The Protomen: Difference between revisions

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Dr. Light ''(Dr. Wily)'' '''The Good Doctor''' }}
Dr. Light ''(Dr. Wily)'' '''The Good Doctor''' }}


The Protomen are a [[Loads and Loads of Characters|very large]] indie progressive rock band from Nashville, TN, whose musical catalogue is based around a [[Rock Opera]] trilogy inspired by ''[[Mega Man (Video Game)|Mega Man]]''. ''[[In Name Only|Very loosely]]'' based off of the mythology of the Mega Man games (the first three in particular), it shows an Orwellian [[Dystopia]] that takes the idealistic side of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]] and beats it to death with its own corpse.
The Protomen are a [[Loads and Loads of Characters|very large]] indie progressive rock band from Nashville, TN, whose musical catalogue is based around a [[Rock Opera]] trilogy inspired by ''[[Mega Man (video game)|Mega Man]]''. ''[[In Name Only|Very loosely]]'' based off of the mythology of the Mega Man games (the first three in particular), it shows an Orwellian [[Dystopia]] that takes the idealistic side of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]] and beats it to death with its own corpse.


It is a [[Deconstruction|bitter and awful look]] at [[Holding Out for A Hero]], and a general examination of the psychology behind fascism.
It is a [[Deconstruction|bitter and awful look]] at [[Holding Out for a Hero]], and a general examination of the psychology behind fascism.


The first album, a self-titled release also known as ''Act I'' or ''Hope Rides Alone'', was self-published in 2005, and tells the story of how Protoman and Megaman were created to fight against Dr. Wily's regime and the very different paths their lives took. It was followed in September 2009 by ''Act II: The Father of Death'', a prequel which tells the story of how Drs. Light and Wily created artificial intelligence, and how it all went so very wrong. ''Act III'' takes place sometime after ''Act I'' and is to be released an an unspecified date.
The first album, a self-titled release also known as ''Act I'' or ''Hope Rides Alone'', was self-published in 2005, and tells the story of how Protoman and Megaman were created to fight against Dr. Wily's regime and the very different paths their lives took. It was followed in September 2009 by ''Act II: The Father of Death'', a prequel which tells the story of how Drs. Light and Wily created artificial intelligence, and how it all went so very wrong. ''Act III'' takes place sometime after ''Act I'' and is to be released an an unspecified date.


The group is also recording an album of '70s-'80s New Wave covers, likely to be released before ''Act III'', and the release of a live ''[[Queen (Music)|Queen]]'' tribute album is June 1st. ''Act I'' has also received a remastered rerelease on vinyl. Makeup and Vanity Set's 8-bit remix of ''Act I'' is getting a release on vinyl. The Protomen also held an April 2012 music video shoot for ''Act II'' track "Light Up the Night".
The group is also recording an album of '70s-'80s New Wave covers, likely to be released before ''Act III'', and the release of a live ''[[Queen]]'' tribute album is June 1st. ''Act I'' has also received a remastered rerelease on vinyl. Makeup and Vanity Set's 8-bit remix of ''Act I'' is getting a release on vinyl. The Protomen also held an April 2012 music video shoot for ''Act II'' track "Light Up the Night".


The Protomen have appeared in a [[Zombie Apocalypse]] webcomic, [[Dead of Summer (Webcomic)|Dead of Summer]]. Several members have other bands, including [[Cheer Up Charlie Daniels (Music)|Cheer Up Charlie Daniels]] (Turbo Lover, occasionally Panther, the Gambler, and Sir Bakker in live shows), [[Adam and The Couch Potatoes (Music)|Adam and The Couch Potatoes]] (Turbo Lover, with the Gambler appearing in a music video), and The Ascent Of Everest (Sir Bakker). [[Makeup and Vanity Set (Music)|Makeup and Vanity Set]] is affiliated with them, having done an 8-bit chiptunes mix of ''Act I'', with plans to make one of ''Act II''. They are also affiliated with [[Brental Floss (Music)|Brental Floss]] and [[Tenacious D (Music)|Tenacious D]].
The Protomen have appeared in a [[Zombie Apocalypse]] webcomic, [[Dead of Summer]]. Several members have other bands, including [[Cheer Up, Charlie Daniels|Cheer Up Charlie Daniels]] (Turbo Lover, occasionally Panther, the Gambler, and Sir Bakker in live shows), [[Adam and the Couch Potatoes]] (Turbo Lover, with the Gambler appearing in a music video), and The Ascent Of Everest (Sir Bakker). [[Makeup and Vanity Set]] is affiliated with them, having done an 8-bit chiptunes mix of ''Act I'', with plans to make one of ''Act II''. They are also affiliated with [[Brental Floss]] and [[Tenacious D]].


