Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 210

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 210
Publication Date: March 2010

As I've said before, back when the story arc was new, some fans complained that the Iron Dominion event went on too long. The story did go on for exactly a year and the pacing clearly flagged a little in the middle. Over a year, I can see how that would get old. As I've said before, it's hard to get a sense of that arc fatigue when you've read the whole thing in a little over a week, as I have here. Either way, the Iron Dominion was heading towards its end by March of 2010. The “Home Invasion” two-parter, which would depict the Iron Queen's defeat, would begin in this issue.

The occupation of New Mobotropolis by the Iron Dominion continues. Amy Rose and Antoine attempt to hold up a rebellion. Nicole has carved out a hiding place for them, where Bunnie is also being kept hidden. With Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Monkey Khan in the Dragon Kingdom, the Freedom Fighters are barely holding on. Even with the arrival of Geoffrey St. John, the tides don't exactly turn. The Queen leads the heroes into an obvious trap after proclaiming they'll be legionizing – brainwashing and implanting robotic parts – in the city's coliseum.

The first part of “Home Invasion,” subtitled “Breaking and Entering,” features very little of this comic book's titular character. This is an experimental decision that easily could've gone wrong. The book has attempted to sideline Sonic before to mediocre results. Flynn, however, pulls it off. Instead of switching the focus to some shitty new character, Flynn shines the spotlight on Sonic's established supporting cast. We've followed Amy, Antoine, and the others for years. We really care about them and their personalities are more than strong enough to support a single issue. I honestly wish this had gone on a little longer, as Sonic is sometimes a drag on his own book.

However, I do have one slight problem with the way this story is presented. Flynn makes it seem like the rebellion at home has been fighting off the Iron Dominion for quite some time. Which is a little hard to believe. First off, in the beginning of the issue, it's only Amy Rose and Antoine leading the resistance. I know they're both good fighters but it strains believably that two people have been holding off an army for a while. Also slightly implausible is how Nicole has been hiding Bunnie for all this time. You think the Iron Queen would've noticed something, considering her primary A.I. has been hiding her greatest enemies right under her nose for at least a couple of days.

They eventually get help though. Geoffrey St. John gets a flashy reintroduction, in his first major appearance since issue 188. St. John mostly just stood around, accompanying Rouge on a mission in that one. The skunk secret agent gets a lot more action-y stuff to. Like leaping through the air on a rope, shooting bolts all over the place. Flynn even exploits the character's general seriousness for some comic relief. When Iron Nicole first shows herself to St. John, he attempts to shoot here, still believing she's under the Queen's control.

Another high-light of issue 210 is a brief scene between Snively and Dr. Robotnik. During the occupation of Mobotropolis, it seems like Snively has made a regular habit of visiting his uncle in jail and mocking his disheveled state. Only this time, we see that the Eggman's mental state is starting to reform. He's come to an interesting conclusion about Sonic: That his archenemy represents the variable of chaos present in any scientific experiment. That's a good moment and segues into an even better one. Snively tells his uncle that he and Regina love each other, which causes Robotnik to laugh like crazy. Like the audience, the villain can see right through the Iron Queen's manipulations. It's a good moment because it further shows Snively's weird vulnerability. He's so desperate for love, for power, for understanding, that he's willing to accept Regina's feelings, even if they're obviously fake. It's also a great way to show that Robotnik's scheming, brilliant, evil self is back.

The other villains get a chance to shine too. First off, public Legionizing having in the coliseum, for everyone to see, is a pretty fucked-up thing for a bad guy to do. Especially since Rotor, another established character we already care about, is chosen as the first person to undergo this procedure. (Rotor initially resists too, giving a somewhat underserved character a rare chance to shine, however briefly.) I also like a brief dialogue exchange between Regina and the Iron King. We're she explains to the King that this is entire idea is a trap, meant to lure the heroes out. Which will give him an opportunity to smash shit. Which he'll enjoy. Little moments like that make the villains a little more personable.

Steven Butler returns to penciling duties. Butler grants the story a sleek, powerful energy that helps sell the zippy pacing. Butler's strength for character work really comes through in this one. His rendition of the Iron Queen looks especially powerful, rising her staff and surrounded by sparkling energy. His action scenes, like St. John leaping around flying ninja stars or Amy Rose meeting the Iron King's hammer swing-for-swing, are fantastic. Butler also makes Robotnik look especially sinister and unhinged, adding further intimidation to his scenes with Snively. I also like the little details Butler adds to Snively, such as his eyes bulging out when Rotor takes a swing at him. It's a really strong looking issue.

Issue 210 concludes with Sonic and the others returning to Mobotropolis, crashing the Tornado through the city's dome. It's actually a moment that works really well, making the entire comic seem like a nice build-up to that arrival. Over all, the first part of “Home Invasion” is a solid story, full of action and likable character moments, even with a few minor plot holes. Will the Iron Dominion end on a up note? Maybe! If nothing else, the first part is pretty good. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 4

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 4
Publication Date: April, 25, 2018

Well, here we are, running into week four of IDW's new “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book. From this point on – or at least until IDW starts adding more books or reboots it or something – the comic will be coming out on a monthly basis. Which means these weekend updates will also go down to once a month, whenever the book comes out. Hope you've enjoy extra Hedgehogs Can't Swim content because you'll be getting slightly less, if no less than you normally get, from now on.

“Fallout: Part Four” begins exactly the way the first three parts of “Fallout” have. As the sun sets on Mobius Sonic's world, the hedgehog hero runs into another town in peril from the Badnik horde. Inside, he discovers a local, a lemur named Tangle, defending the city. Soon, the duo becomes a trio when Blaze the Cat literally drops out of the sky. The three work together to save the day but they all suspect that their fight is far from over.

