Sonic Super Special: Issue 9 – Sonic Kids 2

Sonic Super Special: Issue 9 – Sonic Kids 2
Publication Date: March 1999

1998’s “Sonic Kids” was probably the best thus far of the Sonic Super Specials, which was always an uneven collection of stories. Especially since it easily grew pass the gimmickry of the central concept – Sonic and pals as kids! – to tell a pretty good collection of stories. Though the comic hadn’t made a habit of direct sequels like this, a “Sonic Kids 2” rolled around quickly enough, the sequel coming almost exactly a year afterwards. Equally surprising, the second issue is also pretty good!

As is par the course with the “Sonic Super Specials,” there are three stories in here. The first of which, “Zoneward Bound,” details the Freedom Fighters first encounters with the Special Zones. During a snowy day, the soon-to-be Freedom Fighters hang out around a frozen lake. Soon, the six kids stumble through portals, each exploring bizarre alternate universes. Luckily, the youngsters are smart and strong enough to pull themselves through, returning back to their home world.

“Zoneward Bound” is probably the weakest of the three stories inside “Sonic Kids 2.” However, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. The story has a lengthy prologue, devoted to showing the Knothole gang hanging out on a normal day. Seeing them play in the snow – which includes Sonic and Tails burying Antoine in snowballs and Sonic besting everyone at hockey – is fairly charming. Mostly, “Zoneward Bound” is lobbing a decent amount of foreshadowing at the little adventurers. Sonic stumbles upon the well where he retrieve his first Power Ring, all the way back in “Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue #0.”

Once in the Special Zones, the story lays on the mythology elements. Sally enters a zone that recalls the Carnival Night stage from “Sonic 3.” After riding a roller coaster off the rails, she falls through her dad’s giant crystallized head. While Tails, Antoine, and Rotor float around a zone that is part void and part mechanical jail cells, the Ancient Walkers (or rather, their heads) comment on Tails’ eventual heroism. An especially clever moment has Sonic landing in a Green Hill Zone which happens to still be under construction. After a gratuitous reference to the “SegaSonic” arcade game – apparently Sonic had prior adventures with Mighty and Ray – we get the hedgehog’s first battle with Robotnik, in his classic wrecking ball vehicle. The conclusion, which has the heroes wandering back home, is a bit underwhelming. While not a narratively complex story, “Zoneward Bound” is fun enough. I also Sam Maxwell’s artwork, which is fluid and suitingly trippy.

The second story, “My Secret Guardian,” puts the spotlight on Sally and Knuckles. After hinting at it for a while, the comic finally gets around to exploring the connection the Princess and the Guardian have. During one of King Max’s diplomatic trips to the Floating Island, Princess Sally tags along. While King Max is chatting with Locke, he leaves Sal by the ship. Knuckles soon finds the girl and they spent an afternoon bounding. As soon as both their fathers wander back, the two agree to keep their meeting a secret.

“My Secret Guardian” has some holes in it. King Max leaving his daughter unattended on a strange island seems monstrously irresponsible. There’s a single panel reference to Elias and the Queen already being on the Island, a plot snarl the series still hasn’t reconciled. However, when the story focuses on Sally and Knuckles’ play date, it’s actually pretty sweet. The two immediately bound over having evasive fathers. Likewise, both are young people with a lot of weight on their shoulders.

There’s some in-character rough-housing too, when Sally accidentally kicks the guardian off the Island’s ledge. Luckily, his gliding saves the day. Their parting and decision to keep their friendship secret is bittersweet and oddly touching. Most importantly, this story finally clarifies their relationship, burying all romantic tension. Sally and Knuckles are friends, not lovers. Manny Galan’s artwork is quite good.

“Sonic Kids 2” saves the best for last. “Eve of Destruction” is set on the day of Tails’ birth, which happens to coincide with Robotnik’s take-over of Mobotropolis. While Sonic and the future Freedom Fighters play, Amadeus Prower leaves for official business in the city. Meanwhile, the kids are left to take care of his heavily pregnant wife, Rosemary. In the city, Amadeus stumbles upon Robotnik testing the Roboticizer on an innocent Mobian. After expounding on his master plan, he makes Amadeus his second test subject. Thus, Tails’ father misses his son’s birth, as he’s too much of a robot at the time.

“Eve of Destruction” is a tear jerker. Yeah, there’s some sloppy elements. Amadeus entrusting his pregnant wife’s well being to a group of children stretches disbelief. After Amadeus discovers Robotnik’s plan, the villain explains his master plan. Instead of just, you know, killing the guy.

However, the story all builds up to a masterful scene at the end. After Tails pops out, Sonic and his gang notices that he has two tails. Amadeus – already roboticized, the others unaware – dispassionately walks away from his newborn off-spring. Rosemary is reduced to tears while Tails, despite being literally minutes old, sadly cries out for his father. After that heart-breaking panel, we have a heart-warming one. Sonic nuzzles the infant Tails, promising to be his friend. Aww man, you guys… Excuse me, I’ve got something in my eye. Art Mawhinney’s wonderful, cartoony, but expressive and meaningful artwork is perfectly suited to a touching, character-driven story such as this one.

None of the stories are perfect but they’re all pretty damn good. I’ll take it. “Sonic Kids 2” is even better than the first, which was already a fine comic book. Despite some of the problems, it may be one of the most consistent Sonic comics ever published. [9/10]