|
Information in this article may not be canonical to the storyline of the games or any other Sonic continuity. |
- For the robot line of other incarnations of Captain Metal, see Metal Sonic v3.0.
Captain Metal, formerly known as Metal Sonic v3.3, is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics. He is a former incarnation of Metal Sonic and the leader of the Blackguard Pirates, a band of robotic pirates who sail the high seas of the Sol Zone. Like many of the rogues inhabiting the Zone, he sought the Sol Emeralds, putting him at odds with their guardian, Blaze the Cat.
Quick Answers
What is Captain Metal's connection to Metal Sonic?
Who are the Blackguard Pirates led by Captain Metal?
How did Captain Metal become a pirate leader?
What is Captain Metal's goal in the Sol Zone?
How does Captain Metal's quest affect Blaze the Cat?
History
A Relic from Another Lifetime
Captain Metal originally started off as the fourth incarnation of Metal Sonic v3.0. Shortly after the destruction of both Metal Sonic and Metal Scourge by the Suppression Squad, Eggman created a new Metal Sonic model, this time using the newer SXSU-401 engine instead of the typical STH-25, allowing the robot to transport to any other dimension to pursue Sonic. Metal Sonic then left for Moebius against his creator's will to find and attack Sonic and the others in Castle Acorn. Sonic later made an offer for Metal Sonic to help him take out Scourge first, instead of attacking everyone else, and the robot nonchalantly agreed. Scourge didn't give up, however, and rushed to the throne room, followed by Sonic and Shadow. Scourge then turned the tables on everyone by revealing that he had placed Anarchy Beryl in his throne. This allowed Scourge to transform into a stronger form; Super Scourge.[1]
Metal Sonic v3.3, from Sonic the Hedgehog #196.
Metal Sonic was temporarily defeated by Super Scourge along with the others and then tried to attack Sonic again when he deduced that defeating Scourge was no longer an option. It was later transported to another location along with Shadow when he tried to override Metal's teleporter engine with Chaos Control.[2] Arriving in an alternate universe, Metal Sonic was employed by that reality's version of Dr. Eggman to attack everyone, but was once again transported to a different reality by Shadow.[3]
Metal Sonic and Shadow then ended up in the Sol Zone, floating above an ocean. Shadow tried to convince Metal Sonic to no longer obey Dr. Eggman, but Metal Sonic completely ignored Shadow's request and kicked him into the water before flying off to look for the Zone's version of Eggman. Furious that he could not locate that Zone's Robotnik, Metal Sonic began attacking Southern Island. Shadow, Blaze and Marine showed up shortly to witness the destruction Metal Sonic had caused. Blaze furiously attacked Metal Sonic, but the machine simply used his powers to reverse Blaze's attack. Neither Shadow or Marine could take down Metal Sonic. However, Shadow tried once again to convince Metal Sonic to work with him, but Metal Sonic simply pointed out they each had different goals, and his was to serve Dr. Eggman. Thus, Blaze set fire to Metal Sonic, and Shadow charged at him. The robot flew towards the Ocean Tornado, and Marine destroyed him with the ship's cannon.[4]
When Super Sonic used Chaos Control in an attempt to reverse the Super Genesis Wave and Dr. Eggman interrupted this process, the entire original multiverse was forcibly rewritten as a completely new multiverse. This process would have potentially erased the Sol Zone, but thanks to the Jeweled Scepter, the Sol Zone simply was rewritten, with certain elements surviving the rewrite.[5][6]
Metal Sonic defeats Captain Boltbeard, from Sonic Universe #56.
One of these relics from the old reality was Metal Sonic v3.3, who was apparently salvaged and rebuilt from a bunch of damaged robotic remains by Doc Ratcheturn, a fellow robot doctor who traveled the seas of the Sol Zone in search of damaged robots. Ratcheturn rebuilt Captain Metal using what remained of his old body and parts from his own supplies, and the resurrected robot thanked him by stealing his vessel and leaving him to an unknown fate. Telling the other Blackguard Pirates that he had been brought back from the dead, he soon demonstrated his deadly abilities by challenging and defeating Captain Boltbeard, whom he disassembled in order to upgrade himself with Boltbeard's components. He also established his dominance over other pirates who dared to challenge his rule by removing their heads and placing them-still functioning-on poles around his island hideout. Taking command of the Metal Marauder, whose crew included the robots Swash and Buckle, Metal Sonic renamed himself Captain Metal. He later took on Bark the Polar Bear and Bean the Dynamite after they were unexpectedly transported to the Sol Zone from the Prime Zone.[7][8]
Captain Metal eventually came into possession of the red Sol Emerald-the only jewel that had not yet been recovered by Blaze-and began making plans for it, the princess, and the remaining Sol Emeralds. These plans centered on a battle station from another world that mysteriously appeared in the Sol Zone one day, badly damaged but possessing powerful technology. Captain Metal set his crew to repairing and remodeling it, and named it the Egg O' War.[7][8]
Pirate Plunder Panic
Captain Metal takes a captured Blaze back to his island, from Sonic Universe #56.