Additionally, the Protomen composed the score for ''Terminator the Second'', a theatrical piece of found art that reconstructs the plot of ''[[Terminator (Film)|Terminator]] 2'' using dialogue from the works of [[Shakespeare]]. They also appeared in it as the SWAT Team that takes down Dyson.
Additionally, the Protomen composed the score for ''Terminator the Second'', a theatrical piece of found art that reconstructs the plot of ''[[Terminator (franchise)|Terminator]] 2'' using dialogue from the works of [[Shakespeare]]. They also appeared in it as the SWAT Team that takes down Dyson.


An [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/788868065/the-official-protomen-documentary official documentary] is in production, as is an official music video for Light Up the Night.
An [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/788868065/the-official-protomen-documentary official documentary] is in production, as is an official music video for Light Up the Night.


Compare and contrast [[The Megas (Music)|The Megas]], a completely unrelated band who, while similar in their [[Mega Man (Video Game)|base inspiration]], have no relation to the Protomen and are not in any kind of so-called "rivalry" with them, [[Fandom Rivalry|no matter what some of the bands' respective fans]] would lead you to believe.
Compare and contrast [[The Megas]], a completely unrelated band who, while similar in their [[Mega Man (video game)|base inspiration]], have no relation to the Protomen and are not in any kind of so-called "rivalry" with them, [[Fandom Rivalry|no matter what some of the bands' respective fans]] would lead you to believe.


The main page of their website can be found [http://www.protomen.com here].
The main page of their website can be found [http://www.protomen.com here].


Tropes relating to specific songs should be placed [[The Protomen Tropes (Music)|here]].
Tropes relating to specific songs should be placed [[The Protomen/Tropes|here]].


