THE 2004 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG COMIC BEST/WORST LIST!

2004 is another year that is not well regarded by Archie “Sonic” fans. It marked the second time fandom elder statesman Dan Drazen refused to award any story a “Best” title, instead devoting his year end retrospective to a “From Bad to Worst” list. The year saw the once promising “Home” story line fizzle out badly and the “Mobius: 25 Years Later” arc drag on endlessly. 2004 also brought the returns of Tommy Turtle and Hunter, two characters nobody wanted to see again. Most notoriously, it was also the year important romantic relationships dissolved. Bunnie and Antoine separated for seemingly no reason while Sally abruptly severed her relationship with Sonic in the worst way possible.

I remember 2004 being an especially bad year for the comic as well. This was truly the year my passion for the series started to fade. Yet, going back to it, 2004 was actually slightly less shitty then I remember. No doubt there were many bad writing decisions in 2004 but most veered towards “mediocre” than “terrible.” I'm now thinking 2005 was the year many of these shitty plot choices blossomed but I suppose we'll cover that in due time.

Anyway, the “Sonic” material covered in this retrospective is as follows:

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 132-144

BEST COVER STORY:
Romy Chacon, "Robo-Dyne Systems" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 137)

The decision to retcon Tommy Turtle back into existence was such a terrible one that it pains me to award part of the so-called “Tommy Trilogy” the Best Cover Story prize. Despite getting top billing, the flesh-and-blood Tommy would only appear in one issue in 2004, his role remaining small for now.

Look past the annoying Tommy Turtle factor and “Robo-Dyne Systems” emerges as a solidly entertaining action story. For the first time in far too long, we see the Freedom Fighters as a unit, sneaking into a building and fucking up Robotnik's shit together. The story finds a purpose for each character. There's even an easily predicted but nevertheless entertaining fake-out, involving Robotnik's army of “infiltrators:” robotic doubles of the hero. Most importantly, Chacon's script takes the time to acknowledge the emotional tension in the room, Sonic/Sally and Antione/Bunnie attempting to argue out their problems. All of the above counts for something in a year like 2004.

WORST COVER STORY:
Karl Bollers, "Home - Epilogue: Say You Will" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 134)

This issue had some other ideas contained in it – elaborating on some of the changes in the “Home” arc, somewhat awkwardly – but none of them fucking matter. Issue 134 contains the Slap Heard Around the Fandom. I don't hate this issue just because I've been a hardcore Sonic/Sally shipper my entire life. (Though it's certainly a big reason why.)

The Slap represents everything that was wrong with the book's treatment of Sally at the time. She wasn't in the field very often, mostly being forced to stay at home. She spent far too many panels crying over Sonic. Her personality was entirely neutered, transforming from a willful, highly intelligent field leader to a short-tempered, whinny, clingy bitch. It's a change Karl had been pushing towards for quite some time. This awful story would be the defining moment for the comic for years afterwards. For these reasons and more, “Say You Will” is the worst cover story of 2004.

BEST BACK STORY:
Romy Chacon, "I Wanna Be a Freedom Fighter" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 142)

With issue 143's “Father's Day,” Ken Penders came close to winning this award. While that story was the most emotionally honest thing Ken had written in some time, I still liked “I Wanna Be a Freedom Fighter” more.

The story delivered some long overdue character development for Amy Rose. Showing us how far she's come and emphasizing her newly gained ass-kicking abilities without loosing the girly roots of the character, this one finally makes Amy seem like an important character in the book. It's a change that should've come a hundred issues ago but better late then never.

WORST BACK STORY:
Romy Chacon, "Patience" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 136)

Knuckles the Echidna spent far too much of 2004 whining about his loss of Chaos Powers. “Patience” was probably the peak of that incessant whining. Instead of focusing on how much his personality has changed over the years – from hot-headed and gullible to more considered – the story harps on his lack of superpowers. This story also makes King Acorn look like a dick, for refusing to help liberate Angel Island. The last minute twist, that Knuckles' patience saved his life, lands with a thud.

