Sonic Universe: Issue 55

Sonic Universe: Issue 55
Publication Date: August 2013

Following the end of “Worlds Collide,” the entire Archie “Sonic “ universe was rebooted. You already know this, because you’re reading this blog and also because I’ve been bitching about it non-stop for weeks. The main “Sonic” book would deal with this soon enough, in a way you’ll be hearing all about next time. However, the first issue to be published in the post-Super Genesis Wave time was actually “Sonic Universe” issue 55. The spin-off would smartly bypass the awkward business of dealing with the shaken up continuity by setting this story arc in an alternate dimension. Why fan opinion would be split, I personally think this was a really good idea.

“Pirate Plunder Panic!” is set in Blaze’s world. The effects of the Genesis Wave has tossed Amy and Cream onto a boat with Blaze and the ever-manic Marine. They’ve been looking for the last of the Sol Gems, those magical MacGuffins Blaze is compelled to seek out. They’ve tracked the last one to a metallic pirate ship. And its crew is determined to hold onto it. While Amy, Cream, and Marine deal with the bombardments, Blaze sneaks aboard the enemy ship. There, she finds some familiar faces.

Blaze the Cat has been part of the Sonic franchise since 2005. (That was 13 years ago, good god.) She first appeared in the comic the next year, in issue 160. Despite being a long established part of “Sonic” lore, it still felt like we had never gotten much insight into her personality before. Blaze is the protagonist of “Pirate Plunder Panic,” allowing us to get to know her better than ever before. And she’s surprisingly, and likably, neurotic. Blaze’s destiny as keeping of the Sol Emeralds weighs heavily on her. She hates that her friends are risking their lives to assist a quest she sees as strictly her own. But she keeps these concerns inside, wanting to maintain a stoic, strong outer appearance. Naturally, Blaze’s friends do get hurt, causing her fiery emotions to burst out of her rather literally. That’s a lot for a little pussycat to handle, and it makes for compelling reading,

By the way, “Pirate Plunder Panic” is the second time Tracy Yardley would write a story arc, in addition to drawing it too. His last writing credit was “Babylon Rising,” which just fucking sucked. His second attempt already shows a lot of improvement. However, you can still tell this is a Yardley joint, do to the aggressively wacky humor. Marine the Raccoon brings her usual nonsensical pseudo-Australian slang, as well as a considerable manic streak. This eventually results in her attempting to use fireworks as a projectile, which quite literally blows up in her face. Bean the Duck is here too, as part of the Pirate crew. He shouts a bunch of random nonsense in that way that is loved/begrudgingly tolerate by the fandom.

While Yardley features plenty of rAnd0M!!1!!! humor, this is generally a much more serious story. Blaze is concerned with her responsibilities and how they may negatively impact her friends. Amy, Cream, and Marine, meanwhile, are being plummeted with explosives. The constant bombardment quickly wears down their resistance. At one point, Amy and Cream hug each other, admitting they’re scared. I think Yardley is trying to make a joke in that moment, to contrast against Marine’s foolhardy confidence. But Amy showing such vulnerability is much more meaningful than some silly gag. Lives are in danger and everyone - well, maybe not Marine and Bean - is all too aware of that.

They have good reason to be afraid. The pirates are led by Caption Metal. The book tries to keep his identity mysterious, though it’s fairly obvious he’s a rebuilt version of the Metal Sonic that was exploded back in issue 4 of “Sonic Universe.” (Supposedly the character was extensively rebuilt so as not to counteract Sega’s new “Only One Metal Sonic” rule.) He quickly establishes himself as a serious villain. He shouts threats to Blaze after she sneaks aboard the ship, quickly discovering her. He points a big-ass laser cannon at Marine’s ship, saying he’ll destroy it unless she reveals herself. Confirming his status as a uncompromisingly brutal villain, he then blows up the ship anyway. Causally murdering two beloved supporting characters is a good way to get a new villain to make an impression.

Of course, Amy and Cream aren’t really dead. They’re Sega property, so they sure as fuck can never die. But that scene is a good example of Yardley’s willingness to actually go to some serious places. That tendency largely makes up for what’s a pretty lame premise. This issue starts out as just another fetch quest, after all. It stars a bunch of Sega B-listers that are beloved by some but have never meant much to me. The whole pirate premise stinks of some desperation too. The two original members of Captain Metal’s crew we see are named, groan, Swash and Buckle. Their designs are among the worst of Yardley’s whole career. Just goes to show what a decent script and an actual grasp on your cast’s personalities can accomplish.

