Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 193

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 193
Publication Date: October 2008

I don't know if it was a conscious decision on Flynn's behalf but most of 2008 was focused on Scourge the Hedgehog. Maybe Ian was hoping to expand on Sonic's rogue gallery in general? Maybe the writer just wanted to explore an underdeveloped part of Sonic's world? Maybe the writer was capitalizing on Scourge's popularity with fans? Either way, that focus would continue with issue 193, the reader getting closer look at the alternate universe Scourge calls home.

While Sonic was out playing fist-tag with Scourge and the Metal Sonics, Rotor and Tails were modifying the Star Posts. They have created a portal to Moebius, the mirror universe that started this mess. Sonic is eager to crossover, hoping to ruin Scourge's world the way Scourge ruined his. For some reason, Sally assigns Amy Rose to be with Sonic on this mission. After arriving, Sonic and Amy meet radically different versions of Dr. Robotnik, Bunnie, and Amy herself. Meanwhile, back at Mobotropolis, a Suppression Squad member appears with an interesting proposal.

In the twenty-some years the Anti-Mobius premise existed in the Archie “Sonic” comic, we've gotten a few looks at the alternate universe. However, these peeks have always been rather brief. We'd see Anti-Sonic lounging in his base, get a fleeting glimpse at the mirror Robotnik, and that's about it. In “Other Side,” Ian finally gives readers a more in-depth look at this strange world. We learn that Dr. Kintobor, the benevolent veteran that exists in Robotnik's place, lies inside a peaceful forest within an invisible force field. This is a neat inversion of the polluted wasteland that Robotnik Prime inhabits.

Out of all the appearances that Moebius has had in the comic, Bunnie Rabbot's evil doppelganger has only appeared once before. I have no idea why Bunnie was overlooked so often. Flynn makes this a plot point. In an inversion of Bunnie's partial roboicization giving her super strength, “Buns” developed a degenerative physical condition. Naturally, Scourge had no use for her after that. Kindly Dr. Kintobor built her a robotic suit, armed with non-lethal weapons. (This robot suit is based on E-123 Omega, a Sega character that still hasn't officially appeared in the comic yet.) It's clever writing, utilizing common sense ideas that were previously unexplored. It's fan service but in the best way.

You'll notice I'm talking a lot about the characters and their world this time. Recently, I've complained about Flynn focusing on the fight scenes too much. The first half of “Other Side” is fairly light on the action, in the best way. Yeah, Sonic and Amy tussle with Buns in the Omega Suit after they first make it to Moebius. Other than that, Flynn is focusing on building up this world. I, personally, appreciate this a lot. Nothing against the fight scenes but the characters and their weirdo universe is why I've been reading this book since I was five years old.

The Mirror Universe versions of Dr. Robotnik and Bunnie have been referenced before. Anti-Amy Rose, meanwhile, has never appeared before. She's called Rosy the Rascal, a reference to Sega deep cut “Sonic the Fighter.” The character essentially deconstructs Amy Rose's personality. I make jokes about Amy Rose having a stalker-esque obsession with Sonic. Rosy, meanwhile, literally is Scourge's stalker. Both characters utilized a magical ring in order to get closer to their object of affection. The same ritual totally broke Rosy's mind, turning her into a complete nutter. Fitting this issue's October publication date, Flynn plays all of this for creepiness. Rosy hangs out in an abandoned castle. She sings spooky songs to herself. It's well done.

Back on Mobius, the intrigue continues. Miles, Tails' evil twin, comes to Mobotropolis with a proposal. He explains that the Suppression Squad hates and fears Scourge. He offers a truce to Sally and the others, teaming up to defeat Scourge. What makes this really interesting is Miles' naturally duplicitous personality. It seems likely that the Anti-Tails really would betray Scourge. Yet it's equally plausible that he's hoping to mislead, trick, and double-cross the heroes. (I guess that would be a double-double cross?) Since I can't remember what happens next, that actually creates some mild tension, keeping the reader invested even though Sonic and Amy's adventure is way more interesting.

In the back pages, Flynn once again utilizes the “Another Time, Another Place” setting to help advertise “Sonic Unleashed,” the then-new Sonic game. The story is also entitled “Sonic Unleashed” and basically adapts the game's opening cut scene. Super Sonic races into Eggman's latest doomsday satellite. The villain drains the Chaos Emeralds powering Sonic and fractures the planet below. Somehow, this process also transforms Sonic into a furry, fearsome being called the Werehog. Robotnik tosses the Werehog out the air lock and... Buy the game to find out what happens next, ya' fuckin' schmucks!

Flynn's “Sonic Unleashed” accomplishes what its suppose to: It makes the reader aware of the video game's existence. The comic adaptation does pretty much nothing else, telling a sequence of events that you could also see after putting the disc in your game system of choice. The comic adaptation does not justify why the Werehog, Sega's worst idea since giving Shadow a gun, needed to exist in the first place. (It also doesn't get into the dumb ass, needlessly convoluted mythology inside “Sonic Unleashed” but that's probably for the best.) Inevitably, this story leaves a bad taste in my mouth, since Flynn would adapt the same source material for the weak sauce post-reboot story. Other than that, it's hard to criticize a story whose whole purpose is to advertise a product.

The cover story is a lot of fun, that dives into unexplored corners of the book's universe that fans are eager to experience. The “Sonic vs. Scourge” story arc was starting to weigh on me but this one got me interested in it again. The back-up is utterly forgettable and disposable but I'm not going to hold that against the issue. When the Sega Corporate Overlords demanded something, Flynn had to obey. Otherwise, this is another good one. [8/10]