BEST STORY ARC:
Ken Penders, "Mobius: 25 Years Later" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 132-144)

It's with a heavy heart that I present “Mobius: 25 Years Later” the Best Story Arc of 2004 award. The truth is there weren't very many story arcs from this year that were truly good. “25 Years Later” is widely loathed by the Penders' haters for its laborious pace, a boring threat that no one takes seriously, for reducing Sally and Julie-Su to house wives, and turning Sonic into kind of a jerk. These are all fair criticism that I agree with.

Having said that, I still really liked about a third of “25 Years Later.” Lara-Su emerges as a likable but fittingly impulsive young character. Knuckles' commitment to being a good father, to not repeating his own dad's mistakes, was extremely refreshing. Lien-Da's transformation into a strict mother was unexpectedly delightful. Honestly, there's something to be said for just watching these characters go about their lives, hanging out with friends and having dinner. The arc also included the emotionally ambitious “Father's Day,” a story that deserves kudos for being so personal. While filled with many of the same problems haunting Penders' works, “25 Years Later” often proved a better read than the main book during this year.

WORST STORY ARC:
Karl Bollers, "Return to Angel Island" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue  138-141)

Some fans really like “Return to Angel Island.” I can honestly say that I don't get it. The story line had too many characters, reducing the Chaotix, the Dark Legion, and even Sonic to bit roles. Knuckles' struggles with being hailed as the Avatar, a prophecized hero in Echidnan religion, was handled in the most ham-fisted fashion possible. Any ambiguity that plot turn could've had is tossed out the window at the end, when Knuckles randomly gets his powers back. For extra bogus value, the story brought Hunter back, presumably due to whatever the opposite of popular demand is. Far too much of this arc was focused on action scenes, which were difficult to follow thanks to Jon Gray's ugly, incoherent artwork. In short: I'm not a fan.

BEST COVER ART:
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 134 - Patrick Spaziante

Giving issue 134 the Best Cover Art award was also a difficult decision, since I hated the story it contained so much. Then again, it's not Spaz' fault that he was drawing a cover for such a contentious story. A homage to “Amazing Spider-Man” #50, it depicts Sonic turning his back on Sally as she walks away, head bowed. The image is striking, Sally clearly distraught with her hair blowing beautifully in the wind. The use of color and speed lines certainly draw your eyes. It's rather obviously the best cover of the year. I just wish it was for a different story.

WORST COVER ART:
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 139 - Patrick Spaziante

Beginning in 2004, and from time to time in the future, Spaz would affect a Sega style to his covers. I was never a big fan of this, as I'd prefer the comic to be its own weird thing. Spaz, god bless him, would sometimes create overly crowded or garish covers. Issue 139 is a good example of this. Julie-Su and Sonic, disconnected from each other, pose in a purple void. Dark Legion soldiers, one wielding a flame sword, one emerging from a storm cloud I think, stand near-by. For some reason, a giant Knuckles head takes up most of the background, obscured by the action in front. It's a really jumbled, ugly cover.

BEST STORY ART:
"Mobius: 25 Years Later - Dealing with the Devil" - Steven Butler (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 135)

Steven Butler – who had already proven himself as an excellent artist – really came into his own in 2004. His work on the “Mobius: 25 Years Later” arc showed Butler producing some of the best work he would draw for the book. Really, I could have singled out any number of stories. Issue 137's “Trouble in Paradise” and Issue 139's “Slumber Party” both stick out to me. However, I just adore the way Butler draws Lien-Da, so 135's “Dealing with the Devil' gets the honor. His great strength for facial expressions comes through in this story, which is mostly devoted to Lien-Da talking with her son. Despite that, this story is as dynamic as the most action packed tales.

WORST STORY ART:
"One Part Ooh-La-La and Two Parts Treachery" - Al Bigley (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 137)

My dislike of Jon Gray's style has been no secret and Gray's ugly, incoherent artwork from the fourth part of the “Return to Angel Island” arc very nearly earned the top spot in this category. However, for all his flaws, at least Gray knows how to draw the “Sonic” characters. Al Bigley, who provided the artwork for issue 137's atrociously entitled back story “One Part Ooh-La-La and Two Parts Treachery,” clearly does not.

