Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 174

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 174
Publication Date: April 2007

174 is another issue of Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” series that I have a specific memory about. While visiting my sister in North Carolina, I stayed at a hotel next to a comic shop. I just had to stop in and grab this issue. I probably should've waited until I got back home and could visit my local shop. Yet I was so invested in the series at this point, I simply couldn't wait. Quite a change from two years prior, where I could hardly be bothered to even open the books up. Right before his first milestone issue on the book, Ian Flynn continues to take the time to focus on the characters and their relationship. And, for once, when the book teased a marriage on the cover, it actually followed through on it.

The day of Antoine and Bunnie's wedding has arrived. Sonic, as the Best Man, races around the village and talks to the other individuals attending the ceremony. Antoine is hopelessly nervous. Bunnie is giddy. Tails is still adapting to having his parents back. Sally and Sonic's status as ex-lovers lingers in the air. Knuckles and Julie-Su reaffirm their own commitment to each other. Yet one person is notably absent. Espio has been sent on a secret mission to Robotnik's lair. What he uncovers has terrifying consequences for everyone in Knothole.

Flynn simply entitles this story “Union.” It's a fitting name, which refers to both Antoine and Bunnie becoming husband and wife but also the unions of friendship that connect everyone in Knothole. Aside from Espio's brief action scenes, the story is entirely devoted to Sonic and friends discussing their lives on a stressful but happy day. By letting Sonic zip up to most of the main characters, it really establishes the mood and tone of this day and place. This is a comic about a few hours in a bustling community, that it captures excellently, leaving the reader with a big smile on their faces. After reading this book for so many years, just hanging out with these guys is really worthwhile.

Of course, the wedding is what's bringing everyone together. Seeing Antoine and Bunnie's differing reaction to their union is cute. Bunnie is ecstatic, overjoyed to proclaim her love to the world. Antoine, meanwhile, is terrified. He's so nervous, he's on the verge of passing out. This cutely nods to Antoine's original status as the book's big coward. (Flynn also remembers Bunnie's very first appearance, when Sally reminds the cyborg that she originally wanted to become the Princess' hairdresser. I guess we couldn't have just forgotten that detail, could we?) This carries over the ceremony itself, where both young people display their share of nerves. These scenes seem simple but they re-enforce why Bunnie and Antoine are so important to each other, and why this wedding is so important to the reader.

This may be Bunnie and Antoine's big day but Ian also pauses to acknowledge the other romances floating around in Knothole. For the wedding, Julie-Su has to wear a dress. This greatly upsets her, as she finds the fancy clothes too constricting. During this scene, Sonic asks the echidnas when they'll marry. Here, Flynn manages once again to make something out of a nothing plot point Ken Penders kicked around. In “Mobius: 25 Years Later,” Penders revealed that Knuckles and Julie-Su never marry, choosing to live in sin forever. Here, Knuckles clarifies that the couple's mutual disinterest in pomp and ceremony makes marriage unappealing to them. Both of these elements are two really cute character moments, making small things count for a lot.

In the last issue, Flynn pointed out Sonic and Sally's former status as lovers, something that still haunts both of them. With one wedding about to happen, both teens are quizzed about when they'll find wedded bliss. More then once, Sonic and Sally are separately reminded of what they once had. This builds towards my favorite moment in this very good issue. Talking with King Elias and Queen Alicia, Sonic remembers that he promised himself to Sally at one point. He also notes that this felt like a very long time ago. The two awkwardly look at each other and welcome an opportunity to change the subject. This proves that Sonic and Sally may no longer be a couple but their feelings for each other are far from settled.

While Knothole is celebrating, Espio is sneaking into Robotnik's stronghold. During these segments, Flynn tags on some Karl Bollers-style narration boxes. It's an odd fit for Flynn, who usually avoids that kind of heavy-handed narration. The reveal at the end that Robotnik is speaking these line doesn't quite fit. Despite liking Espio, I'm honestly having trouble caring too much about the danger he's in. Mostly, these sequences exist to set up the big event that'll be happening in the next issue. It's necessary, of course, but easily the least interesting thing about this particular issue. (It's not the only bit of foreshadowing, as Amadeus Prower hints at his growing plans to restructure Knothole's politics, a plot point we'll get to soon enough.)

In the back pages, Flynn continues “See You Later Chao.” Last time, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles' frolicking at the newly discovered Chao garden was interrupted by Dr. Robotnik floating above the lake in a craft equipped with a giant drill bit. Sonic reminds the mad scientist that there are no Power Rings, Chaos Emeralds, or other magical MacGuffins in the area. So Robotnik proceeds with his plan simply for the sake of creating havoc. Naturally, it doesn't take long for the heroes to beat him back.

In its second half, “See You Later Chao” runs with very simplified versions of the central characters. Each of the heroes are defined by their special abilities. Knuckles uses his strength to hold off the drill. Sonic uses his speed to scope out the area and ping against Robotnik's craft. Tails' uses his brains to mess with the device's cables. Robotnik, meanwhile, seems to revert to his “Sonic X” characteristic. He's a goofball villain, motivated more by his own villainy then any clear objective. It causes this particular story to read like a quickly tossed off game adaptation. Considering this entire arc was thrown together to belatedly introduce the Chao into the comic, it basically is.

The back-up story is totally forgettable but the cover story is pretty damn good. Flynn has a lot of strengths as a writer, especially compare to the previous staff, but his solid grasp on these characters is one of his greatest attributes. “Union” is home to a momentous occasion – two major cast members tying the knot – but Flynn approaches from a thankfully low-key, character-based angle. The result is a quality issue. It's not perfect but, eh, fuck it. It put me in a good mood. [9/10]