Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 17

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 17
Publication Date: May 22nd, 2019

As a big horror movie fan, I certainly love me a good zombie movie. I also think that zombies are pretty overexposed at the moment. Following the theatrical revival of undead flesh-eaters at the end of the 2000s, I’ve seen the shambling corpse premise becomes its own metaphor as the horror fad that just won’t die. A lot of blame for the zombie genre’s refusal to go away for a few years is owed to “The Walking Dead.”  Even though ratings are declining and fans agree the show is past its expiration date, AMC’s zombie soap opera is still among cable’s most popular shows.

Here’s the thing: Despite being a huge horror nerd, I don’t give a shit about “The Walking Dead.” I like zombie stories that have the good sense to wrap up in under two hours, not drag on for over ten seasons, a spin-off series, and an upcoming motion picture. So it never even occurred to me until someone pointed it out recently that the Zombot story arc in IDW’s “Sonic” comic might be Ian Flynn’s late-in-the-game attempt to cash in on “The Walking Dead’s” popularity. And maybe so. But while I’m sick of zombies in most every other area, putting them in a “Sonic” comic is still a pretty fresh idea at this moment. So considered me hooked, as of this writing.

Which brings us to issue 16 of IDW’s “Sonic,” entitled “Plague!” As teased in the previous issue, Eggman’s Metal Virus soon spreads from the countryside to the more metropolitan areas of Sonic’s world. Seaside City is soon overwhelmed by mindless Zombots, programmed to do nothing but spread their condition to every living thing they can find. The Chaotix are caught right in the middle of this. The detectives try to protect the innocent and hold off the violent Zombots. Sonic is soon sent into the city to help out but he’s still fighting off his own infection. Inevitably, not everyone makes it to safety.

Something that’s really compelling about putting the “Sonic” cast in a zombie movie scenario is that it forces the characters to make hard decisions. As the Zombots descend on the city, the Chaotix quickly realize they can’t save everyone. A cat lady is infected. As the virus spreads through her body, she screams and begs someone to help her. Vector, instead of trying to save her and endanger the rest of the group, corners her in a ring of cars. Despite the heroes’ best efforts, they still only manage to rescue a fraction of the city’s population. This is after a grim panel of the Chaotix exiting the office to see the city in flames, people fleeing in terror from roaming crowds of rabid Zombots. This comic is shockingly grim for a kids comic.

Yes, Flynn tries to lighten things up with occasional bits of comic relief. Just as Vector says their next client will be coming through that door any minute now, a Zombot bursts into the office. Later, Charmy eggs some zombies on with goofy facial expressions. But this is still a pretty downbeat issue. Especially in how it ends. Childish Charmy is angry that Vector left a citizen to be consumed by the Virus. He flies back to rescue the girl, only to be attacked by Zombots and pulled under. Yes, this issue ends with one of its youngest characters being seemingly turned into a zombie.

As grim as that moment is, it actually shows Flynn’s hand a little too early. Up to this point, only a pair of villains and unnamed background characters have been fully infected. With Charmy being dragged down by Zombots, a Sega character has been claimed by the Virus... Which means a full anecdote and eventual snap-back is forthcoming. There’s no way Sega would allow one of its characters to be de-facto killed off. I’m not shocked by this. I assumed all the Zombots would be returned to normal eventually. This is still technically a kids’ book. But it’s a little disappointing for Flynn to basically confirm that so early on in the story arc. (Though I totally get him going for the shock value inherent in seeing Charmy pulled into a crowd of ravenous zombies.)

However, this issue does see Flynn pulling off something I thought was impossible. He makes me like Vector. Minutes after the Zombots rip through the city, Vector is hefting up a Stop sign and whacking the zombies away. After that, he’s strategizing and barking orders at people. He’s making hard decisions that need to be made and marching forward, putting the needs of the many over the needs of the few. Vector is... Acting like a bad-ass? How is this possible? I’m as shocked and surprised as you. Maybe detaching Vector from his Archie characterization as a woman-hating wannabe hip-hopper was, it turns out, a good idea.

Oh yeah, Sonic is in this comic book too. Admittedly, the hedgehog doesn’t do too much here other than rush in and fight off some Zombots. However, our blue hero continues to grow increasingly desperate. After sending some kids to safety, Sonic pauses for one minute to consider his next course of action... Which causes the Virus to creep a little further up his body some. He then goes rocketing off, trying to run off his condition, and get back to the others faster. It’s clear this stress, of fearing for his own soul and saving others during this new crisis, is weighing on him. The novelty of seeing Sonic pushed to his limit hasn’t run out yet. It’s still pretty neat.

By the way, Tracy Yardley’s artwork is pretty good, even if I wish maybe someone with a grittier style was drawing this. Imagine what Steve Butler could have done with this story! Anyway, “Plague!” is another pretty strong issue, if not quite as impressively grim as issue 16. IDW’s series is still showing some amazing improvement in its second year. [7/10]