NegaMetallix

  Considering it appears when Sticks is rambling about a possible 'nexus' (centre of the multiverse), it's most likely an entirely new world that could be the setting for a third crossover. And since there are Genesis Portals there too, it might allow the other SEGA/Capcom worlds to appear again. In other words, it's likely just sequel-bait.

I take it both this game and Boom: Fire & Ice haven't had any noticable news updates since their reveals? If so, that's worrying to say the least.

I'll be joining in. Right now, I'm just waiting for Tony (Knux's character) to respond to Xander speaking to him. (I don't think he's noticed the post yet...)

  I doubt that, especially considering the positions where Sonic Boom and Mega Man will be by the end of this year. The final page seems to tease a new location for a future crossover, but I'm pretty sure they're gonna wait a while before bringing the two (or more) franchises back together again. Which I'm perfectly fine with, as long as we get a lot more space between this crossover and the next. (Maybe have the next one take place after Sonic's Lost World adaptation, and Mega Man 6/7's events.)

  Not to my knowledge. From what I understand, there's two at least two different Mega Man timelines. The first/main one is where robots became the next step in technology, which basically goes like this:   'Classic' Series (MM1-10) > 'X' Series (X1-8) > 'Zero' Series (Z1-4) > 'ZX' Series (1 & Advent) >>>>> 'Legends' Series (MoTB & L1-2)   Then there's the alternate timeline, where comptuters are the dominating technology:   'Battle Network' Series (BN1-6) > 'Star Force' Series (SF1-3)   I would list the individual games that aren't entirely considered canon, but that would take up way too much space here. Maybe another time.

  Look, it's not changing. At all. If you don't like it, then there's not much they can do about that. That 'article' seemed like it might have some decent points in it, but then it just semms to turn towards "SONALLY CAN'T HAPPEN, WORST COMIC EVER!" which irritates the hell out of me.

  Yeah, it certainly seems like they're silently canning it, rather than pausing it. But I'll wait until official confirmation before going any further on that opinion.   As for the other series: Battle Network and Star Force are both set in an alternate universe/timeline (a world where computers are the ultimate technology, rather than robots) so it wouldn't really make sense for Dr. Light to witness these events if he's simply travelling through his timeline (Classic-Legends). And X-Over is... just a mess. It's story, from what I understand, is just a 'What-If' scenario where most of the series' villains (Dr. Wily, Sigma etc.) join forces to take over all timelines. I'm pretty sure it's considered non-canon at this point, and adding it to this comic issue (along with the other two series you mentioned) would just take up too much space, I think.

Here it is, folks. The last solicitation and covers for Mega Man before his supposed hiatus. This is the preview for issue #55, "Everlasting Peace":       I don't know what to think at this point. On the one hand, it's cool to know that we'll be getting a glimpse into some more Mega Man timelines (Zero, ZX and Legends). On the other hand, the interview with Vincent Lovallo and Ian Flynn really doesn't make things sound good for the Blue Bomber's future. What do you guys think?   (Also, I'm willing to bet 1,000,000 Zenny that the last thing Dr. Light sees on this time-travel-trip is Megaman Volnutt stuck on the moon. Poor guy...)

I think the LEGO minifigures can also be used as standard toys (maybe even mix-and-match?) while the bases are used for the game. I could be wrong, though.   I like the look of this game, and was glad to see some franchises that I honestly didn't expect to be LEGO-fied, 'Portal' being the prime example for me. Also glad to see that certain characters (or at least Gandalf, Batman and Wildstyle) will have actual cutscenes interacting with the characters of each world, such as GLaDOS. Though I am curios as to how cutscenes will work in this game. Will certain moments only happen if you have/use a particular character (such as that clip with Homer Simpson in the Aperture Test Facility)? Either way, this looks like it could very-well be a fun game, if not definitely a large money-grabbing game. So I'll be keeping an eye on it.   (Now I just need to decide what I want to see more: LEGO Batman taking on GLaDOS' tests, or Ultron and Darth Vader taking over the Grid from 'TRON: Legacy'.)

Just incase anyone's wondering, 3 new characters have become available: Big, Cream and Silver. These three aren't unlocked via the Roulette, but can be purchased straight away. However, each one costs 250 Red Rings (or 5,000,000 Rings) and are categorised as 'Team Easy'. Essentially, they run slower than the other characters (making certain tasks easier) but you're score bonus is HALVED (or more, if you use 2 'Easy' characters) to counteract the easy run. This, combined with their VERY hefty price... honestly doesn't make them too worthwhile. It's a shame, really. I was tempted to play as Silver in this game. Oh well, at least I unlocked Rouge today!

