Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 12

Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 12
Publication Date: March 1998

Like most issues of “Knuckles the Echidna,” issue 12 seemingly has a lot of business to deal with. Picking up where “Sonic No. 58” left off, Knuckles and his group of friends have to rescue Yanar from his execution by the High Sheriff. After a big action scene that concludes with a giant explosion, Sonic and Tails swiftly exit the story. Afterwards, Yanar informs Knuckles that his near-death experience left him with a vision. Turns out, Rob O’ the Hedge is the man that will lead the Forgotten Tribe to their echidnan Israel. The lost city is just over the hill, an ancient echidna colony called Albion, that welcomes the weary travelers with open arms. Meanwhile, Locke and Sabre observe Hawking’s failing health, Remington see the Chaotix reluctantly accept their new job, and Lara-Le continues to feel isolated from her ex-husband and her son.

Got all that? As double-stuffed as “The Forgotten Tribe: Part Three – Journey’s End” is, it also proves to be a satisfying read. This story arc has been one stuffed full of information, answering some questions while providing plenty more. Though it’s only been spread out over four issues, the reader feels like we’ve been tagging along with the Tribe nearly as long as they’ve been walking the Earth. While it’s as inelegant as most of Penders’ myth-making, finally seeing the resolution to this plot is rewarding. Yanar, still an undefined character, having a plot-resolving near-death vision is awkward. Rob O’ the Hedge being the person who leads the Tribe home comes out of nowhere. Furthermore, Albion being right over there the whole time definitely feels like a cheat.

 
Having said that, Penders’ mythic bullshit occasionally works in his favor. Rob’s reaction when told of a white cliff is nicely dumbfounded. I like the idea that he’s been watching Albion for years, totally unaware of its significance. Knuckles being able to walk across the water brings up a bizarre Christ metaphor but there’s something nicely magical about it. The reveal that Albion is the original homeland of the echidnas could have, and for all reasons should be, a heaping load of exposition. Yet somehow it works, that the culture is older than the Floating Island and that they’ve been out there for years, secret and concealed. (It’s certainly in line with the species’ apparently bred-in tendency towards secrecy.) And, like I said, just seeing the damn storyline resolved counts for a lot.

As an action story, “Journey’s End” functions decently as well. The varied cast is used well. Rob gets to fire off some arrows, including those with burning and dumbbell-equipped tips. Sonic gets to race around, Tails gets to fly, Knuckles gets to punch, and Mari-An swings a sword. There’s plenty of heroic diving and swinging on ropes.

Once again, there’s another narrative cheat though. Rob discovers a cache of dynamite and blows it the fuck up, seemingly taking the castle with him. Not only does the hooded hero escape the blast, he manages to sneak Mari-An’s missing brothers out with them. The final fate of the High Sheriff and his cohorts are left unresolved. Furthermore, Ken’s script makes Sonic seem like a prick. He and Tails collectively decide not to tell Antoine about his robotic dad. In short, the entire Deerwood Forest story arc is left up in the air.

It wouldn’t be a “Knuckles” comic without the script jumping around a bunch of times. Once again, the business on the Floating Island seems like an afterthought. Locke and Sabre continue to look over Hawking, who somehow still hasn’t expired. They argue a bit with the Fire Ants, for reasons I can’t remember. Remington pages Locke, letting him know the Chaotix have been deputized but they still don’t trust Julie-Su. Maybe pushing the characters we actually care about to the margins isn’t such a bad idea, this time. Since the Chaotix and Julie-Su aren’t actually seen, we don’t miss them so much. Though the story having to distract itself with Hawking’s continued comatose state is a problem. Meanwhile, Lara-Le continues to be defined by crying about what her son and husband are up to. As always, Knuckles’ mom has potential as a compelling character but is always reduced to a wounded matriarch, pining for the more important cast members.

For all the narrative juggling “Journey’s End” does, it’s saved by actually having an emotional heart. It comes from an unexpected place too. Rob O’ the Hedge and Mari-An’s relationship proves surprisingly sweet. When the Tribe heads towards Albion, Mari-An decides to stay with the man she loves. Yes, they’ve only met an issue ago. With all the Important Events happening, it’s nice that the comic pauses long enough to acknowledge that there’s still people with feelings involved here. That last page counts for a lot too. Knuckles delivers the Forgotten Tribe to their motherland. The victory can’t help but feel hollow for him. He wants to return home, to be back on the Floating Island with his family and friends. The reader does too, so that’s an important, sweet image to end on.

Like seemingly all of “Knuckles’” story arcs, “The Forgotten Tribe” has been uneven. It built up some interesting mythology and then choked on it, loosing its heart in the process. A brief crossover with Sonic might have saved it though, as it injected some fun and – more importantly – some character development into a story that could’ve been too stuffy. Hopefully, with Knuckles returning to the Floating Island, we can finally resolve what’s been up with Julie-Su and the Chaotix. One hopes. [6.5/10]