Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 166

 
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 166
Publication Date: September 2006

The exact reason why Ken Penders left Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” book has often been speculated. Did the conflicts with the other writers eventually push him out? Did Archie actually fire him, annoyed by the book's floundering quality? One theory, it seems, has risen to the top. Rumor has it that Sega demanded that Ken incorporate Shadow the Hedgehog into his “Mobius: 25 Years Later” setting. Apparently this was the breaking point for Ken, who was reportedly already frustrated with Sega's influence over the comic. I can't recall if any of this has ever been officially confirmed. Considering the way Sega was pushing Shadow around 2005, it wouldn't surprise me. If this was true, Ian Flynn would utilize this plot idea to breath some life into “25 Years Later” when he re-visited the concept in issue 166.

When Sonic was shot back through time in issue 144, he succeeded in preventing whatever disaster that was causing the world to break apart. His actions had an unforeseen side effect though. He returned to a new future, totally unlike what he remembered. Now a tyrannical Shadow the Hedgehog rules over Mobius with an iron fist. He has assumed the throne, by marrying Sally. The Chaotix are utilized as his personal goon squad, crushing any rebellion. Despite the changes, Sonic, Tails, and many of the other former Freedom Fighters maintain their memories of the original future. Tails recruits Lara-Su to find Sonic and lead a coup against the wicked King Shadow.

The “Mobius: 25 Years Later” setting was precious to Ken Penders. His desire to continue that story line as the much mocked “Lara-Su Chronicles” makes that much clear. If Sega insisting on King Shadow is a true rumor, it's easy to see why the order would upset him so. Issue 166's “Tempus Fugit” shows Ken's utopian future Mobius transformed into a cruel dictatorship. Shadow is portrayed as an brutal ruler, having assassinated Cobar off-screen, and torturing Rotor in the dungeon for information. (Lien-Da appears as a high-ranking enforcer, a position she both enjoys and dreads, as Shadow doesn't tolerate her penchant for treachery.) It's something of a morbid joke that Shadow the Hedgehog would ultimately be a more effective dictator than Dr. Robotnik ever was.

While I don't have the antipathy for Ken's setting that many do, I'll admit that Shadow's dystopia is a bit more interesting then Ken's perfect world. That future Mobius was so free of conflict that the heroes' marital problems were the main source of drama. Though our glimpses at this version of Mobius are limited, we do see a couple of nice touches. Like the Orwellian poster spread about the city proclaiming that “The Chaotix are Watching You” or multiple statues seemingly deifying Maria Robotnik as a pure, angelic being.

This story also places Sonic the Hedgehog in a vulnerable places. When Tails and Lara-Su track him down, he's homeless on the streets. His ears are bent back, his shoes are full of holes, his face is wrinkled. He's eating a chili dog seemingly covered in green fuzz. Seeing his wife married to a wicked villain was a huge blow for him. Moreover, Sonic and Sally's kids do not exist in this new timeline. The situation is so bad for him that he nearly cries, as actual, full-blown tears were forbidden by Sega. Even without the water works, this is easily the lowest Archie has ever taken Sonic. The hedgehog is not doing well.

If “Tempus Fugit” has a major problem, it's that the story ends just when things are really getting good. Most of part one is devoted to setting up the situation. So Tails and Sonic's tearful reunion features some dialogue about what happened. That he's built a device able to protect people from the old timeline, that those close to Sonic's trip maintain some memories. Just when Lara-Su and Tails talk the fragile hedgehog into fighting once more, a team of shock troops led by Knuckles close in on them. And that's where the story ends. It's a decent set-up, with some solid emotional moments and a few nice touches. But I wish it was given a little more room to breath.

The cover story probably feels short because the back-up story is longer than the usual five pages.  “The Chaotix Connection” is a collaboration between Flynn and Romy Chacon, with the likely conclusion being that Flynn fleshed out Chacon's outline. Anyway, Renfield T. Rodent – remember him? - was freed from echidnan prison when Robotnik took over Angel Island. The rat fled to Station Square, where he's built a new casino. The President of the city rightfully feels he might be up to something. So the Chaotix, along with Rouge who has been granted temporary membership on the team, are sent to investigate. They uncover another half-assed but dangerous plot from the bad guy.

“The Chaotix Connection” is something like a spiritual sequel to “The Chaotix Caper.” That previous adventure is referenced a few times, with Mighty and Espio being concerned that Renfield has poisoned the casino's food. This story is not as dark as that one, as there's no children dying from drug poisoning and no mass dosings of L.S.D. In fact, “The Chaotix Connection” is pretty silly. The Rodent has been ordered by Eggman to hypnotize anyone who stares at his slot machines for too long. This is a plot to grab the brain waves of the Chaotix, downloading them into a new set of Auto-Automatons. This includes the goofy sights of the Chaotix with mesmerized, swirly eyes. It also features an android horse with a rocket punch, a henchman granted to Renfield by Robotnik.

Despite these goofy moments, it's still satisfying to see the Chaotix working together as a team on another crime story-like adventure. Mighty shows off his strength, rolling Renfield's machines into a giant ball of scrap. Julie-Su blows the android horse's head off. Yet my favorite moments in this story involve Julie-Su and Rouge's growing rivalry over Knuckles. The bat continues to ruffle the echidna's feathers, Knuckles forced to separate them at one point. That seems like a juicy plot point but, sadly, Rouge and Julie-Su share little panel time after that.

