Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 204

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 204
Publication Date: September 2009

I guess, in the world of comics, the appeal of two friends seemingly turned against each other is evergreen. Issue 203's cover seemingly featured Bunnie betraying the Freedom Fighters. Issue 204's cover shows Sonic and Monkey Khan about to fight it out. The difference is, issue 204's cover is far less misleading. “Heavy is the Head: Part 2” picks up with Monkey Khan totally under the Iron Queen's control. The simian cyborg wages war on Mobotropolis, until Sonic can grab a replacement Power Ring. Even afterwards, Khan's conscious continues to weigh on him.

In the past, I've criticized Ian's love of fight scenes. In 2008, his obsession with having various characters duke it out nearly disrupted the book. Yet, sometimes, a huge fight scene is just what you need. Flynn utilizes Monkey Khan's former status as Frank Strom's Gary-Stu very well here. Khan's over-the-top strength is especially dangerous, now that he's a threat. The scenes devoted to the cyborg tearing through the Freedom Fighters are effective. Vector and Mighty are tossed through the air. He even nearly stomps the orphans. Which is pretty fuckin' evil. It helps that the entire fight scene takes place under heavy storm clouds, giving these panels a foreboding atmosphere.

In order to make the fight even more compelling, Flynn draws attention to the Freedom Fighters' emotions. Sally's still-growing crush on Monkey Khan – still am really not sure how I feel about that – makes her pleas to the ape, to fight the Queen's control, more meaningful. Even better is Antoine's reaction. The coyote is super pissed off about Bunnie's injuries last issue. He takes that rage out on Khan, facing off against a super-strong cyborg with just a sword. Pretty ballsy. (After the fight is over, Sonic jibs Antoine about his once cowardly ways, which is a nice way to show how far he's come as a character.) Just adding some emotional stakes to the action makes all the difference.

This is also a fairly well paced issue, as the big fight scene only occupies about half of the cover story. After Sonic fishes a Power Ring out of the lake, he immediately slips it on Khan's head. Once he's restored to normal, we learn why the simian has had so much self-loathing here of late. This isn't the first time the Iron Queen has taken control of him. Apparently she pulled the same shtick in Dragon Valley, forcing Monkey Khan to destroy his own kingdom. Well, geez, I guess that is a good reason to feel a little sorry for yourself. Ian plays this reveal subtly too, simply through dialogue, without any flashbacks to the destruction.

Ian's focus on emotion might actually weaken the story a little though. After Khan is restored to his normal self, Sonic and the other Freedom Fighters come to assure him that he can still make wrongs right. Sonic tries to reassure him. Sally gives him a big hug, which is dripping with connotations I'd rather not entertain. Things get a little too earnest when the trio of orphans that threw rocks at Khan last time let him know that everyone is here to help each other. Yeah, the lisping little kids probably took this too far. Antoine's initial reaction – to yell in Khan's face, pissed that he didn't inform the Freedom Fighters he was a liability – seems the most realistic reaction.

The Iron Queen is starting to grow on me. The ruthlessness she displayed last time continues here, as she cackles while Khan tears through Mobotropolis. The joy she takes in watching her enemies fail certainly is entertaining. And this two-parter has, if nothing else, established how flexible her powers are. She still suffers from Brain-Dead Villain syndrome. After Sonic restores Monkey Khan, Regina and Snively just leave. Gee, wouldn't that have been the best time to attack, when the Freedom Fighters were exhausted and demoralized? These Dragon Valley villains have a weird sense of honor.

During the last two pages of the cover story, Flynn gives us another peak at Dr. Robotnik. Yes, the doctor is still confined to a padded cell, babbling incoherently to himself. Among the random math equations and total nonsense are a few references to the book's past. He says “hate that hedgehog” a few times, as well as mentioning his brother Colin, Warlord Kodos, Crabmeat, and the Ultimate Annihilator. Which, I suppose, confirms what Flynn has been insisting for a while: That this Robotnik, formerly known as Robo-Robotnik and mostly known from now on as Eggman, is more-or-less the same character as the Robotnik that died during Endgame. Being the stickler I am, I'll always consider them separate characters.

So how 'bout that back story? “Friend In Deed” also picks up from last month's cliffhanger. Espio still has Knuckles dangling off the edge of Shrine Island. The ninja chameleon is totally ready to kill him before saying he has “conflicting orders.” The two then discuss the specific phrases the Archie-verse's ninjas use, such as “Bride” and “Four Houses,” before Espio slinks away. Knuckles is left with more questions than answers.

“Friend in Deed: Part 2” has exactly one sequence that justifies its existence. While Espio has Knuckles by the dreadlocks, tittering on the edge of the island, the chameleon asks if the Guardian truly is willing to die to protect the Master Emerald and the island it keeps afloat. Knuckles, without missing a beat, calmly, tersely admits he is. It's not new information. Knuckles' devotion to his duties as Guardian is well understood. But it's still a striking moment. Otherwise, “Friend in Deed” is devoted to nailing down the specific terms the ninjas use and telegraphing Espio's eventual return to the good guys.

Well, at least the artwork is nice. Jamal Peppers' pencils remains sharp and clear. He makes good use of the island's wide-open setting, building visual tension between the characters. Everybody continues to look as if they could've step right out of official Sega artwork. Steven Butler's work on the cover story is also bitchin'. He makes Monkey Khan, all lit up by Regina's magic, actually look intimidating even if it should be a ridiculous sight. His handle on the action scenes are, of course, excellent. The more I look at his art, the more I realize how much Butler's work defined my conceptions of these characters and their world.

So the cover story is mostly pretty good. The back-up could've used a little more work, even if it has one really effective moment. The artwork is roundly great and there's some stuff in this that really sticks in my mind. I guess I'm feeling generous tonight because I'm thinking this one is a [7/10.]