Sonic X: Issue 27

Sonic X: Issue 27
Publication Date: December 2007

Like I said during the previous “Sonic X” review, I was torn on the plot point of Eggman moonlighting as a pro-wrestler. On one hand, it was kind of fun, getting to the see the villain embrace a previously unseen heroic side. On the other hand, it was also fucking stupid. As someone who prefers Robotnik to be a sadistic dictator, seeing the character written as such an obviously comedic character makes me feel weird. Issue 26 ended on an especially unpromising sequel hook which is, naturally, followed up on in this issue. For better or worst, Ian Flynn and Archie's “Sonic X” series would be running with this pro-wrestler thing.

Eggman's El Gran Gordo wrestling persona has taken off to such a degree that the President is in attendance at his latest match. The grappling contest is interrupted when Bokkun, sporting a big ass cape and a Snidely Whiplash mustache, busts in. He holds the stadium hostage, getting help from two massive robots, and starts making a bunch of insane demands. Luckily, around the same time, Bocoe went to make a truce with Sonic, hoping the hedgehog would snap Eggman out of his heroic persona. The hedgehog arrives just as Bokkun's robots attack. Once again, Sonic and Eggman have to temporarily team up to protect each other.

Once again, I must point out that I've never watched “Sonic X.” What is Bukkon's purpose on the cartoon? In the comics, he strikes me as a more annoying GIR from “Invader ZIM.” He's a small, quasi-cute thing that shouts random bullshit and contributes nothing else to the plot. So Bokkun transforming himself into a supervillain is a mostly terrible idea. Once the origin of his change in personality is revealed – Bokkun ate too much candy and is on an insane sugar rush – the reader becomes even more unable to take this plot point seriously. Okay, okay, I know we weren't supposed to take it seriously. That doesn't make it any better of an idea.

What is amusing about “Conquest is Like a Box of Chocolates” is Eggman's increasing enjoyment of his El Gran Gordo persona. The bad guy has grown to genuinely love the spotlight, being adored by the public as a hero. He's gotten so into this, that his own henchmen are starting to get concerned. What makes this gag land is how Eggman, even when fully in character, can't totally let go of his villainous tendencies. El Gran Gordo saves the President, causing the politician to compare the attacking robots to one of Eggman's scheme. El Gran Gordo than defends Eggman's honor, calling him a fine bad guy. It's a good gag.

Of course, Eggman's turn towards the light side was designed to be short lived. After Sonic rushes in and starts fighting Bokkun's robots, he convinces Eggman to reveal his true, villainous colors. This leads to a temporary truce between hero and villain. (Yes, Flynn just did this exact same plot line in the main “Sonic” book but, if it helps, the context is entirely different here.) Even this doesn't pay off in the best way. How does Eggman defeat Bokkun? He pins him until the sugar high wears off, at which point the robot-thing passes out. Not exactly the most proactive of action sequences.

Having said that, the giant robot shenanigans in this issue are a good time. In an amusingly goofy gag, the big machines that attack the stadium are modeled after the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. Naturally, Sonic facilitates the one robot knocking the other robot's block off. The other action beats are solid. Such as when Bokkun tangles Sonic up in his cape. How that resolves, with Sonic flipping the little robot through the air, is a decent visual.

Steven Butler shows up to draws this one. Last time Butler drew for this book, I pointed out how his usual style seemed restrained by the “Sonic X” house style. Butler mostly avoids that problem this time out. Except for Sonic himself, who looks pretty awkward in a few panels. Otherwise, the pages devoted to Eggman wrestling or the giant robots look nice. Butler brings the excellent amount of detail and motion we expect from him. This is easily one of the best looking issues of “Sonic X” thus far.

I feel a little torn on this one. The central ideas inside this comic book are pretty doofy and the story construction is preposterous. However, the execution tosses in enough good gags and solid artwork for me to recommend it. Silly and disposable, that's the “Sonic X” byline, but that's not always a bad thing. [7/10]