Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 8

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 8
Publication Date: August 15, 2018

You know, IDW’s new “Sonic” comic has been running for about five months now. That should be enough time to adapt to its existence but I still keep forgetting this series exists. Every time a new issue becomes available, my reaction is a muted “oh yeah, right.” Did my Sonic fandom die with the Archie series? Or has IDW’s book just not managed to hook me yet? Either way, my devotion to you, dear reader, is the main thing that keeps me posting these weekend bonus updates.

“Silent Support” begins with Sonic bashing his way into one of Eggman’s bases, hoping to find information about what Metal Sonic’s next step will be. He’s quickly joined by two friends, one old and one new. Silver floats in, telekinesis ablazin’. He informs Sonic that defeating Eggman in “Sonic Forces” only managed to fuck up his future more. The two are soon joined by a mysterious figure known as Whisper the Wolf, who snipes out robots with Wisp powered weapons. After clearing out the base, the heroes uncover the next step in Metal Sonic’s plan... Which is already in progress.

Issue 8 reintroduces “Sonic” comic readers to Silver the Hedgehog. I have never cared about the Sega version of Silver, another lame character defined solely by his superpowers. In the Archie comic, however, Ian Flynn managed to turn Silver into a lovable bumbler, someone eager to help but inexperienced and lacking resources. The IDW version of Silver does not seem too different, I’m happy to report. If anything, Flynn has made him even dorkier, as he’s caught nerding out several times. He’s desperate to save his messed up future world but has no idea how, giving him a sense of melancholy to go along with his super-duper abilities.

The book also introduces Whisper, whose existence was announced at Comic-Con a few weeks ago. We learn very little about Whisper in her debut appearance. During the War, she helped out the Resistance without directly interacting with them. We don’t learn why she was so shy then, as she’s happy to openly help Sonic and Silver on this adventure. She wears a very awkward mask, speaks in hushed tones, and seems to have a close bond with the Wisps that power her weapons. Her eagerness to destroy Eggman’s base suggests she has a personal grudge against the Doctor. Despite being introduced as a hyper-confident Guardian Angel, Silver has to save her ass at least once. (Making me wonder how long it’ll take for fans to start shipping them.) In other words, Whisper is introduced with many mysteries surrounding her but little in the way of actual personality. Flynn better develop her some real soon if he wants me to give a shit.

As for the issue itself, it’s primarily devoted to action. Sonic, Silver, and Whisper smash a lot of those spinning bat Badniks. (Which the credits page informs me are called Spinas, good lord.) They then take on E-107 Theta, a giant, tank-like entry in the E series. A Theta was referenced in the Archie series but never shown, so now we might have an idea what it might’ve looked like. The action scenes are at least fairly creative. Sonic smashes robots like he always does. But Silver’s telekinetic abilities and Whisper’s Wispon - which can shoot fire, ice, and malleable laser beams - keep the action varied. It’s mildly entertaining, as far as these things go.

Aside from introducing some old and new faces, “Silent Support” mostly seems to function as a prologue to the next story arc. At the end, Sonic and Silver discover that Metal Sonic plans to invade Angel Island and use the power of the Master Emerald. If the last page, which shows Metal sitting on a cool steampunk throne atop the Emerald, is any indication, he’s already done it. Which makes it odd that Knuckles’ echidna spidey sense tingles only after this has occurred, as is shown right before Resistance HQ gets Sonic and Silver’s phone call. But whatever. Clearly, the Resistance is taking the fight to Metal Sonic and Angel Island starting next month. It’s a nifty enough cliffhanger.

Evan Stanley, last seen in issue four, returns to the drawing board. Stanley’s best attributes continue to be her expressive use of facial features. Silver’s big goofy grins, when he realizes the legendary Guardian Angel is helping them out, are worth the price of the comic alone. Stanley’s action is also quite good, making sure the lengthy battle scenes are interesting to look at. Colorist Matt Herms also does some cool stuff, by including some cross hatching and Ben-Day dots in the shading. That adds a stylish and atmospheric feeling to the book.

It’s an alright issue. The action and art are solid, Silver is amusing, and I’m invested enough in the comic to wonder where it’s going. (It looks like Tangle is coming back next month too, so I’m looking forward to that.) At the same time, Whisper makes an unimpressive first impression. Generally speaking, it still feels like IDW’s series is lacking in the heart department. I wish Flynn would focus more on the characters’ relationships than his big important plot, which we all know is going to end with the bad guy defeated. Once again, I’m handing out [6/10.] I swear I don’t want to.