Sonic Boom: Issue 9

Sonic Boom: Issue 9
Publication Date: July 2015

We are six issues into “Worlds Unite.” At this junction, Archie saw fit to introduce a character guide at the start of each issue. This is because the already expansive cast is about to get even bigger. A helpful reminder at the start of every issue probably is necessary or will be soon. So, right now, the cast is broken down into Sonic and the Freedom Fighter, Mega Man and the Robot Masters, X and the Maverick Hunters, Sticks’ gang, and the temporarily aligned bad guys. They’re up against Sigma’s army and the Deadly Six. Got all that? It’s kind of important you do.

Part six is subtitled “Fire in the Sky,” despite not featuring D.B. Sweeney being abducted by aliens. The Sky Patrol has arrived at Lost Hex and all hell breaks loose. The heroes, who are now going by the catchy name The Unified Heroes, face off against Sigma’s army. They hold their own but are dangerously close to being overwhelmed. Meanwhile, during the heat of battle, Sticks is knocked through a suddenly appearing Genesis Portal, possibly stumbling upon the good guy’s salvation.

Cue up the battle music because we are going to war. This entire issue is devoted to one epic-ass showdown. Normally, I complain when this book sacrifices everything in the name of action but... You know what? This is awesome. Maybe it’s because Flynn leaves just enough room for little character moments – Sonic and Mega Man trading banter, Wood Man offering a confused Knuckles his leaf power-up – to prevent this from being a totally bland fight fest. Or maybe so much colorful stuff is going on that it’s impossible for the reader to become bored. Either way, Flynn accurately captures the chaotic feeling of being in the middle of combat.

Moreover, the comic continues to do an excellent job juggling its enormous cast. Flynn gives almost everyone something to do. Rotor pilots a turret and later body-slams a Zeti. Robotnik and Wily scheme among themselves in the bowels of the ship. In a likely “Star Trek”-inspired moment, Sally, Nicole, and Cream sit on the Sky Patrol’s bridge, anxiously overlooking everything. My absolute favorite moment has Antoine slaying a robo-dragon with the stab of his sword. Even Big gets in on the action, hooking an enemy robot with his fishing rod. I guess not everyone gets a scene, as the Robot Masters are underserved. But I don’t care about them so I’m fine with that.

Through it out, “Fire in the Sky” remembers that this is technically a “Sonic Boom” comic. Sticks is the de facto main character here. She’s front-and-center on the first page. Throughout the issue, she’s given plenty to do. She’s chased by bees. She’s smashes shit with her boomerang. In a hilarious series of panels, Comedy Chimp and Fastidious Beaver flee from battle, forcing Sticks to chastise them while more important fights go down in the background. As before, Sticks’ irrelevant side-quest lends some wonderful levity to this epic battle.

Granted, there’s a pretty big plot hole here. It’s well-established by now that the Zetis can psychically control robots. There’s really no excuse for the Deadly Six not to immediately take over Mega Man and X’s gang, leading to a swift victory by making half of the heroes crush the other half. Instead, Flynn saves that for the issue’s cliffhanger. Which is pretty silly but I guess totally fitting for a big, melodramatic, comic book crossover event. (The issue’s other crossover has Sticks stumbling through a portal and immediately running into an off-panel Chun-Li. This is also somewhat sloppy but absolutely necessary because it gets the “Street Fighter” cast into the book.)

Edwin Huang returns to illustrate and, holy cow, does it look nice. Huang’s complete mastery of action could not be more apparent. Everyone is detailed and energetic. The action beats are fast-paced, drawing the eye. Such as when Sonic leaps around to smash Badniks or Master Zik kicking Rotor in the face. Or, another fantastic moment, Amy and a Bunnie knocking out Zeena. His character work also remains excellent. The panels devoted to Sticks falling through the air, being indigent that no one will recuse her, are hilarious. Overall, inviting Huang onto the crossover might be the best thing Archie did for “Worlds Unite.”

This is exactly the kind of fun insanity I hope for from a big crossover. There’s something fun or interesting happening on every page of this book. The artwork is amazing. The cast’s personality is not lost among the madness. It’s been way too long since Ian Flynn and his crew has delivered something this well done. Fuck it, I’m throwing out a [9/10]. I’m in a good mood.