Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 124

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 124
Publication Date: June 2003

It seems like only yesterday that Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” book crossed the one hundredth landmark. I guess when you're reviewing three issues a week, history seems to progress a little faster. By June of 2003, the book was fast approaching another landmark: Issue 125. Perhaps to make up for issue 100 being an underwhelming anniversary issue, Karl Bollers decided to pump up the jam for this event. The two parter beginning in 124 and concluding in 125, named “Sonic Adventure 2.5,” was determined to bring back as many characters as possible. It would also reveal some major truth for the book's universe.

For once, Karl successfully balances a number of different subplots. In space, Shadow the Hedgehog is rescued by the Bem and restored to full health. Following a scramble with an advancing alien battle-ship, the hedgehog falls towards Mobius once again. In Station Square, the same extraterrestrial dreadnought smashes through the artificial sky, attacking the city. Robotnik's empire comes under fire next. A peaceful moment in Knothole, Sonic and Sally finally announcing their engagement, is interrupted by the same pesky aliens. The invaders drop a major chunk of information on the heroes: Millions of years ago, Mobius was known as Earth.

Sometimes company's are slow to respond to fan's enthusiasm. Despite becoming immediately popular, Sega was cagey for a while about Shadow's status. Did he really die at the end of “Sonic Adventure 2?” Archie, similarly, took its time to revive Sonic's dark-furred rival. The character had barely appeared in the book previously, with the hasty game adaptation in issue 98 being his sole previous appearance. Issue 124 belatedly brings Shadow back into the comic, showing his return to Mobius. It even gives the character, too often written as just a broody badass, some development. Upon seeing Hope Kintobor, he's reminded of Maria, the saintly little blonde that was his only friend. So that's why the hot-headed anti-hero is working with the good guys: He's in awe of some other small blonde human-like creature.

More pressing to my interests: Sonic and Sally are no longer boning in sin. Following their mutual declaration of love in the last issue, the hedgehog and the Princess officially ask her parents if they can get engaged. They use a fancy word for it, something about Sonic some day becoming her betrothed, but the point is clear. These two love birds are Facebook official. They are now a committed couple and no mongoose shall come between them. If the hot and heavy kiss they share in this story, drawn with loving detail by Steven Butler, is any indication, this relationship has been serious – seriously sexy - for quite some time.

A greater threat looms in this issue and the book handles it an interesting way. The incoming alien invasion is properly portrayed as a global concern. The president of Station Square is affected, his driver taking a dive into the river. Rouge said she was going to rescue him but she got distracted, I guess. Robotnik, meanwhile, gets seriously scared that the invaders have equal fire power to him. He essentially begs the Kingdom of Acorn to assist but King Max leaves him hanging, which continues to show that the king can be ruthless when he wants to be. The Brotherhood even pops their head in, bringing up two recent plot points: Yeah, Knuckles is dead and the Floating Island is now Angel Island. I thought you guys knew?

Some people hate that Karl Bollers brought aliens into the Archie-verse. I'll admit, his previous introduction of the Bem was awkward. Honestly, I think he handles the first appearance of the Xorda a little better. There's plenty of build-up. Their appearance, including many tentacles and mad eyes, are properly striking. Though it crops up a little too frequently, the alien invasion is a good choice for any epic event. A global invasion by pissed-off E.T.s tend to unite the world, after all. The short version: I ain't got no beef with the Xorda.

Nor do I have additional beef with the major plot reveal they bring. Yes, issue 124 officially drops the “Planet of the Apes”-style bomb that Mobius was once Earth. Some people hate this reveal as well. Similarly, I don't mind. I mean, the book has been hinting at this truth for roughly forever. Remember the Sydney Opera House appearing in the “Tails” mini-series? Or the Freedom Fighters getting zapped into America in the Image crossover? Or, for that matter, a city full of regular human people appearing during the “Sonic Adventure” adaptation? More recently, a story was set in a blasted-out New York City, partially destroyed Statue of Liberty included. So it's not like the reveal came out of nowhere.

Some of the details are baffling. The Xorda getting pissed with Earth after their ambassador was dissected is reasonable. The aliens dropping a Gene Bomb on the planet – a weapon that apparently set up the new life forms that now call the Planet Formerly Known as Earth home – doesn't make much sense. If they wanted to wipe out all life, why utilize a device that would create more? But no matter. Mobius is Earth now and vice versa. Get used to it.

After that cliffhanger ends the main book, Ken Penders sets about wrapping up the “Afterlife” story line. Aurora continues to show Knuckles his life, displaying how his Chaos Powers would grow throughout his solo series. After confusingly telling him that only he controls his fate and his destiny is preordained, Knuckles passes through a portal to the afterlife. Except he doesn't, because Aurora is a big fat liar. Instead, Aurora has further plans for the Guardian. Why she couldn't just tell him, I don't know. I guess Aurora works in mysterious ways.

Once again, my mind is floated with frustrating questions. Why did Ken spend three issues recounting Knuckles' life? I can only speculate. Aurora being a manipulative bitch fits in with every other person in Knuckles' life bossing him around. Why would the goddess lie to him about his fate? I don't know, man. Why has every single authority figure in Knuckles' life pushed him around, evasively? At least Knuckles is finally no longer green. Jesus Christ, how long has he been green? Like two or three years? So let's be thankful that stupid bullshit is behind us

Ron Lim's sabbatical thankfully continues for the time being. Jay Axer draws the opening sequence devoted to Shadow while Steven Butler handles the rest of the cover story. Both produce excellent work. Art Mawhinney draws the back-up. While he does often resort to tracing Manny Galan's stuff from the “Knuckles” book, his work is still pretty good. Archie would try epic events from time to time and wouldn't always succeed. So far, “Sonic Adventure 2.5” is far smoother then “Endgame,” at the least. Let's see if they stick the landing. [7/10]