Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 108

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 108
Publication Date: March 2002

Issue 108 of Archie’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” series would see two new names being added to the creative staff. The first of which is writer Benny Lee. It’s long been suspected that Lee was a pseudonym for one of the book’s established writers – either Bollers or Penders – choosing an assumed name to circumvent contractual obligations. The other new addition is Jay Axer, the second fan artist Archie would recruit. Like Dawn Best, Axer would contribute some great work to the series but be badly utilized by Archie. So the book was changing without really changing at all.

In Lee’s cover story, the awkwardly entitled “Robotnik x2 = Trouble!,” Eggman is concerned that Knuckles’ god-like powers are messing with the different zones. Evidence of this soon pops out of one of the doctor’s devices. The original Dr. Robotnik – the one that died during “Endgame” – appears. This Robotnik considers the newer one too cruel and flees to Knothole Village. There, the monarchy cautiously invites him into the city. Sonic isn’t too sure. Soon, his suspicions that this Robotnik is just as bad as the other one are confirmed.

It’s very rare that bad guys stay dead in comic books. (Well, it’s very rare that anyone stays dead in comics but you get my point.) Archie had already sort of resurrected Dr. Robotnik, by transforming Robo-Robotnik into the Sega-version of Eggman. Yet it was somewhat inevitable that the original version of Robotnik – the one resembling the portrayal of the character on SatAM – would also eventually return. “Robotnik x2” utilizes this comic book premise in a typical manner. The old Robotnik appears terrified of the new one and attempts to defect. Yet anyone could guess the truth, that the two versions of the villain are in cahoots.

What ultimately makes “Robotnik x2” mildly interesting, instead of totally tedious, is how the displaced Robotnik interacts with the Freedom Fighters. Sonic is immediately suspicious of the guy but he appears so pathetic, that the monarchs take pity on him. (This marks the second time King Max has allowed a genocidal dictator into his kingdom. The same dictator, even.) This results in a one page montage of Robotnik and Sonic having sitcom-like interactions. He smashes a window in Sonic’s hut while playing golf. The hedgehog trips on a banana peel Robotnik just threw on the ground. He ruins a pool party with an ill-timed cannonball. It’s super hacky but Sonic’s frustration is admittedly amusing.

The hedgehog is right, of course. The new/old Robotnik is evil and the entire scheme has been a rather obvious trap. In a double-twist, the Freedom Fighters realized the doctor’s treachery. They play his own plan against him, destroying the machine that brought old Robotnik back and allowing the copy to crumble apart, due to unstable molecules or something. It doesn’t make for the most satisfying ending but Lee at least seems aware of how trite the plot is. I also like the casual interactions between the Freedom Fighters he creates. Such as an early scene where the team plays hide and seek with Tails.

It’s a nearly good story that features some truly hideous artwork. I know I’ve continuously shit on Ron Lim’s artwork every chance I get but the guy keeps finding new ways to disappoint me. His rendition of Classic Robotnik is completely ugly. He’s overly rotund, even by Robotnik’s standards. His face looks like a melting candle, his chin doubling to tumor-like sizes. In one especially unforgivable panel, his head looks like a pile of mashed potatoes. Robotnik isn’t the only one who gets it bad though. In one panel, Dr. Quack morphs into a Cronenbergian horror, with a massive head, an all-consuming bill, and stumpy little hands. Everyone else, of course, has huge heads, big eyes, blank expressions, and noodle limbs.

Benny Lee’s debut is pretty short, allowing Archie to squeeze two other stories into the book. The second story, “A Girl Name Hope,” has Sally presenting a letter to her parents. It’s written by Hope Kintobor, who explains her origin. She discusses how she felt while living in Robotropolis, frightened by Robotnik’s eventual treachery. She then details how happy she’s been in Knothole and requests a chance to stay. When the King approves her request, Hope gives Sally a big hug.

 “A Girl Named Hope” has about two elements in equal helpings. The first recaps the parts of Hope’s history that we already know. Her initial fear of the Mobians, eventual rejection of Robotnik’s evil, and fleeing his city. It moves on to more interesting stuff after that. Such as how accepted she feels in Knothole. She grew up in a space ship so Knothole’s forested location is the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen. We get a peak into her early life, about living on a ship, learning an Overlander skewered history of Mobius. Yet living in Knothole, seeing the love and companionship of the residences, has made her realize how wrong this lesson was. Bollers’ text is simple but touching, making hope’s eventual acceptance all the more poignant.

The story’s good but what really elevates “A Girl Named Hope” is Jay Axer’s artwork. The amount of detail and expression Axer brings to the table is comparable to Spaz. The amount of detail in the panel of Hope looking over Knothole is impressive. Yet he also brings some unique, personable elements that I like. In Hope’s memories, her first encounter with Sonic shows him as a fanged monster. (Not unlike the Werehog Sega would one day inflict on us.) The scenes of the Mobians living among themselves – Antoine and Bunnie enjoying a romantic meal, Tails repairing the Tornado – are nicely conveyed. It’s an impressive debut. Axer also contributes the eye-batching frontispiece, which would’ve made a nice cover.

The final story continues the “Reunification” story Ken has been telling. Knuckles’ reunites with his mother, who is alarmed by both his greenness and his new political views. Knuckles also learns that his mom is pregnant, that he’ll have a half-brother soon. Meanwhile, Dimitri makes his case before Echidnopolis’ council of elders, who aren’t quite convinced. Lara-Su continues to observe her teenage father, uncertain what he’ll do next.

Instead of focusing on action or mythological grand-standing, the third part of “Reunification” focuses on ideological differences. We finally learn why Knuckles doesn’t use his god-like ability to escape the Dark Legion. Apparently, at some point, Knuckles began to agree with Dimitri. There’s been no prior evidence of this change but, sure, let’s go with it. When Knuckles explains this to his mom, she’s upset. However, both sides have validity. Knuckles claims Echidna history is full of self-serving assholes eager to rewrite the truth, which it is. Lara-Le counters by pointing out that Dimitri is a known terrorist who has attacked the island multiple times, which is also true.

Maybe Dimitri is turning over a new leaf, since he makes a reasonable, peaceful presentation to the echidna politicians. Knowing Ken, this is probably just a smoke screen for Dimitri’s next, easily foiled scheme. For the time being, it’s playing up the villain’s already existent sympathetic side. It’s still a bit more interesting then what Lara-Su is up to, which is mostly observing from afar and being vague about her mission. She has magical powers now, it seems.

Aside from Ron Lim’s stinky pencils in the beginning, 108 is a good looking issue. Jay Axer and Dawn Best both do some fine work. Story wise, it’s probably the best comic in quite some time. The cover story doesn’t quite work but is okay. The first back-up story is quite good. The second one presents some interesting opportunities, which likely won’t be followed up on. I’ll take it! [7/10]