While the main “Sonic” book is tossed into chaos by the reboot, “Sonic Universe” smartly skirts the entire issue. The result is a darn good issue. I’m actually excited to see where this will go! That’s unexpected considering how bad Yardley’s last writing job was. [8/10]

A Complete History of Sonic the Hedgehog's Race Car Bed

With “Worlds Collide” behind us, many changes will be coming to Hedgehogs Can't Swim's reviews. The reboot of Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book universe brought with it many causalities. Some lovable, forgettable, and regrettable characters have now been cast into the void forever. Yet, among the lore and cast left forever by the wayside, there is one that I will especially miss.

I'm talking about, of course, Sonic the Hedgehog's race car bed. So, now that this beloved relic is gone forever, I think it's time to look back on its complete history. Below, I will track every appearance the bed has made in the comic book.

Sonic's race car bed would first appear in issue 51's cover story, “Reality Bytes.” As the story deals with Sonic having a bizarre nightmare, it's fitting it should take us inside his bedroom. His race car bed, which is absolutely befitting someone who has led a guerrilla war against a tyrannical dictator for several years, is practically a main character in this story. It appears at the story's midpoint, when the nightmare begins, and at it's end, when Sonic is officially awoken. The race car is red and its sheets are green. The bed's appearance were enthusiastically received by readers and it would immediately become a fan favorite.

It would be over two years before the bed would appear again, enough time passing that some fans feared it was gone forever. It appears in the second half of the issue's cover story, “Thicker Than Water.” The race car bed shows up in one panel, inside Sonic's hut. It's been recolored gray by mistake. We see Tails sitting on the edge of the bed, playing with a baseball.

Here, the race car bed becomes part of the “typical teenage boy” appearance that makes up Sonic's room. We also see a baseball mitt, a dumbbell, a hockey stick, several tossed around comic books, and a massive stereo system that towers over both characters. Also, it appears that Sonic keeps a poster of himself on his bedroom wall.

Race car bed fanatics would not have to wait as long to see their beloved icon again. It would only take four months before the bed was glimpsed once more. Inside issue 94's “New Order,” we see Sonic reclining on the bed – correctly colored red this time – on the second page. It is here that we see the bed's trademark “number 5” symbol on its sides for the first time. The bed appears again later in the issue, as Sonic and Tails have a sleepover. He's then awoken the next morning, Sonic being shaken out of his famous race car bed.

In this issue, we see the race car bed as a center of Sonic and his friend's life. Earlier, the bed is there in the room as Rotor and Bunnie play a video game, as Tails chats with his friend late into the night. Clearly, this very grown-up and serious race car bed represents not just Sonic and his friends but everything they stand for.

During this period in the comic's history, Sonic and his friends were briefly attending high school. So it's not surprising that, during this time when Sonic's youth was being emphasized, that the bed would continue to appear. It shows up in the very next issue, in the story “Enemy Mine.”

After a frustrating day at school, Sonic marches home and flops down on his bed. In this issue, we can see that his sheets are decorated with yellow polka-dots. Once again, we see the bed as but one symbol of Sonic's adolescence. The basketball hoop, a baseball mitt, comic books, and empty soda cans all reappear alongside the bed, all signifiers of Sonic's status as an adventurer forced into a boyish status.

The race car bed would show up again at the very end of issue 96. In this scene, the bed becomes especially important. While Sonic leans against the bed and reads a “Transformer” comic book, he decides to dress up as a superhero to help the cause. Here, there is a deliberate contrast between Sonic's youth and his need to be an underground hero. Nelson Ribeiro applies his unique artistic skills to the race car bed, depicting it in an almost expressionistic manner.

The race car bed would appears again only three issues later. It shows up briefly on the very first page of issue 99's “Blow by Blow,” glimpsed in the first ray of dawn's light as Sonic and Tails sneak back into his bedroom. It reappears again on page five of the comic. Here, we get a good look at the yellow sheets and the number on the side of the car. This issue also adds another item to the litany of youthful symbols in Sonic's bedroom. A surfboard now joins the other signaling teenage rebellion and playfulness.

Eleven issues would pass before the race car bed made its eighth appearance. It shows up on the very first page of issue 110's “Station Square Attacks!” After Uncle Chuck awakens Sonic and Tails in the middle of the night, we see the bed in two panels. It looks like Sonic has changed his sheets, as they are now blue with white polka dots. Ron Lim brings a particular surreal edge to the bed's depiction, as it shrinks and shifts sizes in the second panel. His bedroom is shown more minimalistically, with only a lamp in the room. Sadly, that's the bed's only appearance in this book.

