Sonic X: Issue 4

Sonic X: Issue 4
Publication Date: December 2005

Archie's original plan was to simply grant the “Sonic X” comic four issues, as a test run mini-series, and take it from there. Apparently, the reaction to the book was so overwhelmingly positive that “Sonic X” got the green light for an on-going series before even hitting number four.  This one ends with a preview with a fifth issue, showing that this was a done deal by now. So it looks like we'll be going faster-faster-fucking-fucking-faster for a while now.

Picking up where we left off last time, issue four's “Boisterous Bot Battle!” has Sonic and his friends cornered by Eggman's quartet of kill-bots in the air/space museum. Before smashing them, Sonic is informed that his human friends are inside the machines. They are being forced to pilot the robotic executioners. So the hedgehog has to think on his feet, finding some other way to topple his arch-enemy's latest villainous scheme. Luckily, he's got some people backing him up.

As covered last time, Dr. Eggman's latest act of villainy is a little more devious than his first two tries. I just wish the book handled it a little better. Several panels are devoted to Chris Thorndyke, inside the robotic shell, being forced to attack his close friend. His dialogue balloons talk a lot about how upsetting this is for him without really showing it. Later, Chris somehow manages to disobey the mechanical straps controlling him, allowing Sonic a chance to escape. How he pulled this off isn't expounded on. Moreover, we never get a peak at how the other unwilling pilots are feeling about this. If anything, the President seems to be relishing his chance to attack Sonic, judging by his catty dialogue.

Then again, I have to remind myself that “Sonic X” isn't meant to be taken entirely seriously. This issue makes it clear that writer Joe Edkin mostly saw this comic as a chance to tell goofy jokes. Some of these work better then others. Eggman informing his henchman that he built his latest robots just by robbing the local hardware store is amusing. Rouge flirting with Knuckles after his sudden arrival, only for Amy to remind her that now isn't the time for such things, is a cute gag. However, “Boisterous Bot Battle!” is a little heavy on the goofy puns. The heroes quote  “Grease” in one scene, for some reason. Topaz' evil robot constantly sings ho-down songs while attacking the heroes. The constant quibs really undermine any dramatic tension in these scenes.

The action, over all, isn't much to write about. “Boisterous Bot Battle” continues to maintain the “Sonic X” formula with only one or two variation. Sonic and friends spend most of the book getting their asses kicked. The beating goes on for so long that the heroes' agony almost becomes comedic. There's really only one or two change of pace here. Sonic grabbing a power ring doesn't solve all his problems. Later, after a robot grabs Tails and takes to the skies, there's an airplane chase. Otherwise, it's business as usual. Robotnik's robots beat on Sonic for a while before he gets up the strength to smash 'em all. He then lets the bad guy get away, so the villain can scheme another day.

At least Joe Edkin finds a role for the whole crew in this story. Chris Thorndike and his grandpa play major roles in the story. Knuckles gets a few action beats, dodging a missile and riding in on an airplane. Rouge is bouncing around, contributing to the fight. Even Cream's chao, Cheese, gets in on the action. The little chao helps deactivate one of the robots, freeing the human inside. The “Sonic X” cast is still fairly small, compared to the cast of thousand in the main book, but it's nice to see Edkin do a decent job of balancing everyone's roles.

I've criticized Tom Smith 3's artwork as slightly flat in the past. It continues in that direction in issue four. These are the most inert action scenes to be featured in “Sonic X” so far. The characters are getting more simplistic. Far too much of this issue is composed of the robots grabbing somebody, shaking them around for a while, and starting over again. The air chase is especially lifeless. More and more, the backgrounds are nothing but single colors, contributing to the book's overall blah visual presentation. Smith's work is always competent but it's not very interesting.

I've been saying this the whole time but “Sonic X” is going to have to start shaking things up if it expects to hold my attention. How many times will field trips be interrupted by Eggman attacks? How many times will Sonic grab a Power Ring and save the day? Once again, I have to reiterate that it's not bad. It's just so simplistic that it borders on boring. One or two funny gags and the burning sexual tension between Rouge and Topaz is turning out to be the main reason to read this series. I doubt that'll be enough to sustain a forty issue run. [5/10]