'''Current personnel:'''
'''Current personnel:'''
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* The Gambler: Featured vocals (Emily), keyboards, miscellaneous percussion, backing vocals
* The Gambler: Featured vocals (Emily), keyboards, miscellaneous percussion, backing vocals
* K.I.L.R.O.Y.: Master of Ceremonies, [[Drop the Hammer|sledgehammer percussion]], vocals (Protoman - Sons of Fate live)
* K.I.L.R.O.Y.: Master of Ceremonies, [[Drop the Hammer|sledgehammer percussion]], vocals (Protoman - Sons of Fate live)
* [[RoboCop (Film)|Murphy Weller]]: Bass, bass drum, synth bass, maracas, backing vocals
* [[RoboCop|Murphy Weller]]: Bass, bass drum, synth bass, maracas, backing vocals
* The Nightwalker: Trumpet, cymbals, backing vocals
* The Nightwalker: Trumpet, cymbals, backing vocals
* Raul Panther: Lead vocals (Mega Man, Protoman, Dr. Light, Joe), keyboards, keytar, acoustic guitar, guitar
* Raul Panther: Lead vocals (Mega Man, Protoman, Dr. Light, Joe), keyboards, keytar, acoustic guitar, guitar
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* The Dragon: Drums
* The Dragon: Drums
* Doug Fetterman: Acoustic guitar, tambourine, vocals
* Doug Fetterman: Acoustic guitar, tambourine, vocals
* [[Streets of Fire (Film)|Ellen Aim]]: Featured vocals (Emily)
* [[Streets of Fire|Ellen Aim]]: Featured vocals (Emily)
* The Gunslinger: Guitar
* The Gunslinger: Guitar
* Heath Who Hath No Name: Guitar, backing vocals
* Heath Who Hath No Name: Guitar, backing vocals
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* [[Aerith and Bob]]: The band members' names run from fantastical, like Scartoe and Panther, to ordinary names like Doug.
* [[Aerith and Bob]]: The band members' names run from fantastical, like Scartoe and Panther, to ordinary names like Doug.
* [[All There in the Manual]]: Aside from the first track of Act I, there is no narration; much of the stage direction and plot details can only be found in the albums' liner notes.
* [[All There in the Manual]]: Aside from the first track of Act I, there is no narration; much of the stage direction and plot details can only be found in the albums' liner notes.
* [[All There in The Script]]: Mega Man is never referred to by name in the lyrics of Act I. In Act II, Dr. Light is only referred to in the lyrics as "Tom" and "Thomas", and Joe is only named after he dies.
* [[All There in the Script]]: Mega Man is never referred to by name in the lyrics of Act I. In Act II, Dr. Light is only referred to in the lyrics as "Tom" and "Thomas", and Joe is only named after he dies.
** Act II's "Father of Death" does play on Light's surname, referring to Wily's influence as darkness and Light's as light.
** Act II's "Father of Death" does play on Light's surname, referring to Wily's influence as darkness and Light's as light.
* [[Alter Ego Acting]]: The members of the Protomen present themselves as being [[Kayfabe|actual dissidents living in the society described in their music]], with ''noms de guerre'' such as "Panther" or "Heath Who Hath No Name", and represent themselves as living together in a bunker called "The Thundercon".
* [[Alter Ego Acting]]: The members of the Protomen present themselves as being [[Kayfabe|actual dissidents living in the society described in their music]], with ''noms de guerre'' such as "Panther" or "Heath Who Hath No Name", and represent themselves as living together in a bunker called "The Thundercon".
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* [[The Chessmaster]]: Dr. Wily, who always stays one step ahead of the [[Hot-Blooded]] heroes.
* [[The Chessmaster]]: Dr. Wily, who always stays one step ahead of the [[Hot-Blooded]] heroes.
* [[City Noir]]
* [[City Noir]]
* [[City With No Name]]: The setting is only ever called "the city", and the world outside it is never referred to.
* [[City with No Name]]: The setting is only ever called "the city", and the world outside it is never referred to.
* [[Cloudcuckoolander]]: The band's email "press releases" are rambling affairs which take several paragraphs before actually mentioning anything having to do with the band. Their announcement of the release date for Act II, for instance, opened with a paean to Shark Week on the Discovery Channel (including a picture of a shark with Tom Selleck's face), and included a 48-second "preview" of the album which was every track played AT ONCE, to the point of being unintelligible.
* [[Cloudcuckoolander]]: The band's email "press releases" are rambling affairs which take several paragraphs before actually mentioning anything having to do with the band. Their announcement of the release date for Act II, for instance, opened with a paean to Shark Week on the Discovery Channel (including a picture of a shark with Tom Selleck's face), and included a 48-second "preview" of the album which was every track played AT ONCE, to the point of being unintelligible.
