Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 6

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 6
Publication Date: June 27 2018

With the end of a month behind us, it’s time for another weekend bonus review of the new issue of IDW’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic. This was suppose to come out last week but got delayed a little because of IDW’s printers having problems. Sonic comic fans, recalling the long delays the Archie series faced, freaked out a little bit. But regular delays are typical in the comic world and, a week later, I’ve got the book in my hands. And it’s got a pretty nice cover from Jon Gray, whose artwork I normally am not a fan of.

“The Fate of Dr. Eggman, Part Two” picks up where we left off. Shadow and Rouge have arrived in the scenic alpine village, determined to bring Eggman in. Sonic defends his former enemy, believing him to be truly reformed. After fighting it out for a while, the two hedgehogs try discussing their problems instead. What “Mr. Tinker” meant when he said “Eggman Land” last time is revealed, along with the true identity of who is responsible for the organized badnik attacks.

It seems some things never change. Ian Flynn and Sonic might have jumped publishers but the writer’s old habits remain. When in doubt, fight it out. Most of this issue is devoted to Sonic and Shadow beating up on each other. Owing, perhaps, to this book being more rooted in the games, there’s less punching and more running and spin attacks. There aren’t too many exciting moments here, though Shadow casually smashing a tree and Sonic tripping on a root are interesting sights.

Then again, maybe the fight isn’t what Flynn is focused on this time anyway. During the fight/foot race, Sonic and Shadow discuss the nature of forgiveness. Shadow believes Eggman, regardless of whether he has his memories or not, is too dangerous to leave free. Sonic believes someone who has really turned over a new leaf deserves a second chance. After Sonic points out that he extended that courtesy to Shadow, the dark furred hedgehog relents. It’s a good way to illustrate the differences between the two hedgehogs and gives their conflict a little more depth. (It also further establishes some more of the comic’s continuity, by referencing events from “Sonic Adventure 2” and “Shadow the Hedgehog.”)

Aside from Shadow, this issue also reintroduces Rouge the Bat to comic readers. Rouge stays out of the fight but she does talk a little to the Chaotix. Throughout this interaction, it becomes clear that Rouge has secrets of her own and no qualms about manipulating people for whatever reason. I also can’t help but notice that Tracy Yardley draws Rouge with more bountiful cleavage than her Archie counterpart ever had. I seem recall Archie having some problems with Rouge’s fan service-y design, that IDW doesn’t seem to share. So I guess what I’m saying is Rouge is more of a femme fatale than ever before.

What exactly her goal is remains a little more elusive. Who is Rouge working for in this continuity? G.U.N.? If so, where were the Guardian Units of the Nation during the apocalyptic events of “Sonic Forces?” Rouge reveals to the Chaotix that she’s the one who tipped the detectives off to Eggman’s location. But to what ends? And why bring Shadow, if she surmised he would just want to fight Sonic? Her explanation is vague and confuses Charmy. I can relate.

The book rises new questions but does answer a few others. Mr. Tinker’s “Eggman Land” is a carnival he’s building for the local children. He claims the name just came to him one day, which makes Sonic worried that his evil personality may be returning. But never mind that, because the final page reveals the mysterious person controlling the armies of Badniks around the globe. It’s... Dr. Eggman. That’s a nice, baffling image to take the issue out on but, sadly, spoils Flynn’s plot for him. Considering “Sonic Forces” featured Infinite, a villain capable of creating life-like holograms of people, we can now presume that one of these Eggmen is an illusion. I guess the suspense lies in figuring out which one.

But I guess this is a more interesting twist than Metal Sonic or Captain Whiskers or some shit being behind things. And I will commend Flynn for not stretching that particular mystery out any longer. Hopefully he’s learned his lesson from the Shattered World Crisis. As for issue 6, it’s pretty decent, managing to bring something more to the table than repetitive action. I guess the book has got me hooked for the moment, as I am curious where this is going. [7/10]