Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 30

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 30

Publication Date: August 19th, 2020

Any time one year long comic event ends, there’s always a transitional period. In superhero comics, this usually means getting back to whatever the writer was doing before the massive crossover interrupted everything. With the more singular “Sonic” books, Ian Flynn usually takes an issue or two before starting work on the next mega-arc. Issue 30 marks only the second time IDW’s “Sonic” book has done this. While we are certainly familiar with what Flynn has done in the past, it remains to be seen what — if anything — he’ll do differently this time.

“Cured” begins in the immediate aftermath of the Metal Virus Saga. Silver returns from the brink but Sonic is nowhere to be seen. The Restoration barely has time to consider their missing hero before the Deadly Six resume their attacks... Well, Zavok does anyway, as most of the Zetis just slink off in defeat. After subduing the monster, another attack happens: Eggman escapes in a shuttle, making off with Omega’s head and having Metal Sonic skewer Gemerl in the process. Meanwhile, in Blaze’s dimension, a very familiar face arrives.

Issue 30 isn’t the slower installment I was expecting. On one hand, of course things wouldn’t slow down right after the virus is flushed away. Just because the zombies are taken care of, doesn’t mean the Deadly Six are no longer a threat. Obviously, Eggman is going to use this suddenly Sonic-less time to recuperate and attack again. In some ways, this is a nice touch of realism. The world isn’t going to stop just because the populace has been through a bunch of crazy bullshit over the last several months. And it’s certainly in-character for Eggman and Zavok to strike while everyone is vulnerable. 

On the other hand, an action-packed issue is the last thing I want right now. “Cured” is an almost oppressive in its combat. Zavok shows back up on page 3, leading to almost all the good guys dogpiling him. Metal Sonic dives in not long after that, resulting in a fight between the robot and Shadow. Neither fight scene is all that memorable. Zavok is easily defeated, probably because he’s exhausted from his recent ass-kicking. (Though, in execution, this just makes the Zeti look like an inconsequential threat.) Meanwhile, Shadow and Metal’s fight is a scuffle that accomplishes nothing. It really feels like editorial was insisting Flynn keep the violence flowing. 

We know Flynn loves his mindless punching but we are also aware that he knows other ways to fill pages. We, very briefly, get a peek at what the characters’ emotional state must be. Amy is overwhelmed, fearful of Sonic’s fate and uncertain what to do next with the Restoration. Tails is mostly in panic mode. Knuckles is in complete denial about Sonic, while also being a huge dick about getting the refugees off Angel Island. Supposedly Sega is demanding that the Master Emerald remain Knuckles’ number one priority at all times, which is resulting in him developing isolationist politics. (Though I do like the scene of him bantering with the ever-flirtatious Rouge.) Weirdly, it’s Cream I’m most relating to here. She just wants the bad guys to disappear and for life to return to something resembling normal. Me too, little bunny. 

Honestly, the scene where Metal Sonic impales Gemerl can’t help but feel a little mean. How much do you want to traumatize Cream, Ian? This child has watched her mother turned into a zombie, faced down death herself, and now just saw her paternal guardian figure get run through. That bunny is going to need so much therapy. It’s easy to see why that moment was included, in order to reestablish that Eggman is still a scumbag. He’s planning something villainous. Which is mildly interesting, I guess. As is the final reveal that Sonic has been zapped to Blaze’s home world. Yet it’s all just more ever-advancing plot, which is exhausting after the heavy dramatics last issue. 

That I’m suddenly relating to Cream, a character I was previously totally ambivalent towards, is another example of Flynn’s continued efforts to flesh out the supporting cast. There’s a pretty cute scene where Wave congratulates Jet on not being a totally selfish egomaniac for once. Not only does this moment suggests the slightest romantic feelings, it also continues to give Jet more of an inner life. (Storm is still a big dumbass, though.) There’s also a funny moment where Zor delights in being hunted and persecuted, continuing his growth into the Deadly Six’s amusingly self-destructive comic relief. 

Priscilla Tramontano, probably my least favorite of the new artist to come onto the book, is back on penciling duties. Her work is improving. The characters are less angular and wide-eyed than the last time she drew them. A panel devoting to Amy falling to her knees in exhaustion is even quite good. Yet Tramontano’s action scenes continue to lack a sense of motion. The fight between Shadow and Metal is especially inert. It feels like the two super-charged hedgehogs are merely posing dramatically around each other. Tramontano adds a bunch of motion lines to make up for this but it doesn’t work. The stiff action is all the more apparent after Adam Bryce Thomas’ energetic work last issue.

It seems Ian Flynn’s groove is still off these days. He keeps going fast when he should be slowing down and slowing down when he should be picking up the pace. Hopefully next issue will focus a little more on what everyone is feeling and not so much on squeezing in as much action as possible. Or maybe I’m just an impossible-to-please old dude, with totally antiquated opinions about blue cartoon hedgehogs. That is entirely possible. Regardless of how old or grouchy I may or may not be, this use is still pretty awkward. [5/10]