What truly makes “The Chaotix Connection” an important story is its art. This would be Jay Axer's final credit on Archie's “Sonic” book. As always, Axer's work is phenomenal. The story opens with a startling one-page spread of Knuckles tied up, spit being substituted for blood running from his mouth. As always, Axer brings a very high level of detail to his work. All the characters, even the minor ones working in the loading bay, are incredibly detailed and well thought out. Despite Rouge wearing her odd “Sonic Heroes” get-up, Axer still draws her better than anyone else. It's also worth noting that Axer was one of the few artists on this book who could draw decent looking humans. Archie never utilized Axer very well, usually sticking him on back-up story duty, yet his artwork continued to be some of the best ever featured in the book. I'll miss the guy, for sure.

The back-up story isn't the best to be featured in the book, even if the artwork is great. It's a bit of a shame that a middling story like this took away page space from the cover story, which probably needed the breathing room. Still, this is a solid over all issue, featuring one story that shows a lot of promising ideas and a back-up that features some killer artwork. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 130

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 130
Publication Date: November 2003

With issue 130, Sonic the Hedgehog returns to his home world, his journey through space officially over. I'm not sure why Archie tossed Sonic through space for four months, other then to expound on the sci-fi concepts the Xorda introduced. Maybe it was in pursuit of those two words comic editors are always after: “Fresh” and “new.” Though the five part “Home” story arc had Sonic – go figure – returning home, this story arc was also striving for a fresh and new approach. Because this isn't the same Mobius Sonic left behind.

Sonic’s ship crash-lands on Mobius, finally returning the hedgehog home. The first person he runs into upon arriving is Geoffrey St. John and Hershey surrounded by ShadowBots. He saves their asses, the two quite surprised to see him alive. Sonic’s tearful reunions with all his friends and family – including a Sally deeply grateful to see him alive – is interrupted by Robotnik’s latest plan. The Eggman is pointing weapons of mass destruction at Knothole again. He’s got a nuke pointed at Station Square too.

Why are things on Mobius so different? Because Sonic has been in outer space for a year. Oh, it only seemed like a few days for him but, you know, relativity and all that shit. The “one year later” gimmick is something comic do from time to time. Three years after this issue, DC Comics would launch an event actually called “One Year Later.” I’m not a fan of time-jumps like this. They’re usually cheap, easy ways to introduce big, sweeping changes into the book, with no explanation provided. At least not immediately.

The first part of the “Home” arc certainly provides its share of changes like that. Geoffrey St. John and Hershey get married on the third page. Antoine is now a stoic bad-ass with a scar over his eyes. Knothole Village has been re-built into a high-tech city. Robotnik is accompanied by two new creations: A.D.A.M., a super smart computer, and M, a fem-bot bodyguard. Rotor has a vest and Sally has long hair. The book provides an off-panel promise that these changes will be explained… Eventually.

Ultimately, the big sweeping changes are way less meaningful to the reader than Sonic reuniting with his friends and family. Mobius’ greatest hero has been gone for a year. People miss him. Hell, even Geoffrey St. John is excited to see him! The Chaotix rush to him, in excitement. Knuckles gives him a high five and bond over their mutual status as resurrectees. Uncle Chuck and Bernie give him big hugs. Tails and Amy Rose tackle him. Most amusingly is Robotnik’s reaction. Believing his arch-enemy is dead, the villain responses to Sonic’s return by screaming in agony towards the heavens. There’s even a meta angle to this, as the reader is equally happy to see these characters. Four months isn’t as long as a year but we’ve still missed these guys.

The most important of all these reunions is Sonic’s meeting with Sally. Even twelve months later, it’s evident the Princess is still mourning for her hedgehog hero. He finds her kneeling at the memorial statue. The scene is impressively orchestrated. It’s presented as a first person perspective of Sonic approaching Sally. He reaches out for her. Her tear soaked eyes look back to him in shock. Finally, the two lock in a powerful kiss, without saying a word. Later, as the two walk hand in hand, Sonic asks if Sally was shocked by his return from the dead. She says she wasn’t. She always knew he’d return to her. Um, sorry you guys, there’s some dust in my eyes. (There’s even some humor in this scene, when a group of paparazzi interrupt the couple’s tender moment.)

In truth, the issue’s emotional stakes are effective enough that they completely overshadow the actual plot mechanics. The issue shoves the events that will drive the next few issues into the back of the book. Something about Robotnik threatening to unleash radiation on the world. Or nuke Knothole and Station Square. Or maybe Station Square is going to nuke Robotropolis? Whole lot of potential nuking going on. That’s a threat the book has returned to far too often and I really don’t care about it.

For an emotional issue like this, Archie brought back two of their best artists. J. Axer pencils the first three pages. This, disappointingly, does not stick Axer with the best moments. He draws Sonic’s ship crash-landing, the hedgehog reacquainting himself with Mobian dirt, and then Robotnik’s ShadowBots encircling St. John and Hershey. Still, Axer makes the most of what he’s given. Steven Butler draws the rest of the issue. He also does some good work, really milking Sonic and Sally’s reunion for as much pathos as possible.

There’s some great emotional moments in issue 130 of “Sonic the Hedgehog.” Honestly, I wish the book could inject this level of emotion into the book more often, without doing a silly time jump like this. Because the character interaction is way more compelling than the plot Karl is trying to push in this one. I remember the “Home” arc starting strong and fizzling out quickly. Let’s see if that recollection holds true as I re-read these comics. [8/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 128

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 128
Publication Date: October 2003

So we're three issues into the “Tossed in Space” event. Thus far, the story arc has not impressed. For the third part, which confusingly contains the fifth and sixth installments of the story, Archie dug deep into the archives, bringing back a foe that hasn't been seen in 107 issues. The return of E.V.E. - last seen a long ass time ago in issue 21 – provides us with the best edition of “Tossed in Space” thus far. Which still isn't saying too much.