Ron Lim would draw the bed once again in issue 114's “Twice Told Tails.” After Tails awakens from a strange dream, we get a clear shot of Sonic's bed, as the hedgehog is startled awake by his friend's yelling. The blueish-green sheets remain, the overhead basketball hoop is back, and Lim draws the bed as a shoe-like shape. This is surely a reference to Sonic's famous footwear, which is also white and red. Both of these things, you see, go fast.

Race car bed fans would have to wait until June of 2003 to see their beloved receptacle again, in issue 124's “Sonic Adventure 2.5: Alpha.” As Sonic awakens in the morning, we see him yawn and stretch in the bed. Steven Butler draws the bed looking more like a F-1 race car, as opposed to the usual stockcar racer it's depicted as. Now, the car's markings and numbers are depicted in yellow, as opposed to white. Sonic has once again changed his sheets, as we now see lime green sheets with yellow spots. Butler also depicts the other juvenilia of Sonic's boyhood, such as the basketball, hoop, surfboard, and posters.

Ten issues later, following Sonic's return from outer space, we would see the race car bed again. Sonic lays on the bed and takes a nap. We continue to see the bed, as Sonic has a conversation with his dog Muttski, whom he can now communicate with thanks to the alien translator he gained in space. Jon Gray depicts the bed as a more simplistic red shape, almost unrecognizable as a race car. Sonic's sheets are now green with a plaid pattern. His bedroom looks more mature at first, as Gray draws attention to Sonic's lamp and clock radio. A second look at an earlier panel reveals a “Nights into Dreams” comic book, a stuffed animal, and several toys, showing that Sonic is still a child.

This last good look could have been a send-off for the beloved accessory. In issue 136, two issues later, we would see Sonic's bedroom again. This time, the race car bed is gone. Now, Sonic seems to be sleeping in a regular, four-post bed. Has Sonic cast off the childish excesses of youth by now? Later in the comic, we can see a series of sports trophies hidden on a shelf in the background, showing that Sonic has not totally let go of his childhood achievements.

Race car bed fans should not have despaired though. After a long absence, the bed would reappear in issue 167's back-up story, “Hedgehog Day.” The bed is practically a featured player in this story, as it's seen every time Sonic awakens within the story's time loop. Dave Manak strays from the bed's usual depiction, making it white and red in seemingly a deliberate homage to “Speed Racer's” Mach 5. Manak also brings back the clutter of Sonic's skittish young energy. We see a baseball bat, a surf board, a soccer ball, basketball hoop, and a fanciful alarm clock. This story also provides a peek at Sonic's adjoining bathroom, further humanizing the hero.

After the destruction of Knothole and the Freedom Fighters moving into the nanite created New Mobotropolis, fans speculated that the race car bed was also destroyed. However, Ian Flynn took pains to show that Sonic had Nicole recreate his beloved race car bed in his new home. We see the bed in issue 178's “House of Cards: Part One,” when Nicole awakens Sonic in the middle of the night. At this point, the bed has clearly evolved. This new race car bed now resembles a modern sports car, even including a back fin and a more rounded front with wide headlights. Sonic has seemingly cleaned up his room as his hero-hood has grown. Now, we only see a pull cord lamp and a vintage-style alarm clock in his room. He sleeps now with a simple green blanket atop the bed, presumably meant as a homage to the bed's very first appearance years earlier.

While race car bed fans were excited by its reappearance, this would turn out to be the bed's penultimate issue. The race car bed would make its final appearance in issue 185's “Mogul Rising, Part One: Needful Things.” However, the bed's appearance here is a significant one. Bedrooms play a key role throughout the story, as we see Tails', Mina's, and Mighty's beds. Earlier in the story, Sonic revisits the former site of Knothole. This makes the race car bed's reappearance a poignant one, as Sonic is nostalgic for the secret base were he spent most of his adolescence.

Matt Herms draws the bed in this appearance and it varies greatly from its previous showing. Herms removes the fin, restores the stockcar outline, and adds a yellow hood and a yellow racing stripe at the car's back. Sonic is not using a fitted sheet this time but simply sleeping under a blue blanket. Herms' approach to Sonic's bedroom is less detailed. We see a poster on the wall but it appears to be blank.