Issue 4 does not break from the formula I was complaining about last time. The outline is exactly the same as the first three issues, with the minor variation of two friends helping Sonic save the day this time. However, the crumbs of an on-going mythology are starting to form here. Blaze has arrived in Sonic's zone because the Sol Emeralds told her a great disaster was forthcoming. Sonic assumes this to be a reference to “Sonic Forces” (the events of the game, not the game's reception) but, by the issue's end, none of them are so sure. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it gives us more grist, more lore, and more of a reason to latch onto the new book. Bad because I fear Flynn is going to drag this shit out for as long as possible, a very bad habit he displayed at Archie that probably isn't going away.

However, part four of “Fallout” does address a minor complaint I had with the previous issues. I get the impression that Sonic and friends are actually taking this fight somewhat seriously. Yes, there are still some quibs being traded in-between fucking up robots. However, that reads a little more like the characters trying to relieve tension in-between the violence. There are more Badniks, including a pretty cool giant Motobug, and it appears our heroes are being a little more challenged than usual. (Even if they still completely decimate a robot army in the span of twenty pages.) Sonic even loses his perpetual smirk for a few panels! Or maybe its just the dusk setting that makes things seem slightly more serious. Baby steps but I'll take it.

Before the IDW comics began running, the company made a big deal about Tangle the Lemur. (Their mystery tactics mostly ended up giving us Sally fans false hope. There's no way they didn't know that was going to happen.) I'm happy to say that Tangle is delightful. She's has a stretchy, prehensile tail that leads to some interesting action beats. Moreover, she has a slightly anxious and shy personality that I can relate to. There's a really funny panel where, like a new girlfriend unable to grasp the in-jokes between old friends, she watches in confusion as Sonic and Blaze chat. Later, she's baffled when Sonic explains Blaze's origins. I already like Tangle a lot and I hope Flynn gets back to her soon, instead of leaving her undeveloped in favor of widening the cast more, like he did in the post-reboot Archie comics.

Issue 4 also brings Blaze into the fold. I neither like nor dislike Blaze. I've always felt she had potential but we rarely get a peak at her actual personality. Her status as a time/dimensional traveler and a firebending pyrokinetic tends to take precedence. Well, due to how action-heavy this issue is, Blaze continues to be defined mostly by her superpowers. However, there's the thinnest wisp of romantic chemistry between her and Sonic that at least makes their interaction a little more meaningful. (Or maybe I'm just desperate to ship Sonic with a princess, any princess.)

With issue four, IDW assembles a collection of familiar Sonic artist. Evan Stanley, another regular illustrator from the Archie days, comes aboard. In the hierarchy of art we've seen in this book so far, I'd put Stanley's work above Tracy Yardley and Jen Hernedez but below Adam Bryce Thomas. There's a little of the same atmospheric lighting Thomas brought, with the setting being a burning city during twilight. Stanley's action is energetic and creative, especially that fight with the Motobug. His facial expressions are funny and vivid. Tangle, in particular, really gets a lot of her personality from Stanley's artwork. All the qualms I have with the plotting thus far aside, IDW's “Sonic” book has looked pretty damn good thus far.

The ending of this issue sets up Eggman's inevitable return while also confirming that he's not the one behind the Badnik invasions that have been going on. In-between the teases concerning the Master Emerald last time and this issue's lack of closure, I suspect Flynn is going to drag that plot point out for a while. Hopefully, now that he's done establishing the comic's central conflict and introducing the supporting cast, he can get down to the business of making us actually care about this world and these characters.

So, now that IDW's month long experiment is done, how do I feel about the new comic series thus far? I have very mixed feelings. It really feels like that arena of Sonic fans that never want Sonic to have friends or supporting cast members, that just want stories devoted to the hedgehog running around and bashing robots, have gotten their wish. If the book continues to be this formulaic and light-hearted, my interest is going to fade very quickly. My hope is that Flynn is playing the long game and will, hopefully sooner rather than later, start to delve into the heart of these characters.

As of now, the new series is a pretty and mildly entertaining concoction that simply means nothing to me. I'm giving this one a [6/10] and most of that is for Tangle.

Sonic Universe: Issue 13

Sonic Universe: Issue 13
Publication Date: February 2010

The “Iron Dominion” two-parter in the main Archie “Sonic” book ended on kind of a weird note. Instead of the central quartet of heroes – Sonic, Tails, Sally, Monkey Khan – heading into Mobotropolis to save the day, the four decided to head back to Khan's Dragon Kingdom. For some reason. Flynn would devote the fourth “Sonic Universe” arc to this adventure, cheekily entitling the story “Journey to the East.” Back in 2010, this bugged me. “Sonic Universe” was supposed to be about Sonic's supporting characters. Featuring a plot in this book that starred Sonic seemed to defeat the purpose. It was another example of the growing pains “Sonic Universe,” still a fairly new book, was struggling with at this time.

“Journey to the East” has the lofty subtitle of “Endless Reach of Fate.” In the installment, Sonic and Tails are exploring a golden temple devoted to Monkey Khan. This visit is interrupted by a group of spider ninjas. They inform the hedgehog that the bride of their clan wants to speak with Sonic. And, in order to make sure Sonic shows up, they've kidnapped Sally, Tails, and Monkey Khan. Sonic quickly convinces the ninjas to let his friends go, leading into a talk with the Bride of the Endless Reach. Khan manages to resolve any conflict with the spider bride with his words, not his fists.

When “Journey to the East” was new, I remember finding the arc to be a huge drag. This was a story line devoted entirely to expanding on the mythology surrounding Monkey Khan and his home land. At the time, I could resoundingly say I did not care about this stuff. In 2018, my opinion has not changed very much. No, I still don't care about Monkey Khan very much, despite Ian's mostly successful attempts to humanize him. Somehow, I care even less about the ninjas surrounding him. I really could care less about Ian pointing out that Li Moon and Li Yuen, two minor characters Frank Strom introduced years ago, survived Khan's Iron Queen motivated rampage.

