Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 139

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 139
Publication Date: August 2004

Issue 139 has got to be one of the most Knuckles heavy issues of “Sonic” Archie ever published. Sonic barely features in this one while the Freedom Fighters are nowhere to be seen. After the "Knuckles" book, mostly thanks to Ken Penders, built up the echidnas and the Floating Island to be such a pivotal part of Mobian history, it was inevitable that the series would have to deal with Angel Island again, even after Knuckles' solo book got canned. I'm not complaining, as I've got no beef with Knuckles' corner of the universe. It's just surprising to see Sonic reduced to a supporting character in his own book.

I guess I didn't mention this but the first part of “Return to Angel Island” ended on a cliffhanger. After wrecking a Dingo prison camp and freeing a number of echidnas, the heroes were ambushed by the Dark Legion. After scuffling with the Legionnaires, Knuckles receives some upsetting news. The Dark Legion, the still missing Brotherhood, and the regular echidna citizens all formed a truce, in hopes of deflecting the Robotnik backed Dingo army. There is an up-set to this: Knuckles is reunited with his mom, his stepdad, and his new baby brother, Knecapion.

Part 2 of “Return to Angel Island,” subtitled “The Avatar,” is not as action heavy as the first installment. Yes, the issue opens with a big fight between the heroes and the Dark Legion but eventually it settles into a calmer groove. Knuckles' reunion with his mom could've been a big moment. So could've his discovery that he has a new little brother, which is pushed into the back as a bit of comic relief. (Knuckles' biggest emotional reaction occurs after he hears Dimitri has died. His cries of anguish are weird, considering Uncle Dimitri sure spent a lot of time trying to kill Knuckles.)

These moments are pushed aside in favor of this whole Avatar business. Many of the echidnas Knuckles rescues, including his stepdad, bow to him. They praise him as the Avatar, the hero prophesied by the Ancient Walkers. Maybe the story's best moment occurs when a couple with a blinded child comes to Knuckles, hoping he'll heal the sick little girl. Knuckles, of course, denies being their messiah and bemoans the continued loss of his powers. This is fine, I guess. Knuckles' interior conflict over his destiny has always been a big deal for him. Yet the stuff with his family is a little more pressing for me.

The supporting cast continues to mostly be players in the action scenes. However, the script does make room for one interaction among the Chaotix. While Knuckles and Sonic are given a tour of the Hidden Palace Zone, Vector and Julie-Su get into one of their classical scuffles. Vector is incensed that Julie-Su is willing to accept the Dark Legion's help, as the crocodile clearly doesn't abide by the old “enemy of my enemy” adage. Sure, we've seen Julie-Su and Vector argue before, lots of times. Yet at least Karl provides a more concrete reason for their words, aside from Vector's general misogyny. This is more than Sonic or the other Chaotix get. They each only have a few lines.

“The Avatar” does spend a lot of time setting up the changes the Floating Island has undergone. The Master Emerald Shrine has been moved into the Secret Palace Zone, undoing the nice Sega-accurate Emerald Shrine the book cooked up not too long ago. This fits in with the game accurate redesign the Secret Palace Zone has undergone, including the tapestry of Sonic fighting Robotnik, which seemingly has no meaning now. Lien-Da has assigned herself leader of the Dark Legion, claiming Dimitri is dead. (Though his presence in the “20 Years Later” back-up story immediately reveals this as a lie.) The Brotherhood is missing. Most prominently, a mysterious new echidna named Dr. Finitevus, with an evident grudge against Knuckles, puts in his appearance. The book would try to build up Finitevus as Knuckles' arch-enemy, following Dimitri's rehabilitation. I never quite bought that but Finitevus' ranting and raving are amusing.

It's a slight improvement over the first part but there's still one serious problem. Jon Gray is still drawing it. Gray's ridiculous cartoon style pitches the emotions to the roof. When Finitevus yells at someone, his jaw unhinges as if he's a snake ready to swallow an egg. When Knuckles mourns Dimitri, his reaction is similarly over the top. Everyone is a loose collection of squiggles and circles. Lien-Da looks awful. Knecapion's appearance at the end is especially comical, banging Knuckles on the head with his rattle. Maybe Gray's artwork would've suited a lighter story but it jives badly with “Return to Angel Island.”

“Mobius: 20 Years Later” brings us back down to earth while remaining on the Floating Island. In “Slumber Party,” as the title suggests, is focused on Knuckles and Sonic's kids retiring for the night. Manik attempts to play Spin the Bottles with the girls but they rebuff him. Instead, they relax to a board game and Manik joins his dad in a game of pool. Knuckles broods in another room.

Some people bitch about “Slumber Party” because it doesn't advance the plot any. Which is a fair criticism. Even Dan Drazen, a fan of the “20 Years Later” setting, expressed frustration with this one. The Royal Family has just been informed that a planet shattering cataclysm is coming. What's their reactions? To play a bunch of games. Sure, that's probably not the most appropriate response. Then again, how many times has Sonic and Sally faced down an apocalypse? You'd probably react in a laid back manner after enough of those too.

Having said that, I still like “Slumber Party.” It works as a character piece. Letting the character sits back and unwind for a bit is worth doing, especially when the book has been so plot heavy recently. It gives some further character development to Lara-Su, her friend Salma, and the future versions of their parents. There's a cute moment, where Lara-Su reveals Salma's relationship to Rutan. Now to be fair, Prince Manik is still rather obnoxious while Princess Sonia remains a thin sketch at best. And Lara-Su's friend Riki-Le, who looks nearly identical to Julie-Su, doesn't even get that much. Still, I sort of like this one. (And it's not just because Steven Butler draws all the girls in slinky pajamas.)

I'm still not feeling the “Return to Angel Island” arc but issue 139 is, admittedly, superior to the issue that proceed it. There's little flecks of character development and emotion amid the absurdly drawn fight scenes. The back-up is seriously flawed but I still enjoyed it. In 2004, I'll take what I can get. [6/10]