Ian Flynn would never depict Sonic's bedroom, much less his bed, after this issue. After the reboot in issue 252, the details of Sonic's home life would completely change, presumably removing the race car bed from canon. Fans were furious about this difference, of course, and demanded the race car bed be returned to its proper location: Sonic's bedroom and our hearts.

Since the cancellation of Archie's comic, these same fans have petitioned IDW to show us Sonic's bedroom and show him sleeping in a child's race car bed, as God and Yuji Naka intended. These pleas have thus far fallen on deaf ears but, if being a fan of Sonic's race car bed for so many years has taught me anything, it's to never give up. So rest your head in your own race car bed tonight and remember, even if it's gone, each of us can never be stopped from going fast even in our dreams.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 251

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 251
Publication Date: August 2013

Well, here we are, guys. Issue 251 is the final part of the “Worlds Collide” crossover I’ve been talking about all month. But the comic is even more loaded than that. This is the last issue of “Sonic” connected to the original continuity. Mecha Sally makes a cameo here, alongside a spiffy re-design of Mecha Sonic. I hope you enjoyed that becomes it’s the last time we see that particular iteration of that character. Say goodbye once and for all to the “Sonic” comic we knew and alternatingly loved and tolerated for twenty years, because it’s a completely different animal from this point on.

Flynn giving the last part the super awkward subtitle “Worst of the Worst” is, I guess, somewhat justified as this part is subtitled the complimenting “Best of the Best.” Things are looking grim for our heroes. Sonic and Mega Man are captured, their friends are held back by Wily’s robots, and the mad scientist are about ready to rewrite all dimensions into their twisted vision. Luckily, the friendly Robot Masters arrive on the battlefield, sent by Roll. Knuckles, Protoman, Dr. Light, and Rush are freed up to help the blue guys. Now free, Sonic and Mega Man grab the Chaos Emeralds and go Super Saiyan. But the battle isn’t over yet...

Though it had one hell of a rocky start, “Worlds Collide” does wrap up with a properly cinematic conclusion. A lot is going on in this comic book. Flynn successfully conveys the scope of this story, showing different characters in different locations struggling against the odds. The stakes started too low but they are properly elevated now. Watching the heroes come together to save the day is satisfying. It feels like the climax of a big action movie and that’s nice.

I also like that Flynn doesn’t have Sonic and Mega Man save the day alone. The good Robot Masters make their first appearance in the crossover here, rushing in to give Sonic’s posse assistance. The Mega Man readers probably appreciated that. Without Knuckles, Sonic’s ass would be cooked. Considering the echidna hasn’t been given much to do in this story, that’s a nice turn of events. The rest of Sonic’s supporting cast is sidelined but, considering Sega and Capcom probably would have been fine with just the stars saving the day, it’s nice to see them included at all.

Of course, Sonic and Mega Man are primarily responsible for stopping the bad guys. Inevitably, Sonic transform into Super Sonic. Equally inevitably, Mega Man transforms into a similarly chromatic super form called Super Mega Man. This is absolutely the stuff of fan fiction crossovers, so it’s not surprising. Truthfully, Sonic going Super aboard the Death Egg and crushing a giant robot piloted by Robotnik is something we’ve seen before. It’s almost the exact same ending as the “Genesis” arc. Another problem is, once Super Sonic and Super Mega Man show up, the story’s tension totally deflates. The hedgehog reminds the boy robot repeatedly that they are effectively invulnerable in this form. They can no longer be hurt. Which totally throws the question of whether the heroes will succeed out the airlock. Nothing can stop them now.

By this point, Eggman and Wily’s friendship has completely dissolved. They are now begrudgingly working together, often snipping at one another from inside their death machine. Which is a different dynamic than what we’ve seen up to this point. Equally amusing is the villains choosing to sabotage each other in such a way that it costs them both their victory. It would seem hubris are Eggman and Wily’s greatest flaw. If both weren’t so certain they could outsmart the other, they probably would’ve won this. (Okay, no, they wouldn’t have, because this is a kid’s comic and they’re the bad guys. But you grasp my meaning.)

In the final pages of the crossover, after Sonic and Mega Man send Wily and Eggman plummeting into the planet’s upper atmosphere, they each attempt to Chaos Control their worlds back to normal. Mega Man gets the handle of it immediately and is sent back home. Sonic, however, is attacked by Eggman just as he’s about to reset his world. Thus, the set-up for the reboot is put in place.