Some time later, Captain Metal ship came became engaged in battle with the Ocean Tornado, carrying not only his old foes Blaze and Marine but also Marine the Raccoon, Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit and Cheese. Blaze subsequently boarded his vessel, and the captain threatened to destroy her vessel if she did not turn herself over to him. The cat confronted him, not recognizing him due to the darkness and his new appearance, and demanded his surrender. In response, he used a laser cannon to destroy the crippled Ocean Tornado, and then watched as an enraged Blaze was knocked out by a member of his crew. Noting that Blaze had let her emotions get away from her, Metal Sonic voiced his intentions to take full advantage of his "second chance at life."[7] Taking Blaze as a prisoner back to his island, he placed her in a cage made of tungsten carbide, which he had created to be especially flame-resistant. Taking her to his throne room on the island, he explained his intentions to use the Sol Emerald to power his Egg O' War, and offered her the chance to join him and provide the others as well. Blaze refused, and informed him that only she could utilize the power of the Sol Emeralds, only to be informed that the Egg O' War-which Metal proceeded to unveil-contained an environment that let him use the power of the Sol Emeralds.[8]
Captain Metal in his crustacean form, from Sonic Universe #57.
Announcing his intentions to conquer sea, sky and other Zones with the Egg O' War, Captain Metal did not notice Amy, Cream, Cheese, and Marine, who had survived the destruction of the Ocean Tornado. The trio from Mobius moved to rescue Blaze, but an angry Marine confronted Metal directly for destroying her beloved vessel. He responded by attempting to blast her, only for Cream to swoop in and carry her to safety. Undeterred, the Captain ordered Buckle to open a large door built into the floor, revealing a tank filled with water inhabited by his Kraken. He intended to let the beast destroy them, but then received a shock as he noticed that his Sol Emerald had vanished. He quickly discovered the culprits: Bark and Bean, attempting to escape with the gem.[8] Enraged, he ordered Swash to see to the demise of the heroes while the rest of his crew pursued the thieves. However, another irritant appeared in the person of Johnny, right-hand to his rival Captain Whisker, who stole the Sol Emerald from the would-be thieves. With the resulting escape of heroes and thieves alike, Metal ordered his crew to ready his submarine for departure, while also ordering Buckle to "Release the Kraken!" When the Kraken was subsequently destroyed, Captain Metal was able to reclaim the Sol Emerald, and unveiled new crab-based parts as he confronted both sets of his enemies.[9]
Captain Metal's remains, from Sonic Universe #58.
After revealing his new parts he, Blaze, and Captain Whisker became locked in combat. In the ensuing battle, Whisker fled while Blaze chased and cornered Captain Metal in the Egg O' War's engine room and fought him face to face. Just when he would have destroyed her, Amy, Cream, and Marine jumped in to help. With Captain Metal distracted, Blaze had the perfect chance to regain the last Sol Emerald and transform into Burning Blaze. With her newly gained powers, Burning Blaze destroyed Captain Metal's body by melting it. However, she was too late to destroy his programming and he managed to upload himself into the Egg O' War's mainframe, thus becoming the floating fortress itself. He proceeded to continue attacking Burning Blaze, but was no match. She partially destroyed him, and he sank to the bottom of the ocean proclaiming that he would have his revenge on her.[10]
Personality
An example of Captain Metal's temper, from Sonic Universe #57.
Upon being rebuilt, Captain Metal's personality changed drastically. Apparently gaining a measure of free will, he also adopted various pirate mannerisms, particularly in terms of speech. Having gained something of a sense of mortality, he relished his renewed existence and became determined not to squander it on the activities that compelled other Sol Zone pirates. While he apparently developed a larger vision of what he could accomplish, he also became incredibly sadistic, perfectly willing to take lives and make others watch. He also appears to have gained the ability to lie, as well as justify his villainous actions.
