THE 1999 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG COMIC BEST/WORST LIST!

1999 was a big year for Sonic the Hedgehog. Sega's popularity, and thus the popularity of their flagship character, had been flagging throughout the misbegotten Saturn years. But that was all primed to change with the release of the company's newest system: The Sega Dreamcast. Learning their mistake from the Saturn, one of the Dreamcast's hottest premiere titles starred Sonic. The Dreamcast, though a beloved cult classic today, did not rebirth Sega's early nineties popularity. “Sonic Adventure,” however, did successfully relaunch the Sonic franchise. For better or worst, the “Sonic” fandom as it exists today was born with that game.

Archie's long-running “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic wouldn't feel these changes for a few more months, as the “Adventure” adaptation was only beginning in 1999. Most of the year was devoted to setting up the changes this adaptation necessitated. Primarily, the return of Robotnik. The same year also saw the “Knuckles the Echidna” spin-off series end, the “Super Special” quarterly roll on, as well as a bizarre crossover with another Archie property. It was, if nothing else, an interesting year for the comic though far from my favorite.

The issues covered in this retrospective include:

Sonic the Hedgehog: #69-80
Knuckles the Echidna: #22-32
Sonic Super Special: #8-11
Sabrina the Teenage Witch: # 28

BEST COVER STORY:
"A Day in the Life" - Karl Bollers (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 69)

As displayed in the past, Karl Bollers does his best work when focusing on characters and how they react to their environment. “A Day in the Life” concerns Sonic's return to Mobotropolis after being gone for several months. The story has numerous touching moments, such as Sonic and Sally's romantic reunion or Antoine learning that his father is alive. It's full of humor, like Nate Morgan's reaction to chili dogs or Antoine detailing his feelings for Bunnie via verbose poetry. Bollers even slips in some social commentary, when Nate Morgan is bullied by a local for looking different. It's all around a solid, satisfying story, showing that this book about a speedy hedgehog was often better when it slowed down.

WORST COVER STORY:
"King of the Hill: Part Three of Three - To the Death" - Ken Penders (Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 32)

Sadly, Knuckles' solo series did not end on a high note. The entire “King of the Hill” arc revolved around two lame new villains, forcing Knuckles' beloved supporting cast totally off-panel. The underwhelming story bungled its way towards conclusion with “To the Death.” The focus remains on Hunter and Monk, Locke and Archimedes are here for no reason, Knuckles' totally random super powers save the day, and most of the issue is set in an ugly, industrial location. Moreover, Ken kills a character off without summoning a single emotion in the reader, save for annoyance. “Knuckles the Echidna” was often a frustrating book and many of those flaws were front and center in its final issue.

BEST BACK STORY:
"Eve of Destruction" - Michael Gallagher (Sonic Super Special: Issue 9)

Despite their gimmicky premise, both of the “Sonic Kids” specials were surprisingly good. “Sonic Kids 2,” published in issue 9 of the “Sonic Super Special” quarterly, packed a real gut-punch of a story into its back pages. “Eve of Destruction” covers the final day of the Kingdom of Acorn, showing Robotnik's bid for power, but does so from the eyes of the still young Freedom Fighters. This day happens to coincide with both Tails' birth and the roboticization of his father.

There's a lot of effectively cute moments with the young Sonic and friends. But the most memorable moment occurs when Tails' father – unbeknownst to everyone else, a robot at the time – rejects his son minutes after his birth. Yet the rejection is pair with acceptance, as Sonic immediately bonds with the newborn. This remains a highly regarded story among fans even to this day and it more then earns that honor.

WORST BACK STORY:
"A Tale of Two Hedgehogs" - Karl Bollers (Sonic Super Special: Issue 10)

Some of Archie's weakest stories appeared in the back pages in 1999. Who could blame the company for wanting to bury issue 70's bizarre “Statue of Limitations” and Super Special 8's
Dem of Thieves,” another furiously lame Monkey Khan story, in the back of their respective books?