I have very mixed feelings about this. I guess if the comic had to be rebooted, this would be the smoothest point to do so. But putting the dividing line in a crossover, in a weird continuity neutral zone, still feels like a cheat to me. Essentially, a different version of Sonic, without any of the history we know, just tossed away the version we do know. And the manner in which it happens – Robotnik tackles Sonic, causing him to fuck up the Chaos Control pattern or whatever – still feels like a desperation, last minute decision.

As you can see, I continue to be way more interested in this crossover’s affect on the main storyline than on its actual plot. Taking “Worlds Collide” on its own, it’s a mildly entertaining event. It had a rough start, a tedious middle section, but came together for an okay ending. But I still have a lot of problems with how Flynn executed this one and still don’t find it to be very satisfying as a whole. I’m giving this specific issue a [6/10] and would probably rank the entire crossover as a [5/10.]

Sonic Universe: Issue 54

Sonic Universe: Issue 54
Publication Date: July 2013

Here we are at the penultimate part of “Worlds Collide.” I know it feels like we’ve been stuck in the Egg Skull Zone for a long time but I guess it’s only been a month. Compared to the year-long arcs Flynn usually employs, this was truthfully one of the shorter events. While the quality of Flynn’s endings waver, you can tell he enjoyed writing the last third of this story more than the preceding parts, which felt pretty routine in comparison.

Chapter 11 has the subtitle of “Worst of the Worst,” because Flynn was completely out of ideas for titles by now. Deep inside the Skull Egg, Sonic and Mega Man fight Metal Sonic and Bass. (Oh, and Bass’ cool robot wolf, Treble.) They prove to be formidable adversaries. Just beyond the blast-door, Eggman and Wily prepare the Egg-Wily Machine X. The final boss weapon is enough to blast an exhausted Sonic and Mega Man into unconsciousness, allowing the devious duo to prepare their complete rewrite of all universes.

Unsurprisingly, “Worlds Collide” has been pretty heavy on the fight scene. This is, after all, a crossover partially built on the old “who would win in a fight” debate. Having previously devoted whole issues to Sonic and Mega Man’s fight and Sonic’s friends fighting the Robot Masters, Flynn centers nearly this entire issue around the four way fight between Sonic/Mega Man and Metal Sonic/Bass. It’s definitely one of the harder fights in the story, as both robots are just as powerful as their matching heroes. The usual strategy of switching dance partners is not enough to slow them down.  So I’m not entirely opposed to Flynn having the fight take up most of this issue.

Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Moreover, it looks pretty cool. Ben Bates continues to be the stand-out artist in this story. He manages to keep the fight fast-paced and furious without slipping into incoherence, like he did last time. As Mega Man cycles through the various abilities he’s gained over this story, Bates illustrates Sonic’s friends floating over his shoulders. That’s a nice touch. He even incorporates some humor, like the ridiculous face Sonic makes when he receives one of Bass’ giant boots to the gut.

It’s tempting to say Metal Sonic and Bass are just pawns in the plot. Metal Sonic, by design, has no personality beyond wanting to eviscerate his organic counterpart. Bass, however, shows a little more gumption. When Treble gets clipped by Mega Man’s lemon shooter, Bass flights into a rage, yelling “Don’t touch my dog!” It seems his rivalry with Mega Man is, like Ash Ketchum, driven by a desire to be the very best. So he has more in common with Shadow than Metal Sonic. I also think Bass switches sides at some point in the games, another thing he has in common with Sonic’s darker furred rival. See, a villain with some humanity is more interesting, even if they’re a robot.

On the Eggman/Wily front, there’s not too much to report. The two continue to work together while secretly plotting against each other. However, Flynn incorporates some little interactions that are cute. Such as the two sniping at each other, like an old married couple, as they put the purely aesthetic finishing touches on their latest death machine. My favorite bit comes when they’re explaining their evil plan to the captured Sonic and Mega Man. The two are so wrapped in their evil glee that they go to high five one another, forgetting they hate each other now.

And that brings us almost to the end. Flynn has finished putting all his pieces in their places. Robotnik and Wily are on the verge of winning, their plan to cosmic-reset-button Sonic and Mega Man out of existence nearly completed. Of course, in their arrogance, the bad guys have stuck the heroes right there in the final chamber with them. I have mixed feelings about this. It’s a cliche we’ve all seen many times before and there is something satisfying about the familiarity. At the same time, it’s hard to take the bad guys seriously when they set themselves up for defeat like that.

