Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 162

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 162
Publication Date: May 2006

The “Birthday Bash” two-parter, in addition to introducing fan favorite Scourge, was mostly Ian Flynn's proclamation to long time fans that he knew what the fuck he was doing. With “The Darkest Storm” story arc, Flynn would begin his real mission: Cleaning up the mess the book's previous writers left for him. It's a trilogy – including a bitchin' Spaz penciled triptych on the covers – designed to cut away as many unresolved plot points as possible. The result would be a new, clean foundation for Flynn to build upon. Let's get to it

A number of events are happening at the same time. King Elias talks with Sonic about his desire to restrengthen the Kingdom of Acorn. Robotnik begins to utilize the Egg-Grapes, the specialized  containment units he stuck a bunch of people in a while ago, as a way to power a new weapon. That's before Uma Arachnus' kids waltz in with the Sword of Acorn and mess up his plan. Merlin Prower and Sir Connery arrive in Knothole with some disconcerting news for our heroes: That the Ancient Walkers are on the verge of death and Mammoth Mogul could be released. Overseeing it all is Anonymous, the unknown new villain that has been conspiring against Eggman and Sonic for quite some time.

Karl Bollers introduced the idea of Anonymous – an outside force with seemingly unlimited resources fighting both Eggman and the Freedom Fighters through insidious means – two years ago in issue 135. In all that time, Anonymous did little but make a few offensive moves against Robotnik. One of Ian's first acts as head writer was to refocus Anonymous' goal: To totally tear down everything on Mobius. With “The Darkest Storm,” this mysterious villain begins to actually go to work. In other words, Flynn used the lingering Anonymous plot point as a way to dispose of a bunch of other lingering plot points. That's killing, like, six birds with one stone.

One of the biggest goals of “The Darkest Storm” was to get rid of all the mystical bullshit that had been infecting the book for years. So the Mystics Walkers are dying, poisoned by Mammoth Mogul centuries ago. Before the end, Sir Connery – who I had entirely forgotten about – would be dead too. Merlin Prower arrives in Knothole to grab the Sword and Crown of Acorn. You know, those super dumb mystical MacGuffins that book would drudge out every once in a while. It's clear that Flynn was no fan of these elements either. Instead of just forgetting about them, like Ken and Karl did, he found an organic way respectful of the series' mythology to write these things out. He also brings back Uma Arachnus' off-spring, another neglected plot point, and finds a way to tie them into this as well.

Despite the heavy plot machinations going on in the first part of “The Darkest Storm,” Ian still finds room for some softer character moments. Elias' concerns about the Kingdom's stability isn't just a plot thing. Instead, it shows his insecurity as a new ruler. This same moment also provides a cute moment for Sonic. Elias offers to reinstate the hedgehog's knighthood. He respectfully declines, showing no interest in royal intrigue. Which is a cute, in-character moment. But the best moment is saved for Tails. When reunited with his uncle, Tails starts to cry. With his parents still on the other end of the galaxy, the young fox really appreciates seeing a family member again. This plot point gets pushed aside pretty quickly but it's nice that Flynn saw fit to include it.

“The Darkest Storm” isn't just cutting unnecessary fibers. Ian is also building up pre-existing elements that were maybe unappreciated. The new writer also continues to rejuvenate Sonic's rogues gallery. He already started by turning Anti-Sonic into Scourge. In this comic, the Fearsome Foursome are reintroduced as the Destructix, since there's six of them now. Mammoth Mogul is back in the story by this issue's end, his imprisonment proving short-lived. Ian even goes about rebuilding Robotnik's power level. He's got the Egg Grapes on his side and, before the comic is over, begins taking the fight to Knothole finally.

Speaking of which! In “Ties That Bind,” Eggamn contacts Snively. Despite co-habituating with the Freedom Fighters, the villains' nephew still doesn't feel like he belongs. His uncle offers him membership in his evil empire again. His choices are limited since the doctor plans to bomb Knothole into ash soon. Before leaving, Snively tries to convince Hope – his niece – into coming with him.

Getting Snively back in Robotnik's good graces restores a long neglected aspect of the “Sonic” legacy. Snively had been tooling around as a free agent for far too long. He's at his best when playing Robotnik's toady. Yet Flynn finds some possible soul within the scumbag's blackened heart. Snively trying to talk Hope into coming with him presents an ambiguous element that I like. Does Snively actually care about his niece? Or is he just playing into his own agenda? It's an interesting question. Either aspect would make him a more complex character. Either Snively is showing the ability to care about somebody or he's become even more manipulative and conniving. Either way, that's new growth for the guy.

Soon, Tracy Yardley would be taking over primary duties for the series. So it's nice to see James Fry drawing the cover story. His work is slightly more loose then usual, as the facial expressions are a little too James Gray-ish for my taste. He still does some good work, especially with the fight scene between the Freedom Fighters and the Destructix. Yardley draws the back-up and it has the usually sunny artist in a darker mood. In order to illustrate Snively's shadowy interior mind, Yardley utilizes a lot of shadows as well. He still brings the cuteness, during the scene where Snively and Hope are talking. I also like the redesign Snively gets, putting him in a smaller version of Robotnik's get-up. Snively getting some new clothes is long overdue.

Flynn is juggling a lot here and I can't remember if he pulls it all off. However, his strategy of tying together as many loose ends as possible is a concise one, even if his method stretches the script to the breaking point. Still, the rebirth of Archie's “Sonic” title is already off to a good start. After 2005 nearly killed the book, I really appreciate that. [7/10]