Sonic Universe: Issue 26

Sonic Universe: Issue 26
Publication Date: March 2011

I've mentioned it before and I'll probably mention it again. One of my favorite things about Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic is how it mashed up divergent elements from across the multi-media franchise. Here in this “Sonic Universe” story arc, Ian Flynn is taking a character from Sega's modern series of game. He teams him up with a Ken Penders creation to fight an completely new version of an even older, more beloved character. It's the type of “Sonic” story that could only be told in this comic book and isn't really like anything else from the video games or cartoon shows.

The second part of the “Shattered Mirror” arc is subtitled “Warped Reflections.” Silver is about to be attacked by the mysterious, shiny enemies that resemble the Chaotix. He's rescued by a previously unseen group of Freedom Fighters. The team is led by Lara-Su... But not the Lara-Su Silver met when he visited the 30 Years Later setting a while back. This is the original Lara-Su, calling herself Jani-Ca, that traveled back in time during the “Reunification” story arc back in “Sonic” issues 106-108. Jani-Ca's Freedom Fighters are fighting a loosing battle against a new Enerjak, a tyrant who rules over the wasteland with an iron fist.

If you've completely forgotten about the original Lara-Su, I'd forgive you. She first appeared a long time ago and would be quickly eclipsed by the far more personable version of the character from the  “25 Years Later” setting. But here she is again, with her strappy boots and blue gloves. (Both versions wear the bitchin' bomber jackets and cute little glasses.) For those that might have missed this, Flynn helpfully has the character explain her origin. Considering the Lara-Su we know is an adventurous but ultimately inexperienced youth, it's interesting to see how hardened and violent “Jani-Ca” is. And yet there are hints of the same character, in her complicated relationship with her father and her deep love of her mother.

Perhaps more importantly, Flynn gives us a peak at Jani-Ca's world. And it's a grim one. The Freedom Fighters and Chaotix have been enslaved by a villain. That villain is so powerful that he can bend the very laws of physics to himself. Jani-Ca and her friends hide out in a crumbling city, their underground base hidden under a huge wall of garbage. It's pretty much a darker and grimmer version of the original “SatAM” set-up, which was already pretty dark and grim by Sonic standards. Really, this story makes it clear that this is how things always should've been. Jani-Ca's appearance in the main time probably would've been way more important if we knew what was at risk for her, if Ken Penders showed us how bad things were for her back home.

One element of this new world are the Dark Freedom Fighters. You know, back in the book's classic days, it seems like a new Freedom Fighter team was introduced every other month. But it's been a while since we've seen a new team. Granted, the Future Freedom Fighters don't get much character development. It seems like a few them – Cutlass Depardieu and Scarlette Rabbot – are alternate versions of Antoine and Bunnie's kids. Others are simply variations on Bark, Bean, Rotor, and Fiona Fox. The team is perhaps most interesting as in-jokes. In Ian Flynn's early fan comic, “Other M,” he would also feature versions of Bark and Bean not dissimilar to these. Either way, they're pretty cool visuals and add color to the setting.

More importantly, we get a much better look at Dark Enerjak in this issue. For a long time, the comic teased that Knuckles might some day become a villain. Aside from Jani-Ca's initial prophecy, there was that Chaos Knuckles business that went on and on. Even after Flynn actually had Knuckles become Enerjak, he was more morally compromised than outright villainous. Dark Enerjak, meanwhile, is Knuckles as a straight-up bad guy. And he's one of the book's most intimidating and effective villains. He's massively powerful and utterly cruel, happily enslaving his enemies. He also doesn't have the humor or goofiness that either version of Robotnik have. The result is an adversary that is as dangerous as he is cool looking.

The story arc continues to deliver on the pretty cool action scenes too. We continue to see how powerful Silver can be. In the first few pages, he blasts away several of Enerjak's Prelates with one powerful burst. (Amusingly, Flynn follows this up by having Silver trip over a flipped car, because we can never forget that this guy is a dork.) Later, he uses his abilities to lift all of the Freedom Fighters into the air. These displays make for decent contrast when Enerjak shows off the scope of his powers... Which includes lifting a fuckin' building into the air. The Freedom Fighters get some cool moments to themselves too.

It's another solid entry in the “Shattered Reflection” arc. The setting is fleshed-out in some really fascinating ways. We get to see way more of the awesome villain. The issue ends on a juicy hook, setting up the conflict between Jani-Ca and her own parents. Tracy Yardley's artwork continues to be strong. It's good stuff! [7/10]