Sonic is cruising through space in the ship the Azurites provided him with last time. They instructed him to visit a near-by planet, promising the residences there could return him home. When Sonic reaches those coordinates, he instead discovers a ring of space debris. Quickly getting picked up by a group of space adventurers, the hedgehog is informed that the world was destroyed by E.V.E. As in the highly advanced robotic life form Robotnik created ages ago. Which has taken to devouring planets all over the solar system. Feeling responsible for E.V.E.'s path of destruction, Sonic heads out to face the entity directly.

The first half of the story, entitled “Starmada,” is devoted to Sonic talking to the fleet of aliens. It's mildly fun, capitalizing on the sci-fi setting more than any of the previous chapters of “Tossed in Space” have. There's definitely some pulpy fun to seeing Sonic interact with a bunch of crazy aliens. The same can be said for the hedgehog piloting a space ship, avoiding laser blasts and asteroids. Yes, their leader – who is named Bagbar Breeblebrox, yet another obvious Douglas Adams homage – does little more then cough up exposition. But the designs are all pretty neat, especially the reptilian female in leather cowboy hat.

Once E.V.E. re-enters the story following her long absence, this issue becomes less interesting. The neigh unkillable super-robot has essentially evolved into yet another Galactus rip-off. That brings the “Sonic” book's number of would-be Galactuses – Galacti? - to three. This is emphasized in a scene where E.V.E. massive ship floats over an innocent planet, tears it apart, devouring everything there, and leaving ruin in its place. Unlike Galactus, who has a clear reason for eating worlds, E.V.E.'s goals are a little fuzzier. She talks about freeing other enslaved artificial life forms but I'm not sure how destroying how planets accomplishes that.

The second half, which gets the pun-tastic title of “E.V.E. Ill,” isn't a story with a lot of emotional stakes. But there's one scene that stands out. After sneaking inside E.V.E.'s massive ship, Sonic goes exploring while wearing a space suit. He, somehow, runs into Sally. The two unite with a hug and attempt to kiss, their space helmets clanking together. They were so caught up in the moment, they didn't even think about it. Awwwww. It's easy to guess that this isn't the real Sally but rather E.V.E. impersonating her. But it still provides this story with its sole moment of emotional resonance. It also serves to reminds us on what Sonic is missing out on and why he's journeying through space in the first place: To be reunited with the people he loves.

“E.V.E. Ill” has a disappointing conclusion, like seemingly all the stories have in this arc. (This one doesn't even have the excuse of making room for a back-up story, as this entry occupies the entire comic.) Twice, issue 128 reminds us of the events of issue 21. Probably not a bad idea, since it was a while ago, though I don't know why we needed two recaps. Anyway, Sonic informs E.V.E. that, when he told her to evolve pass her original programming, he didn't expect her to go around, destroying worlds. It basically takes one page of convincing before E.V.E. realizes she has fucked up. Her response? To dive into a fucking sun, obliterating herself. Sonic talks the super-robot into killing herself way too quickly. His lack of a reaction is also disappointing, as he's too preoccupied with fleeing to his space ship.

The story could've used another draft but issue 128 features some nice art work. J. Axer draws the first half. The gang of alien marauders look pretty awesome in Axer's style, as his extreme detail and colorful character designs make these utterly minor character look memorable. Dawn Best handles the second half. Best isn't as great an illustrator as Axer but she still does fine work. Sonic's body looks a little funny in a few panels but Best's nicely draws the faux reunion between the hedgehog and his princess. Her design for E.V.E. - a pink-skinned and haired female with a dress made of tentacles – is interesting. It's just as good a design as the crystal-brained angry face with tentacles Spaz drew oh so long ago.

At least there's no lame back-up story this time! Yeah, issue 128 still has some serious problems. I'm not going to deny that. But it also has some amusing moments, which counts for something in this comic book. If nothing else, it looks pretty neat. I'll take what I can get. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 125

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 125
Publication Date: July 2003

Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” making it to 125 issues was definitely worth celebrating. When Archie began publishing the series, they probably didn't expect it to run for more then a year or two, much less for ten. Yet issue 125 presents another reason worth celebrating. The book would, after seven issues, finally ditch the lame brain magazine cover gimmick. Spaz's artwork would no longer be contained to a simple template and the cover would no longer be peppered with lame puns. Issue 125 definitely has a crowded cover, as Spaz tries to squeeze in as many characters as possible. But it's still preferable to two cast members posing in front of a white screen.

“Sonic Adventure 2.5: Omega,” as the story is rather grandiosely called, picks up where we left off. Some books from the royal library and the Brotherhood of Guardians confirm what the Xorda's announcement. Yes, Mobius really was Earth millions of years ago. Sally then attempts to peacefully negotiate with the alien invaders but the space squids aren't having it. Instead, fearful of being wiped out, Robotnik makes an uneasy truce with the Knothole Freedom Fighters. He provides Sonic and Sally with a giant murder-robot, which seemingly beats back the Xorda battleship. Before leaving orbit, the aliens drop a doomday device at the planet's pole, forcing everyone on Mobius to come together to literally save the world.

The comic has had Sonic and Robotnik team up once or twice before but the circumstances have rarely been this serious. The robotic dictator seems genuinely desperate and King Max nicely plays hardball, demanding the villain give up half of his territory before agreeing to help him. He needs Sonic's super speed to peddle the doom-bot that badly. Naturally, it's not a huge surprise when we discover that Robotnik has added a trap to the deal. Once Sonic is strapped in, he can't get out. Eggman plans to force Sonic to destroy his own city. Which is pretty fucked up, mildly clever, and the first time the new Robotnik has seemed as ruthless as he's suppose to be.