Still, there's one or two interesting tidbit exposed here. First off, we learn that the Dragon Kingdom was literally occupied by dragons at one point. In fact, the valley is apparently the birth place of Mobius' dragon populace, who abandoned the area after a devastating war millennia ago. (How dragons fit into Mobius' status as a post-apocalyptic Earth mutated by the Xorda's gene bomb still hasn't been explained.) The spider ninjas aren't horribly interesting except for one aspects. Apparently, the ninja's leader take advice from a giant silk web. Yes, a giant web spun thousands of years ago by the clan's founder is said to foretell the future. The ninjas take this entirely seriously. Aside from reminding me of that goofy Loom of Fate from “Wanted,” I'm also reminded of the Source of All the Kings of Acorn used to take advice from. Flynn acknowledges how silly this is slightly but mostly takes this at face value. Interesting but weird!

Penders and Scott Fulop never apologized for how fucking stupid the Source of All was. Flynn is a little different. After being rescued from her kidnappers, Sally breaks down in tears. Sally feels like she's screwed up too often here of late, in between not arresting Robotnik immediately, loosing New Mobotropolis to the Iron Queen, and now getting captured here. Sally, in tears, reflects on how she used to take down SWATBots with her bare hands. Ian Flynn spent so much time fixing Sally's personality after how badly Karl Bollers fucked it up. After a few minor mistakes with the character, Flynn devotes a whole page to how he feels Sally's characterization has slipped a little. Of course, that's because Flynn is a fan that really cares about these characters.

It's a decent moment. Any time Sally gets emotional in a way that doesn't screwed up her core components as a person gets to me. During that initial monologue from Sally, about how she feels she's screwed up, there's a panel of the Princess crying and Monkey Khan stepping back, helpless to do anything. This would be another good chance to display how badly a match these two are. Instead, Flynn tries to spin it into a moment for Khan/Sally shippers. Khan tells Sally that, nah, you are strong, gurl. Sally even admits this is a shitty pep talk but the book goes on from there. Far more entertaining are the two panels devoted to Sonic reacting in disgust to the obvious romantic overtures between Sally and Khan. (Such as the two feeding each other, Jesus Christ.) The fans know how you feel, Sonic.

One of the reasons why I found “Journey to the East” to be such a snore in 2010 was, perhaps, the lack of actual action in the story. Issue 13 of “Sonic Universe” opens with a fight scene, Sonic trading karate blows with a ninja spider. Later, after another ninja breaks into the temple, Sonic briefly pins the guy. That's about it. Otherwise, “Endless Reach of Fate” is devoted to conversation. Lots of talking. We get recaps about Uma Arachnis, dead since “Sonic's” 100th issue, and find out where her and her off-springs fit into the spider ninja clans. We get terse dialogue exchanges about how Monkey Khan's status as the King of the Free People will affect the spider clan doing their spider ninja thing. It's... Fine. But feels a bit like watching C-SPAN. Not exactly what you expect to see in a “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book.

On the plus side, Tracy Yardley's artwork is pretty good, making good use of silhouette and shadows. The story concludes by setting up a meeting between the heroes and the Yagyu Ninja clan, which is obviously what the next issue will deal with. Thus far, my memories of this arc being slow going have not being challenged. Are we destined to see three more issues devoted to Monkey Khan having polite conversations with ninjas? What does the magical spider web of fate say? “Outlook not so good,” it tells me. [5/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 209

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 209
Publication Date: February 2010

With issue 208, the Iron Dominion super-arc was heading into its last third. The plot line was always disliked by some Sonic fans and, even the ones who liked the idea, where starting to tire before now. However, as Flynn started to put the pieces together for the conclusion, “Iron Dominion” picked up considerably steam. Issue 209 contains the second half of the two-parter actually called “Iron Dominion.”

After the Iron Queen has seized control of New Mobotropolis, Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Monkey Khan successfully escaped to Freedom HQ. As a last ditch effort to save the city, Sonic and Sally has Tails digitize them, using the same technology previously used to enter Shadow's digital memories. The two's avatars face down the digital firewall of New Mobotorpolis, coming in contact with the retrofitted Iron Nicole and the Iron Queen herself.

The first few pages of “Iron Dominion: Part Two” is devoted to Ian Flynn trying to cover up his own plot hole. Sally freaks out about how she never suspected that the Iron Queen would use New Mobotropolis' nanites or Nicole against them. Which makes Sally look like a fucking moron, as that's probably the first problem I would consider. No matter. “Iron Dominion: Part Two” is about Sally reconnecting with Nicole and bringing her back around to the side of good. This eventually results in a touching sequence where Sally uses just her words to fight back the Iron Queen's evil influence on Nicole. By this point, the friendship between Sally and Nicole is so touching that it's hard to remember that, for years, Nicole was nothing but a handheld computer.

On one hand, the science behind Sonic and Sally being inserted into a digital world is shaky, at best. I have no idea how the hell this is supposed to work. (Flynn actually using the words “Digital World” immediately starts me humming the “Digimon” theme song.) Having said that, Flynn uses this as an opportunity for some cool, mildly surreal action sequences. The Iron Queen inserts herself into the digital world, appearing as a giant version of herself with snarling, white eyes. Sonic has to leap into Regina's giant face. Interestingly, Nicole uses her digital status to match Sonic, spin dash for spin dash. It's a little different from the action beats we usually see in this book.

Before the digital adventure happens, Ian indulges in some romantic tension between Sonic, Sally, and Monkey Khan. Probably inadvertently, Flynn shows perfectly why Sally and Khan's potential romance is so uninteresting and why Sonic and Sally is the superior ship. While Sally is having a pity party about allowing the Iron Queen to take over Knothole, Khan pats her on the back. He gives her some empty platitudes about how it's not her fault, how nobody else saw this obviously predictable scenario coming. Sonic, meanwhile, knocks Sally out of her funk by pointing out that the Freedom Fighters have come back from worst than this. That the fight isn't over as long as they're still alive. See! Khan just says nice shit because he wants to bone Sally. Sonic actually understands her, you guys.

