Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 7

 
Knuckles the Echidna: Issue 7
Publication Date: October 1997

After a somewhat messy first story arc, the “Knuckles the Echidna” series begins to find its footing with its seventh issue. At least for now. Following the re-establishment of Echidnaopolis on the Floating Island, Knuckles is feeling conflicted about his family. His mom is similarly uncertain about what to do. Julie-Su, likewise, isn’t integrating that well with the new society. The Dingoes, meanwhile, continue to formulate their uneasy truce with the echidnas. As the Dark Legion begins to reform after their most recent defeat, a visitor greets them from the skies. Enerjak has returned from his space-bound exile. He immediately sets about taking revenge on the Guardian who banished him, who has even more to loose now.

The “Lost Paradise” story arc eventually spiraled into two many story-lines, messily competing for page space. The first part of the “Dark Vengeance” arc also splits its attention across multiple locations but does so more orderly. After all, there was plenty left unresolved last time. Probably the most pertinent question was what happened with Hawking and could the dingoes coexist with the echidnias? For the first question, we see he has had a near-fatal heart attack and now resides in a coma. (I’m really not sure why Ken couldn’t have told us that last time.) Locke and Sabre, Knuckles’ previously hinted-at grandfather, watch over him. After Hawking suffers another heart attack, Locke uses his Guardian magic juju nonsense to enter his mind and communicate directly with his spirits. The mystic aspect of “Knuckles’” book continues to be slightly goofy but this is at least visually interesting.

As for the Dingoes, we get a page plus one panel of General Stryker talking with the city’s council of leaders. For the first time, Penders actively communicates with his characterization of the echidnas as assholes. After suddenly occupying the same continent with them, the dingoes are complaining about a lack of housing. The council address the issue reasonably, suggesting the dingoes give up their weapons in exchange for better housing, something the General agrees too. Of course, this is all undermined by the last panel, where Stryker crosses his fingers behind his back. But at least this gives us as a peak at how echidnan politics function, while humanizing a species that has made plenty of mistakes.

 
What makes issue 7 most compelling is that it finds the story’s emotional core quickly. Julie-Su finds Knuckles dangling his legs off the edge of the island, contemplating his newfound family. He’s annoyed that his dad and horde of various grandparents have kept so much for him, forcing him on an invisible path of destiny. Julie-Su does her best to relate while sharing her own angst: As a former Dark Legionnaire, the citizens of Echidnaopolis have rejected her. It’s a touching moment, showing the two teens relating to each other’s personal sadness. When Julie-Su says she’s looking for her family’s old home, Knuckles snaps into problem solving mode. Aww, see, they do care about each other!

These pages are certainly better then the two pages devoted to Lara-Le and Wynmacher, which basically rehashes her scenes from the last story. Lara-le continues to bemoan how the Guardian’s path forced her apart from her son. Wynmacher’s attempt to comfort her, which boils down to him saying “That’s what you signed up for when you married Locke!,” could’ve been better handled.

The book is actually invested enough in its characters and the environment that the plot seemingly takes a backseat. Enerjak has returned, you guys. Seemingly drawn back to Mobius from his satellite prison by a shadowed Mammoth Mogul, the immortal echidna immediately meets up with the Dark Legion. That makes sense, as the organization was founded upon Dimitri’s memory. What makes more sense is how Enerjak immediately goes about handing his enemy. After being bested twice by them, he firstly uses his god-like powers to scoop up Archimedes and Dio. Later, he disappears the Chaotix. During his last appearance, Enerjak constantly boasts about his abilities while repeatedly underestimating his enemy. At least this time, he’s preparing a little. It certainly makes him seem like a better villain.

I’m still not a fan of the Chaotix once again being reduced to the part of captured friends-in-distress. Considering the team was totally sidelined in the previous story arc, I’m hoping they’ll play a bigger role in this one. It’ll probably spin out of control like all of Penders’ stories seem to do but “Dark Vengeance” is already off to a better start. [7/10]