Weak as those stories were, they don't earn this dubious honor. Instead, “A Tale of Two Hedgehogs” from Sonic Super Special #10 emerges “victorious.” A ferociously feeble crossover with the then-new “Sonic Underground” cartoon, the story has a number of flaws. Anti-Sonic gets a lot of page space but ultimately does little to affect the plot. The Giant Borg is brought back and defeated in an almost comically easy fashion. There's a confusing switcharoo involving which version of Robotnik features in the story.

The story isn't even a satisfying introduction to the “Sonic Underground” characters. Throw some really shitty Jim Valentino artwork on top and you've got the worst back story of '99.

BEST STORY ARC:
"A Day in the Life"/"Saving Nate Morgan" - Karl Bollers (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 69-70)

While the first installment of this two parter was clearly the stronger half, issue 70's “Saving Nate Morgan” wasn't a bad read either. This one grapples with Sonic's role in a post-Robotnik world nicely, as his need to be a hero and rescue his friend bristles against King Acorn's newer decrees. Karl even managed to sneak in some character development for Prince Elias! The two stories – the first half low-key and character-orientated, the second half plot focused and action heavy – pair together nicely. We see Sonic fight for the things he cares about while reestablishing while he cares about them. And, hey, how can I not love a story that inexplicably features a giant squid?

WORST STORY ARC:
"Some Enchantra Evening" - Michael Gallagher (Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Issue 28-Sonic Super Special: Issue 10)

Sonic has weathered his share of unlikely crossovers over the years – Ninja Turtles, Mega Man, Spawn – but no match-up was more nonsensical, more needless, then that time he met Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Beginning in the pages of Sabrina's own book – which was nearing cancellation at the time – and concluding in the Sonic Super Special series, “Some Enchantra Evening” features a mindless plot, involving an angry sorceress seeking revenge because of a history report.

The story shows little understanding of the Sonic characters. Sonic acts like a dumb ass throughout both parts. The showdown between the hedgehog and the teenage witch is poorly executed, both characters being made fools of. The lamest of lame jokes and sight gags characterizes the event, “Sabrina” dragging the “Sonic” cast down to its level of dumb humor. Of all the “Sonic” arcs in 1999, this is the one with the fewest reasons to exist. Fans, accordingly, usually forget it ever happened.

BEST COVER ART:
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 74 - Spaz

You can more-often-then-not count on Patrick Spaziante to deliver some awesome cover art and 1999 featured some good ones. Such as the dynamic and action pack cover for issue 70 of “Sonic” or the stately and dignified cover for issue 25 of “Knuckles.” Yet “Sonic: Issue 74” rises to the top as my favorite cover of the year. The image of the Freedom Fighters, drifting through space, certainly piques the reader's curiosity. The space suits Spaz draws are way cooler looking then the generic set the same characters wear in the actual book. The stars, globe, and moon make an equally eye-catching background for the central action.

WORST COVER ART:
Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 31 - Manny Galan

I hate to put down Manny Galan's work, as his interior art for the “Knuckles” series was usually excellent. His covers, sadly, were frequently crowded, uninteresting affairs. Issue 31 probably gets it worst. Throwing together three seemingly unrelated sights – Hunter firing a gun, Knuckles leaping through the air, Monk snarling – Galan manages to make each one unappealing. Knuckles head, feet, and hands seems oversized. Hunter looks like an elf while his gun has a big cross mark through it, in a very heavy-handed visual message. Monk, meanwhile, is a big purple gorilla. The prevailing color scheme of red against green, traditionally regarded as a bad combination, makes this cover an even bigger eye sore.

BEST STORY ART:
"Shadows" - Spaz (Sonic Super Special: Issue 11)

And speaking of Spaz! Spaziante is probably the most iconic of all of Archie's “Sonic” artist and certainly one of my favorites. His decision to draw a story centered on Julie-Su – one of my favorite comic exclusive characters – might make me a bit partial towards “Shadows.” Yet there's no denying that Spaz' work on “Shadows” is above and beyond excellent. He fills the wrecked Dark Legion lair setting full of realistic touches, each wall alive with detail. Julie-Su's flashback to her years in the Legion are portrayed in a moody, blue tone, suggesting the complex feelings they build in her. And Julie, with her big violet eyes and action-ready body language, has never looked better. When surrounded by mediocre work from Jim Valentino and Ken Penders, Spaz' detailed drawings come off even better.

