Sonic X: Issue 28

Sonic X: Issue 28
Publication Date: January 2008

With the start of 2008, we reach the final year Archie's “Sonic X” book would be published. The series would end up with a nearly four year run, which is pretty good for a book tying in with a Saturday morning cartoon. (The “Sonic X” animated series officially ended production in 2004 but ran in syndication for much longer.) Don't think my coverage of the series is wrapping up any time soon. “Sonic X” ran up until December of '08, so I've got twelve more issues after this one. Either way, “Sonic X” is arguably entering the home stretch.

“Green-Eyed Monster” begins with Sonic and the Thorndykes at a science conference. Chris' dad and grandfather are being rewarded for medals for their achievements in clean energy. The conference is interrupted by a sudden blackout. Apparently the event inspired Eggman to try something similar. He has built three robots, each powered by clean energy sources. Sonic races out to fight them but the machines prove harder to beat than expected. Even with the help of his friends, it's an uphill battle. And Eggman has something even more sinister planned.

In 2008, “green energy” had become more-or-less a fad. People were driving electric cars, bagging their own groceries, and putting solar panels on their roofs, all over concern about their “carbon footprint.” In June of that year, there would even be a cable channel devoted to the “green” lifestyle, the short-lived Planet Green. Serious concerns about our planet's future is one thing but this wasn't much different from the way folks freaked out about gluten or unboxing videos a few years later. It's pretty strange but not surprising that “Sonic X” would feel the need to comment on this.

Once you think about it, this becomes even weirder. In the world of “Sonic X,” a cleaner energy source than wind, water, or the sun exists. The Chaos Emeralds put off enough energy to allow an island to float indefinitely in the sky. With an emerald, robots can run forever. The Chaos Emeralds have even shown the ability to change the physical properties of things. Better yet, the Chaos Emeralds seemingly generate no waste or side effects. I mean, Knuckles spends nearly all day standing next to the biggest, most powerful Chaos Emerald and doesn't even have a low sperm count! It seems to me that a Chaos Emerald or two could power a whole city indefinitely. This would make traditional clean energy sources, like wind or hydro-power, totally obsolete. I guess they're pretty rare but Eggman never seems to have trouble getting a hold of one.

Sorry, I guess I got carried away thinking about the actual ramifications of this comic's world. What about those giant robots? The Green Robots have pretty cool designs, looking a little better thought-out than the usual “Sonic X” robots. Considering previous issues have featured such uninspired designs like a giant slot machine and a huge leprechaun, this streamlined, colorful machines are a big improvement. In a gimmick well used by Megaman, each one utilizes a different element for their attacks. One robot shoots hyper-concentrated water jets. Another has a huge propeller, generating gale strength winds. The solar-powered robot shoots fucking heat beams.

Having such dynamic villains does lead to some decent fight scenes. In a nice touch, the Green Robots actually outmatch Sonic at first. The constant heat beams and water blast catch him off-guard. He has to strategize a little more, using the environment to redirect the robot's attacks. Even then, it's not until Amy, Tails, and Knuckles join the fight that Sonic really begins to make a difference. There's some fun panels of Amy smashing shit with her hammer and Knuckles holding up a big machine foot.

Tracy Yardley returns to write “Green-Eyed Monster” but, interestingly enough, doesn't draw it. Instead, Steven Butler once again provides the pencils. While Butler's work on the main “Sonic” book is often excellent, his “Sonic X” work has been inconsistent. It continues in that mold. Every once in a while, in a panel of Sonic avoiding the robot's attacks, you get a sense of Butler's excellent use of motion or gritty aesthetic. Otherwise, he has to squeeze his artwork into the “Sonic X” house style. It leads to a competent but rather bland looking book. It's a problem “Sonic X” has never really shaken off.

It's been a while since “Sonic X” has featured a multi-part story. “Green-Eyed Monster” is actually the beginning of a two parter. The issue ends with Eggman successfully capturing the Master Emerald. He uses the Green Robots to draw Perfect Chaos out. Chaos fuses with the machines, producing a more easily controlled massive monster. Considering “Sonic X” is usually a goofy, low stakes comic, seeing an issue where Sonic struggles to win and is outsmarted by his enemy is a pretty unusual sight.

A part of me feels like this could be the turning point for the “Sonic X” series. Will we get more serialized stories like this, with higher stakes, bigger action, and more serious threats? Well, probably not. Issue 28 isn't that great of a book, as its still beholden to the robot-centric, action heavy style of the series. Still, I wouldn't mind this silly tie-in series being a little more like this a little more often. [6/10]