Sonic Universe: Issue 74

Sonic Universe: Issue 74
Publication Date: March 2015

I tend to consider “Spark of Life” solely the work of Aleah Baker. However, we must remember that she was still working from Ian Flynn’s outline. In issue 74 of “Sonic Universe,” I can’t help but wonder if their two styles conflicted a little. The action-packed climax of “Sparks of Life” reads very much like an Ian Flynn story. This ends up not totally meshing with Baker’s more intuitive and emotional writing. The two are still married so they obviously collaborate well in other aspects of life. But, while reading this issue, I found myself wishing that Flynn or Archie, or whoever made the decision, let Baker handle this one totally solo.

Part four of “Spark of Life” picks up with Sally in the digital world, standing in-between Phage and Nicole. Laser swords drawn, the princess does what she can to defend her girlfriend friend. The direct approach doesn’t work and the holo-lynx carries Sally to a safer location. The two devise a plan, to lock Phage out of Ellidy’s system, that might work. Meanwhile, in meatspace, the Dark Gaia monsters and Phage-controlled Badniks continue to close in on Ellidy’s lab. Outside, Tails and Big race to retrieve the Chaos Emerald before the bad guys do.

What ultimately proves most compelling about the last part of “Spark of Life” is seeing Sally and Nicole interacting. After spending most of the last issue separated, the two are together for all of this one. Throughout the story, Sally tells Nicole to flee and Nicole tells Sally to leave. Both times, the two remain by each other. That connection, sisterly or romantic depending on how you read it, is what drives the story. Seeing Sally and Nicole be so willing to protect each other grants “Spark of Life” a strong degree of emotional resonance.

Which is a good thing, as “Spark of Life: Part Four” is a little disappointing on a narrative level. Up to this point, Phage has been depicted as practically unstoppable in the digital world. She can manipulate the environment and overpower Nicole. But apparently the computer virus is not a great strategist. Sally and Nicole out-think the villain without too much effort, eventually locking her out of Ellidy’s system with some simple trickery. In her moment of defeat, Phage starts pathetically crying about how Robotnik will punish her if she fails. This might add some humanity to the villain but she was more effective as a cold, somewhat sadistic adversary. (And it turns out Nicole can hurt Phage. In another Evangelion homage, Nicole pierces Phage’s very Angel-like core with her very Lance of Longinus-style digital spear.)

What makes the conclusion more disappointing is the method Nicole uses to defeat Phage. In their moment of need, Ellidy slams the Red Star Ring into Nicole’s handheld, confirming that subplot’s status as nothing but a power-up. This transforms her into Overclocked Nicole, giving her the strength needed to lock Phage out once and for all. For a story so built around emotional needs, it’s a little disappointing that a plot device and a hastily introduced super form is what saves the day. Even if it is sort of neat to see a non-Sega female get a super transformation.

At the last minute, Baker does try to resolve the story’s emotional threads. Before leaving the island, Sally talks to both Ellidy and Nicole. The doctor admits he was an asshole to Nicole. Nicole explains how she understands that and blames herself a little for Nikki Ellidy’s death. The doctor then tells her to take the Red Star Ring with her, even though it’s the only one he has. It’s a gesture that suggests he accepts the holo-lynx. In a cute final panel, Nicole decides to ride back to Sky Patrol in her hologram form, so she can feel the wind on her face. It’s all very sweet and helps resolve some of my issues with the story’s otherwise brute force conclusion.

This issue is so focused on Sally and Nicole’s adventure online, that it’s easy to forget about what Tails and Big get up to. To Baker and Flynn’s credit, the scenes focused in this duo are pretty good too. Big is still a big dumb idiot but at least his hyper-specific super-fishing powers come in handy. It allows him to retrieve the Emerald from the lake bed just in time. Still, the ever-encroaching threat of killer robots and vicious shadow monsters makes Tails and Big’s quest feel especially time sensitive. The story probably, most definitely, could’ve survived without this subplot but it in no way distracts either. In fact, it’s pretty good.

Ultimately, “Spark of Life” is still the only universally agreed upon classic to emerge from the reboot era. I’ll admit, it’s a pretty good story. However, I found myself wishing the arc fused it’s emotional and narrative needs a little better. Was this a result of Flynn and Baker’s styles clashing? Who’s to say? Either way, despite some flaws, this was still a pretty good issue and a very good story arc all together. [7/10]