Khan, however, does have some purpose in this story. While Sonic and Sally are paling around in the digital world, Monkey Khan lets his fatalistic side out. He decides he'll fly out to Knothole and destroy Nicole's physical processors. Tails has to talk him down. The fox essentially tells him that Freedom Fighters never surrender and never say die. It continues to establish that the Freedom Fighters never give up on their friends, even if they are computer programs compromised by technomages.

In the middle of these fight scenes and interpersonal conflicts, we get a small update on the book's primary villains. There's a funny interaction between Snively and Lien-Da, where the echidna rolls her eyes at Snively claiming he has authority over her. Meanwhile, Uncle Chuck is pushed into a prison cell next to the still raving mad Robotnik. The conversation between the two seems to jog something in Robotnik's memory, as he begins to remember who he is and where he is. The sequence concludes with him putting his glasses back on, seeming to confirm that his mental breakdown is nearing its end.

“Iron Dominion: Part Two” still has some of the problems the other installments in this arc had. Yet Ian remembers something very important: The action scenes are the best when we care about the characters involved. Giving time to Sally's conversations with Nicole and Sonic strengthens what otherwise would've been an undemanding issue. Decent action, respect for the cast, and my favorite characters getting stuff to do: That's all I really ask for from this comic. [7/10]

Sonic Universe: Issue 12

Sonic Universe: Issue 12
Publication Date: January 2010

As 2010 started, “Sonic Universe” wrapped up its first Knuckles arc. The final part of “Echoes of the Past” picks up with last issue's cliffhanger. Finnitevus has betrayed both the Chaotix and the Downunda Freedom Fighters to the Dark Egg Legion. Just when both teams look screwed, Duck Bill reveals he's a double agent, letting the heroes escape. While the Chaotix and the Downunda Freedom Fighters fight off the Legionnaires and their Wing-Dingos, Knuckles catches a ride up to the Angel Island. There, he has a seemingly final showdown with Dr. Finnitevus.

As a conclusion to “Echoes of the Past,” issue 12 of “Sonic Universe” is a bit rushed. The central crux of the story has to resolve the Floating Island being chained in the air by the Dark Legion. So it's an odd choice by Flynn to cut away from the Freedom Fighters fighting the Legion and freeing the Island. The stuff about the obscure ruins on the islands, both above and below, isn't paid off. Duck Bill's turncoat status is brushed away after the first couple pages. In the end, “Echoes of the Past” focuses on the conflict between Knuckles and Dr. Finnitevus which, I guess, was the whole point of this story arc anyway. Still, the conclusion doesn't help my general feelings that this story arc has been a little jumbled.

So what about Duck Bill joining the Legion? This reveal was suppose to play out like a big shock last issue. And it might've, if Bill hadn't already gone evil once before in the past and we actually knew way more about the character. When he reveals to his friends that he's not actually evil, Flynn tries to make it work. The script reveals that Bill joined the legion because his fellow platypuses demand he do it. I guess monotremes are susceptible to peer pressure. The sequence wraps up with the Downunda Freedom Fighters forgiving Bill, understanding why he's done this. Which attempts to put some emotional resonance on a still somewhat messy plot point.

Probably my favorite thing about the last part of this “Sonic Universe” are the little nuggets of character interaction. Throughout this story arc, Flynn has hinted that Vector has his origins in Downunda. The last issue revealed that he has some history with the Downunda Freedom Fighters. This issue concludes with Barby saying Vector's father would be proud of him. I don't think this stuff was ever resolved but it's interesting to see little hints about Vector's history. (Flynn also hints at a romance between Barby Koala and Duck Bill, which was his awkward attempt to bury the Tails/Barby ship. It didn't work, Ian, at least from where I'm sitting!)

Like I said, part four of “Echoes of the Past” isn't really about this stuff. Instead, the story finally finds some center when Knuckles faces off with Dr. Finnitevus. (By the way, how he gets back on the Floating Island is pretty neat, with Vector throwing him into the air.) When the team meet, the villains attempts to tempt Knuckles with knowledge about the echidna race. And the hints Finnitevus drops about Mobius' mythology are tantalizing. He mentions how there have been multiple Enerjaks over the year. He talks about how Albion has some dark, ugly secrets that have stayed buried. He even adds sarcastic air-quotes when referencing Aurora. Considering what we've seen from Aurora seems to characterize her as a real goddess, that's an interesting point.

(Of course, what's disappointing is that very few of these plot points would be expanded on. Soon enough, the legal issues with Ken Penders would see a lot of the echidna characters yanked from the book. Like I said, those hints about Vector and his dad would go unexplored. Before exiting the story, Thrash the Tasmanian Devil references his grudge with the echidna race again, the only one of these story ideas that would play out. Sadly, even that would be in a compromised form.)

Still, that showdown between Knuckles and Finnitevus is pretty cool stuff. The villain telling the hero that they can rule together is a cliché moment. Yet Knuckles' absolute rejection of the bad guy's offer is impressive. He rages at the villain while punching him towards the edge of the island. This leads to a pretty cool trading of fisticuffs and then, later, Chaos energy blast. The two recite different versions of the Chaos prayer thing, which neatly show the two characters' different approaches to their powers. Finnitevus then threatens to cut Knuckles in half with a warp ring, a trick the bad guy claims he's never tried before. Personally speaking, if I had access to warp rings, that's one of the first things I'd ever try. Still, it's a satisfying showdown.

Flynn zooms in for the conclusion, devoting the last page to an intimate moment between Knuckles and Julie-Su, the two declaring their devotion to each other anew. It's a sweet moment. I wish the “Echoes of the Past” storyline had more moments like that and Knux's showdown with Finnitevus in general. Overall, I found this story arc to be equal parts unfocused and a bit dull. It got off to a very slow start before rushing through more interesting stuff in the second half. Which just tells me that things needed to be balanced out a little better. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 3

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 3
Publication Date: April 18, 2018

Welcome to Week 3 of IDW's month-long roll-out of their new “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic. Let's get right to it, shall we? “Fallout: Part 3,” as in parts one and two, begins with Sonic zooming over to a new town. However, he arrives to see Knuckles is already thrashing the robots.  Soon, both realize the denizens of the walled city do not want them to enter. Sonic and Knuckles do that anyway and discover that two skunk mercenaries, Rough and Tumble, have taken over the city... Along with the supply of Wispons kept inside.