Karl is juggling a lot of balls in this story and does a decent job of catching them. Except for one point. Issue 125 also features Knuckles the Echidna's frequently foreshadowed return to the land of the living. He essentially tells Aurora to get bent, he's using his god like power to do what he wants, and zaps himself back to Mobius. Which is mildly disappointing but, considering how unhelpful the goddess was, Knuckles' solution is satisfyingly straight forward. It does lead to one touching moment, when Knuckles and Julie-Su are reunited. However, Knuckles' resurrection is otherwise an awkward plot device. He stops one death trap from killing Sonic and Sally, stranding them inside another. Knuckles then looses his superpowers, making him useless for the rest of the issue.

Luckily, “Sonic Adventure 2.5: Omega” is satisfying more often then not. Archie was apparently eager to get everything single character who has ever appeared in the book back for this two-parter. I don't think they succeeded. Horizont-Al, the Nerbs, and Spawnmower are nowhere to be seen. However, a metric shit ton of furries do appear in this issue. And not without a good reason. On Angel Island, we see the Dark Legion and the dingoes working together. At the polar icecaps, an army of hundreds of characters come together, all eager to help out. The huge cast makes the story feel properly epic. It also shows disaster uniting everyone, all types putting aside their differences for the greater good. It's hard to imagine humans working together that amicably, even in the face of total annihilation.

The story also feels suitably epic in scope. Dropping Sonic inside a giant robot to punch a space ship is certainly a big moment. So is the doomsday device dropped at the Arctic. The Quantum Dial works rather improbably, clicking down by the minutes before a black hole is created. Any machine stepping near the dial immediately disassembles. Which is why Station Square's nuclear missiles and Robotnik's giant mecha can't be used to scrap the thing. It's convoluted, for sure. The  Quantum Device exist to get Sonic alone with the doomsday device, forcing the hedgehog to sacrifice himself. But it's convoluted in a fun, comic-book-y way.

That's right, I said “sacrifice.” For reason that probably made sense to Karl when he wrote it, Sonic has to pull a Barry Allen. He runs really fast around the Quantum Dial, which somehow changes its affects, and creates a reverse time wedgie. Sonic vanishes in the resulting blast and everyone assumes he's dead. Except, of course, he's not. You know, after qoute-unqoute killing off Knuckles just six issues ago, you'd think the book would be resistant to perform another death cheat. But at least Sonic isn't headed for a tedious journey into the afterlife. He's simply teleported across space, as the comic's final pages reveal.

It's not graceful writing but Karl at least handles Sonic's “death” with a little more dignity then Ken handled Knuckles'. Bollers' narration, about how Sonic's passing will be felt among his friends, is heavy-handed but effective. He also makes room for honest emotion. A statue is erected in Sonic's memory. Sally looks longingly out a window, haunted by her lover's death. Hundreds gather for a memorial service. On the battlefield, in the immediate aftermath, everyone weeps in agony. This is the most touching moment. Bunnie cradles Sally. Mina collapses. Tails silently cries. Huge, cartoon tear drops explode from Amy's eyes. Though less protracted than the raw treatment of Sally's death back in “Endgame,” it's still a well done moment.

“Sonic Adventure 2.5: Omega” has something else in common with “Endgame.” As with issue 50, multiple artist were called on to work on this one. Fewer names were involved so it's not quite as visually schizophrenic as that issue. The art is a little more consistent too. Dave Manak draws the opening pages. While his work is as angular as ever, the artist actually makes an attempt to adapt to the character's then designs. He even makes the Xorda look appropriately squidy and gross. Dawn Best mostly sticks to the Knuckles interludes, where her stylistic pencils are well utilized.

Art Mawhinney draws most of the book, bringing his expressive faces to the panels devoted to tense conversation. Steven Butler draws most of the second half. So he handles the big action beats and the huge crowds, which play to his strengths for detail and action. Jay Axer handles the climax and the resolution, so the most important emotional scenes are granted his detailed, excellent work. Instead of just sticking artists on random pages, Archie actually seemed to be hand-picking them for specific moments. (Which may be why Ron Lim gets only a few pages, mostly devoted to landscapes.)

It's not a perfect story but “Sonic Adventure 2.5” is a satisfying pay-off to the last few issues, bringing together a lot of characters and plot points without fouling them all up. It's a solid action/adventure story and that's some times all I ask of this book. (It's sort of funny that Archie was reluctant to just call the story “Sonic Adventure 3,” considering Sega still refuses to make a game actually called that.) At the very least, it's a better anniversary issue then number 100 was. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 124

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 124
Publication Date: June 2003

It seems like only yesterday that Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” book crossed the one hundredth landmark. I guess when you're reviewing three issues a week, history seems to progress a little faster. By June of 2003, the book was fast approaching another landmark: Issue 125. Perhaps to make up for issue 100 being an underwhelming anniversary issue, Karl Bollers decided to pump up the jam for this event. The two parter beginning in 124 and concluding in 125, named “Sonic Adventure 2.5,” was determined to bring back as many characters as possible. It would also reveal some major truth for the book's universe.

For once, Karl successfully balances a number of different subplots. In space, Shadow the Hedgehog is rescued by the Bem and restored to full health. Following a scramble with an advancing alien battle-ship, the hedgehog falls towards Mobius once again. In Station Square, the same extraterrestrial dreadnought smashes through the artificial sky, attacking the city. Robotnik's empire comes under fire next. A peaceful moment in Knothole, Sonic and Sally finally announcing their engagement, is interrupted by the same pesky aliens. The invaders drop a major chunk of information on the heroes: Millions of years ago, Mobius was known as Earth.