** More recently, an explanation for delays in shipping had Panther stating that the [[The Power of Rock|AWESOME POWER]] of Act II had caused the CD maker to overload and explode, followed by the sheepish admission that the label glue press had broken down. If they aren't Cloud Cuckoo Landers, then they enjoy their drama a little too much.
** More recently, an explanation for delays in shipping had Panther stating that the [[The Power of Rock|AWESOME POWER]] of Act II had caused the CD maker to overload and explode, followed by the sheepish admission that the label glue press had broken down. If they aren't Cloud Cuckoo Landers, then they enjoy their drama a little too much.
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** At a recent concert, the band proclaimed that at a fierce battle in Panther's home city, the enraged public chased them away with fireballs and stole Panther's growl, leading Turbo Lover to have to sing all of Panther's lines.
** At a recent concert, the band proclaimed that at a fierce battle in Panther's home city, the enraged public chased them away with fireballs and stole Panther's growl, leading Turbo Lover to have to sing all of Panther's lines.
** On their Twitter account, the band responded to a question about Doug Fetterman by saying a shark ate him for a week, and that's how Shark Week began.
** On their Twitter account, the band responded to a question about Doug Fetterman by saying a shark ate him for a week, and that's how Shark Week began.
** The group's 2010 west coast tour is officially called "Super Awesome Tour Part III: [[An American Tail (Animation)|Fievel Goes West]]". During one show on this tour, in which the bands' instruments overloaded the venue's electrical hookup and caused a brief blackout, Panther claimed that such a thing had only happened once before - and it resulted in ''the fans burning the venue to the ground''.
** The group's 2010 west coast tour is officially called "Super Awesome Tour Part III: [[An American Tail|Fievel Goes West]]". During one show on this tour, in which the bands' instruments overloaded the venue's electrical hookup and caused a brief blackout, Panther claimed that such a thing had only happened once before - and it resulted in ''the fans burning the venue to the ground''.
* [[The Cover Changes the Gender]]: The Protomen cover "Because the Night" as a duet, with Panther singing Bruce Springsteen's original lyrics on the verse, and Gambler singing Patti Smith's rewritten lyrics on the chorus.
* [[The Cover Changes the Gender]]: The Protomen cover "Because the Night" as a duet, with Panther singing Bruce Springsteen's original lyrics on the verse, and Gambler singing Patti Smith's rewritten lyrics on the chorus.
* [[Crapsack World]]: Played straight in the first album. The second shows how it got to be that way.
* [[Crapsack World]]: Played straight in the first album. The second shows how it got to be that way.
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* [[Cyberpunk]]: This is ''the'' cyberpunk band. It's heavily [[Steampunk]] in Act II, fitting with the latter's prequel setting, although a cyberpunk (or at least late-1980s) influence remains in the music.
* [[Cyberpunk]]: This is ''the'' cyberpunk band. It's heavily [[Steampunk]] in Act II, fitting with the latter's prequel setting, although a cyberpunk (or at least late-1980s) influence remains in the music.
* [[Dangerously Genre Savvy]]: Wily, across both acts.
* [[Dangerously Genre Savvy]]: Wily, across both acts.
* [[Dark Fic]]: Of ''[[Mega Man (Video Game)|Mega Man]]''. In [[Rock Opera]] form no less.
* [[Dark Fic]]: Of ''[[Mega Man (video game)|Mega Man]]''. In [[Rock Opera]] form no less.
* [[Dark Reprise]]: Not exactly, but lyrics from The Will Of One are repeated in a much darker context in The Sons Of Fate; at first they are Mega Man talking about fighting against Wily the same way his brother Protoman did, but the second time {{spoiler|they indicate Mega Man's disgust with humanity after killing Protoman, taking up his brother's nihilistic point of view himself}}.
* [[Dark Reprise]]: Not exactly, but lyrics from The Will Of One are repeated in a much darker context in The Sons Of Fate; at first they are Mega Man talking about fighting against Wily the same way his brother Protoman did, but the second time {{spoiler|they indicate Mega Man's disgust with humanity after killing Protoman, taking up his brother's nihilistic point of view himself}}.
{{quote| ''As I live, there is no evil that will stand. And I will finish what was started: the fight of Protoman.''}}
{{quote| ''As I live, there is no evil that will stand. And I will finish what was started: the fight of Protoman.''}}
* [[Darker and Edgier]]