During my review of issue two, I pointed out that a formula of sorts is already setting in with IDW's “Sonic” series. The first two issues have Sonic coming into a new town, meeting up with an old friend, and fighting some robots. Issue 3 mixes up that formula a little bit. The basic outline – new town, old friend, robot fighting – remains the same. However, the inclusion of a walled city, fearful citizens, the Wisps, and a pair of new villains to fight does add some nice variety. There's a smidge of suspense to the story, as you wonder what awaits Sonic and Knuckles around the next corner. 

However, the tonal issues I had with the first two parts remain. Sonic has yet to encounter a real challenge in this series. He's cracking jokes the instant he meets Rough and Tumble. The villain's rhyming introduction almost cracks him up. Sonic and Knux then parrot this quirk back at the baddies near the end. Our hedgehog hero gets tossed around a little during the fight but never seems upset or hurt. Things just continue to be too light and jokey for our hero. At some point, Sonic's going to actually be in danger, right?

“Fallout: Part 3” also introduces us to the IDW version of Knuckles. In far too much Sega-approved material these days, Knuckles is written as a buffoon, overconfident in and preoccupied with his smashing abilities. Which is a far throw from the complicated, angst-ridden character from Archie's comics. Flynn at least writes Knuckles pretty well here. He's not an idiot, just a little too serious. (Which Sonic gently mocks.) Seeing the Wisps get abused and manipulated enrages him, reminding us of the fiery, hotheaded character Knuckles originally was. So that's nice.

Issue 3 also introduces the first characters exclusive to IDW's new comic. Say hello to Rough and Tumble, a pair of skunk mercenaries clearly meant to take the place of Archie characters like the Destructix or the Hooligans. (Flynn has Sonic reference the latter in dialogue, proving they do exist in this universe.) I have pretty much no strong feelings, negative or positive, towards these guys at all. They have successfully captured a city and humiliate the townsfolk for their own amusement, which suggests they are serious threats. Yet they also have a jokey habit of introducing themselves in verse, Team Rocket style, and get their butts handed to them pretty quickly. Which further undermines the story's effectiveness. About the only thing that really sticks out about them are Rough's demonic red eyes and Tumbles' willingness to use his stinky skunk powers as a weapon. That does set him apart from Geoffrey St. john and other previous Sonic skunks.

In the Archie books, the wisps from “Sonic Colors” were relegated to cameos and bit parts. Considering their large role in “Sonic Forces,” it's obvious they'll play a larger role in this book. This issue clarifies why the Wisps are involved in the Resistance against Robotnik. Apparently, Sonic called in a favor with the alien beings and they were happy to help out. I guess that certainly helps ease the idea of these peaceful beings willingly let themselves be used as weapons, inside the handheld Wispons. Flynn goes to the effort of making the Wisps a big part of the story, so that's nice.

Issue 3 also continues the new series' habit of rotating artists. Jennifer Hernandez, another graduate from the Archie books, draws this one. After the pleasing eyeball explosion that was Adam Bryce Thomas' pencils last time, Hernandez' work can't help but come off as a little underwhelming. While Hernandez' handle on the characters and their models are obviously strong and I like Knuckles' expressive faces, it seems her grip on the action has slipped a little since her Archie days. The fight scenes are a bit stiff. The colors are also a little flat but I'm not going to blame Hernandez for that one.

In conclusion, IDW's “Sonic” series continues to be competent and mildly interesting without actually impressing me in anyway. When a new comic was announced, I was concerned the book would totally lack the weirdness that made me love the Archie book. That it would just be a fangless, somewhat bland way for Sega to promote their intellectual property. Thus far, that presumption has held true. Will Flynn stick the landing with the next issue, wrapping up the first arc? I guess we'll find out soon enough but I'm keeping my expectations in check. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 208

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 208
Publication Date: January 2010

I went into 2010 with an unusual amount of optimism. I was going to graduate college in a few months. At the time, I was in love with a beautiful young woman who I wanted to marry. Things, uh, didn't work out. By the end of the year, I was adrift in the worst depression I've ever faced in my life. Hard times were ahead. None of this has anything to do with Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which was headed for some changes itself in 2010. So why bring these things up? That's a good question! On with the review!

Ever since the Iron Queen and her cronies marched into Megaopolis, Archie had been calling the on-going story the Iron Dominion. With issue 208, a two-parter actually called “Iron Dominion” begins. It begins with Snively begging forgiveness from Regina. He wins her back after pointing that New Mobotropolis is made entirely out of nanites. In other words, the enemies' city is composed of machines that the Iron Queen can manipulate with her technomagik. She immediately lays siege to the city. Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Monkey Khan barely escape as their city is twisted by their latest enemy.

When the Iron Queen and Snively first attacked Knothole a few issues back, I wondered why she didn't use her technomagik to manipulate the nanites then. I guess I assumed that she could just magically sense when machinery was near-by. Or, at the very least, Snively would have informed her of this factoid. This is not the case. In fact, it appears that Snively just became aware of Mobotropolis' status as a nanite city. Maybe I missed the memo that this isn't common knowledge among Mobius' villains. Or, maybe, Flynn specifically wanted to hold off on these events happening until later in the story, for maximum pay-off. Either way, it feels like something that should've happened.

Once the Iron Queen rides over to Mobotropolis' gate, we are treated to a surprisingly effective scene. Nicole projects a hologram to Regina and politely asks her to fuck off back to Megaopolis. In response, the Iron Queen waves her magic stick. Even though Nicole is a hologram and presumably can't feel pain, her face twists in horror as her body is torn apart. The Queen then reassembles the Holo-Lynx as Iron Nicole, her brainwashed slave. Considering this is a kid's book, seeing a beloved character go through such an awful process is pretty shocking.