Man, I am long overdue on these summaries/reviews. Let's start with Part 7, in Sonic The Hedgehog #274:     This was an okay issue, but the art once again holds it back. The fight between heroes was alright, but not too interesting, and the Deadly Six really didn't seem to do anything worthwhile in this issue. In fact, I'd probably say that they didn't really do much at all in this entire crossover so far. And with them now locked up and unconscious, it doesn't seem like that's gonna change. The fact that Sigma's new body actually has to RESEMBLE a Sonic villain kinda speaks for itself on how one-sided the villains line-up is in favour of Sigma. Overall, I think this cemented my opinion that Worlds Unite just isn't as fun or interesting as Worlds Collide was.   While I'm here, I'll also give my thoughts on the Sonic Battle Book. I felt that this was much more enjoyable to read compared to the Mega Man book, with the 'Knuckles vs. Break Man' fight being my favourite story overall. The 'Sonic vs. Deadly 3' fight was interesting, since I didn't expect it to take place outside of the Green Hill Zone. The 'Sticks vs. Roll' fight was probably my least favourite, since the joke was so obvious even without the previous mentions in the main event (i.e. "Spy-brooms"). But it wasn't exactly terrible, either. Again, 'Knux vs. Blues' was easily my favourite, mainly thanks to the art and dialogue between these red rivals. Overall, I think it's worth reading. It certainly kept me interested in this crossover long enough for Act 3 to come out. Anyway, I'll post my next set of summaries/reviews soon.

  Nope, the two Battle Books are the only extra content we'll be getting for this crossover. Once the Sonic Battle Book's out, it's just Act 3 that'll be left until it's over.

Well I never... looks like I actually have something positive to say about this game:   So, after failing to get it working on my phone for the billionth time, I decided to switch to a new phone (Galaxy S5, I believe). The game ran very smoothly, with very little lag. After finishing the first episode, it gave me 10 Special Eggs to have a 'free' go on the Special Roulette (which doubles your chances of getting each type of egg). And on this 'free' spin of mine... I landed straight on the Character Egg and unlocked Classic Sonic! YES! To think, after all this time, I was lucky enough to get him.   But it gets better. Once I'd obtained 50 Red Rings, I decided to have another go at the Premium Roulette (mainly to get another buddy) and... it just lands on the very edge of the Character Egg again! So now I also have Omega unlocked! As for the game itself, I'm actually enjoying what I've played so far. I just hope this lasts...

Well, I don't think 'Worlds Collide' had that much build-up either. Each crossover only alluded to the bigger plot in the last issues before the event. 'Worlds Collide' had Eggman telling Metal Sonic to meet his 'new partner' (SU#50), and 'Ivo'/'Albert' leaving their bases to activate the Genesis Wave, while their foes were busy (STH#247 & MM#23). 'Worlds Unite' has Eggman going to find the Lost Hex (STH#272), Silver ending up in X's world and Orbot being possessed by Sigma (SU#75), while Dr. Wily gets abducted by Sigma (MM#49) and Sticks encounters X (SB#7/8). Both crossovers open up with a basic "how did this all begin" montage-of-sorts, but I will admit that 'Worlds Unite' has FAR more exposition than 'Worlds Collide' did, most definitely because more franchises (Sonic Boom and Mega Man X) are involved now. Actually, this makes me really glad that they DIDN'T bring the other worlds in for the whole story, or we'd most likely STILL be getting nothing but exposition over halfway into the crossover. I think the heroes getting along quickly is just to stop things repeating too much from the last crossover. Also, there was an explanation for the Robot Masters and Maverick Hunters getting controlled, AND there was even a small amount of foreshadowing too. It's explained in Part 1 that the Deadly Six can control machines, and that their new armour enhances that power, allowing them to even control Sigma's body (before his failsafe activates). However, they can't control the robots' minds, hence why Mega Man and X apologised to Sonic in Part 6, and Sigma still gloated to them in Part 1. As for the art, I kind of agree with you. The problem is, none of these artists (or at least, Dan Schoening and Edwin Huang) have drawn for the Sonic OR Mega Man series. However, Dan has drawn for the IDW 'Ghostbusters' series and worked on human characters (which is why I don't mind his art-style for the human/Mega Man characters in Act 1) and Edwin Huang is an artist for UDON's Street Fighter series (which makes sense, since Act 2 will introduce that world to the crossover). Also, we at least (kinda) got some Tracy Yardley artwork during Act 1, and Tyson Hesse (who's done some covers for Sonic) is doing Act 3, so hopefully things'll get better in that regard. If not... I'll be disappointed.

So, seeing as we're now halfway through this thing, I'm curious to know what everyone's thoughts are about this crossover so far. For me, I think it's been a fun ride... but not as fun as 'Worlds Collide'. A lot of the action and exposition has been kinda badly paced, and the amount of characters IS starting to get a little too much to handle. (And this is all BEFORE the other franchises are introduced!) I've seen similar thoughts elsewhere, but I'd like to know if anyone here agrees/disagrees with me.

We now have a video showing off the gameplay, including the use of multiple characters: