Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 69

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 69
Publication Date: January 1999

Karl Boller’s previous high-water mark as “Sonic’s” writer was issue 54’s “Running to Stand Still,” a low key story about Sonic struggling to find his place in a world without Robotnik and reconnecting with his Uncle. After wrapping up another major story arc, the pursuit of Ixis Naugus, Karl deliver another less action packed issue. Issue 69’s “A Day in the Life” isn’t as good as “Running to Stand Still” but still gets 1999 off to a decent start.

Sonic returned to Mobotropolis in the midst of many events. Sally suddenly has a brother and a mother now. King Max declares his son to be his heir, while Queen Alicia’s future remains uncertain. Hoping to blow off some steam, Sonic and Sally join the rest of the Freedom Fighters on a night on the town. Together, they explore how the city has changed in the hedgehog’s absence. Sonic also uses this oppretunity to show Nate Morgan around town, where the Overlander faces prejudice. The fun evening is interrupted when Snively and the other Devil’s Gulag escapees attack.

Before I get to all the things I like about “A Day in the Life,” let’s discuss the stuff I’m not too crazy about. The issue begins with Dr. Quack telling Sally and Elias that their mom is going to be on ice for the foreseeable future. When Sally asks why her father made the dick move of lying about the Queen and Elias’ fates, King Max launches into a three panel long explanation. The short version: The King assumed his wife was dead and, hoping to save Sally further heartbreak, kept her little brother’s existence a secret. Furthermore, when he heard she might still be alive, he kept that a secret too.

It’s a lame way to justify the “long lost brother” story type and doing it by piling words on the reader wasn’t the best way. Afterwards, Max says Elias will become King after his death. Gee, that’s an awfully big responsibility to bestow upon someone you literally just met.

Once that’s out of the way, issue 69 can focus on more important matters. Such as Sonic being reunited with his friends. When she sees Sonic, Sally gives the hedgehog a big embrace. Steven Butler draws the panel in such a way that, if her father and many others weren’t watching, you’d expect Sally to do a lot more then just hug Sonic. Sonic seeing how normal Mobotropolis has become is also a high-light. There’s a juice bar, chilli dog stands, people living and thriving in what once was a blasted out hellscape. (I guess the city isn’t radioactive anymore? Maybe half-lives are much shorter in the future…) Sonic reuniting with his friends is swell. One especially touching panel has him asking Tails why they left in the first place. In other words, it’s good to be back.

Some times you wonder if Karl Bollers had to work with the shit Ken Penders sent his way. Back in issue twelve of “Knuckles,” Sonic made the baffling decision not the tell Antoine about his father being a robot. Because Ken loves characters keeping secrets from each other. Bollers tosses that out the window. A touching moment has Antoine bemoaning how Sonic and Sally have been reunited with their families but he is still without his. Sonic gingerly breaks the bad news to Antoine. It’s a moment I wish the book could’ve focused on more but a long overdue one. This scene also features Bunnie and Antoine getting closer. When Sonic asks if Antoine is aware of Bunnie’s obvious attraction to him, he verbosely recites some poetry. Which seems in character.

 
As a new addition to the book, Nate Morgan has mostly existed to spout exposition. Which hasn’t made me a fan. Issue 69 at least does something interesting with the old man. While in Mobotropolis, Sonic attempts to integrate the Overlander into the populace. At first, it goes fine. The other Freedom Fighters embrace Morgan without problem. The scientist is introduced to the joys of chili dogs.

Once at the bar, some asshole spills juice on the Overlander’s head. Yes, even in the furry-infested future, racism exists. Since both Karl Bollers and Nate Morgan are black, I can’t help but think the writer was making a point. Sonic stands up to the bully but his views on race relations seem intentionally naïve, boiling down to “a good person should be treated kindly.” Sally informs him that it’s more complicated than that. Gee, that’s not a point you’d expect to be made in this book.

Since this is an action book for the boys: 6-12 crowd, “A Day in the Life” has to stop the character development and social studies for some explosions. The Devil’s Gulag gang attacks the bar. There’s some good artwork in this sequence. Sonic’s screams after Sally gets knocked unconscious is viscerally drawn by Butler. The story shows off the abilities of most of the bad guys. Predator Hawk can fly, Uma Arachne can shoot web like Spider-Man, Lightning Linx is super-fast, Kodos has an axe, Sleuth Dawg is… an asshole? Okay, so most of these guys are still undefined. However, it’s not a bad conclusion. The Freedom Fighters being outmatched, such as Bunnie taking a hard fall or Rotor being arm-locked by Drago, is a decent note. If nothing else, the story ends on a solid cliffhanger: Sgt. Simian tosses a grenade into the bar. Remember to buy the book next month, kids!

How about a back story? “Weathering the Storm” concludes the Lupe storyline that’s been going on for a while. As rain continues outside, the Wolf Pack seek shelter in an abandoned building. Some of the wolves are still uncertain of the human children living with them. However, over dinner, Lupe announces that the girls are part of the pack now.

As with the cover story, this back story is more character focused. The Wolf Pack continued to be developed. In addition to being a big guy, Canus is also the cook. Diablo awkwardly attempts to impart some basic morals on the Overlander girls. Reynard seems more practical, compared to the empathetic Lupe. It’s not a lot but it counts for something. There’s no action in the story, as Lupe accepting the kids is the climax of the tale. Given more pages, this tale likely could’ve had more emotion. Still, as a simple six pager, it’s not bad. When Ken wasn’t focusing on up-its-ass mysticism, his work wasn’t bad. Sam Maxwell’s artwork is eccentric but likable.

I wish the book could’ve balanced action and character development like this more often. While not a masterpiece, issue 69 is still a solid read. Considering the series would soon be consumed by the “Sonic Adventure” status quo, appreciate these quiet moments while you still can. [8/10]