That scene with Nicole casts a relatively grim mood over the proceedings. At first, the comic sticks with that. Darkness falls inside Mobotropolis. The population panics. The dome snaps shut over the city, preventing Bunnie from escaping. These moments are very effective, conveying that the Freedom Fighters have seriously screwed up. Disappointingly, Ian doesn't maintain the darker mood. Even though their city is falling around them, Sonic and Tails still have room to crack jokes. About how it's too dark to see their opponents or how Tails' snarkiness is rubbing off on Sonic. I know quipping, even in the face of sure death, is Sonic's thing but it kind of derails the tone.

That approach, of focusing on the character interaction as the Iron Queen's forces storm the city, does lead to two excellent moments. The first of which involves Antoine and Bunnie. Antoine insists his wife escape while she still can, fearful that the villain will use her cybernetic parts against her again. She has that chance, when Vector pulls out a warp ring and Mighty begins carrying off citizens. Instead, Bunnie stays by her husband's side, determined to fight beside him even when danger is all around. And that's why these two are the comic's most consistently great couple.

Meanwhile, Snively takes some time to gloat in his uncle's face. As I've mentioned before, Snively's cocky moods are fun. For years, he's been the universe's punching bag and all his previous attempts at cues have blown up in his face. So seeing Snively lording something over Robotnik is amusing. Even if the doctor is so far out of his head that he doesn't even know what year it is. Yardley's artwork makes sure to emphasize how ridiculous Snively looks even when paired with his self-serious dialogue, reinforcing the fact that Snively actually sucks at being an evil overlord, no matter how much he desires it.

There are other smaller moments that work well in this issue. Such as Amy Rose going toe-to-toe with the Iron King, being a massive badass without sacrificing her trademark girliness. Yet Flynn is still hammering home the love triangle between Sally, Sonic, and Monkey Khan. It's especially out of place in this story. When the city is in danger, Khan putting his hand on Sally's shoulder or Sonic showing off to the Princess seems ill advised. Ken's public display of affection really draws attention to what's wrong with this love triangle. Sally doesn't seem to mind that Khan has his arm around her, right in front of Sonic. Do you really think that Princess Sally Acorn – a super observant, experienced field commander who has known Sonic since they were both children – would disregard his feelings so callously? Seems unlikely.

So issue 208 is a very uneven package. The central idea is good but one that should've happened much sooner. There are some great moments during the chaos of the Iron Kingdom's invasion of Knothole. There are also some moments that really take me out of the story. Still, the good stuff – especially that scene between Bunnie and Antoine – elevates the whole issue. I'm forced to give this a positive grade. Forced, I tells ya'! [7/10]

THE 2009 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG COMIC BEST/WORST LIST!

In 2009, Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” series crossed its second biggest milestone. That was the year it hit 200 issues. Back in 1993, when the series first started, Archie probably had no idea “Sonic” would run for so long. (The fact that none of the writers signed work-for-hire contracts seemingly confirms the corporation expected the series to be short-lived and worthless.)

To mark this occasion, Ian Flynn cooked up a story arc that would really shake things up. Issue 200 depicted the Freedom Fighters' delivering a crushing blow to Robotnik and more-or-less winning the war. In that aftermath, a new – or at least so obscure most had forgotten about her – adversary would emerge. The Iron Dominion super-arc would last into the next year and remains controversial among fans.

2009 also saw the launch of the most important Archie Sonic spin-off. “Sonic Universe” took the place of the little-missed “Sonic X” book. The spin-off would focus on Sonic's many supporting characters, devoting four issue arcs to a different set of characters. It was essentially an easy way to flesh out Sonic's world and give the universe's minor players a chance to shine. “Sonic Universe” would become beloved by fans for exactly those reasons.

So enough with the introduction. Let's get to the categories. The issues covered in this retrospective are:

Sonic the Hedgehog: 196-207
Sonic Universe: 1-11

BEST COVER STORY:
Ian Flynn, "Egg Phoenix Down" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 198)

While issues 199 and 200 would be devoted to the actual fight that wins them the war, issue 198's "Egg Phoenix Down" is the real turning point in the Freedom Fighters' fight against the Eggman Empire. As an action story, it's propelled by several excellent sequences of the heroes utilizing their unique skills. The fire-spewing Egg Phoenix makes for a very visceral threat. Yet what puts this story over the top is the conclusion. After winning the fight, the Freedom Fighters set up camp for the night and consider their fears - and anticipation - over possibly coming out on top for once. Add it all up and you have an immensely satisfying read for this old Sonic fan.

WORST COVER STORY:
Ian Flynn, "Blackout" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 207)

There were very few outright bad cover stories this year. Most of the weaker ones - like Sonic Universe: Issue 7's "What's Old is New Again" - where just trying to do too much. Having said that, 207's "Blackout" was right around the time the Iron Dominion super-arc started to overstay its welcome. The story is bogged down with technicalities, setting up its irradiated setting. A similar technicality ends the action on a very weak note. Paired with an underwhelming story is further set-up of the Sally/Monkey Khan romance, which is unnecessary at best and outright pointless at worst.

BEST BACK STORY:
Ian Flynn, "Birthright: Part One" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 205)

Something Flynn was fond of, during his lengthy run, was giving characters previously without extensive backgrounds origins of their own. He also attempted this with the Iron Queen in 2009 but the "Birthright" two-parter was a far more successful example. The first part, in particular, showed us the past of Lien-Da, one of the book's most ruthless villains.

Somehow, Flynn manages to generate empathy for a character who murders her own father over the course of the story. Lien-Da's ruthlessness is shown as a result of growing up in a ruthless world, with everyone eager to betray her. It makes her desperate need to become the Grandmaster of the Dark Legion make more sense. After getting shit on so much, she feels like she's owed a victory for once. And she gets one, in the also-pretty-good second part of this story. Yet the first half is where my heart lies, as it makes Lien-Da not just a wicked mean bad girl but also a fully formed character.

