Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 48

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 48
Publication Date: April 1997

A while ago, Cracked.com published a listicle about surprisingly dark or weird comic book adaptations of beloved children’s properties. Included within was an entry about Archie’s “Sonic” comic, describing Sonic’s life as full of death and depression. (This was before the Sega-fied reboot stripped all the grit out of the book.) While it’s true that the comic has always been willing to address concepts most other Sonic media is too wimpy to regard, the book isn’t usually that dark. Except for a brief, four month period in 1997, when Sonic was framed for the murder of his girlfriend and on the run from his own allies. The second part of “Endgame,” “Sonic the Fugitive,” announces its serious intentions with that moody, dark cover, showing Sonic fleeing into a darkened, damp cave, still in shackles.

The story begins with Sonic in-route to Devil’s Gulag, the inescapable hellhole where enemies of the Acorn Empire are sent to rot. During the trip, the plane is shot down by SWATBots. Sonic makes an escape, pursued by Geoffrey St. John. Soon, the two meet in a cave, fighting to the death. In Knothole, Uncle Chuck declares his nephew’s innocence, while Antoine and Bunnie investigate what’s up with Drago.  

Issue 48 does a number of important things. The first scene, of Sonic being led to the plane while announcing his innocence, sets the tone. While in-route, Sleuth Doggy Dawg – a character we can never forget actually existed – busts his chops. Upon crash-landing, Penders’ slightly overwrought narration emphasizes that this is no joke. Sonic is silent and determined, cutting through the robots with anger, as if his confusion and rage over the situation has finally exploded out. While hiding in a cave, the day’s events leads him to an exhausted sleep.

The fight between Sonic and St. John is especially brutal. This is the culmination of the rivalry that has been building up between the two. They scuffle in the caves for a few pages, the action frequently speaking for itself. The climax of the comic truly comes when St. John screams “You killed the woman I love!” Sonic’s equally passionate response “You only love yourself! I loved her!” truly establishes how serious this situation is. It’s powerful enough that the book ending on a cheesy reference to “The Fugitive” – though St. John thankfully doesn’t shout “I don’t care!” – is forgiven.

Compared to the hard-hitting emotional blows seen in issue 47, “Sonic the Fugitive” is much lighter. Not to say it doesn’t try. There’s a spectacular one-page spread devoted to the Freedom Fighters responding to the tragedy of their friend’s death and the apparent betrayal of their greatest hero. Tails wails in confusion, incapable of correlating his best friend with the man who murdered the Princess. Uncle Chuck fumes in denial, smoke literally shooting from his ears, determined to clear Sonic’s name. Rotor screams in rage at Sonic’s betrayal. Bunnie and Antoine both seem uncertain what to think. Dulcy enters late, weeping and babbling uncontrollably. Rosie does her best to soothe everyone. (Amy Rose is there but silent, perhaps too shocked to speak.) Issue 48 doesn’t focus on this emotion more, instead focusing on the machination of the plot. However, the brief pause to gauge everyone’s reaction is deeply appreciated.

After executing a daring plot, Penders and his co-conspirators are already working on undoing it. We see Drago talking to the King, neither seeming trust-worthy. King Max seems all too happy to track down and exterminate Sonic. Several panels are devoted to Uncle Chuck’s determination to seek out the truth of the situation. Only Antoine and Bunnie can see pass their grief and realize that something unusual is happening. They spy on Drago as he flatly explains to Hershey that they’re in cahoots with Robotnik’s scheme. It’s a moment that concludes with an army of SWATBots dragging Antoine and Bunnie off to someplace Downunda.

As routine as this moment is, it’s saved by a sequence that definitively establishes what an asshole Drago is. Though we don’t see it on the page, it’s obvious he physically beats Hershey. Afterwards, he verbally berates her for refusing to own up to her part in this plan, making it clear this wasn’t Hershey’s idea. Dudes’s a traitor, a manipulator, and an abuser. If Archie’s goal was to create the most repugnant character in the franchise’s history, they succeeded.

Issue 48 tries to end with a huge shock. King Acorn calls a meeting in Knothole, where he flatly announces that Dr. Robotnik has been reappointed to the position of Warlord. The villain makes his grand entrance, smashes Uncle Chuck and Muttski’s heads together, and blasts Rotor’s cannon out of his hands. This should be a shocking moment almost on par with Sally’s death. Over the last 47 issues, Robotnik’s final goal – his endgame, if you will – has been to locate Knothole Village and stomp out the rebellion once and for all. (Truthfully, the book has gone to some hugely contrived lengths to prevent this from happening much sooner.) This also reveals that King Acorn is either directly under Robotnik’s control or is an Auto-Automaton. The latter reveal probably would have been more shocking if we hadn’t guessed it two issues ago. Robotnik marching into Knothole could’ve been more effective but that’s not where our hearts at. It’s with the Freedom Fighters morning their Princess’ death and Sonic’s struggle in the cave.

Despite maybe spreading itself too thin, “Sonic the Fugitive” is still a story that moves. Part of that success if owed to Manny Galan’s artwork. Though it took a while, Galan has finally grown into a worthy Sonic artist. The morning Freedom Fighters or Sonic’s rage are beautifully expressed. This book features some incredibly clear, impactful action. Sonic tearing through the SWATBot or his struggle with Geoffrey has a grit and brutal energy rarely seen in this book. I also love the way he draws Hershey. Though a newly introduced character, he immediately establishes her as a vulnerable person just with her body language. Though Mawhinney is my all-time favorite Sonic artist, his work is also kind of cute. Maybe Galan, who brings a more earthy quality to the page, was better suited to this story.

The plot is starting to get in the way but “Endgame” is still a story arc full of emotion with some incredibly raw action. [7/10]