Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 212

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 212
Publication Date: April 2010

Why did Archie keep inviting Sanford Greene to draw covers for the “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic? I mean, aside from the obvious fact that they could barely be bothered to gave a shit about this particular series. I guess there were times when both Patrick Spaziante and Tracy Yardley were unavailable to pencil the cover. Yet, out of all the talented artists they could've contacted, why do they keep bringing back this guy? This guy who contributed only deeply off-model, ugly covers? Then again, this is the same company that employed Ron Lim for years, despite his obvious lack of aptitude for these characters. See my earlier point about Archie not giving a shit about “Sonic.”

“The Roads We Take” begins with its key players in different locations. Since they've defeated the Iron Dominion, Sonic has seen hide nor hair of Robotnik. Sonic believes the doctor (and Snively!) to be hiding out in the Egg Dome, the central building still standing among the ruins of Old Robotropolis. He's right, the doctor observing the hedgehog. Sally joins Monkey Khan as he assumes his new position as ruler of Dragon Valley. On the Floating Island, Espio informs Knuckles and the Chaotix of the secrets he gathered about them, as a ninja sent to spy on them years ago.

In the past, after wrapping up a big event storyline, Ian Flynn has devoted an issue to matters more low-key and character based. Issue 212 is one such story, which is even subtitled “Iron Dominion Epilogue.” “The Roads We Take” is a story about putting story threads to rest. The aftermath of Espio's betrayal and Sally's romantic tension with Monkey Khan get whole spreads devoted to them. The issue is also about setting up new story opportunities. Robotnik is planning something devious inside the Egg Dome, dragging Snively along with him. Sonic and Tails discover Dimitri's head inside a storeroom, though that reveal is kept off-screen for now. The book manages the divide between emotions and narrative structure fairly well.

Most importantly, for me anyway, “The Roads We Take” puts the damnable Sally/Monkey Khan romance to bed, once and for all. It's handled with a surprising amount of grace, even if it's still a romance that has no reason to exist. Their scene together acknowledges the growth that Khan has undergone over the last year, going from a totally obnoxious character to someone more well rounded. He low-key proposes to her but Sally turns her down, knowing she has business to attend to in Knothole. And, thus, Khan is out of the book, not to be seen for a while, without hurting anyone's feelings. (Sally also spends the night in Dragon Valley, suggesting she experienced some sweaty monkey love before going back to Sonic. You're welcome for that mental image.)

In the last few pages, Flynn reaffirms Sonic and Sally's status as soulmates. After she returns to Knothole, Sonic rushes up to her. In a cute moment, he surprises her by running up to her quickly. The Princess offers to buy the hedgehog lunch, which raises some questions about what currency they use in Mobotropolis. Sonic is surprised by the offer. As they walk off towards lunch, Sally reminds Sonic of the long history they have. It's a quiet, subtle moment, pointing out the unshakable connection the two have. And will continue to have, even if a cybernetic ape tries to come between them. (Seemingly to drive this point home, the entire fan art section is devoted to romantic Sonic/Sally artwork. Some of it, such as Brittany M. from Texas' dynamic piece, is quite good.)

The Monkey Khan/Sally romance wasn't the only dumb-ass plot point that sometimes made “The Iron Dominion” a slog to read. Espio's betraying the heroes, due to some loyalty to a previously unmentioned ninja clan, was a dumb idea. Worst yet, it had very little effect on the story. Flynn neatly rolls up and disposes of that point. Around a fire, by the Master Emerald, Espio throws himself on the mercy of his fellow Chaotix. He admits all his secrets. That he's been watching Knuckles, because his clan has always watched the Brotherhood. It gets plot stuff out of the way but in a way that emphasizes the bound between characters. The chameleon feels like shit about this, that his friends have no obligation to forgive him. It's a vulnerable moment that makes up for some of the previous mistakes.

There are moments of humor and pathos here. Espio reveals that Vector is from Downunda. That his entire persona as a hip-hopping cool guy is a put-on, meant to cover up his natural Australian accent. Charmy's scrambled mind comes up again, the newly child-like Chaotix still unable to accept his recent history. Most pressingly, Espio tells Mighty that he has a sister and that she's a Dark Egg Legion member. This leads to Mighty and Ray heading off on an adventure to rescue his sister. The story reason for this is to give Mighty, a character with a strong personality that is rarely explored, something to do. I also wonder if there's some editorial, Sega-mandated reason for this. In the video games, “The Chaotix” are just Vector, Espio and Charmy. Mighty and Ray aren't official Chaotix anymore. I wonder if Flynn separated Mighty and Ray from the main group to bring the comic closer to the games?

There's so much going in this issue that, honestly, Sonic doesn't get too much to do. Mostly, the hedgehog and Tails spend most of issue 212 running around the Egg Dome, looking for Robotnik, unaware that he's right under their nose. Dialogue reveals that Sonic has made a habit of returning to Egg Dome. He's almost become obsessed with finding the villain. I'm probably reading too much into this but I think Sonic's guilt about Robotnik – about breaking his mind in the first place, about letting him get away – is manifesting in an obsessive desire to track him down. Or, maybe, he's happy to have the chase back, to have their rivalry renewed. Either way, I suspect the hedgehog's feelings will be explored more in upcoming issues.

Issue 212 is a pretty good comic book! In fact, it might actually be better than any of the issues part of the proper “Iron Dominion” story arc. By focusing on the relationships between the character, Flynn almost justifies some of the sillier narrative wrenches he through into the proverbial gears. Sometimes, getting a bead on everyone's status is more important than fisticuffs and good guys fighting bad guys. [8/10]