It’s true that this event is picking up speed as it nears its end. I have my qualms. Bass is interesting enough here that I wish Flynn had given him a bigger role throughout the crossover. He would’ve been preferable over the various faceless Robot Masters we encountered. Still, this is a pretty good comic book. I had fun reading it. [7/10]

Mega Man: Issue 27

Mega Man: Issue 27
Publication Date: July 2013

“Worlds Collide” is quickly nearing its conclusion. Only two more of these left to go! This is the last issue of “ Mega Man” I’ll be reviewing, at least until the next crossover. It’s a bit of a mixed blessing. The crossover improves a lot in its last third. Yet the event’s end also means the “Sonic” reboot - and all the complicated feelings it brings with it - will properly begin soon. Let’s get through this together.

Part ten of “Worlds Collide” is subtitled “No Holds Barred” and, sadly, features no Hulk Hogan cameos. Dr. Light plummets from the Skull Egg but is rescued by Shadow. Rock’s dad implores him to get on the floating battle station and stop the villains’ plan, as the fate of the multi-verse depends on it. The two blue heroes face off against new threats inside the ship but also receive help from old friends.

Ben Bates’ artwork really continues to be the star attraction here. There’s a dynamic sense of motion here to rival Spaz, while Bates also keeps the cartoony facial expressions that characterize Tracy Yardley’s work. It’s the best of both worlds. While the issue looks great, some times the action scenes are a little too dynamic. A fight between the good guys and a trio of evil robots known as the Mega Man Killers is a little hard to follow. There’s lots of spinning and dashing and it’s tricky for the reader to keep up.

But at least Flynn is continuing to raise the stakes in the crossover’s last third. During the battle with the Mega Man Killers, Tails takes a blaster right to the face. Considering a problem I’ve had with this book is general lack of danger, seeing one of the Sonic franchise’s most beloved characters pushed to the edge of death at least lets us know that things are serious. Flynn also continues to emphasize that Eggman and Wily are threatening the entire universe. Which helps solve another problem I had: The crossover having no repercussions on either series’ on-going plots. (Of course, we now know that Sonic essentially sacrifices his own universe to save all the others, but we’ll get to that later.)

Another thing making this issue a little more compelling is Wily and Eggman’s friendship disintegrating. Wily does not take Robotnik’s attempt to murder Dr. Light well. Apparently, he wants to see his rival humiliated, not killed. Which might explain why Wily constantly gets his ass kicked by the good guys. He’s another one of those types that has the resources to just carpet bomb his enemies out of existence but weirdly refuses to do so. Sadly, the schism between the villains isn’t given room to breath here. Wily and Eggman have to put their differences aside for now, so the showdown can continue. It would’ve been cooler if Flynn had incorporated a fight between the two into the actual plot.

After a few issues of build-up, this one also brings two major characters into the fray. Sonic and Mega Man actually do fight the Chaos Devil here and find him to be quite difficult to defeat. His eyeball is his weak point but it’s surrounded by water that can be reshaped. Luckily, Duo appears to hold the monster back, so Sonic and Mega Man can progress towards the final boss battle. I have zero familiarity with Duo but he’s a super powerful, slightly spacey robot obsessed with maintaining a balance between good and evil. So that’s cool.

As strong as Duo is, he can still only hold-off the Chaos Devil, not defeat it. Which creates a plot hole of its own. If the Chaos Devil is so powerful and neigh indestructible, I don’t know why Wily/Eggman didn’t just drop him into the battlefield to crush Sonic and his friends. Yeah, I know they can’t control him but a battlefront situation would be ideal for a beast like that. Just point him the direction of what needs to die and let him loose. But that would also end the story way too soon and I guess we can’t have that.

Flynn does incorporate some cute humor into this one. Sonic and Mega Man banter while navigating the Skull Egg, causing Tails and Rush to give each other an exasperated, knowing glance. Flynn also has fun depicting a confrontation between Rouge and a Robot Master named Jewel Man. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from Big the Cat. This seems to make the Off-Panel strip canon for once, as that depicts Eggman and Wily realizing Big would make a useless Roboticized Master. Which is pretty funny.

There’s definitely some flaws here but by keeping the action lively and letting us know the heroes are actually in danger, Flynn creates a pretty entertaining comic book. [6.5/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 250

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 250
Publication Date: June 2013

With its 250th issue, Archie’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic had officially been in print for twenty years. That was a major accomplishment in the precarious world of comics, where even major superhero characters can’t go more than a few years without being rebooted. Even more so for a silly licensed book based on a video game series that was, let’s face it, way pass its peak popularity and cultural relevance. Take that as a lesson, kids. If you can cultivate an obsessive fandom partially composed of autists and furries, your comic book will run for decades too.

