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]