Sometimes company's are slow to respond to fan's enthusiasm. Despite becoming immediately popular, Sega was cagey for a while about Shadow's status. Did he really die at the end of “Sonic Adventure 2?” Archie, similarly, took its time to revive Sonic's dark-furred rival. The character had barely appeared in the book previously, with the hasty game adaptation in issue 98 being his sole previous appearance. Issue 124 belatedly brings Shadow back into the comic, showing his return to Mobius. It even gives the character, too often written as just a broody badass, some development. Upon seeing Hope Kintobor, he's reminded of Maria, the saintly little blonde that was his only friend. So that's why the hot-headed anti-hero is working with the good guys: He's in awe of some other small blonde human-like creature.

More pressing to my interests: Sonic and Sally are no longer boning in sin. Following their mutual declaration of love in the last issue, the hedgehog and the Princess officially ask her parents if they can get engaged. They use a fancy word for it, something about Sonic some day becoming her betrothed, but the point is clear. These two love birds are Facebook official. They are now a committed couple and no mongoose shall come between them. If the hot and heavy kiss they share in this story, drawn with loving detail by Steven Butler, is any indication, this relationship has been serious – seriously sexy - for quite some time.

A greater threat looms in this issue and the book handles it an interesting way. The incoming alien invasion is properly portrayed as a global concern. The president of Station Square is affected, his driver taking a dive into the river. Rouge said she was going to rescue him but she got distracted, I guess. Robotnik, meanwhile, gets seriously scared that the invaders have equal fire power to him. He essentially begs the Kingdom of Acorn to assist but King Max leaves him hanging, which continues to show that the king can be ruthless when he wants to be. The Brotherhood even pops their head in, bringing up two recent plot points: Yeah, Knuckles is dead and the Floating Island is now Angel Island. I thought you guys knew?

Some people hate that Karl Bollers brought aliens into the Archie-verse. I'll admit, his previous introduction of the Bem was awkward. Honestly, I think he handles the first appearance of the Xorda a little better. There's plenty of build-up. Their appearance, including many tentacles and mad eyes, are properly striking. Though it crops up a little too frequently, the alien invasion is a good choice for any epic event. A global invasion by pissed-off E.T.s tend to unite the world, after all. The short version: I ain't got no beef with the Xorda.

Nor do I have additional beef with the major plot reveal they bring. Yes, issue 124 officially drops the “Planet of the Apes”-style bomb that Mobius was once Earth. Some people hate this reveal as well. Similarly, I don't mind. I mean, the book has been hinting at this truth for roughly forever. Remember the Sydney Opera House appearing in the “Tails” mini-series? Or the Freedom Fighters getting zapped into America in the Image crossover? Or, for that matter, a city full of regular human people appearing during the “Sonic Adventure” adaptation? More recently, a story was set in a blasted-out New York City, partially destroyed Statue of Liberty included. So it's not like the reveal came out of nowhere.

Some of the details are baffling. The Xorda getting pissed with Earth after their ambassador was dissected is reasonable. The aliens dropping a Gene Bomb on the planet – a weapon that apparently set up the new life forms that now call the Planet Formerly Known as Earth home – doesn't make much sense. If they wanted to wipe out all life, why utilize a device that would create more? But no matter. Mobius is Earth now and vice versa. Get used to it.

After that cliffhanger ends the main book, Ken Penders sets about wrapping up the “Afterlife” story line. Aurora continues to show Knuckles his life, displaying how his Chaos Powers would grow throughout his solo series. After confusingly telling him that only he controls his fate and his destiny is preordained, Knuckles passes through a portal to the afterlife. Except he doesn't, because Aurora is a big fat liar. Instead, Aurora has further plans for the Guardian. Why she couldn't just tell him, I don't know. I guess Aurora works in mysterious ways.

Once again, my mind is floated with frustrating questions. Why did Ken spend three issues recounting Knuckles' life? I can only speculate. Aurora being a manipulative bitch fits in with every other person in Knuckles' life bossing him around. Why would the goddess lie to him about his fate? I don't know, man. Why has every single authority figure in Knuckles' life pushed him around, evasively? At least Knuckles is finally no longer green. Jesus Christ, how long has he been green? Like two or three years? So let's be thankful that stupid bullshit is behind us

Ron Lim's sabbatical thankfully continues for the time being. Jay Axer draws the opening sequence devoted to Shadow while Steven Butler handles the rest of the cover story. Both produce excellent work. Art Mawhinney draws the back-up. While he does often resort to tracing Manny Galan's stuff from the “Knuckles” book, his work is still pretty good. Archie would try epic events from time to time and wouldn't always succeed. So far, “Sonic Adventure 2.5” is far smoother then “Endgame,” at the least. Let's see if they stick the landing. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 123

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 123
Publication Date: May 2003

Here we go, kids. The Sonic/Sally/Mina love triangle is finally about to be buried. Bollers has been stretching this plot point out for nearly two years. Occasionally, it produced one or two interesting moments but, too often, it was a source of melodrama. The story line's obnoxiousness peaked with issue 99's kiss, definitely one of the book's most asinine moments. But let's stop dwelling on the past and get on with the future.

In the second half of “Heart Held Hostage,” Sonic speeds off without assistance to retrieve Sally from Nack's gang. He's not alone though, as Mina sneaks up behind him. The mongoose has tagged along, in hopes of further impressing her crush. Inside Nack's spooky mansion, Sally makes an escape attempt that almost works. When it doesn't, Sonic saves the day. As the two lovebirds are reunited, Mina's heart is broken. As an extra kick in the ass, Nack shoots the mongoose in the back.