Sadly, the comic’s porcelain anniversary did not come during the smoothest time. The book was wrapped up in the back half of the “Worlds Collide” crossover, meaning Sonic had to share the spotlight with Mega Man. The book was also two issues away from having all its continuity wiped out. It’s kind of hard to seriously celebrate a comic’s success when the book is busy boosting another series and about to throw its entire history in the trash.

But never mind all that. We’ve got a crossover to sell! Part nine of “Worlds Collide,” subtitled “All Out War,” begins with Sonic, Mega Man, and their friends stationed under the Death Egg. Inside, Wily and Eggman are preparing another Genesis Wave that will completely reshape both of their worlds. The villains send a massive army, composed of every Robot Master Wily has ever built, to stymie the heroes. Sonic and Mega Man try to fight their way through the forces, so they can rescue Rock’s dad and stop the bad guys.

Last time, I said I had the feeling that Flynn was just wasting time in the middle act and really wanted to get to the big fight scene. This issue holds that out. Flynn is so eager to get to the violence that he doesn’t even properly introduce Shadow and Omega. They, along with Silver and Blaze, show up at the beginning without an immediate explanation. We couldn’t get a panel or two showing them teleporting under the Skull Egg? It seems a little sloppy, adding to a comic story arc that already seems a little sloppy.

It seems this issue is mostly about luxuriating in the literally hundreds of Robot Masters that Wily has built over the many “Mega Man” games. The issue opens with a two page spread showing off a few of them. Some of them have more general purposes, like spraying water or generating walls or concrete blocks. Others are way more specific. Over the years, Wily has created clown, vampire, water pump, pirate, flying saucer, sheep, magician, mosquito, electric plugs, centaur, swami, Indian Brave, and pineapple I think themed robots, among many others. No, we never get much in the way of development for any of these bots. However, one thing Capcom is really good at is designing visually appealing characters. So all these weird robots are neat looking, if nothing else.

Flynn seems to delight in contrasting the various Sonic characters with similarly themed Robot Masters. Napalm Man’s countless fireballs are met by Omega’s equally impressive fire power. Blaze faces off against six separate pyromaniac robots. Vector fights Snake Man. Charmy fights Hornet Man. Espio fights the ninja-themed Shadow Man. Tails flies against a trio of flying Masters. Sonic races against a cadre of fast Masters. Amy faces off against Splash Woman, seemingly the only female member of the Robot Masters. There is, admittedly, some minor fun in seeing so many different variations on the same sort of archetypes.

The business aboard the Skull Egg proves a little more compelling than the battlefield. There’s a tense conversation between Dr. Light and Dr. Wily. This moment gives us a look at Wily’s neurosis. He really, really resents Dr. Light. He’s obsessed with what he perceives as Light’s lack of vision and the belief that Thomas is jealous of his genius. Dr. Light silences him by pointing out both doctors’ tendency to try and control things they can’t handle. It feels a bit like an asshole kid trying to stand up his dad and failing spectacularly.

All that’s well and good but Eggman’s approach is more direct. Upon realizing Dr. Light is a serious threat, that he’s aware of their plan and has been feeding information to Sonic and Rock, he decides to just straight-up murder him. Coldly and calculating, he grabs Dr. Light, drags him to the Egg Skull’s port, and tosses him out. And he’s smiling as he does, cutely waving as Light falls to his doom. That’s how you make an intimidating villain, by showing them wiling to do anything to further their goals. Sort of wish he had done this a lot sooner.

But, hey, it’s a pretty looking comic. Ben Bates comes aboard for this crossover and does stellar work. He’s the first artist to work on this crossover that feels like he knows how to write characters from both franchises. The Sonic and Mega Man cast not only look like they can co-exist but also looks awesome together. The action sequences are beautifully executed, with a sense of motion and speed. Everyone looks awesome, with lots of funny facial expressions.

Oh yeah, there’s a reprint shoved in the back too. In order to celebrate the “Sonic” comic reaching 250 issues, half of issue 229 is reprinted after the cover story. I guess this story was chosen because both this one and that one deal with the Genesis Wave rewriting the world. However, I really don’t understand the intention behind reprinting half of a story. Is this supposed to drive people to the back issues? Because it really feels like Archie wants to prestige of a double-length issue without actually writing a double-length issue. I do like the little “yearbook page” included, which features some pithy remissness from a few of the artists and writers.

