Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 47

 
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 47
Publication Date: March 1997

In a lengthy interview with Ken Penders conducted in 1998, the writer said that, after the cancellations of the two cartoons that inspired the “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book, he realized the book would have to change in order to survive. He wanted the comic to cut ties with the animated series. In order to achieve this, Penders decided on an incredibly controversial idea. Princess Sally Acorn would die. Fans, needless to say, were outraged. The fandom was split between people who loved the character and those that always wished to see her go. The reaction seems a little more overblown now, eighteen years later, when the comic is still being published and Sally is still a core member of the cast. The “Endgame” story arc, published in the ramp-up to issue 50, remains controversial among fans, equally beloved and hated. Whatever your opinion of the story arc is, it certainly accomplished Penders’ goal of shaking up the universe.

 
“Endgame Part 1: Taking the Fall” begins like any ordinary Sonic comic. Sonic and Sally scale one of Robotnik’s skyscrapers, planning to detonate the tyrant’s command center. The two are watched on one side by the Freedom Fighters and by the Wolf Pack on the other. However, Sally is concerned. As seen in “Battle Royal,” her father has miraculously recovered. Moreover, he believes Sonic to be a traitor. The mission serves the dual purpose of flushing out the real traitor and proving Sonic’s innocence. The opposite seemingly happens. While Sally dangles down the side of the building, the Freedom Fighters witness Sonic draw a knife and cut the rope. The Princess falls several stories to the ground and, after being rushed back home to Knothole Village, dies. Sonic, meanwhile, doesn’t know that any of this happened. Upon returning to Knothole, he receives two startling blows. First, he is arrested by Geoffrey St. John. Secondly, he gets the news that Sally is dead and he reportedly committed the murder.

Killing off probably the second most important character in what is basically a children’s comic is a big deal. However you feel about “Endgame,” you can't deny that it contains the most shocking image ever printed in a Sonic comic. As Sonic holds the rope and pulls the knife, the ever-present cocksure smile remains on his face. As he slices the rope, Antoine and Tails watch in aghast horror. An entire page is devoted to Sally plummeting down the building’s side. There’s no dialogue, text balloons, or sound effects on this page. Her eyes widen in confusion and shock. She closes her eyes, preparing for impact. Her body tumbles through an awning before she slams down hard on the ground, the impact resounding loudly in the readers’ minds.

 
Her body remains still and lifeless as her friends watch on, utter shock on their faces. After realizing the truth, Dr. Quack silently shakes his head. Tails falls into Rosie’s arms, both weeping. Rotor’s face is slack with shock. Bunnie slouches with tears in her eyes while Antoine covers his mouth in horror. This is as heavy as a kids’ book can get. The death is unglamorous and the effect is deeply felt by everyone involved. It’s a powerful moment and one the book has rarely equaled.

Unfortunately, Penders lays down too many of his cards too soon. Now we all know that Sally didn’t stay dead. The writer sets up too early that a reveal is coming. After returning to Knothole, we see Drago the Wolf – already established as a shady character – tell his newly introduced girlfriend, Hershey the Cat, that a mission has been successful. During the attack, Robotnik and Snively are far too relaxed. When Sonic is arrested, Robotnik watches on a monitor, laughing and declaring that everything is going according to plan. When Sally’s rope is cut, Sonic is inside having a routine fight with Robotnik. It’s obvious that someone has framed him. I wish the story operated with more ambiguity. Wouldn’t it have been more compelling if Sonic, somehow and unknowingly, seemed to commit the crime he’s accused of? Or would killing off the hero’s love interest and having the hero commit the murder been too much for a children’s book, even this one?

That “Endgame” starts off like a seemingly normal story is emphasized. About the only indicator that something seriously bad will happen (besides, you know, the cover) is that Dr. Quack is tagging along on the mission for some reason. The lead-up is standard, playing out like a normal episode of “SatAM.” Sonic and Sally banter, the two different teams silently observe, Robotnik schemes. After Rotor successfully blows up some auto-guns with the BFG he built in back in issue 44, the heroes celebrate. Even after Sally’s fall, parts of the story continue like normal. Drago cracks a bad pun while blasting SWATBots. Sonic dodges lasers before reflecting the beams back with a mirror. Robotnik makes an almost comical escape. Sonic childishly calls Geoffrey St. John names. If it wasn’t for the startling death of a beloved character happening in the middle of the book, it would seem to be business as usual. The contrast makes the story even more unnerving. Am I giving Ken too much credit or did he do that on purpose?

Despite many new artists coming into the comic in ’96 and ’97, Archie was smart enough to have Art Mawhinney on pencil duties for this one. That Mawhinney’s work so closely resembles the SatAM TV show makes the story’s subversion of that show’s structure even more apparent. His crisp lines, smooth action, and rich detail are all put to good use. However, if it wasn’t for Mawhinney’s incredible talent for facial expression, the story might not work at all. His drawings find the heart of “Endgame,” in the fallow faces of people shocked by the death of their dear friend.

The script isn’t without problems. Aside from revealing too much of the narrative too soon, there’s also some of Penders’ awkward dialogue and a last act that goes on too long. I really don’t think we needed to see Sonic’s sentencing. Just having the cuffs slapped on him and being told he murdered his girlfriend probably would’ve been enough. Still, “Taking the Fall” is an incredibly powerful and upsetting issue of “Sonic the Hedgehog,” showing the emotion and impact this book was capable of. [8/10]