Archie Comics, which has published Sonic the Hedgehog comics since 1993, announced at New York Comic Con that it has acquired the rights to Capcom's Mega Man.

Debuting in 1987, the Mega Man franchise has made the leap from video games to television to comics, with earlier series released in North America by UDON, Viz Media and Dreamwave Productions.

Archie's Mega Man, which "promises to build a faithful legacy while exploring a vast universe of heroes, villains and robots," will premiere in spring 2011 from Sonic the Hedgehog creators Ian Flynn and Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante (the latter also worked on Dreamwave's Mega Man comic).

According to the publisher's press release, the new series will follow the original Mega Man in his battles against his maniacal arch-nemesis Dr. Wily: "Mega Man's jam-packed, fast-paced adventures are told from the perspective of Rock (a.k.a. Mega Man) the young boy with a peaceful heart now thrust into a life of conflict."

Read the press release after the break:

MEGA MAN EXPLODES INTO ARCHIE COMICS

New York, NY (October 8, 2010): Archie Comics -- home to Sonic the Hedgehog comics--is about to become the base of operations for a comic series featuring Capcom's heroic video game legend, Mega Man!

The Mega Man® franchise is hotter than ever and in the spring of 2011, Archie Comics will take his heroic adventures to new heights with a brand new monthly comic!

With the aid of his mighty Mega Buster blaster arm and a killer creative team including renowned artist Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante and infamous Archie action/adventure writer Ian Flynn, Mega Man is equipped to blast his way back into the comic book world in his own monthly action. Arriving Spring 2011, the new Mega Man comic from Archie Comics promises to build a faithful legacy while exploring a vast universe of heroes, villains, and robots.

"Since 1987, the enormously successful Mega Man franchise has conquered media from video games to television to manga. Archie Comics is ready to carry on this tradition of success, holding true to the spirit of the old school with a fresh eye on Mega Man's strong potential in the world of American comics," promised Archie Comics editor of Sonic and now the Mega Man franchise, Paul Kaminski.

The Mega Man comic book series will follow the original Rock/Mega Man in his battles against the maniacal Dr. Wily. Mega Man's jam-packed, fast-paced adventures are told from the perspective of Rock (a.k.a. Mega Man) the young boy with a peaceful heart now thrust into a life of conflict.

"Readers can expect non-stop action, as well as an exploration of the themes of family, choice and loyalty that make the Mega Man franchise a property that connects on a very personal level," continued Kaminski. "From there, we hope to fully explore not only that classic world, but the other spin-offs including Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man Legends and more!"

"We're thrilled to be creating a definitive version of Capcom's Mega Man to American audiences," remarked Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. "And to do it with our top-notch creative team who all love and understand the property inside and out is going to be spectacular!"

In honor of the announcement at NYCC, Archie Comics and Capcom® will each be hosting signings of an exclusive print with the Mega Man creative team Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante and Ian Flynn.