Bigley's characters all have weirdly elongated torsos. Bunnie looks like a humanoid Barbie Doll with furry parts stuck on. His facial work isn't great. Characters' limbs are often overly gangly. Sonic, at one point, mashes into a hideously off-model collection of body parts. Tatiana, Antoine's childhood crush, makes her sole appearance in this story and Bigley's design for the tiger girl is as generic as can be. That the story looks so bad is a bummer, as a few changes would have made this pretty good.

BEST NEW CHARACTERS:
Dr. Finitevus

There weren't very many new characters introduced in 2004, with most of the new additions being instantly forgotten. There's a reason even obsessive Sonic fans never mention Riki-Le or Sir Peckers. To be one hundred percent honest, I almost gave this honor to Colonel Stripe, the leader of the Original Freedom Fighters. If that story arc hadn't been so rushed, Stripe could have emerged as an honorable, brave hero in his own right.

But sometimes fan popularity wins out. Dr. Finitevus, the albino echidna mad scientist who was introduced during the “Return to Angel Island” arc, would emerge as a clear fan favorite. I've never quite gotten the hype around Finitevus. He mostly strikes me as unremarkable mad scientist/religious zealot character, a weak replacement for Knuckles' arch-enemy now that Dimitri is reformed. I suspect he's popular mostly because his design is cool looking. But, out of the characters introduced in 2004, Finitevus is the only one that would have any sort of long-term impact on the book. Because of that, he deserves to win in this category.

WORST NEW CHARACTERS:
Prince Manik

On the other hand, there were several candidates for the Worst New Character. Do I go with Tatiana, Antione's petty and emotionally manipulative childhood girlfriend who shows up just to screw up his current relationship? Or Kage von Stryker, Helmut Stryker's incompetent son who mostly exist because Ken wouldn't let Karl use Helmut?

No, the clear answer is Prince Manik. The son of Sally and Sonic in the “25 Years Later” setting, Manik spends most of his page time being obnoxious. He has a crush on Lara-Su, which wouldn't be a big deal if he didn't pursue her in as creepy a manner as possible. He attempts to grope the girl in one panel. In another, he orchestrates a game of Spin the Bottle, just to get a chance to kiss her. When Manik isn't being sleazy, he's being loud and annoying. Even his own father doesn't seem to like him very much. Boys that age tend to be annoying, controlled by youthful hyperactivity and out of control libidos, but I wouldn't expect a kids' book to replicate that so faithfully.


BEST IDEA:
Those brief emotional moments

Most of the ideas in 2004 were bad ones, making the options for this field very limited. This was the best I could come up with. Occasionally, 2004 would slow down for a moment between cast members. Bunnie sniping at Antoine during “Home.” Sonic and Sally nearly arguing during the “Tommy Trilogy.” Julie-Su and Lien-Da's sibling rivalry coming to the surface in “Return to Angel Island.” The father/daughter moments between Knuckles and Lara-Su throughout “25 Years Later.” The “Love and Loss” story, taking the time to develop the various broken hearts around Knothole. It's not a lot. Allowing your characters to feel things, to express emotions with the people they care about, should be a basic story component. In a year as haphazard as this one, brief conversations is what I have to latch onto.


WORST IDEA:
Who sucked out the feeling?

It was evident that the people writing Archie's “Sonic” book in 2004 had no grasp on the emotional needs of the character. Sonic and Sally, despite just getting together a little over a year before, broke up in the most abrupt, melodramatic, out-of-character way possible. Antoine and Bunnie's sweet, genuine relationship would terminate off-panel.

The mismanaging wasn't limited to romantic subplots. Despite receiving a perfectly satisfying demise, Tommy Turtle would return from the grave, negating the entire point of his previous appearance. The potentially powerful story arc of Knuckles learning to accept his lack of super powers was railroaded when he got his powers back anyway. His reconciliation with his dad immediately hit another road bump. Even “Mobius: 25 Years Later” suffered from this, as the heroes responded to the news of another incoming disaster far too calmly.

The writers had no idea what they were doing and it resulted in too many stories where the characters' action lacked impact. It's as if someone sucked the heart right out of the comic.