* [[Darker and Edgier]]
* [[Darkest Hour]]: November of 2007 was a dark time for the Protomen. First they were attacked by Killer Robots, forced to barricade inside their bus to survive. Then they were attacked by [[Back to The Future (Film)|the Libyan Death Squad]]; only the fury of the warriors of Greenville saved them. Finally, after crashing their plane in a [[Shout-Out]] to [[Top Gun (Film)|Top Gun]], the band lost their beards. Also, Doug Fetterman fell around this time.
* [[Darkest Hour]]: November of 2007 was a dark time for the Protomen. First they were attacked by Killer Robots, forced to barricade inside their bus to survive. Then they were attacked by [[Back to the Future (film)|the Libyan Death Squad]]; only the fury of the warriors of Greenville saved them. Finally, after crashing their plane in a [[Shout-Out]] to [[Top Gun]], the band lost their beards. Also, Doug Fetterman fell around this time.
** About a year later, Demon Barber and the [[Elaborate Underground Base|Thundercon]] fell, with the base burning down.
** About a year later, Demon Barber and the [[Elaborate Underground Base|Thundercon]] fell, with the base burning down.
** Their 2010 tour headed this way, with the bus breaking down, and them forced to tour in a UHaul, followed by them having to cancel a show for the first time ever. However, there was hope: They returned in August.
** Their 2010 tour headed this way, with the bus breaking down, and them forced to tour in a UHaul, followed by them having to cancel a show for the first time ever. However, there was hope: They returned in August.
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* [[Dying Like Animals]]: Ostriches and Lambs in ''The Protomen'', Sheep and Lemmings in ''The Father of Death''.
* [[Dying Like Animals]]: Ostriches and Lambs in ''The Protomen'', Sheep and Lemmings in ''The Father of Death''.
* [[Evil Tower of Ominousness]]: Wily's broadcast tower.
* [[Evil Tower of Ominousness]]: Wily's broadcast tower.
* [[Fan of the Past]]: All of the Protomen are this to some extent, as is affiliate [[Makeup and Vanity Set (Music)|Makeup and Vanity Set]].
* [[Fan of the Past]]: All of the Protomen are this to some extent, as is affiliate [[Makeup and Vanity Set]].
* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: Act II. Since it's a prequel, the audience knows that Light and Joe will fail and the City will turn into the dystopia of Act I, and that the work Light sets out to do at the end, Protoman, will also fail.
* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: Act II. Since it's a prequel, the audience knows that Light and Joe will fail and the City will turn into the dystopia of Act I, and that the work Light sets out to do at the end, Protoman, will also fail.
* [[Gatling Good]]: Mega Man and Proto Man have gatling guns for arms in Act I's artwork, instead of plasma cannons like in the games. In concert, Protoman has a Gatling gun arm, while Mega Man's gun is replaced by the NES Zapper Panther wears on his hip.
* [[Gatling Good]]: Mega Man and Proto Man have gatling guns for arms in Act I's artwork, instead of plasma cannons like in the games. In concert, Protoman has a Gatling gun arm, while Mega Man's gun is replaced by the NES Zapper Panther wears on his hip.
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* [[Rooftop Concert]]: The band once held a rooftop concert, much to the dismay of the band's drummer Demon Barber, who was terrified of heights.
* [[Rooftop Concert]]: The band once held a rooftop concert, much to the dismay of the band's drummer Demon Barber, who was terrified of heights.
* [[Shout-Out]]: To [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]] by way of the line "We are the dead", spoken therein by Winston Smith, and by extension to the poem ''In Flanders Fields'' from which Orwell got the line.
* [[Shout-Out]]: To [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]] by way of the line "We are the dead", spoken therein by Winston Smith, and by extension to the poem ''In Flanders Fields'' from which Orwell got the line.
** The group's handwritten name logo on the Act I cover, and related merchandise, is directly based on a similar logo used by [[Daft Punk (Music)|Daft Punk]].
** The group's handwritten name logo on the Act I cover, and related merchandise, is directly based on a similar logo used by [[Daft Punk]].
** Act II directly calls the surveillance screens 'telescreens'.
** Act II directly calls the surveillance screens 'telescreens'.
** The Act II cover art is based on the poster for [[Streets of Fire (Film)|Streets of Fire]], and the woman who sang on the 7" vinyl single of ''Father of Death'' was credited as "Ellen Aim".
** The Act II cover art is based on the poster for [[Streets of Fire]], and the woman who sang on the 7" vinyl single of ''Father of Death'' was credited as "Ellen Aim".
