Sonic the Hedgehog: Endless Summer

Sonic the Hedgehog: Endless Summer

Publication Date: August 30th, 2023

For the last four years, IDW have given “Sonic the Hedgehog” fans a nice bonus in the form of a four-issue mini-series running late in the year and into the next. At least two of these, “Tangle and Whisper” and “Scrapnik Island,” have easily become highlights of the entire series and immediate fan favorites. This year, however, the comic company is doing something a little differently. Instead of a mini-series, we are getting several one-shots in a row. Four exactly, proving that this deluge of one-shots is obviously meant to take the place of the traditional mini-series. Look forward to me rambling about the Amy Rose anniversary special, Sonic's 900th Adventure, and – OMG!!! – a Halloween special within the coming weeks and months.

The first of these endless special is “Endless Summer.” This is actually part of a cross-promotion IDW is doing among its licensed books this year. Alongside “Sonic,” IDW's continuation of the eighties “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” cartoon, their tie-in series with the “Dungeons and Dragons” cartoon of a similar vintage, and the latest iteration of “My Little Pony” are also getting “Endless Summer” one-shots this month. The alternate covers for all four comics even link up, to form a neat connected image. Which is probably the closest we're ever going to get to Sonic having an adventure with Leonardo and Rainbow Dash. 

We don't know what Sonic's opinions on Abercrombie & Fitch and Chinese food is but he does spend this summer hanging with some girls. Tails is too busy tinkering with the Tornado to chill with his hedgehog bro. After racing into Restoration HQ to grab a tool for him, Sonic runs through Jewel's office. This is when he discovers that Jewel is feeling left out, as Tangle and Whisper have seemingly forgotten her after rekindling their partnership. To occupy herself, she's focused on her work. That's when Sonic decides that a beach day is in order. He drags Jewel to the beach with Tangle and Whisper. The pleasant vacation is interrupted when it's discovered that the Babylon Rogues are also on this beach. A not-so-friendly wager is started between the two groups to determine who gets the beach to themselves. 

This is Gale Galligan's third contribution to IDW's “Sonic” books, after a story in the 30th anniversary special and the 2021 FCBD edition. If those previous stories are anything to go by, Galligan's style is marked by chill, hang-out stories that luxuriate in the characters just enjoying each other's company. “Endless Summer” may, in fact, be the most chill single “Sonic the Hedgehog” comic book I've ever read. There's no mention of the world of being imperiled or a mission needing to be completed. I'm not sure Eggman's name even comes up once. Nobody attempts to murder anyone. Our heroes never fight any mechanic organisms designed only for killing. It really is all about hanging out on the beach with some fuzzy, cartoon animal people we've all grown somewhat attached to over the years. 

While there's plenty of valid criticisms to be brought against the current trend in “cozy fiction,” it's notable that Galligan doesn't let the laid-back tone of this story effect whether it has any stakes or not. Sonic and the gang competing with the Babylon Rogues for fun-time rights to the beach is, it turns out, enough conflict to drive this issue. Honestly, the way it's set up, with the different games and competitions happening right next to each other, the personal score appearing at the bottom of each page, you even feel a molecule of suspense here. As absurd as it sounds, I actually found myself excited to find out who would win this petty contest of beach ownership. That's when you know the writing is good, when a totally inconsequential contest still gets you turning the pages. I've never even played volleyball and barely understand the rules around it either, so it's another point for Galligan that they managed to make me care so much.

Naturally, the silly beach games is not the primary reason this particular story lured me in. Nervous, shy, workaholic Jewel once again proves a fruitful emotional center to based an issue on. Jewel, introduced as Tangle's BFF, hasn't had much to do in the comic recently. Making that canon, that the other characters overlooked her a bit too, is a smart decision. Moreover, you care about Jewel and her friendship with Tangle. You want to see the little misunderstanding worked out. Importantly, Jewel never gets jealous of Lanolin becoming the third member of Tangle and Whisper's throuple. She's way too soft-spoken for anything like that. It's a quiet, understandable kind of conflict and you're interested in seeing how it'll be resolved. Simple, laid-back character work like this is no less compelling than battles for the world's fate. 

And about Whisper and Tangle... It's been long established that these two are lovers, even if their romance is confined solely to subtext and insinuation due to Sega's reluctance to include explicit LGBT+ themes in their flagship series. In “Endless Summer,” IDW's creative crew take this suggestion about as far as they can without outright admitting it. Jewel says Tangle and Whisper spend all their time together. They play in the surf, the usually reserved Whisper happy to cling to Tangle's tail and laughing as she gets splashed. It's a rare panel here where they aren't next to each other. In one particularly suggestive dialogue exchange, Jewel even mentions that Tangle and Whisper know how to “have a good time together.” Like, you'd have to be blind and severely concussed not to get it at this point. I don't think it could be anymore obvious if IDW actually had Sonic say “My god, these bitches gay.” 

In the past, I've made it known that I'm not exactly a fan of the Babylon Rogues. I find them to be bland characters, the best of times. The one time they worked alright in this comic book, any character development they received was quickly undone. However, the trio is at least used well enough in this particular story. They remain in-character throughout. Jet is an egomaniac eager to prove his own superiority. Wave is technically inclined. Storm is the big dumb guy, I guess. (He doesn't do much here.) It's another testament to Galligan's skill that these three are recognizable without being annoying. By the end, they've even become something like friendly rivals with Sonic and the others. For a low-key story like this, a trio of mild adversaries – whose personalities can be established within a few words – work well enough.

It took two artists to bring this particular story to life. Tracy Yardley handles the first half, while Thomas Rothlisberger takes over in the second half. Since he's step down as a regular “Sonic” illustrator, to only occasionally contribute art, I have to say that Yardley's work has improved a lot. For a character centric story like this, his talent for memorable and expressive faces really come in handy. Sonic's smirks, Tangle's glares, everyone's goofy smiles, truly come to life here. Rothliserger's character work isn't quite as consistent as Yardley's but his action scenes are energetic and lively. It must also be said that everyone looks absolutely adorable in their beach fits. Jewel's little sundress is adorable, as are Tangle and Whisper's very practical swimsuits. 

In short: “Endless Summer” hardly reinvents the wheel and isn't a great example of grand dramatic themes or narrative opulence. Instead, it's just... Nice. It's an extremely pleasant comic book and I'm glad I got to read. Sometimes you just want to hang out with people you like, even if those people are blue hedgehogs and hyperactive lemurs! I read this on my deck, while a nice summer breeze made the August heat manageable. I was so relaxed afterwards, I took a nap. I think that's just about the ideal conditions to consume this bit of sun-baked levity. Highly recommended! [8/10]