Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper: Issue 3

Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper: Issue 3
Publication Date: October 23, 2019

Before we go any further with this review of issue 3 of “Tangle & Whisper,” can I ask what is up with the last two main covers? After the perfectly serviceable first issue cover, the ones for the second and third strike me as a little weird. Instead of high-lighting dynamic action sequences or the friendship between the two title characters, we’ve been greeted with close-ups of Tangle and then Whisper’s faces as they make tense facial expressions. Neither tell us much about the story within or look all that exciting. Apparently, the main covers all connect in one image, though that still doesn’t explain why these individual covers are so uninvokving. The alternate covers are all superior because they high-light the qualities I mentioned above. It’s just an odd choice, is all, especially for a series that has made so many right decisions otherwise.

All right, enough bitchin’. Issue 3 of “Tangle & Whisper” has the two ladies sitting in the blasted-out crater Mimic left them in. After much urging, Whisper finally opens up about her past. She was once part of a team of anti-Eggman mercenaries, the oft-mentioned Diamond Cutters. After years of fighting against the Empire, things became especially heated after Sonic’s disappearance during the events of “Sonic Forces.” That was when Mimic betrayed the team. Tangle witnessed this via the recording in Whisper’s mask. After this, the duo recommit themselves to avenging the fallen friends and decide to take the fight to Mimic.

While it definitely sometimes feels like there is an emotional leash on the main “Sonic” book — probably because there is — the spin-off mini-series is fully embracing big, weepy emotions. Whisper has officially wormed her way into my heart, as we now learn the depths of her trauma. As she describes and technologically displays what happened to her, we clearly see the pain these events have left her with. Her stern declaration of “Never forget, never forgive” is pretty striking. Even more effective, Tangle doesn’t hide how much this affects her too. After watching the footage of the Diamond Cutters’ deaths, a trio of panels are devoted to her collecting herself. That’s some good shit, right there.

Perhaps because the book is so earnest about its emotions, maybe that’s why its moral about the power of friendship — usually such a trite message in kids’ media — is actually pretty effective. There’s a fantastic panel where, after Whisper tries to push Tangle away, she declares that friends look after each other, no matter what. (A smaller panel on the same page, which depicts Tangle nearly bursting into tears, really shows how good Evan Stanley is at facial expressions.) Afterwards, Whisper gives her a big hug. There’s no grandstanding, no repeatedly enforced lesson-of-the-week. Instead, this shows how friends heal one another, through empathy and support.

Flynn has been slower to introduce new characters in IDW, following the flood of new cast members that appeared right after the Archie reboot. Since we are getting our proper introduction to the Diamond Cutters in this issue, this stands as one of the larger character introductions lately. They are Smithey the lion, the engineer and the leader of the group; Slinger the Ocelot, our hot-shot marksman; the adorably named Claire Voyance, a telepathic howler monkey; and then Whisper and Mimic. While we still don’t know much about this team, it’s clear the family-like bond they had through the obvious care Claire and Slinger show towards Whisper. Though I’ll admit, I’m a little disappointed they are “anti-Eggman mercenaries,” instead of something perhaps more morally gray, and that they all wear the same type of dumb mask Whisper wears. (Since they’re dead, I have no idea if Flynn plans to do more with these guys but, considering the obvious amount of work that went into designing them, perhaps more flashback appearances will happen someday.)

The “Sonic” franchise is preoccupied with gimmicks and flashy tech, probably because it is a series targeted at children. This frequently plays into Flynn’s worst tendencies as a writer. However, he finally finds a good use for sci-fi tech in this issue. Whisper’s mask apparently records just about everything that happens to her. All of the Diamond Cutters’ masks were linked too, meaning she can access what her friends saw too. So instead of relying on a typical flashback, Flynn can depict more in-the-moment recreations of events. Secondly, adapting the point of view of these characters in tense moments — such as when their shuttle invaded by slimy clones of Shadow — feels a little bit like a found footage horror movie. Which is a neat approach and pairs nicely with the Zombot shenanigans in the main book.

Though the scene with those Shadow Androids recall the zombie action a little too much. And I’m not sure if we need yet more robotic or semi-robotic versions of the hedgehogs. Also, I don’t know if the reveal that the mask also let its wearer talk directly with their Wisps is necessary. We’ll see if Flynn does anything interesting with that. Another minor issue I have with this part concerns Mimic. We learn that he's working directly with Eggman, that he’s another toady that the dictator gets to boss around and threaten. I sort of liked the previous assumption, that the octopus is just a deeply self-interested and sadistic free agent, better. Oh well, it’s not too big a deal.

“Tangle & Whisper” remains strong as we head into its last issue. I already liked Tangle but getting to explore Whisper’s past has really allowed me to open up to her. The story is more intimate and emotionally driven than the main book at the moment. Will Flynn be able to stick the landing? I guess we’ll find out if IDW ever stops delaying its books. [7/10]