I have some continued qualms with Karl Bollers' treatment of Princess Sally. In this issue, she gets a bad-ass moment to herself. She successfully outsmarts Nack before nailing the weasel in the balls. That's pretty cool. The bummer comes when she immediately fucks up, emptying the gun she stole and wandering into a dead-end. It's hard to believe that the hyper-confident military leader seen in the “Princess Sally” mini-series would ever make a mistake like that. Maybe that year stuck in the castle really drained her strategic abilities.

As an action story, “Heart Held Hostage” does feature some pretty cool moments. The panels devoted to Sally's escape attempt, that has the princess dodging gun fire and running down a hall while shooting her own gun, is really exciting. Jay Axer's ability for action is on display here. Not to mention his incredible attention to detail, as the mansion setting looks awesome. His character work is awesome too. His detailed designs give more personality to Nack's gang members than the script does. Axer's Sally, meanwhile, looks incredibly powerful and sexy. I really wish Archie had utilized Axer this well more often.

Maybe Sally's weaker characterization is a natural side effect of the story focusing on Mina. We continue to be privy to her thoughts, her love-struck ideas filling her word bubbles. Yet hard reality comes crashing down on the mongoose in this issue. After Sonic rescues his Princess, Sally leaps in his arms. She declares her love, tears streaming from their eyes, and the two lock lips. This leads to one of the most memorable panels in the book's entire run. Upon seeing this sight, Mina's heart shatters. The panel breaks along with her. She stumbles to her knees, feeling sick. It's a surprisingly visceral, powerful portrayal of heart-break. Yet Mina proves her love by taking the bullet meant for Sally. The story then concludes there, ending things on an effective downbeat moment. It kind of looks like Mina dies after telling Sonic she loves him but she's alive well in the back-up story. I guess she got better?

“Afterlife – Part Three” fills the book's second slot. Aurora continues to recap Knuckles' life for him. He sees his childhood, spent with Sally and Vector, before his dad abandoned him. For some dumb reason, Aurora and Knuckles then briefly describe most of the echidna's subsequent adventures.

So why the hell did Ken decide to use the “Afterlife” arc as an excuse tor regurgitate Knuckles' history? Other then presumably being out of ideas, I'll take a guess. The book's 125th issue was coming up soon. Archie seemed to think that the book's anniversary issues always drew in more readers. I don't have the sale records in front of me so, I don't know, maybe they did. While expecting this new influx of readers, maybe Penders figured he'd recount the echidna's previous adventures. Or maybe he was just taking the whole “Life flashes before your eyes” thing way too literally.

Once again, the flashback heavy structure is frustrating. The early scenes are promising. We see another childhood encounter between Knuckles and Sally, both youths bemoaning their responsibilities. Later, we see another encounter between the Guardian and Vector. The two roughhouse, presumably as foreshadowing of the musky, homoerotic rage the crocodile would feel towards Knuckles one day. This stuff is promising, especially the panel devoting to Knuckles' crying after his dad dropped him like a bag of hammers. Which makes the story's then devolution into a systematic recap of Knuckles' adventures, as portrayed in these very comics, all the more disappointing.

Issue 123 concludes with “The Last Robian.” Once again, Sonic's parents have vanished. Seemingly every Robian in the village have disappeared. The hedgehog initially blames this on Robotnik but the villain claims no responsibility. Just as soon as they're gone, they come back. Only now, the formally robotic citizens are organic once more. All except for one. Sonic's father Jules is still robotic. While this alienates the hedgehog for some time, he eventually gets over himself and stops moping, just being happy that his loved ones have returned to normal.

It's a good idea. Considering the Freedom Fighters have been fighting for years to restore their loved ones' humanity, their family becoming fleshy again permanently concludes that plot point. Jules being stuck as a machine provides some pathos. His decision not to let his mechanic state hold him back adds a nicely emotional resolution. The problem lies in the execution. Most of “The Last Robian” is narrated, without dialogue. It's a really odd decision, making the story seem very didactic and unnatural. Maybe a more fleshed-out version of the story wouldn't fit within the six page restraint? It's a bummer. This could've been something special.

Art Mawhinney draws the latter two stories. As always, he does good work. His handle of emotion really helps the second story, even if Muttski looks a little too cute to be believable. (A coloring error also paints Lupe as brown, though this isn't Art's fault.) The cover story makes up for its characterization issues with some great moments. The “Afterlife” arc remains irritating while the final story is almost interesting. Seemed to be business as usual at the time. Fuck it, I'm feeling generous and the artwork is pretty. Here's a [7/10.]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 122

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 122
Publication Date: April 2003

I’ve been criticizing the Sonic/Sally/Mina love triangle for some time now. The reoccurring plot point has made Sally look overly sensitive, Sonic look obvious to his girlfriend’s feelings, and Mina look like a stalker. Even as someone who is barely a fan of Amy Rose, I still think she would’ve made more sense as the third corner of the triangle. My biggest complaint is that Karl has been hitting this note, repetitively, for over a year now. With the “Heart-Held Hostage” story arc, Karl goes upon burying this point once and for all.

“Heart Held Hostage: Part 1” begins with Jules teaching Sonic how to play the guitar, a talent the hedgehog has displayed from time to time. The music naturally attracts Mina, who begins to sing along. Sally’s parents allow her to spend some time with her friends. Upon spotting Sonic and Mina spending time together, the Princess becomes discouraged. She wanders off and Bunnie follows. At that point, the pleasant afternoon is interrupted when Nack the Weasel and his gang storm into town. They kidnap Sally and vanish. After interrogating one of the weasels, the heroes determined the Princess’ location.

