Spiritus Ex Machina

Spiritus Ex Machina is the fourth story arc in Mega Man Vol. 1. The arc runs from issue 13 to 16.

Summary
"Spiritus Ex Machina" is an original story arc that borrows elements from several Mega Man video-games but is not directly based on any of them. It borrows heavily from the Japan-exclusive Super Adventure Rockman and also borrows characters from Mega Man 3 and Mega Man 4.

The story arc focuses on a group of enemies with no affiliation to Dr. Wily. While attending the Advanced Robotics Trade Show (A.R.T.S.), our heroes encounter an extremist group known as Emerald Spears. The group is morally against robotics technology and hopes to force the world's leading minds to cease the advancement of the science.

Holding Dr. Light and his colleague captive, Emerald Spears leader Harvey Greenleaf attempts to debate with the doctors into changing their viewpoints. Once convinced of a different future, the humans will be escorted out and the robots left inside to be destroyed by several bombs planted throughout the expo. However when words fail to persuade the doctors, Xander Payne hijacks the operation and takes a more violent approach.

Mega Man and several other Robot Masters work together to try and disarm the bombs before it's too late. However as the Emerald Spears members grow increasingly hostile, the robots find themselves morally conflicted: due to the law of robotics, they are unable to harm human beings.

In a sub-plot, Dr. Wily explores the Lanfront Ruins, an abandoned temple in the Amazon Jungle that houses ancient technology. Inside, he discovers a sentient supercomputer that allows him to build an army of Robot Masters. He also encounters Blues on the edge of death and repairs him. Indebted to Dr. Wily, Blues adopts the alias of "Break Man" and joins Dr. Wily's growing army.

The story arc houses a very large cast of characters, both new and old. All eight Robot Masters from Mega Man 3 debut. Hailing from Mega Man 4 is Dr. Cossack, Kalinka, and Pharaoh Man. The main antagonist of Super Adventure Rockman—Ra Moon—also appears. Original character debuts include Dr. LaLinde and her Robot Master Quake Woman, and Emerald Spears members Harvey Greenleaf, Xander Payne, Theo, and Simone. Elec Man returns in a starring role, all eight Robot Masters from Mega Man 2 return, Roslyn Krantz and Gil Stern (from the second story arc) make minor appearances, and Proto Man makes his first formal appearance.