Sonic Universe: Issue 10

Sonic Universe: Issue 10
Publication Date: November 2009

Yes, the image of heroes stuck between two spiked walls that are slowly closing in on them is a visual cliché. I don't know where it was first featured. It's one of those troupes that have been so widely featured, and parodied, over the years, that it's likely difficult to trace an origin. Having said that, it's a cliché for a reason. As far as raising tension goes, there's not very many better visual metaphors. It's certainly a good place to leave our heroes for a cliffhanger. So Flynn gets a pass for falling back on that one in “Sonic Universe.” For now.

As I stated above, “Echoes of the Past: Part Two” picks up with Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty in a booby trap. The trio just barely escapes, thanks to Mighty's super strength and Julie-Su's willingness to shoot her gun at a computer. As the trio explore the temple, they see further signs that Finitevus was here recently. Following the Warp Rings, they discover a village in Downunda with architecture similar to that on the Island. And that's when the mad doctor makes his appearance. Meanwhile, on the Shrine Island, Vector and Ray continue to fight off the Wing-Dingoes.

All throughout Archie's various “Sonic” series, Knuckles has had a problem. During the many years when Ken Penders was directing the echidna's destiny, Knuckles often seemed to be at the mercy of other characters. The Brotherhood of Guardians were, too often, pushing the teenager around from the shadows. Fans hate Ken for this. Yet Flynn has treated Knuckles in not entirely a dissimilar fashion. Dr. Finnitevus manipulated him into becoming Enerjak. Recently, his father's death has haunted him. So Locke is still controlling his son, even after his death. About the only real difference in how Flynn approaches this, compare to Ken, is that Knuckles is angry about it. He's pursuing Finnitevus, desperate for answers and to take revenge for what was done. Which is satisfying but doesn't exactly fix the problem.

Having said that, the eventual showdown with Finnitevus is satisfying, in its own way. Knuckles has spent all of the last issue, and most of this one, chasing after the guy. When he finds him, the Guardian wastes no time voicing his displeasure. Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty all shout at the villain. Once Knux gets his hands on Finnitevus, he punches him, tosses him into a wall, and seems prepared to gouge his eyes out. Flynn lets the villain stand his own ground too. His trademark warp rings actually make for an inventive weapon. His adversaries make punches that go into thin air, before portals open before their feet that drop them atop their own team mates. It's relatively neat stuff.

A big complaint I had about the first installment of “Echoes of the Past” was that I did not give a shit about the Albion technology appearing out in the desert. And, sorry, I still don't care about it. The third act reveal that echidnan society has some sort of roots in Downunda would be a decent surprise... Assuming you have no familiarity with real life echidnas. The burrowing spiny anteater that somehow inspired Knuckles are primarily found in Australia. It's never been addressed but – considering the many cultural signifiers and, you know, the name – Downunda was obviously Australia before the Xorda's Gene Bomb dropped. I mean, shit, they even gave him a Crocodile Dundee hat in the anime.

Getting back to the shrinking room of doom that opened the comic book... That is a pretty cool sequence. Knuckles, who is still reeling from guilt, outright offers to sacrifice himself to save the others. Julie-Su and Mighty aren't having it. Mighty instead uses his strength to hold back the wall while Julie-Su pulls an “Entrapment” and slithers through the lasers. Amusingly, not without burning her tail. Her reaction to the computer controlling the trap – shooting it – probably wouldn't work but it's still a fun sequence.

In the past, I've made not secret about my feelings towards Vector. He annoys the piss out of me. Ray the Squirrel, meanwhile, has never made any impression on me at all. Yet, despite my better judgment, I'm enjoying their subplot in this story line. While surrounded by wing-dingoes, Vector actually bites one in half. Which is the first time I've seen that character actually do something crocodile-like. Meanwhile, Ray pulls a cute trick. He jumps on the Master Emerald and pretends to be transforming into a super form. He's not actually capable of that but it's enough to trick the dingoes. That's a cute moment.

One more thing: Tracy Yardley's artwork is not up to his usual standards here. The facial expressions are a little too cartoonish. The body work is a little too loose, limbs seeming to bend at odd angles. As for the script, I'm still not really feeling this one. Maybe Flynn will really knock it out of the park in the second half. This one's ending is decent, so let's hope for the best. [6/10]