(For the record, Steven Butler did a lot of fine work in the main book. His artwork for issue 71's “Retro Activity” is a clear runner up in this category.)

WORST STORY ART:
"The First Date: Part Three of Three - It Could Be Love (I Should Have Known Better)” - Chris Allan (Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 28)

Chris Allen, a regular artist on Archie's “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” books, would pencil all three issues of the “First Date” arc. Though Allen was adapt at drawing reptilian martial artist, his skills proved less impressive at drawing echidnas. The art in the “First Date” arc degrades as it goes along. By the time we get to part three, Knuckles' body is a formless red shape, Mighty's shell looks like a hot dog bun, everyone's limbs are disturbingly muscular, Vector turns into a grotesque bodybuilder while his date is weirdly humanzied. The entire cast generally looks off-model.

Allen had to compete with some seriously poor art. Jim Valentino's work in issue 24 of “Knuckles” was really ugly, Ken's own pencil work in the “King of the Hill” arc was extremely unfortunate, and I don't know what the hell was going on with the 'Ghost Busted” story in the eighth Sonic Super Special. Yet Allen's mangled muscle monsters emerge as the art that's memorable for all the wrong reasons.

BEST NEW CHARACTER:
Lien-Da

Who would've thought that a dominatrix echidna villain was exactly what this book needed? With the exile of Kragok, the Dark Legion demanded a new field commander. His sister, Lien-Da, stood up to fill that void. Lien-Da isn't a hands-on villain, rarely confronting enemy's head-on. She doesn't need too. Instead, she barks orders, her pure force of will causing others to obey her.

Totally self-interested, Lien-Da's devious attitude and back-stabbing ways would make her one of the most endearing Dark Legion members, writers calling on the sexy villainess countless times in the future.

WORST NEW CHARACTERS:
Hunter and Monk

No, I'm not done bitching about the “King of the Hill” trilogy. Hunter and Monk are probably two of Ken Penders' lamest creations, which is really saying something. Hunter is an amalgamation of better known and written characters, hastily mashing together Kraven the Hunter, Count Zaroff, and Scaramaga. His motivation is cliched and he totally lacks any personality or threatening power.

Monk, meanwhile, is an indistinct bully. He's a big asshole who has carried a grudge for over a decade, seemingly never learns from his mistakes, and just spends his entire appearance being a jerk to Knuckles. We're suppose to cry when he gets killed but Monk is such a tool that we're just happy to see him go.

Furthermore, both characters are hugely unappealing on a visual level. Monk is a mauve sasquatch with an ugly face wearing a deeply unflattering thong-style loincloth/white gogo boots combo. Hunter combines a Fu Manchu beard, white temples, poorly drawn guns, and a number of bizarre outfits. Neither design fits the template for “Sonic” characters, making both seem hugely out of place.


BEST IDEA:
More character orientated stories

The stories that stand out the most to me in this year put ominous satellites, alternate universes, and shocking villain reveals aside in favor of good ol' fashion relationship building. Sonic returned home, his parents renewed their vowels, and he continued to grow closer to Sally. Knuckles and the Princess came to an understanding before the young Guardian made his romantic feelings for Julie-Su official. Antoine stood by Bunnie during a time of illness and longed for a father. Prince Elias decided being a prince wasn't for him and Lupe sacrificed her life to save her family. Focusing on characters' personality and how they relate to their loved ones produced, by far, the best moments in 1999.


WORST IDEA:
The Return of the Status Quo

For the last two years, Archie's “Sonic” series has been without Dr. Robotnik. With their greatest enemy now dead, the book was freed up to explore new themes, locations and characters. But, alas, it wasn't meant to last. In issue 75, Dr. Robotnik – or a version of him, anyway – returned to Sonic's world. Suddenly, a mechanized bad guy ruled the world again. A mad scientist was living in the Kingdom's capitol city, just when the Freedom Fighters were starting to make it feel like home. The heroes were reduced to hiding in the forest once more. In other words, the interesting direction the book headed in was abruptly concluded and things went back to the way they used to be. What a bummer.