Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 12 (IDW)

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 12 (IDW)
Publication Date: January 16, 2019

You know, it’s not that I’m unaware of IDW putting out new issues of their “Sonic” on-going. I see the cover art popping up online, I read about their release. But the only reason this blog runs as (relatively) smoothly as it does is because most of what I post here was written months ago. New stuff coming out throws my flow off, especially when I’m busy with another project, like trying to review all of 2019’s Oscar-nominates films before the ceremony. So, dear readers, you’ll have to forgive me for falling behind with my coverage of IDW’s “Sonic” book. I know some of you look forward to my thoughts on them. I’m going to try and catch up this month.

Issue 12 contains “The Cost for the Battle of Angel Island,” which sounds like one of those “Planet of the Apes” titles. Having defeated Neo Metal Sonic and secured the Master Emerald, the Resistance sets about going their separate ways. Knuckles officially retires from the Resistance, leaving all responsibilities to Amy. As Tails gets the pilfered Eggman battleship off the ground, some people stay and some go. Meanwhile, Dr. Starline successfully retrieves Eggman’s original personality, the villain immediately going to work on a new scheme.

Issue 12 was supposed to come out last December but got bumped in favor of that awful “Team Sonic Racing” one-shot. I was really hoping, since this issue wraps up a big story arc and the new comic’s first year, that Flynn would give us a slower, more character-based story. And it’s sort of that. The issue’s second half has Sonic checking in on every member of the Resistance. Most of these moments are pretty cute. Knuckles is indifferent and just wants to relax. Tangle is ready for more adventure but Whisper’s shyness keeps her withdrawn. Amy is all business and the Chaotix just want to get paid. Sonic and Tails re-affirm their best bros status.

Some of these interactions are cute, such as the jokey chat Sonic and Rouge have, but I don’t think character development was Flynn’s goal here. These scenes of Sonic talking to every member of the Resistance seems like a way for Flynn to let readers know where every is and what they are up to. Silver is staying in the past, Blaze is returning to her home world, etc. Because this issue is mostly about setting up future plot points. The Resistance is going their own ways, Starline has gathered the Chaos Emeralds for Eggman, in addition to having his own magical gem, the bad guy is preparing new weapons for Rough and Tumble. So on and so forth. Gotta keep those wheels turning, no time to slow down.

With this issue, we also bid adieu to Mr. Tinker. At first, I thought Flynn was throwing a curve ball at us. Starline’s attempt to reach Eggman are initially unsuccessful. However, laying hands on Metal Sonic is enough to restore his evil personality. I was really hoping Mr. Tinker would stick around a little longer, as Robotnik becoming a kindly neighbor mechanic made his conflict with Sonic way juicier. And maybe Flynn isn’t done with yet, as perhaps Eggman’s time as Mr. Tinker will affect his default personality. But I kind of doubt that, as Sega is probably eager to restore the status quo.

Oh yeah, Metal Sonic is still around. “The Cost of the Battle for Angel Island” opens with a puzzling scene. The Resistance has captured Metal Sonic, rendered fairly harmless by his defeat. Sonic offers him a chance at freedom, saying they’ll let him go if he promises not to do anything really evil again. This is a hopelessly naive proposal but does show Sonic’s willingness to forgive and forget, which seems to be the defining characteristic of IDW’s interpretation of the hedgehog. After Metal Sonic bluntly denies this offer, he runs off. And Sonic just let’s him go. You guys just spent twelve issue’s fighting this guy, who came very close to conquering the world, and you just let him go?! I get that this is a kid’s comic and Flynn obviously has plans for Metal Sonic in the future. But at least keep him locked up! Don’t just let a threat to the whole world wander free!

Evan Stanley and Tracy Yardley have been splitting the art duties for the last few issues and that continues here. Stanley currently holds second place for most artwork in this series, right behind Tracy, and the regular exercise has made her stronger than ever before. Those Ben Day dots return and add a lot of texture and atmosphere to the early scenes of interrogating Metal Sonic and Eggman in Starline’s lab. The minute Yardley takes over is obvious, as Eggman immediately looks a lot sillier. But even Yardley’s standard has improved, as the scenes of Amy and Sonic talking look excellent.

(In the letters page, Stanley also gives us a look some of the earlier designs for Starline. One of which in particular, which gives the weird duck guy a zipped up lab coat and Frankensteinian bolts emerging from his body, is clearly superior to the final one they went with. Though she also says Jareth the Goblin King was a major inspiration for the character, which is definitely conveyed in the foppishness of the final version. We are also given a peak at earlier designs for Whisper’s mask, all of which is even more over-designed than the final pick.)

Ultimately, it is a somewhat disappointing issue. Instead of further establishing the book’s art, which still needs to be done, Flynn just does a roll call of everyone and sets up the next story arc. A year in and IDW’s book is still trying to grow the beard. [6/10]