Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 27

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 27
Publication Date: August 1995

Reviewing these old comic books has been a huge exercise in nostalgia for me. While I recall so many of them fondly, there are certain issues that definitely stick in my brain more then others. 20 and 24 are two examples I’ve previously covered. Issue 27 is another one. As a kid, my local Martin’s briefly stocked comic books on a big wall-length stand in front of the pharmacy. It wasn’t uncommon for my mom to drop me off there while she went grocery shopping. At the time, I remember reading probably terrible Power Rangers and Jurassic Park comics from short-lived publishers like Hamilton and Topps. And this one, Sonic Issue 27, leaping right out at me. I still have that very comic. Luckily, the story and artwork inside are pretty good too.

“A Scrambled Hedgehog” is this comic’s spin on a well-worn literary story type: The hero gets the kind of bumped-on-the-head amnesia that only exists in old TV shows and comic books. Upon discovering this, the bad guy turns the hero against his allies. The book is seemingly aware of this, as its plot was likely inspired by the SatAM episode “No Brainer” and the cover art is a homage to Amazing Spider-Man #56. While running a routine mission into Robotropolis, Sonic gets conked on the head. Awakening with no memory of who he is, Robotnik convinces the hedgehog that the Freedom Fighters are terrorists, fighting to destroy the government through sabotage. (Which they are but that’s besides the point.) Sonic races into Knothole Village, suddenly with a mission to destroy his friends. Sally has to prepare some last minute stop-gaps in hopes of preventing this.

Like I said, “A Scrambled Hedgehog” is not an especially new or cutting edge story. However, it’s beautifully paced. We begin with an exciting race through Robotropis, Sonic narrowly avoiding detection. The early scenes of Robotnik and Snively realizing Sonic has no memory nicely play up the villain’s personality. The next scene, of Sonic decimating the Auto-Automatons of his friends, shows how easily our hero could murder his friends. The rest of the story is devoted to the amnesic Sonic trying to find Knothole, unaware that he is leading Robotnik’s death squad to the location of his friends. This actually builds up some decent suspense, as you truly wander whether or not Sonic will lead his greatest enemy to his closest allies.

This is emphasized by a long sequence of Sonic exploring the secret tunnels leading towards Knothole. Most times, this story line would have the heroes tricked and unaware that their friend has been brainwashed. Not our Princess Sally. She immediately recognizes that something is wrong with Sonic. She proceeds to lock doors in front of him, flood the tunnel, and send a force of soldiers to stop him. This is a story with real stakes and pressures. That is constantly emphasized by Robotnik repeatedly referencing the tanks that will roll into Knothole Village the minute Sonic reveals its precise location. “A Scrambled Hedgehog” ends on a hell of a cliffhanger too. Sonic has blasted through the defenses and walks into Freedom HQ, ready to murder the fuck out of his friends. Since the story is so fast-moving, there’s not even much time for Ken Penders’ stale, overly expository dialogue. This fucker moves.

Also boosting the story is some of the best artwork Art Mawhinney would ever contribute to the book. I’ve pretty much done nothing but praise Mawhinney’s work since I started reviewing these old books. However, he truly outdoes himself here. The use of shadow is especially notable. While spotted in Robotropis, Sonic is under a spotlight, the shadows around creating an eerie tone. Mawhineny repeats this gag several times. Once, on Robotnik’s face to show his villainy, and again at the end, when Sonic is about ready to pounce on his friends. The artwork, sharp script, and strong characterization makes this truly feel like an episode of SatAM and definitely one of the best issues of the series’ classic run. [9/10]

Before I wrap up, I guess I should mention the book’s sole back-up story. “Coming Soon: Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble” is a two page advertisement for the “Triple Trouble” one-shot that I reviewed last time, by Gallagher and Manak. I only bring it up for one reason: One of the panels promises that the book will feature Sally in a “pink string bikini,” followed by Sally clipping the offending scene out of a film reel. As a young kid with a shaky grasp on sarcasm, I really did think this moment was drawn before being removed. That Sally isn’t in “Triple Trouble’ at all seemed to support my theory. Now, I recognize it as a dumb joke. Then, I thought my favorite comic book was potentially edgier but under a short leash from moral guardians. The moral of the story?: Kids are stupid. (And if you really want to see Sally in a bikini, a Google search turned up this, you pervs.)