WORST BACK STORY:
Ian Flynn, "Sonic and the Black Knight - Knight Time" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 197)

I wasn't much of a fan of issue 201's "Devotion," which introduced one of my least favorite plot points of the year. But at least that story actually made sense. 197's "Knight Time" is an adaptation of "Sonic and the Black Knight," the second "Storybook" Sonic game released for the Wii.

And it's baffling. Out of nowhere, we're following magical elves and evil knights that seem totally out of place in the Archie-verse. Sonic is zapped into this world out of nowhere and doesn't get much of a chance to ask what is up. And then, like all the game adaptations of late, the story ends abruptly. We're told to go buy the video game if we want some context for this nonsense. "Knight Time" accomplishes the opposite of that goal. It made me even less interested in playing this game than I was before.

BEST STORY ARC:
Ian Flynn, The Shadow Saga (Sonic Universe: Issues 1-4)

Maybe it was beginner's luck but "Sonic Universe" got started with a very satisfying quartet of stories. Mostly stand alone episodes, the issues showed Shadow's attempt to contact Metal Sonic, recounted the events of "Sonic Adventure 2," sent Shadow on a mission to recover E-102 Gamma, and concluded by showing the newly formed Team Dark's first mission. Along the way, new characters - like Blaze, Marine, and Omega - got fleshed out. The arc took us all over the universe, from alternate worlds, to surreal game zones, to snowy forest. Connecting these far out adventures was Shadow continuing to grapple with his origins as a man-made weapon. The emotional climax of the story - a touching talk between Shadow and Hope - really sold this one for me.

WORST STORY ARC:
Ian Flynn, "A Friend in Deed" (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issues 203-204)

I've got two reasons to dislike "A Friend in Deed." First off, it was one of about three stories in 2009 to focus on Espio's sudden betrayal of the Chaotix. Which was a really dumb, needless twist to begin with. The second problem with "A Friend in Deed" has to do with its lame conclusion. In the second half, Espio realizes he has conflicting orders - sworn to protect Knuckles by one order but sent to assassinate him by another - and he just runs off. The story mostly exist to inform Knuckles that one of his closest friends is now aligned with the enemy, something Flynn probably could've pulled off in a smoother manner elsewhere.

BEST COVER ART:
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 203 - Patrick Spaziante

There were lots of covers I liked this year but 203 proved my favorite. A ground-up point-of-view shows Bunnie about to stomp on Sonic's chest. The rabbot looks fittingly villainous, the glow from her charging hand cannon casting an eerie glow over the proceeding. Sonic, for the record, looks pretty upset. It's a misleading cover but absolutely eye-catching.

WORST COVER ART:
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 199 - Tracy Yardley

Issue 199's cover is an awkward jumble of different images. Way too much space at the bottom is provided to Dimitri's tentacles, drawing attention to how silly they look. The prospective is all over the place with Sonic, one giant hand reaching towards the reader while his body twist in an odd way. The Freedom Fighters are shoved in, seemingly as an afterthought. The most baffling choice on this cover is Yardley devoting so much attention to Snively's nose and nostrils. Not sure we really needed to see that.

BEST STORY ART:
Friend in Deed: Part 1 - Jamal Peppers (Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 203)

Series regular artist Tracey Yardley was preoccupied with Sonic Universe for long stretches in 2009, allowing other talent to show off in the main book. Renae De Liz's pencils in issue 198 were anime-esque and eye catching. Steven Butler contributed some typically excellent work throughout the year, with his work on issue 205 probably being my favorite.

Yet the best artwork belonged to newcomer Jamal Peppers. "Friend in Deed" might have been kind of a lame story but Peppers' pencils were on point. Knuckles and Espio are brought to life with clear, concise lines. The panels are arranged so they draw attention to the former friends opposing each other. It's a really swell looking story, even if the script isn't up to snuff.

WORST STORY ART:
Echoes of the Past: Part 2 - Tracy Yardley (Sonic Universe: Issue 10)

I generally like Tracy Yardley's artwork, even if it becomes slightly same-y after a while. However, I think his work in "Sonic Universe: Issue 10" is a little too loose. Facial expressions are too broad and comedic. Bodies and limbs twist around a little too much. Environments are bland and flat. It's not his best work. (It's also not too bad though. This is what passes for "worst" art in the book during this time, showing how far we've come since the age of Ron Lim and Many Hands.)

BEST NEW CHARACTER:
E-123 Omega

E-123 Omega made his first appearance in the Sonic video games in 2003, making his 2009 introduction into the comic a bit of a late start. Yet the character immediately became a fan favorite. Omega is characterized by his love of blowing shit up. He takes absolute joy in exploding bodies, vehicles, and people. That enthusiasm is so overriding that other characters frequently have to remind him that's he's technically one of the good guys. Omega ultimately supplies the comic relief to Team Dark but it's the kind of humor that probably wouldn't fly among the Freedom Fighters or the Chaotix.

WORST NEW CHARACTERS:
Bride of Conquering Storm

I was fairly active in the online Sonic fandom in 2009. I remember when the Bride of Conquering Storm first appeared in the book. Fans were intrigued by this mysterious lynx in a rice paddy hat and pink robes. Sonic fans being who they are, fan art started cropping up overnight. So what did Bride of the Conquering Storm end up doing? She.. stood by the Iron Queen in a few panels. Occasionally, she delivered some brief exposition. And that's pretty much it. Turns out, the character was completely useless and utterly unneeded. So much for fan excitement.


BEST IDEA:
Robotnik Goes Crazy!

Robotnik has always been a little crazy. I mean, someone actually believing they deserve to rule over the entire world probably suggests their mental state is not sterling. In 2009, however, the Eggman would go entirely around the bend. Loosing his Empire and then being utterly beaten by his archenemy breaks him. He's reduced to a raving lunatic.

Flynn doesn't just use this for simple comic relief. Instead, he uses it to build an interesting dilemma for the heroes. Sonic should be happy that he's triumphed over his greatest enemy. Instead, he feels like he went too far, that he stepped over a line by destroying him so completely. The heroes questioning the price of peace and their own morality probably isn't the kind of thing you'd expect from a “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book. But I applaud Flynn for going there.


