Sonic Quest: Issue 2

 
Sonic Quest (Mini-Series): Issue 2
Publication Date: October 1996

After an underwhelming first issue, “Sonic Quest: The Death Egg Saga” rolls on like some sort of spherical object down a hill. Issue 1 ended on multiple cliffhangers: Sonic had been captured by Condorbot! Tails had been sucked up into the Death Egg! Robotnik had successfully launched his warship! King Acorn’s condition was worsening! Issue two sets about resolving most of those problems. Turns out, Sonic was playing possum with Condorbot. He quickly out-smarts the robot and sneaks aboard the Death Egg. Tails, meanwhile, sneaks inside the remains of a downed SWATBot, piloting the machine like a puppet. He uses this disguise to get closer to Robotnik. The mad scientist has used the Power Rings to form a protective shield around the Death Egg and now targets the necessary fuel to power the ship’s ultimate weapon: A Chaos Emerald. He heads towards the Floating Island, bringing Knuckles the Echidna and the Chaotix into this plot.

The second issue of “Sonic Quest” is fairly notorious among Archie fans. Not because of its plot or artwork. The script is far more focused then the first issue and Manny Galan’s art is mostly okay. No, the comic befell a number of printing errors. About a third of the book’s pages have a washed-out blue coloration overlaying all the art. This unintentionally cast a weird, melancholy, noir-like atmosphere to most of the story. Archie is sometimes noted for cutting corners. That they let an error like this make it to print does not speak well of the company’s overall quality control.

Printing errors aside, “Poached” – all of the “Death Egg Saga” issues have excruciating egg puns for titles – is a big improvement over the first story. Oh, there’s still lots of exposition-heavy dialogue. Robotnik spends many word bubbles describing the Death Egg’s properties and his goals. Tails has an on-going interior monologue from inside the SWATBot suit. He gives lip service towards getting the jump on Robotnik but never does. Sonic breathlessly describes his actions while fighting Condorbot. Knuckles gets the worst of it. Furthering my belief that this mini-series was meant to introduce the characters to new readers, his first appearance here has him explaining his gliding abilities and his duties as guardian of the Floating Island. (Weirdly, the book also has him shouting shit like “By the beads of Athair!” or “By the shadows of Mt. Fate!” or “It cannot be so!” I’m not sure why Mike Gallagher thought he was writing dialogue for a Thor comic book.) Furthermore, the Chaotix and their corresponding super-powers all get pointed out.

Despite these issues, “Poached” isn’t just devoted to laboriously setting out the storyline’s later events. There’s actually some movement to the plot here. Just what the hell Robotnik plans to do with the Death Egg is established. Once he gets a hold of that Chaos Emerald, he’ll robotocize the entire planet. Shit, that’s a big deal! Though disappointingly pushed to the sidelines – our heroes don’t actually know what he’s up to – this at least gives the story some high stakes. It also adds some forward momentum to this plot. Robotnik is on a fetch quest which is more clearly defined then the nebulous evil plot the first issue set up. There’s also some solid action here. I like Sonic’s mid-air battle with Carl Condor and the Chaotix fighting off a pair of giant Burrowbots.

Despite mostly focusing on the plot, issue 2 of “Sonic Quest” also features some okay emotional beats. This story is focused on Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. This disappointingly sidelines Sally and the other Freedom Fighters. (Bunnie and Antoine don’t even put in an appearance in this issue, though they’re mentioned in dialogue.) Still, Sally gets a moment to herself. The stress of Sonic and Tails’ uncertain fate and her father’s worsening condition gets to her. She actually weeps, crying on Rotor’s shoulder. Unnoticed, King Acorn also cries a single tear, feeling his daughter’s pain. It’s a decent emotional moment, somewhat undermined by Gallagher’s dialogue. He actually has Sally say “Boo-hoo-hoo!” To a lesser degree, Robotnik being so wrapped up in his villainous plot that he doesn’t notice Sonic entering the ship or Knuckles’ threating about the fate of the Floating Island are also decent touches.

Well, it’s getting better. “Sonic Quest” got off to a rough start. Though this issue still has its fair share of flaws, such as Gallagher’s wooden dialogue or some production problems, it’s definitely an improvement over part one. Will the series wrap up on a decent note? I guess I’ll find out soon. [6/10]