Issue 122 brings back Nack the Weasel, who hasn’t appeared since issue 94. His sister is nowhere to be seen but, instead, Nack is accompanied by a band of new weasels. The mercenaries have a thin motivation here. They kidnap Princess Sally strictly to ransom her. Considering Nack knows first-hand what a bad idea it is to piss off Sonic, you’d think he would have a better plan. Then again, Nack has been characterized more by his ruthlessness than his brains. As always, I’m happy to see the book utilize some other villain than Robotnik, especially since the book has been a little Eggman-heavy here of late. (Later, we learn that Nack has recently acquired a castle from a rich weasel relative. That raises some interesting questions of its own.)

Of course, Nack’s unnamed gang members present one of the story’s most amusing sequences. Amusing or horrifying, depending on how sick your sense of humor is. When the weasel won’t say where the Princess has been taken, the Freedom Fighters try to rough him up. Bunnie dangling the weasel from a window is ineffective. Instead, King Max has the teens leave the room and brings in some burly guards. Who, one assumes, brutalize the weasel into talking. Because the Geneva Convention didn’t last into the Knothole age and enhanced interrogation techniques are standard training for Acorn bodyguards.

As for the Sonic/Sally/Mina love triangle… Early panels where Sally and Mina have the same thoughts about Sonic are cheesy, to say the least. Is “So Sonic!” really that common a description? Sally’s reaction to the song and dance number, as insecure as it makes her look, is at least a well-handled emotional moment. I also have a problem with Nack taking the Princess capture without her putting up a fight. Yeah, she was caught off-guard but it still seems too easy. (Then again, Karl has displayed a bad habit of writing Sally as too submissive.) At least Sonic’s reaction to hearing the Princess’ location – immediately racing off – is a nice touch.

The second story continues Ken Penders’ “Afterlife” story line. Knuckles continues his journey into the echidna afterlife. He quickly meets Aurora, the species' patron goddess. Because every single authority figure in this comic book is evasive, Aurora doesn’t answer Knuckles’ questions so much. Instead, she drops a load of exposition on the dead echida, further elaborating on his childhood. The goddess clarifies herself as the force behind Locke’s prophetic dreams, the thing that drove him to perform unethical experiments on his unborn son, forcing Knuckles down his grim and dark destiny as the Greatest Guardian of Them All…

Aurora’s introduction raises more questions then it answers. When Knuckles asks the goddess to show herself, she appears as an echidna. She then explains that she presents herself to each species as that species, for their comfort. Which confirms that more then just echidnas worship Aurora. So does that mean Aurora is the chosen deity for all of Mobius? Do people in the Kingdom of Acorn or Downunda worship Aurora? Is she the force behind the Source of All, the creator of the universe the kings commune with? If so, why does the goddess take a special interest in the Brotherhood of Guardians?

Of course, the real answers to these questions is that this is Penders’ story. Vague, unexplained mysticism is his bag and so is making Knuckles and his family the most important people in the world. It’s even implied that the Guardians are descended directly from the goddess, which also raises a boatload of questions.

Instead of telling Knuckles why she brought him here, Aurora regurgitates the echidna’s origin. We see Locke’s dream in more detail. This provides more foreshadowing for that “Mobius: 20 Years Later” story, where Knuckles defeats Robotnik, that Ken has been hyping for ten thousand years. Proving once again that the writer is on board, even the goddess agrees that Locke did the right thing by nuking his baby and alienating his wife. The divorce is presented as Lara-Le’s fault, that Knuckles’ destiny is “inevitable” and the wife was wrong for trying to stop that. For trying to prevent her husband from abandoning their child in the wilderness and invading his privacy for, well, ever. Jesus, Ken, how fucked up was your childhood?

We get a double dose of Penders this month and, luckily, the second story is slightly better. Julie-Su, still morning, goes to Knuckles’ den and looks through his belongings. This pisses off Vector and the two get into yet another scuffle. After calming down, Vector explains how he first met Knuckles and both teenagers share in their sorrow over loosing a mutual friend.

Vector continues to take Knuckles’ death harder then nearly anybody else, once again proving my theory that he was super-gay for the echidna. Julie-Su being inside Knuckles’ den – someone else daring to care for the guy, especially a woman – enrages Vector into violence. Eventually, the crocodile and the object of all his scorn, the female that proved Knuckles would never love him, make peace. But not after smacking each other around, which leads to the satisfying sight of Julie-Su kicking the asshole in the face. But both are mourning and this gives them some common ground. During the conversation, Vector even admits that he’s dead weight to the Chaotix, being more of a talker then a fighter. It’s a secret the crocodile insists Julie-Su never tell anyone else. Gee, Vector, do you have any other secrets you don’t want getting out, that may compromise your macho exterior?

There’s a reoccurring pattern to these stories. Instead of focusing on the characters’ mourning, a natural reaction to the death of a friend or lover, Ken’s using these stories to expand on the cast’s origins. Vector explains to Julie-Su how he first met Knuckles. Basically, the two literally stumbled over each other. They punched one another in the face, developed a mutual respect, and then a bird pooped on the crocodile’s head. It’s not a very satisfying origin but, then again, I wouldn’t expect anything about Vector to be interesting. At least the story throws in some honest emotion, to make up for any other issues.