WORST IDEAS:
Espio is a traitor!
Sally loves Monkey Khan!

2009 saw a lot of changes come to Sonic's world. Some of these, like the Iron Dominion displacing Robotnik's empire or Monkey Khan actually developing a personality, were welcomed. Others, however, really rubbed me the wrong way.

Firstly, Espio abruptly shifting sides came out of nowhere. The explanation for this change, that he's a ninja honor-bound to serve his master, who is now aligned with the villains, was not satisfying at all. Worst, this idea didn't amount to much besides a handful of encounters. Seems even Espio thought this change was bullshit, as he fought it at every turn. The whole plot point was essentially done for shock value.

Secondly, why the hell did Ian Flynn get the idea to build a romance between Sally and Monkey Khan? The only interaction the two previously had was when the ape abducted Sally in his first appearance. The two didn't share any kind of chemistry. Their potential romance added no viable tension to the book, other than annoying fans. It's a romance that just came out of nowhere, never justifying its own existence.

Sonic Universe: Issue 11

Sonic Universe: Issue 11
Publication Date: December 2009

“Sonic Universe's” strategy of four-issue story arcs should've left us with three complete plots within one year. But, due to the arcane rules that govern such things, the series didn't start until February of 2009. So the Knuckles-centric “Echoes of the Past” didn't get resolved until 2010, ending Archie Sonic's 2009 on a cliffhanger. Man, don't you hate when that happens?

Anyway, the plot: After running into Dr. Finitevus last time, Knuckles is fully ready to kill the guy. Until he explains that he's not responsible for chaining down Angel Island. At that point, Vector and Ray arrive on the scene, pursued by a fleet of angry Wing Dingoes. Luckily, the Downunda Freedom Fighters arrive to turn the tide in the battle. Afterwards, we learn that a splinter Dark Egg Legion group is still operating in Downunda. The teams, including Dr. Finitevus, have to work together if they hope to stop this villainous scheme.

I haven't been feeling “Echoes of the Past” much, up to this point, but I have enjoyed angry Knuckles. Sega's default characterization of the echidna has always been as a gullible bruiser. (With the gullible part being Flanderized over the years, to the point that “Sonic Boom” portrayed him as a total buffoon.) Archie's Knuckles has always been far more thoughtful, inquisitive, and generally angsty. Recently – in between returning from the dead, loosing his powers, becoming a super villain, and his dad dying – that angst has defined the character a little too much. So to see Knux cut loose and wail on Dr. Finitevus, to do some punching and yelling, is a refreshing change of pace. This issue's opening pages, where the Guardian spends a whole page throwing the mad scientist into walls, gives the arc a nice burst of energy.

“Echoes of the Past” also gets some much needed dramatic tension in this installment. Right before Knuckles crushes Finnitevus' head, Toxic Avenger style, the villain informs him that he's not responsible for the chains hooking Angel Island into place. He wants to get to the bottom of things too and request a temporary alliance. This, of course, is a pretty obvious trap. But Knuckles is talked into going along with it. And it's good for the story too. Knuckles being forced to work alongside someone he hates so much raises the stakes a little more, making for a more compelling installment.

Sonic Universe 11 also sees the return of the Downunda Freedom Fighters. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for that team and they haven't made an appearance since issue 105 of “Sonic.” So it's nice to see Barby, Walt, and the gang again. The addition of the Downunda Freedom Fighters also changes the story arc's dynamic in a pleasant way. Instead of being another issue of Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty sulking around ruins, we've got a full fledged team-up between two separate Freedom Fighter teams.

Flynn spends a lot of this issue flipping around characters. Julie-Su and Ray are quickly written out of the adventure before the comic's last third, as Knuckles has them return to Angel Island to protect the Master Emerald. (Julie-Su isn't super happy about this idea at first but quickly concedes, in yet another example of Flynn showing his clear disinterest in her.) The big difference is that Duck Bill has defected from the Downunda Freedom Fighter and seemingly started a local chapter of the Dark Egg Legion. Still, the more some things change, the more they stay the same. Guru Emu goes out of his way to announce his non-violent beliefs, further drawing attention to how useless this filthy, unwashed hippy is in the middle of a battle.

Bill going evil is a reference to issue 61 of “Sonic,” where the platypus was brainwashed by Crocbot's dismembered torso. (Amusingly, Walt Wallaby says this happened “about a year ago,” suggesting the comic has a hyper-compressed timeline.) In order to fill Duck Bill's absence, a new member has been added to the Downunda Freedom Fighters. Thrash the Tasmanian Devil doesn't look much like the real or Loony Tunes Tasmanian devil. Instead, the character trades some barbed dialogue with Dr. Finnitevus. This is setting up a storyline, about the conflict between the echidna and nearly-extinct devils, that Flynn would only get to play out in a compromised manner years later. These scenes are okay but we never get much of a bead on Thrash's personality. And knowing that his destiny would never be entirely fulfilled makes it all feel like a wasted endeavor.

Tying together these story reveals and character beats are a decent string of action sequences. That opening smackdown Knuckles lays on Vector is nicely illustrated by Yardley. The Downunda Freedom Fighters barge in by tearing apart the Wing-Dingos, which is a neat sight. When Finnitevus' inevitable betrayal comes, we get a few more of those clever warp ring gags. There's even a brief panel of Barby putting the villain in a choke hold, proving her skills at pure ownage remain intact. (Yardley's artwork is over all very strong but there is one panel where Knuckles is yelling in rage so hard, that he appears to momentarily transform into a belching toad.)

After two slow issues, “Echoes of the Past” is finally starting to pick up some steam. And Flynn only had to completely redirect the narrative flow to make it work too! There are definitely still some major bumps here, most to do with Julie-Su's weak characterization and Thrash's sudden introduction, but this one worked a little better for me than the previous installments did. And, hey, this story arc does continue to have fantastic cliffhangers. I guess that's an okay way note to end 2009 on. [6/10]