Sonic X: Issue 21

Sonic X: Issue 21
Publication Date: June 2007

Issue 21 is around the time Archie's original “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book started to get good. While it would take quite a few years for the series to reach anything resembling a consistent tone – even the more serious stories were often followed up by goofy ones – no. 21 was when more serialized elements starting creeping into the comic. That's when life and death stakes became apparent, when relationships started becoming something important. I was hoping “Sonic X” would undergo a similar transformation around the same time. The series would reach its halfway point with this issue, after all. If the goofiness contained in this comic is any indication, a similar tonal change is unlikely.

Issue 21 would feature yet another new writer taking a crack at this series. “Sub Sonic” was written by somebody named Mike Bullock. The story details Grandpa Chuck reading news that an old lab partner of his has successfully invented a matter shifting machine. The guy's lab is right next to a toy store, where Chris hopes to buy some new action figures. Naturally, Eggman and his cronies attack around this time. Sonic, Tails, and the villains get struck by the ray, shrinking to small size. The chase ends up in the toy store, where further shenanigans ensue.

Mike Bullock at least doesn't stick to the “Sonic X” formula as closely as James McDonough and Adam Patyk did last time. Instead, Bullock seems to follow a trend Joe Edkin employed from time to time: Mash up Sonic with a classic genre story. “Sub Sonic” is essentially “The Incredible Shrinking Hedgehog,” while also drawing some probable inspiration from the toy store scenes in “Toy Story 2.” Sadly, bullock doesn't bring the same manic energy that Edkin added to his “Gremlins” and “Evil Dead” riffs. “Sub Sonic” is, instead, a standard action comedy story with low stakes, goofy slapstick, and very little tension.

Sadly, the story doesn't even utilize the goofy potential that idea has. Sonic and friends going on a rampage through a giant toy store could've featured all sorts of endearing silliness. What about Sonic fighting among the action figure shelves, as the cover teases? Using a teddy bear as a shield or crafting weapons from all sorts of plastic doodads? Instead, the toy store is merely used as set dressing. Eggman jumps in a remote controlled monster truck. Sonic briefly utilizes slinkies to protect himself. In another possible riff on “Gremlins” – maybe I just see “Gremlins” everywhere – Tails drives a pink sports car around at one point. That's pretty much it. This could've been way more fun.

It must be said that Eggman and his henchmen are still total buffoons. For what feels like the one hundred time, Eggman's evil scheme is spurned on after watching a TV news report. This time, his anger is activated by somebody taking attention away from the line of toys he's designed or something. While exploring the toy store, Bocoe and Decoe pause to fight over a Barbie doll, apparently mistaking her for a sexy fem-bot that they both desire. I guess I'm just not a fan of this interpretation of the character. I like my Robotnik to be a devious, ruthless villain, not a bungling man-child who somehow manages to build giant death machines every month.

If you want to talk about wasted potential, what about that ray gun Chuck's old partner invents? The story begins with the idea that Chuck and this guy worked on the device as a way to teleport matter across dimensions. This conversation is presented along side Sonic and friends wondering if they'll ever make it home. Seems like these two points would connect, right? Nope! It's disappointing that the issue starts in such an ambitious place and just uses it to set up a standard “hero gets shrunk” story line. Similarly underwhelming is the way the issue begins with Sonic having nightmares that foretell the adventure he's about to have. Does this have any deeper significance? Not that I can tell.

Hidden in this issue are also some not so subtle jabs at some of Sonic's competition. The toy line Chris is hoping to collect is called “Robonicles.” Which is, you'll notice, a pretty similar name to “Bionicle,” a Lego action figure line that was very popular around the time this comic book was published. Why did Bullock associate this popular, real life toy line with part of Eggman's evil scheme in this comic book? Once again, I have no idea. There's also a less direct jab later in the story, when Sonic and Tails stumble upon some stuffed toys modeled after them, annoyed by the bad likenesses.

At least the artwork is pretty good. David Hutchinson returns to penciling duties. It's not his best working, lacking the moodiness that characterizes his better issues. Yet it's very solid. The action is smooth. The characters are on models. The faces are expressive. What's frustrating about “Sonic X” isn't that it's so consistently mediocre. What annoys me is that it so clearly could be better, if the writers were willing to put a little more effort into things. [5/10]