Sonic Universe: Issue 2

Sonic Universe: Issue 2
Publication Date: March 2009

The point has come up recently. The way Ian Flynn adapts Sega's “Sonic” games, more often than not, involves a quickly put-together prologue in the back of the book. Good or bad, at least it's a tidy technique. However, true Archie Sonic fans know Flynn didn't invent that habit. Karl Bollers' “Sonic Adventure 2” adaptation covered the opening scene of the game and then told readers to go out and buy the real deal. That approach works better for some forgettable handheld game but it was a frustrating approach for a major “Sonic” event. In the second issue of “Sonic Universe,” eight years after “Adventure 2” came out, Ian Flynn would introduce a far more satisfying but equally fast-paced version of that game's events into the comic's universe.

G.U.N. sends Shadow and Rouge on a mission that necessitates some help. Robotnik has converted a telescope into a giant doom laser and the agents have been assigned to destroy the weapon before the Eggman gets a chance to use it. Shadow tracks Sonic down to help, awaking the blue hedgehog from his sleep in the Freedom Fighters' camp, right outside Megaopolis. As the trio go about their mission, they recall how they first met and the initial adventure they had.

In one issue, Ian Flynn proves that he's a lot better at adapting a video game's plot into a comic book than Karl Bollers ever was. He doesn't needlessly drag out “Sonic Adventure 2's” plot over half a year, making all sorts of bizarre attempts to incorporate the game into the comic's continuity. He also resists lazily plopping the game's events into continuity, without any explanation other than “play it on your Dreamcast.” In “Time & Again,” Flynn successfully boils “Sonic Adventure 2” down to its most salient points. So we get Sonic and Shadow's jungle-set boss battle. There's a brief look at that pyramid Eggman was hanging out in for reasons I can't remember now. Then we're launched into space, aboard the ARK, and watching Super Sonic and Hyper Shadow fight the Biolizard. I guess if you didn't play the video game, this will be confusing. Yet, considering “Sonic Adventure 2's” plot was a swiss-cheesed mess, Flynn summing it up so succinctly should really be applauded.

Maybe this works so well because “Time & Again” isn't really about adapting “Sonic Adventure 2.” Instead, it's about showing how much Sonic and Shadow's relationship has changed since they first met. Their initial introduction immediately dissolves into name calling and fighting. Later, they reluctantly team up to rescue Rouge. By the time they're fighting the Biolizard together, they've developed a begrudging respect. In the present day, Shadow almost likes Sonic. He smiles when the other hedgehog challenges him to a race, for example. He'd never admit it but Shadow does have something like a friendship with his primary rival.

Compare this to how Shadow the Hedgehog was characterized by Ken Penders', during his final shitty year as head writer. Back then, the so-called Ultimate Lifeform was needlessly gruff, single-minded in his drive but seemingly without motivation, and eager to fight Sonic at every turn. In “Time & Again,” Shadow is willing to sacrifice himself to destroy Robotnik's latest doomsday device. This is linked with his similar self-sacrifice at the end of “Sonic Adventure 2.” (Which similarly shows how off-base Penders' characterization of Shadow always was.) After Sonic saves Shadow's life again, hefting him to safety, the black hedgehog even smiles. He's reminded of how he turned over a new leaf to honor Maria's dying wish. All of these moments show the shades of Shadow's personality.

Rouge hasn't been quite as badly abused by this comic as Shadow. Subplots about her dating Scourge or romancing Knuckles' dad were ill-conceived. Usually, her personality – someone whose alliance varies depending on how overpowering her love for jewels is at any given minute – was intact. “Time & Again” recalls Rouge's technical first appearance but maintains the flirtiness that firmly defines her. Such as her introduction to Sonic, outside the pyramid, which features the two trading some bedroom eyes. She gets a couple of cute moments, such as brushing aside Sonic and Shadow's debate about Robotnik's sanity. Or reassuring Sonic she can pilot a space shuttle during the flashback. At the end, she teases Shadow about his new found respect for Sonic. Honestly, my favorite Rouge moment in this issue doesn't feature her speaking. It's a panel of her hefting Sonic and Shadow towards the doomsday ray, Yardley drawing attention to her straining face.

Honestly, the character stuff is so paramount that the action scenes almost seem like an afterthought. But they're pretty cool too. The opening fight between Sonic and Shadow, a recollection of their encounter in the game, really emphasizes how much these guys annoy each other. The raid on Eggman's laser cannon is held back by some cheesy technobabble from Rouge.  However, the panels devoted to Sonic and Shadow leaping around lasers and destroying the cannons are solid enough. There's even a neat moment where the hedgehogs screw up, which shows the two are flawless.

Tracey Yardley's artwork remains strong, as always. His ability for expressive faces and cartoony action are obviously well utilized here. But ti's a little thing he does that really impressed me. Yardley draws most of his panels here in an angular style. The panels depicting the flashbacks to “Sonic Adventure 2” have a purple border, which the present-day scenes lack. Word balloons describing the time period are still included but eventually become unnecessary. The reader figures out very quickly that anything with a neon border is set in the past. It's a clever visual way to convey this information.

“Sonic Universe's” beginner's luck remains strong. The second issue does nearly as good of a job of balancing character development and action as the premiere issue does. It lacks the charm of Marine the Raccoon but this still functions as a solid Shadow story while also providing “Sonic Adventure 2” with a proper adaptation. [8/10]