Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 65

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 65
Publication Date: September 1998

Issue 65 gives us the proper introduction to Nate Morgan, one of the most controversial characters among Archie Sonic nerds. A character originally conceived for SatAM, Karl Bollers would dig up Morgan and have him redesign as a dwarf Overlander. Most fans actively disliked Morgan and quite a few vocally hated him. As a kid, I was ambivalent towards Nate Morgan. As an adult, I think I understand the hate.

Last time, Ixis Naugus BAMF’d his way into Morgan’s stronghold. Before murdering Sonic, Tails, and Eddy the Yeti, Nate banishes the wizard from the building. Afterwards, he explains his story in arduous detail. An Overlander and contemporary of Robotnik, Nate Morgan invented the Power Rings. This invention got him banished from his own kingdom. He soon shacked up in the Kingdom of Acorn, his technology projecting the city into the future. A conspiracy involving Naugus and Kodos got Morgan banished from yet another kingdom. Afterwards, Nate traveled to the frozen tundra, where he continued his study with the Power Rings.

The cover story, given the painful pun title of “The Fellowship of the Rings,” runs for 17 pages. Seven and a half of those pages are devoted to Nate Morgan’s flashback. We are shown, in detail, his extended but uninvolving backstory. Most writers would have gingerly dropped this information over the course of a few issues. Karl Bollers dumps it all on us in a lump of pages. Not only does Morgan like to tell his story, he likes to talk about it too. Every panel is accompanied by a word box, packed to the edges with sentences. Bombarding the readers with boring, overdone exposition does not endear Nate Morgan to us.

Seven pages of exposition also stops a story dead. This is a bummer, especially since it was moving pretty quickly up to this point. In Nate’s rambling explanation, a few answers are provided. We discover that Naugus’ magic spurned Warlord Kodos to anger, creating a few of the skirmishes that triggered the Great War. We see the role the wizard played in King Acorn’s court, finally contextualizing his link to the Acorns. Mostly, we discover that Nate Morgan created the Power Rings. That last point raises some questions. Before now, the Power Rings were shown as ancient, magical devices, whose origins were mysterious and whose power were mystical. Saying some guy cooked them up really derails that set-up. No wonder Bollers and Ken Penders didn’t get along.

Oh yeah, Ixis Naugus is in this story too. Remember how I said last time that Naugus’ considerable power and willingness to get his hands dirty made him a cool bad guy? In 65, he shows up with a flaming beard and proceeds to Force Choke Sonic and Tails. Right afterwards, Nate Morgan throws a Power Ring through a window. The evil wizard stops what he’s doing and leaps after the device. Obviously, this drops him outside Morgan’s strong hold. Gee, Karl, way to drain your new villain of all his threatening power.

Anyway, there’s a back-up story. Dulcy and Amy Rose wander the ruins of Robotropolis. Amy has discovered a book, about a great artist and storyteller named Kirby. After reading that a collection of Kirby’s stories reside in the Mobotropolis library, Amy and the dragon set off to find the building. It doesn’t take them too long to track down the location. Right before they grab one of Kirby’s books, both of the girls hear some strange noise, causing them to flee.

“The Library” gets off on a cute note. Both Dulcy and Amy Rose haven’t gotten much page time up to now. Pairing them together is a neat idea, as both are enthusiastic young girls. Their excitement of having a mystery and tracking down an answer is fun. However, any “girls on an adventure!” energy the story has is quickly squashed. Once Amy gets to talking about Kirby, suddenly the story becomes about this guy we’ve never met before and have no attachment too. At only six pages, the story also concludes just when it might be getting interesting. I’m beginning to feel like “Interesting set-up, good cast, disappointing execution” is the standard operating procedure for this comic.

At least the art continues to be nice. Even though the flashback heavy narrative doesn’t play to his strength, Steven Butler still does some good work with the cover story. Art Mawhinney, in the back-up, makes Amy Rose and Dulcy look extra adorable. Maybe this story line will wrap up on a decent note? I guess we’ll find out soon enough. [5/10]