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.