Sonic Universe: Issue 42

Sonic Universe: Issue 42
Publication Date: July 2012

I guess I should've mentioned this earlier. With issue 41, “Sonic Universe” became the longest running “Sonic” spin-off book, beating “Sonic X's” 40 issues and “Knuckles'” 32 issues. It sure feels like we got to this point a lot faster than we did, doesn't it? Maybe it's because of nostalgia, as time just runs faster when you're in your twenties (which I was when “Universe” was being published) than when you're a kid. (Which I was when “Knuckles” was being published.) Or maybe Flynn's fast-paced, interconnected plotting just made “Universe” go by a lot quicker, more-so than the frequently snail-slow “Sonic X.” Whatever the reason, this was book was now going where no “Sonic” spin-off title had gone before.

“Unsung Heroes Part 2” is given the vaguely Lovecraftian subtitle of “The Terror Below.” It back tracks slightly to before the previous issue's story. Apparently King Naugus has made a daily ritual of flying down into the huge hole that, thanks to the Battlebird Armada, is the former location of Castle Acorn. At the behest of Harvey Who, Elias, Lyco, and Leeta follow Naugus down into the pit to see what he's up to. The team has to work through their own struggles as they discover an unnerving secret about Naugus.

“The Terror Below” is a much more tense story than the first part of “Unsung Heroes.” A lot of this has to do with the setting. Half of the Secret Freedom Fighters are crawling through a series of underground tunnels. Naugus is much closer and far more dangerous than St. John was last time. If this wasn't claustrophobic enough, after Naugus is alerted to their presence, all three heroes remember that the wizard can control the elements. He re-directs the tunnels, trapping the three in a labyrinth. He then causes huge crystals spike to burst through the ground, nearly skewering all of them. (Of course, Naugus could've just use his elemental powers to collapse all the tunnels or suck all the air out, killing the spies instantly. But he doesn't do that because, you know, comics.) It's a taut set-up and used fairly well.

Last time, I pointed out that none of the Secret Freedom Fighters seem especially well-chosen for the job. Issue 42 has Elias commenting on that very concern. In narration bubbles, he says that this motley gang wouldn't even have been his fourth choice. Flynn doesn't justify this decision but he does use it to develop Elias a little more. Deep in the tunnels, the former King reflects on his own failures and mistakes, realizing he has no right to judge anybody else for their inexperience. Which is a nice character beat, even if being in a dangerous situation with incompetent or fledgling co-workers is actually a really good time to start judging people.

Leeto and Lyco are growing on me. The twins are showing some quirks I like. Leeta has a fear of heights. Both sisters seem to be having some fun, despite being on a crazy and potentially deadly adventures. Without undermining the seriousness of the threat, Flynn allows them to bring a little levity to the adventure. Both girls are strong-willed and ready for adventure, which is displayed in the otherwise unnecessary flashback that shows Who recruiting them personally.

Also interesting is the way Naugus is cracking up. It seems the voices in his head are having more and more influence on him. To Elias and the twins, it just looks like the wizard is talking to himself. When he thinks he's alone, the spectres of the Order of Ixis convince Naugus to reveal his uglier, more troll-like true form. (This is officially known only as “Ugly Naugus” and was a bit of a precursor to Flynn literally making him a troll in the Post-Genesis Wave 'verse.) What exactly the villain is up to still isn't known but his instability is making him more of a threat than ever before.

As a spy story, “The Terror Below” is still pretty lacking. Once again, Flynn has this new Freedom Fighter team reveal itself to the person they're tracking. That's like the number one thing a spy isn't suppose to do. However, Flynn is clearly having fun with the trappings of the high-tech spy movie. The gliding suits the three are given are pretty cool looking. The action sequences, involving escaping Naugus' fiery form, are pretty solid too.

Tracy Yardley's art is a bit on the loose side this time. Lyco and Leeta are a little too cartoony at times. However, this issue is still a lot of fun and a big improvement over the first part of this story line. (I also like the Bond inspired cover art, even if the story really has nothing in common with a James Bond movie.) Focusing more on the seriousness of the threat and less on the cast bickering made for a better, more tense comic book. [7/10]