Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 117

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 117
Publication Date: November 2002

As 2002 drew to a close, Archie continue to pack three stories into each issue of “Sonic the Hedgehog.” I don’t know what editorial decisions were made in deciding which story got the cover spot. Last issue, the second story got the cover treatment, relegating the first story to back-up status. Issue 117 similarly sticks an unimportant story in the front, giving the cover story second place. Maybe Spaziante just picked whichever plot would make for the most eye-catching cover? I have no idea. (Though issue 117 certainly features one of Spaz’s most disproportionately creepy covers.) Jay Axer’s frontispace, meanwhile, concerns the book’s final story. Weird, right?

So issue 117 opens with “Cyber Chase,” a brief story starting Robotnik and Snively. Following the destruction of the doctor’s base last time, both villains had their consciousness downloaded onto the internet. They rush to make it back to another one of Eggman’s bases, downloading their minds into new robotic bodies. Some shenanigans ensue before the story ends.

“Cyber Chase” is basically a joke story, which continues the comic’s bad habit of making its primary villain a goofy non-threat. Robotnik and Snively race around the “information superhighway,” leading to the kind of lame visual gag I thought we had outgrown by 2002. Yes, we see zeroes and ones literally racing over highway overpasses. This goofy tone continues after Snively places his mind into a handsome body, a bizarre gag that is quickly undone by Robotnik. In other words, this back-up exists just to prove that Robotnik and Snively are still alive, still out there. What an odd way to get that information across.

Which brings us to the cover story. We follow a rabbit named Juice as he enters the Forbidden Zone, that inhospitable land between the Great Forest and Robotropolis. He enters an abandoned base occupied by Drago, Sleuth Dawg, and the other members of the Fearsome Foursome. Juice is actually Sonic in disguise. He’s there at the request of Tommy Turtle, a previously unmentioned childhood friend. Robotnik appears in the base, answering a bargain presented by Drago. This goes horribly wrong, forcing Sonic and Tommy to make a hasty return. Until that, too, goes awry.

“The Tortoise and the Hedgehog” is a pretty good story… That has the indignity of introducing maybe the Archie Sonic character I hate the most. In his first appearance, Tommy Turtle serves his purpose. He exists to sacrifice himself, giving Sonic an important moral lesson. His death adds some emotion to what would’ve otherwise been a standard action story. But Tommy was doomed to rise again, the character being awkwardly forced into a number of future story, distracting, annoying, and exhausting the reader. So it’s not Tommy’s fault that he sucks. Instead, writers insistent on pushing the character are responsible. Yet his introduction still fills me with worry.

Truthfully, “The Tortoise and the Hedgehog” works pretty well. Yes, forcing Sonic into a Tortoise and the Hare story is a bit cheesy. Introducing a character just to kill him of is an odd decision. However, Romy Chacon’s script still gets at the heart of Sonic’s personality. He still feels guilt over bullying Tommy as a kid. This pushes him to rescue the turtle when he calls for help. His interior monologue makes these motivations clear. To have Tommy sacrifice himself to save Sonic further enforces the power of friendship, empathy, and charity on our hero. The conclusion, with Sonic standing outside the burning factory, is effectively emotional. Even if it’s a character we just met, Tommy’s choice still resonates.

Plot-wise, “The Tortoise and the Hedgehog” features some decent action beats. Sonic racing around Robotnik’s factory on Tommy’s shell is a nice moment. Robotnik’s ruthlessly robotocizes the Fearsome Foursome once it becomes apparent they are no use to him. (Which is another example of the book’s schizophrenia concerning that character.) This continues the book’s main trend in 2002, of resolving dangling plot points. Drago and the gang are dead, for now, leaving one less errand plot line roaming Mobius.

The third story continues Ken Penders’ “Ultimate Power” story arc. Constable Remington informs Knuckles and the Chaotix that cab driver Harry has recently ended up in the hospital. Mammoth Mogul zapped the guy after hitching a ride with him. Knuckles uses his Messiah powers to heal the dingo’s wounds. Enraged, the echidna then teleports to Mogul’s location. Which plays right into the villain’s plan. Mogul used Dimitri as leverage to capture Knuckles and intends on draining his Chaos energy.

The plot mechanics of “Ultimate Power’s” third part isn’t very notable. Knuckles is tricked by yet another villain. Mogul’s master plan – draining Knuckles’ power – is easy to predict. Julie-Su, Harry, and the Chaotix are stuck in forgettable supporting roles. What’s most interesting about this story is how Dimitri has continued to evolve as a character. Mammoth Mogul confronts the ill Dimitri, insisting that life is only about survival. Dimitri counters him, showing that he has developed a conscious. I wish Ken had hinted at this sooner. Just recently, the former Enerjak was still being his supervillain self. But it’s still an interesting development.

“Ultimate Power: Part 3” also features some typically awkward Penders-esque dialogue. The exchange between Lien-Da and a fellow Dark Legionnaire is especially clumsy. Words like “Whereof,” “Indeed,” and “Pachyderm” are tossed around casually. Mammoth Mogul also gets some overly arch, unbelievable dialogue, though we’re used to that from him. As always, Ken’s shitty dialogue derails much of the dramatic tension the story could’ve created.

Both the back-up stories are a bit weak but the cover story isn’t bad. Issue 117 was also one of the few consistently good looking issues in 2002. Steven Butler draws the first story, making Robotnik and Snively’s ridiculous adventure look great. Art Mawhineny draws the cover story. His cute style is well suited to Tommy Turtle’s adventure, while his strength for emotion is also well utilized. Dawn Best draws the final story, bringing some color and style to Ken’s weak story. When an issue is this divided, I’m not sure what to rate it. How does [6.5/10] sound to you guys?