Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 98

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 98
Publication Date: June 2001

“Sonic Adventure 2” was a turning point for Sega’s iconic hedgehog hero. Whether or not it was a good one is endlessly debated. The first “Sonic Adventure” was flawed but still relatively well received. The quality of its sequel is less widely agreed upon. The game’s overreaching writing, questionable design decisions, and rushed release date set a sad precedence Sega has yet to shake.

“Sonic Adventure 2” also introduced Shadow the Hedgehog, an incredibly divisive character that paved the way for ten thousand recolors. It brought an “extreme” element to the series, featuring Sonic grinding and skateboarding. This attempt to make the hero look cooler just made him look geekier. These changes and more invited a younger audience to the franchise, that gave birth to the divided, contentious, juvenile Sonic fandom that exists today. The game itself is more mediocre then bad but I can’t help but see its overall influence on the series as negative.

All this ranting has little to do with Archie’s comic adaptation of “Sonic Adventure 2” which appeared in issue 98. When Archie adapted the first “Sonic Adventure” game, the comic book actually with that name didn’t show up until several months after the game was released. Perhaps Sega allotted Archie some time to fit the game’s plot into their comic? Whatever the reason, Archie wasn’t given that leeway with “Sonic Adventure 2.” The adaptation rolled out the same month as the game, June of 2001. Because of this, the adaptation appears totally without context. It doesn’t merely interrupt the current story line. It exists totally outside of it, no explanation being given for when these events are happening. It’s clear that Sega wanted their “Sonic Adventure 2” adaptation when they wanted.

This approach is frustrating but only so much. I probably couldn’t handle another multi-issue story arc awkwardly fitting the game’s story into Archie’s world so soon. Since Station Square is already established, fewer leaps are necessary to insert “Sonic Adventure 2” into the comic. The President of the World becomes the President of Station Square. G.U.N. simply becomes Station Square’s police force, instead of some sort of world-wide military organization. Robotnik stumbles into Gerald Robotnik’s laboratory while fleeing from Silver Sonic II, this sudden addition to his family history being quickly referenced in dialogue.

In some ways, Karl Bollers’ “Sonic Adventure 2” even improves on the game’s script. Instead of everyone stupidly mistaking Shadow for Sonic, despite the two looking nothing alike, overly dark videography is responsible for the confusion. Instead of Rouge the Bat’s somewhat convoluted motivations from the game, she’s simply hired by the President to retrieve Station Square’s Chaos Emerald. Not all of Bollers’ additions are welcomed. A detective named Mr. Moto adds little and the anime boy band strike squad sent to retrieve Sonic is awfully silly.

In the end though, “Sonic Adventure 2” can’t overcome its status as a hastily produced game adaptation. Like I said, no explanation for how these events affect life in Knothole is given. The Freedom Fighters do not appear. Instead, Sonic is grabbed by G.U.N. and carried to Station Square. We have no idea how this fits into Bollers’ current story line. Robotnik’s motivation, or even the exact nature of Robotnik’s plan, isn’t expounded on. Shadow has no personality in this appearance, simply existing to motivate the plot.

And then, of course, it just ends. Sonic is only a few minutes into “Sonic Adventure 2’s” story, pursued by an angry Mac truck, when the issue concludes. There was no way to fit “Sonic Adventure 2’s” entire plot into one comic book. Instead, we get an Archie-ifed prologue and a bit of the actual game. Then an editor’s box informs us to buy the video game if we want to know the rest of the story. This does not, of course, explain how the rest of “Sonic Adventure 2” fits into the Archie-verse. It also confirms that this issue you just read isn’t an actual story. Instead, it’s nothing more then a commercial for Sega. Which is, you know, disappointing.

With this knowledge intact, “Sonic Adventure 2” becomes a showcase for Patrick Spazinate’s artwork. Which is pretty fucking rad. The action is highly dynamic. Robotnik fleeing from Silver Sonic, Shadow’s fight with the robot, and Sonic’s escape from gun leap off the page. His snowboard assisted race through Station Square is clearly the centerpiece of the issue. The hedgehog’s leap from the helicopter and subsequent ride through Station Square is gorgeous to look at. There’s even some more dramatic work, such as Shadow’s night time robbery of Station Square. The coloration is a little off and Spaz’ anime excesses don’t always work. But the way the book looks is still obviously its best attribute.

The half-ass attempt to adapt “Sonic Adventure 2” doesn’t end with the cover story. The back-up is a rushed journey through Shadow the Hedgehog’s origin. We see Dr. Gerald floating aboard the ARC satellite station and learn why and how he created Shadow. Maria appears, establishes her connection with Shadow, and then dies. We then rush further through Gerald’s work with the government, all in the name of setting up the video game’s plot.

“As the Shadow Awakes!” plays into Ken Penders’ worst tendencies as a writer. Dr. Gerald speaks exclusively in exposition. When aboard the ARC, he goes on and on about his objectives. In speech bubbles above his head, he expounds in great detail upon his intentions and plans. It’s not limited to one character. All the G.U.N. soldiers and scientist also speak in strangled exposition, going on endlessly about their plans. It’s super boring to read.

As an origin story for Shadow, “As the Shadow Awakes” is especially lame. You know why? Shadow is barely in it! He appears as a pair of cartoon eyeballs, watching helplessly why Maria is gunned down by the government stooges. We catch a glimpse of a hand or leg in a stasis tube or as he climbs aboard the escape pod. Once again, we get no understanding of his personality, his quirks, his wants, needs, or thoughts. Ken seems more interested in Gerald, truthfully. The story concludes with Shadow off-screen, the character stored away, waiting for the video game to start.

Considering how full of holes “Sonic Adventure 2’s” plot was anyway, I’m grateful Archie didn’t stretch this out for half a year. Shadow and Rouge would eventually become relatively important characters but their first appearances is underwhelming. Overall, Spaz’ bitchin’ artwork aside, it’s a deeply lame affair, something tossed out quickly to fill a mandated deadline. But at least it’s short. [5/10]