institute to jump into the time-stream, implying that he's traveling backwards in time. Which is confusing since this crossover will have Mega Man meet X one hundred years from now. But I'm sure it will all make sense eventually!


The issue ends with a battle between Mega Man and a giant Wily Walker robot. This thing is tough and loaded with all sorts of nasty weapons. Things really aren't looking good for our Mega Man -- both in the present and in the future.


The issue ends with X intersecting with the remains of this battle. Once again, it's not looking good for Mega Man. Then again, we know that he has at least three additional issues in this comic book series, so chances are that he will survive one way or the other!

"Secrets in the Deep" is written by Ian Flynn, penciled by Jamal Peppers, and inked by Gary Martin.