Mega Man: Fully Charged #5 is published by BOOM! Studios. It comes from the creative team of writers A.J. Marchisello and Marcus Rinehart, illustrator Stefano Simeone, colorist Igor Monti, and letterer Ed Dukeshire. Beginning immediately where the previous issue left off, it’s time for the main event. Mega Man vs. Namagem. The two brothers face off, with Mega Man being aided by Doctor Light and Zero. Namagem easily removes Dr. Light from the fight and focuses on Zero while Mega Man tries to keep up.
As the two fight, they talk about family and the rift that has grown between them. Mega Man wants to welcome his brother back into the family, while Namagem wants to destroy it. This leads to Mega Man being forced to pull out all the stops and use all of his tricks in a last-ditch effort to win. But when one brother wants peace and the other wants him dead, then true victory may be out of the question.
Each issue of this series so far has had some action and some plot or worldbuilding. But Mega Man: Fully Charged #5 was the first issue where the two were really combined. This works out to mixed results. The issue is absolutely a page-turner and very exciting. But at times it feels like the plot is stuck while the action continues. It’s hard to complain about getting page after page of robot fights, but at a certain point, it did feel a little like the story had just kind of stopped. It works within the boundaries of the plot, with Mega Man wanting to save his brother and redeem him while Namagem simply wants destruction. But there are only so many times that you can read a character make an impassioned plea while his foe brushes him off before it feels a little samey.
Thankfully, the art is absolutely gorgeous and gives a strong reason to read through the whole issue. Simeone’s art mixed with Monti’s colors continues to be absolutely dazzling. Whole pages of brutal robot combat are portrayed beautifully. The physicality of their violence combined with the futuristic imagery make for a fun contrast of brutal action through sleek design. The bright lights and neon colors help to keep the characters distinct even when the battle is at it’s most hectic. Meanwhile, Dukeshire’s letters continue to highlight the action on the page and add weight to the combat. I particularly like how the sfx lettering changes colors depending on which character is causing them. Specifically with blue for Megaman and yellow for Namagem.
Overall, I enjoyed Mega Man: Fully Charged #5, though I think the need to pull it into six issues hurt it somewhat. The action is gorgeous and the stakes are clear, but I’d have liked to have seen more resolution at the end rather than another cliffhanger. I still adore this series and highly recommend it for fans of the Blue Bomber. I just think this issue had a few more missteps than usual.
Mega Man: Fully Charged #5 is available wherever comics are sold.
Mega Man: Fully Charged #5
TL;DR
The action is gorgeous and the stakes are clear, but I’d have like to have seen more resolution at the end rather than another cliffhanger
