Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 16

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 16
Publication Date: May 8, 2019

So where were we? The last regular issue of IDW’s “Sonic” series I reviewed detailed Eggman testing his new Metal Virus, turning Rough and Tumble into “Zombots,” and Sonic finding out he’s been infected. In the months since then, the Metal Virus story arc has continued to play out. I’ve seen fans go from embracing this new direction to growing sick to proclaiming that IDW “Sonic” has never been good. Ah, so the cycle continues. Now I get to experience this on-going myself and see whether it’s the greatest thing ever or if it blows more than your mom at a truck stop.

“Infection!” begins with Sonic and Tails hopeful they’ve beaten the mechanical virus infecting Sonic, via the hedgehog’s trademark speed burning through it. This is what they tell Tangle, who is visiting Tails’ workshop. However, Sonic soon realizes running it off is only a temporary fix. He’s still infected, can still spread the virus with a mere touch, and is still at risk of becoming a Zombot. Meanwhile, Eggman unleashes the Virus via his new airship on the unsuspecting Windmill Village. The Zombots are unleashed on the countryside.

Sonic is having a moment of self-doubt in “Infection!” and I like that. Initially, he’s enthusiastic as Tails tells him the virus has been beaten back. Upon realizing he’s still a carrier, he has a self-reflective moment. Flynn’s script has Sonic outright say it, via internal monologue. Usually, Eggman builds a machine Sonic can smash and that’s it. Now, he’s faced with a threat he literally can only outrun for so long. He’s a danger to his own friends. (Flynn smartly draws a parallel to the Werehog, though it looks like the Metal Virus won’t eventually become a superpower upgrade Sonic can use...) It’s a pretty bold place to put our usually carefree hero. Sonic is uncertain of his own victory, for once. He’s scared. and that’s really interesting to read.

Up to this point, the IDW version of Eggman hasn’t done much besides scheme in the background. This issue has him really cut loose as a villain for the first time in this series. For ground zero of the Metal Virus, he chooses the idyllic village that cared for him during his days as Mr. Tinker. It’s clear that a Eggman takes a real sadistic glee in destroying his wholesome former home. Flynn also provides some insight into Eggman’s motivation here in a way Archie weirdly never really got into. It’s an interpretation of Robotnik I’ve put forward myself over the years. He sees the world as chaotic, impractical, wildly out-of-control. Eggman longs to smooth the world out, bring it into order... Which also means making it utterly subservient to him, which appeals to his intense egomania. It’s certainly more nuanced than the Archie version, which never got much further than “he wants to take over the world because he’s evil.”

While Flynn is expanding Eggman’s personality, I’m still not too sure about Dr. Starline, the closest thing to a Snively we’ve got now. Previously, I was certain Flynn was taking Starline in a particular direction. As an eager fanboy to Eggman that is disappointed by the reality, either finding his eccentricities intolerable or being disgusted by his cruelty. In this issue, as Eggman bukakes Windmill Village with the Metal Virus and infects the countryside, Starline is ecstatic. He loves that his new boss is so brutal and efficient. So I guess Starline is just Eggman’s fawning toady? Hopefully, Flynn is going somewhere with this guy because that schtick will get old real fast.

After a somewhat eerie introduction last time, Flynn gives us a clearer view at what the Metal Virus can do this issue. And it’s pretty damn bracing, as far as a comic book starring a blue hedgehog who runs fast goes. As a tidal wave of hot metallic goo is puked over the village, we get a series of panels of the goat mayor trying to outrun the downpour and protect a child... he fails, both of them awakening as Zombots on the next page. We see a random citizen cower hopelessly as his friend is overcome and turned into a soulless automaton. Most shocking is when a mother watches the chaos from her window, hugging her child. Soon, the Zombots break down the door and tear child from mother, infecting them both. Shit, man, that’s pretty intense.

Flynn can’t depict the gut-munching gore of the zombie genre but he seems to understand why it’s such a powerful horror trope. It’s the sudden and irreversible breakdown, watching things you love and rely on — friends, family, neighbors, and the orderly structure of polite society — turn on you violently. Usually the zombie horde is a slow, creeping metaphor for the inevitability of death. Here, the Zombots are symbols of unerring conformity at the hands of an authoritarian dictator. But it still works pretty well. It’s a really well done sequence.

Honestly, issue 16 is so grim that we definitely need some comic relief. Luckily, Tangle is here to provide. She rides into Tails’ workshop on a dirt bike in the first page, enthusiastically ready to share her latest adventure. Her bafflement at Sonic running on a giant hamster wheel is amusing, as is her quick acceptance of it. When she goes in for a high-five, Sonic has to quickly dive out of the way, leading to a cute pratfall. Overall, Tangle’s high energy and unending upbeat attitude continues to make her an utter delight. There’s also a good joke when Eggman reveals his latest airship, which is essentially a giant flying version of his face, is called the Face Ship. Starline’s deadpan reaction to that is priceless.

Featuring some wonderfully energetic artwork, Diana Skelly and Jack Lawrence trading back and forth, issue 16 may be the strongest issue of IDW “Sonic.” Sonic and Eggman’s characters are allowed to evolve, Tangle remains delightful, and the Zombot sequence is pretty damn great. It is, I think, the closest we’ve ever gotten to a full-blown “Sonic” horror comic and I really appreciate that. I didn’t know Flynn has that in him, to be totally honest. [8/10]