So it’s a nice looking book that’s packed full of action and one or two decent character interaction. Eh, I guess I’ll take it.  [6.5/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 11

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 11
Publication Date: November 28, 2018

I’ve seen this meme going around the Blog-o-sphere. This idea that 2018 has felt like it’s been going on for a hundred years, yet November sped by in a flash. I gotta say, I can relate to that. Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas looms, and November is practically over. I thought I was still hung-over from October but, no, apparently everyone feels this way too. The end of the month also means it is time for another issue of IDW’s “Sonic” book and my corresponding weekend update. After last month’s delays, I guess I shouldn’t keep you guys waiting for this one...

In its third part, “The Battle for Angel Island” seems to have reached its climax. Transformed into his draconian final form, Metal Sonic has snatched the Master Emerald away from its shrine. With the floating island now in free fall, the Resistance scrambles to save the day, Sonic thinking up a last minute plan. Meanwhile, some asshole named Dr. Starline has snatched kindly Mr. Tinker and seems determine to restore him back to his Eggman-y glory.

I’ve had so many mixed thoughts about Metal Sonic since he assumed the title of main villain earlier in the year. I’ve never been much of a fan of the character in general, finding his laser-focused determination to destroy Sonic an uninspired motivation. Yet in this comic series, his occasionally brutal tactics has certainly made him an intimidating villain from time to time. While allowing him to transform into a kaiju-sized robo-dragon seemed like a desperate way to raise the stakes, Metal Overlord or whatever he’s calling himself proves to be a convincing threat. Using his sheer size and power, he pushes the good guys to the limit. He gloats all the while in an especially overblown fashion, finally adding some theatrical color to this literally robotic enemy.

Better yet, Flynn didn’t rely on an easy out to save the day. Blaze exhausted her Burning super form last time. Sonic doesn’t have access to any of the MacGuffins that’ll make him go Super. If the heroes are going to save the day, they have to do it without their God Mode upgrades. That’s a nice way to raise tension. Moreover, watching the good guys think their way out of a scenario is far more satisfying than just having them press the “Instant Win” button that the super forms frequently prove to be.

So Sonic mocks Metal, playing on his obvious insecurities at being based on him. The Resistance gives it all they’ve got, attacking all at once. Tails rams Metal with the Egg Fleet ship he’s piloting, while Knuckles frantically tries to pry the Master Emerald loose. That former point is the most compelling, as Tails really risks his life by pulling off a suicidal maneuver. In other words: Heroes doing hero shit, ostensibly the reason we’re all reading this comic book. Sonic even expresses worry about Tails, when the young fox doesn’t immediately reappear after the fight is over. (This seems to bring the rear Tails had of loosing his friends, that he showed in the first issue, full circle.) Flynn doesn’t quite give everybody something notable to do, though he tries. Silver using his psychic powers to grab the heroes out of the air is a nice moment.

This issue also seems to suggest that the delightful Mr. Tinker subplot will soon be coming to an end. Rough and Tumble strap the kindly handyman down to a table while Dr. Starline applies some brain-zapping goggles. Starline, seemingly a sinister psychologist with an Eggman fetish, seems determined to bring the Doctor’s evil side back. Hopefully Flynn will play that for some drama, instead of just having the big bad immediately return to his old ways. If he wants to take a cue from his old “Sonic X” issues, where moonlighting as heroic wrestler El Gran Gordo made Eggman realize being good feels good, that would be nice.

Whether this Starline guy proves to be a compelling villain in his own right is still up in the air. He seems to have a somewhat effete attitude, making him different from most of the villains in this book. His little John Lennon glasses remind me of Kagato from “Tenchi Muyo!,” which is never a bad show to allude to. His design is definitely garish though. He wears a plum colored double-breasted blazer, pointy elf shoes, and a glove with a hypnotizing spiral on it. Not to mention the weirdest fucking comb-over on his head. Apparently he’s suppose to be a platypus but he looks more like a cetacean with a duckbill. Considering the similarly over-designed Whisper, piling too many accessories onto new characters is a real bad habit this book is showing.

Art duties this time are split between Tracy Yardley and Evan Stanley. Both of whom do fine though neither of their work is as flashy as it’s been recently. “The Battle for Angel Island” concludes on a suitably action-packed note. However, Flynn balances that action with some decent character moments and an appropriate deployment of dramatic tension. The arc started strong, flagged some in the middle, but seems to have wrapped up well enough. Sounds like Flynn will be doing a more slow-paced issue next time, which sounds like a good strategy. [7/10]