Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 67

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 67
Publication Date: November 1998

After the satisfying, if slightly rushed, conclusion to the Ixis Naugus story arc, Sonic and Tails will soon be returning home to Mobotropolis. After all, the comic is already preparing for the return of Dr. Robotnik, with numerous ominous satellites floating in the sky. However, Karl Bollers wanted to have some fun first. Before Sonic and Tails reunite with the Freedom Fighters, they’re taking a stop over in Spielberg country.

Sonic races through the Great Rainforest, approaching the ancient temple of the Shazamazons. Years ago, Nate Morgan stashed an especially powerful Power Ring there. Sonic races through the traps, which include machine guns in the walls, the floor opening up to reveal a pool of lava, and a giant ass snake. Meanwhile, a satellite activates in the sky. Along with it, another set of hostile, mindless Robians.

Issue 67’s main story is a deliberate act in homage. The intentions are announced right from the cover, which features Sonic posing with a fedora and brown gloves. Karl didn’t even bother to think up a funny title. He entitles the story “Tomb Raider,” though he resists strapping enormous tits on Sonic’s chest. This story is basically a re-creation of the opening scene of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” but with Sonic elements traded out for Harrison Ford, Alfred Molina, and a golden fertility idol.

As an extended bit of re-creation, “Tomb Raider” is mildly entertaining. After so much talk about restoring Mobotropolis, Sally and her dad butting heads, and Sonic confronting Naugus, it’s sort of nice to have a simple adventure story. There’s a few cute touches here. After the machine guns pop out of the walls, Sonic reaches back up to grab his hat. After barely escaping falling into a pool of lava, Sonic stops to let his smoking sneakers cool. The giant snake appears in a mildly clever fashion. The snake had coiled around the walls of the room.

Because this wouldn’t be an “Indiana Jones” reference without a giant bolder, Sonic knots the snake. It rolls down the path after him, until it slams into the Robians outside. The giant cobra looks cool and reminds me of E.V.E.’s third form, all the way back in Issue 21. Speaking of snakes, Sonic tosses some snakes out of the Winged Victory before blasting off. Why did it have to be, etc. (Though considering this is Mobius, shouldn’t the snakes be bipedal and intelligent?) Steven Butler’s dynamic artwork helps sells things.

Unfortunately, an otherwise fun and breezy story is hassled with some exposition. For some reason, the story devotes two pages near the beginning to recapping the last few issues. I’m not sure what the purpose of this was. Maybe Archie was expecting an influx of new readers, with “Sonic Adventure” coming soon? The whole business with mindless Mobians has yet to prove compelling. Mostly, the reader just wonders what’s going with that. In its final act, Nate Morgan rambles on about Super Emeralds and all that jazz. I swear, I’m going to star calling Nate the Great Lord of Technobabble. Anyway, it ends the story on a bit of a down note.

The back-up story introduces a new Tales of the Freedom Fighters arc, while Geoffrey and his crew are off resolving the old one in Knuckles’ book. The new story focuses on Lupe and the Wolf Pack. The wolves, being closer to nature, decide Mobotropolis isn’t for them. The Pack head out of the city, crossing a suddenly appearing river on a shaky raft.

 
On one hand, it’s nice to see the book focusing on Lupe and the Wolf Pack. Considering they’re an important part of the “Sonic” mythology, dating back to SatAM, they haven’t contributed much to the comic thus far. Hell, we don’t even know their names, beyond Lupe and Drago. This story gives us some insight into their past. We find out that Lupe has a mate, named Lobo, and children, which are thus far kept off-screen. After the start of the war, Lobo took the kids to a safe hiding spot while Lupe went off to fight the good fight. Now, the family can be reunited.

That’s a good foundation for a story. There’s even some potential for emotion in there. Which makes is a bummer that the story itself doesn’t work. Penders write some truly tin-earred dialogue here. None of the other wolves are developed beyond their names. The story has no narrative drive, ending at a random point. Sam Maxwell’s artwork is alright but this story arc is off to a snore.

So here’s another issue that had potential but doesn’t entirely work. Oh well. Enjoy some Dave Manak artwork, an unused cover for issue 14. [6/10]