Sonic Universe: Issue 4

Sonic Universe: Issue 4
Publication Date: May 2009

Issue 4 wraps up the Shadow Arc, the first “Sonic Universe” story line. This particular arc has been fairly episodic and I mean that in the best way. Flynn has been mixing and matching various video game elements, trying to figure out who the Archie version of Shadow is. Yet a few threads have connected the various issues. With number four, the author returns to the plot point that the series actually started with, bringing things full circle, I guess.

By that, I'm referencing GUN's continued desire to explore the Special Zone and grab some Chaos Emeralds. In “The Ultimate Lifeform,” Hope's teleporting machine do-hicky actually succeeds in that goal. After getting to the Special Zone, Shadow and Rouge are tested by all-powerful panda god, Feist. After failing a few of the god-like entity's test of strength, Shadow has to re-strategize. He also has to reconsider his own actions.

Many of Archie's “Sonic” writers actively fled from attempts to make the comic book a little more like the video games that inspired it. Flynn, on the other hand, was by far the most willing to embrace the series' digital roots. This tendency would eventually fail him during the ill-conceived reboot but, for a time, it worked out okay. By dropping Team Dark in the Special Zone and forcing them to play games for Feist's amusement, the main characters are given an easy objective. While Feist's tests don't seem very daunting for a superfast hedgehog – one's a race across a fiery bridge vaguely resembling the Genesis version of the “Sonic 3D Blast” special stage, the other is a cube-like maze loosely inspired by the “Sonic 1” bonus level – it does lead to some clean, concise plotting.

Then again, “The Ultimate Lifeform” isn't really about the various feats of strength Feist forces Shadow to compete in. The entire Shadow Arc has been an attempt to humanize Shadow a little bit. First, Flynn touched on his guilt over failing to contact Metal Sonic or save Gamma. Then, he showed how his feelings towards Sonic have evolved. In issue 4, Shadow has to deal with the fact that he's not infallible. His initial attempt to grab Feist's emerald fails. Partially because he got a little too cocky, relying on his Chaos Control abilities a little too much. It's a pretty good idea to challenge the so-called Ultimate Lifeform but diminishing his “ultimate” status.

The scenes that follow gives us a look at Shadow's inner life. For all his bluster about being a total bad-ass, inside his heart of hearts, Shadow is a whiny little bitch. He feels massively guilty that he failed to accomplish the goal GUN gave him. He slinks to sulk. While anger-sparring with Omega, he only speaks in monosyllabic grunts. This is pretty in character for Shadow, who has always had a degree of angst. It comes close to being insufferable but gets a past for fitting the character.

And it should be noted that Flynn balances Shadow's moodiness with some humor. That aforementioned sparring scene got a chuckle out of me when Shadow yells “Bah!” and throws Omega across the room. The so-called Ultimate Lifeform's confusion over not being able to use his Chaos Control abilities is amusing. As is a single panel devoted to Shadow's expression, after realizing he knows Feist's M.O now. Tracy Yardley gets a lot out of the character's facial expressions in this issue.

And it leads to a scene that should be too corny but actually ends up working. Hope finds Shadow brooding on a cliff overlooking the city. Hope tries to contact Shadow, who is still hurting over his failure. Hope opens up to the hedgehog, revealing how she guilty she feels about leading Snively to Knothole, eventually leading to the village's destruction. This touches the hedgehog and the two level. The panels devoted to Hope hugging Shadow, and the hedgehog imagining his beloved Maria looking down on him, probably should be cheesy. Yet Flynn summons up enough genuine emotion to sell the scene.

“The Ultimate Lifeform” also shows Team Dark – a team name so goofy that Rouge actually makes fun of it – really working together for the first time. It leads to some fun moments. After failing to navigate Feist's 4D Cube of Treachery, Shadow utilizes plan B... Which involves Omega blasting the panda god in the face with as much firepower as possible, distracting him so Shadow and Rouge can grab the Emerald. Okay, yes, that's cheating. However, it's still a satisfying moment. Moreover, these scenes also let us see the characters play off each other. So we get to see Shadow and Rouge tell the kill crazy Omega to lay off the wanton destruction.

Tracy Yardley isn't a master of surreal art like Jay Axer was. Can you imagine how Axer would've drawn the Special Zone? That would've be amazing. Yet Yardley does an okay job. The spinning colors, floating spears, and billowing mist make for a decent visual. Honestly, it probably says a lot about Yardley's ability that he makes Feist – a ridiculous character – actually somewhat intimidating. Giant pandas usually engender cuddles, not startled gasps. Also, let's give Yardley credit for drawing Omega really well. Some artist on this book really struggle with the giant robots.

All four issues in this story arc were pretty strong, making sure “Sonic Universe” gets off to a good start. The comic ends with a teaser of the next story line, a return to the “30 Years Later” setting. (We also get a full page “Off-Panel” comic, drawn by a way overqualified Steven Butler.)  While it lacks the emotional stakes of the last few issues, number 4 is still a solid comic book. Over all, Flynn has actually succeeded in making me like Shadow the Hedgehog, a character I was once totally ambivalent too. [7/10]