*** And ''Light up the Night'' is incredibly similar to Diane Lane/Ellen Aim/Fire Inc's ballad from that film, ''Nowhere Fast''.
*** And ''Light up the Night'' is incredibly similar to Diane Lane/Ellen Aim/Fire Inc's ballad from that film, ''Nowhere Fast''.
** Several of the band members' stage names are shout outs as well.
** Several of the band members' stage names are shout outs as well.
*** K.I.L.R.O.Y. is a reference to the album "Kilroy Was Here" by [[Styx (Music)|Styx]].
*** K.I.L.R.O.Y. is a reference to the album "Kilroy Was Here" by [[Styx]].
*** "Reanimator Lovejoy" is a nod to the movie [[Re-Animator]] and to ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]''.
*** "Reanimator Lovejoy" is a nod to the movie [[Re-Animator]] and to ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''.
*** Turbo Lover derives his name from a song by [[Judas Priest (Music)|Judas Priest]].
*** Turbo Lover derives his name from a song by [[Judas Priest]].
*** The Gambler takes her name from the song of the same name by [[Kenny Rogers]].
*** The Gambler takes her name from the song of the same name by [[Kenny Rogers]].
*** Sir Robert Bakker is named for [[wikipedia:Robert T. Bakker|the paleontologist of the same name]], who revolutionized the study of dinosaurs in the later 20th century and served as scientific advisor during the filming of ''[[Film/Jurassic Park|Jurassic Park]]''.
*** Sir Robert Bakker is named for [[wikipedia:Robert T. Bakker|the paleontologist of the same name]], who revolutionized the study of dinosaurs in the later 20th century and served as scientific advisor during the filming of ''[[Film/Jurassic Park|Jurassic Park]]''.
*** Murphy Weller's name combines the main character of ''[[RoboCop (Film)|Robocop]]'' (Alex Murphy) with the actor who played him (Peter Weller).
*** Murphy Weller's name combines the main character of ''[[RoboCop]]'' (Alex Murphy) with the actor who played him (Peter Weller).
** The Sniper's knife in the Act II booklet is taken from [[Sylvester Stallone]] action movie [[Cobra (Film)|Cobra]].
** The Sniper's knife in the Act II booklet is taken from [[Sylvester Stallone]] action movie [[Cobra]].
** And of course there are Shout Outs by way of their tour names. "Super Awesome Tour Part III: [[An American Tail (Animation)|Fievel Goes West]]", and after that, "[[Cats Don't Dance (Animation)|Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now]]".
** And of course there are Shout Outs by way of their tour names. "Super Awesome Tour Part III: [[An American Tail|Fievel Goes West]]", and after that, "[[Cats Don't Dance|Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now]]".
** The LIGHT Brigade street team is a reference to the famous poem, "Charge of the Light Brigade".
** The LIGHT Brigade street team is a reference to the famous poem, "Charge of the Light Brigade".
* [[The Smurfette Principle]]: In-story: There is only one major female character, and even she [[Death By Origin Story|gets killed right at the beginning]]. The band's current line-up also features only two female members out of ten, one of whom is taking time off.
* [[The Smurfette Principle]]: In-story: There is only one major female character, and even she [[Death By Origin Story|gets killed right at the beginning]]. The band's current line-up also features only two female members out of ten, one of whom is taking time off.
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* [[Unspoken Plan Guarantee]]: In both albums, the listener knows what Mega Man/Proto Man/Joe/Light are going to do to end Wily's tyranny. {{spoiler|[[Heroic Sacrifice|It doesn't work either time]].}}
* [[Unspoken Plan Guarantee]]: In both albums, the listener knows what Mega Man/Proto Man/Joe/Light are going to do to end Wily's tyranny. {{spoiler|[[Heroic Sacrifice|It doesn't work either time]].}}
* [[Villain Song]]: ''The Hounds'' is this for Wily, and ''The Stand (Man or Machine)'' subverts this for Protoman--he's a villain, but wants his beliefs to be proven ''wrong''.
* [[Villain Song]]: ''The Hounds'' is this for Wily, and ''The Stand (Man or Machine)'' subverts this for Protoman--he's a villain, but wants his beliefs to be proven ''wrong''.
* [[Villain With Good Publicity]]: Wily.
* [[Villain with Good Publicity]]: Wily.
* [[Voice of the Resistance]]: The band itself out of universe; Joe, Dr. Light, and Megaman in-universe.
* [[Voice of the Resistance]]: The band itself out of universe; Joe, Dr. Light, and Megaman in-universe.
* [[When It All Began]]: Act II details how Dr. Wily took over, setting up the events of Act I.
* [[When It All Began]]: Act II details how Dr. Wily took over, setting up the events of Act I.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/The_Protomen"