Having gained a second chance at life, Captain Metal began relishing his regained existence, not desiring to waste it on petty plunders and meager visions, or by going into an early death. Captain Metal has also displayed an exceptional level of tenacity: even after falling to a cannonball shot from the Ocean Tornado as Metal Sonic and being ravaged and sunk by Burning Blaze as the Egg O' War, he still intended to persevere.
Powers and abilities
Captain Metal is equipped with a clawed left hand and a right forearm that is a combination of sword and laser cannon. He is an adept swordsman, as demonstrated by his victories over Boltbeard and other rival pirates. Furthermore, he has also been shown to have alternate robotic parts to replace his legs and right arm, the only known set being a set of crab-like legs with a matching pincer. In this form, he was apparently heat-resistant, blocking a sword of fire Blaze wielded against him. He could also channel electric shocks through his pincer, with which he subdued and knocked out Blaze for a time. Thanks to a thruster at the bottom of his body, he is able to fly. He also overwhelmed Amy and Cream even after being temporarily overwhelmed by them himself, and was only stopped by the fires of Burning Blaze. Captain Metal additionally is capable of possessing other technology by wirelessly uploading his programming into it, taking control over the Egg O' War following his body being reduced to slag by Burning Blaze.
Relationships
Friends/allies
Neutral
Enemies
- Amy Rose (Pre-Super Genesis Wave)
- Blaze the Cat (Pre-Super Genesis Wave)
- Captain Boltbeard
- Captain Whisker
- Johnny
- Marine the Raccoon (Pre-Super Genesis Wave)
- Rob o' the Hedge
- Rosy the Rascal
- Team Hooligans
- Team Rose
- Scourge the Hedgehog
- Shadow the Hedgehog
- Silver the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic X Zone)
Quotes
- "Thankee fer delivering the Sol Emerald for me, Whisker! Mayhap ye ought to be me cabin boy!"
- —Captain Metal, Sonic Universe #57
- "A surly lot, ye are! But there's no need fer ye all to be so crabby. Ye can leave that to me."
- —Captain Metal, Sonic Universe #57
Trivia
- Since the multiverse was rebooted due to the Super Genesis Wave, it is assumed the same thing had happened to the Sol Zone. However, it is not made clear as to whether or not the one had been altered in the same way as the Prime Zone. Several elements of the Zone suggest that various events remained after the rewrite. This is made evident by the presence of Captain Metal, a rebuilt version of the Metal Sonic that Shadow destroyed in Sonic Universe #1.
- Ian Flynn later revealed that, unlike most of the multiverse previously seen in the series, the Sol Zone was mostly preserved by the Jeweled Scepter.[6]
- However, the changes made to the Prime Zone and it is history because of the aborted Super Genesis Wave still raise some questions about the true extent of the Sol Zone's preservation.
- Ian Flynn later revealed that, unlike most of the multiverse previously seen in the series, the Sol Zone was mostly preserved by the Jeweled Scepter.[6]
- Captain Metal was originally planned to feature a design with a greater resemblance to his original appearance as Metal Sonic. This was turned down by Sonic Team, however, which led to his design being changed, and portions of the story being edited in order to make Captain Metal's origin as Metal Sonic less apparent.[11]
Gallery
Concept artwork
| Gallery |
|---|
    |
References
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #195, "Hedgehog Havoc! Part 1"
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #196, "Hedgehog Havoc! Part 2"
- ↑ Sonic X #40, "The End!"
- ↑ Sonic Universe #1, "Living Weapons"
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #251, "When Worlds Collide Finale: Best of the Best"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Flynn, Ian (22 March 2015). Ask Ian - Year End Bonanza Thingie. BumbleKing Comics. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Sonic Universe #55, "Pirate Plunder Panic Part One"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Sonic Universe #56, "Pirate Plunder Panic Part Two"
- ↑ Sonic Universe #57, "Pirate Plunder Panic Part Three"
- ↑ Sonic Universe #58, "Pirate Plunder Panic The Conclusion"
- ↑ A Nice Boomerang in This Trying Time | BumbleKast for Feb 6th - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast. Youtube (2 February 2023). Retrieved on 2 February 2023.
External links
- Captain Metal at Mobius Encyclopaedia, the Archie Sonic wiki.