Issue 122 is as uneven as any of the book’s recent issues but something makes it special. It’s got to be one of the best looking books among the entire run. We have three awesome artist at the top of their game. Jay Axer draws the cover story, bringing a magnificent level of detail, expression, and dynamism to the tale. The characters all look especially awesome while the action scenes really pop. Art Mawhinney draws “Afterlife.” While the echidnas still look a little weird in his style, the scenes of Locke’s dreams and sudden decision are really well done. Dawn Best draws the final story, doing some of her best work. Vector looks especially cartoonish while Julie-Su looks both powerful and vulnerable. And apparently she recently underwent a growth spurt, as the formally flat-chested echidna is now sporting D-cups. Not that I’m complaining…

So what do you make of this one? A cover story that has some problems but functions okay, a middle story that is full of irritating moments, and one last back-up that works better then it should? Once again, the word “uneven” comes to mind. But the all-around great artwork is making me feel generous so this gets a [7/10.]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 116

 
Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 116
Publication Date: October 2002

Rouge the Bat is nowhere as controversial a character as Shadow the Hedgehog but her introduction still generated some debate. Some questioned why a kid-centric franchise like “Sonic the Hedgehog” would introduce a blatantly fan service character like Rouge the Bat. Was her cleavage too generous for a children’s series? Was Sega blatantly targeting furries? Of course, Archie had been introducing potentially inappropriate sexy female characters in their comic book for years. So Rouge’s curvy proportions were less controversial on these pages. With issue 116, Rouge the Bat would graduate from cameo to full-blown character, a fact trumpeted on the cover.

The comic considered Rouge’s re-introduciton such a big deal that they gave her the cover over the issue’s first story. “Operation: Off-Switch,” instead, finds Sonic and Bunnie in the employ of Station Square again. The president has spotted Robotnik operating out of a near-by abandoned city, following the recent destruction of Robotropolis. Rouge was sent to investigate but vanished. The two Freedom Fighters swoop in, ostensibly to find the bat and stop Robotnik’s latest plan.

The official reveal that Mobius is a post-apocalyptic Earth wouldn’t come for a while longer. However, the book had been hinting at this truth for some time. Another big clue comes in “Operation: Off-Switch.” The abandoned city Robotnik has taken up residence in is obviously New York City. Among the skyline, one can spot a dismembered Statue of Liberty and a damaged Empire State Building. This raises some pretty big questions. Why is New York abandoned, if many of the buildings are still standing? How are the buildings standing, when we would later learn that the Xorda would devastate the entire planet? How come the Freedom Fighters have never noticed this place before? Benny Lee’s script provides no answers to these queries.

Maybe I’m a nerd who over-analyzes shit. (That’s fair.) Maybe we aren’t suppose to think this much about it. So how does “Operation: Off-Switch” function as a regular story? Weakly. I’m not sure why the writers brought in the Station Square president, when King Acorn could’ve just as easily filled this role. Pairing Sonic and Bunnie is an interesting idea but the story quickly separates them. The action is underwhelming, with Sonic quickly dodging some missiles. He’s quibbing even more than usual, draining any tension the story might have had.

His confrontation with Robotnik – who has taken up residence in a new, ridiculous body – is very short lived. He bounces around the villain’s robot arms, shoves a stick of dynamite into his mouth, and flees before the disproportionately huge explosion follows. It certainly makes Eggman – who, we must remember, is suppose to be more ruthless than the original Robotnik – seem like a total joke. That the fight is over so quickly, and so underwhelmingly, makes this whole story seem like a pointless stop gap on the way to Sonic’s next, more serious struggle with his arch-enemy.

Story number two covers the Bunnie/Rouge fight portrayed on the cover. After parting ways from Sonic, Bunnie searches for Rouge. The bat has already escaped Robotnik’s prison, the power failing following the explosion. The femme fatale mistakes Bunnie for one of the doctor’s robotic minions. Apparently Bunnie is in a grouchy mood. Instead of explaining the misunderstanding, she strikes back. The bat and the rabbit wail on each other for a few pages before Sonic arrives, telling them to break it up.

“Bat Fight” – yes, the story is really called that – exists mostly because its premise is too salacious to resist. No, there’s no real reason for the secret agent bat and super-strong cyborg to fight each other. As Sonic points out at the end, the two are on the same team. The mix-up that results in the fight should’ve been explained away quickly. There’s no plot reason for the two to scuffle. Instead, the sexy bat girl battling the sexy bunny girl is an amusing idea, playing with the “who would win in a fight?” fan boy discussion. I’m certainly not above such things. Occasionally, that kind of nerdery is fun to indulge. Devoting all five pages to the fight certainly leaves plenty of room for combat.

If the inherit appeal of the idea wasn’t the reason this story got the greenlight, Jay Axer’s artwork justifies its existence. Rouge and Bunnie certainly look irresistible in his style. (Rouge’s bustline was diminished in her first appearance but Axer brings the boobies back.) His command of action is perfectly suited to this one. Bunnie gets tossed through a window, delivering a clenched fist to Rouge’s face in retaliation. Kicks and punches are traded in vivid ways. When Rouge is kicked into a stone pillar, which seems to win Bunnie the fight, you can feel the impact. Karl Bollers’ dialogue is utterly inane but Axer’s awesome artwork makes the whole thing worth it.

The last story in the issue continues Ken Penders’ Green Knuckles saga. With “Ultimate Power – Mid-Logue: The Lesson,” he tries to trick us into thinking “mid-logue” is a word. Also, while watching Mammoth Mogul’s broadcast, Knuckles has a spontaneous flashback. He reflects on a time his dad spotted a team of Robians, sent by Robotnik, to abduct the Master Emerald. And what did Knuckles do during this adventure? Repeatedly get beaten up by different things, including a tree branch and one of the robots.

I’m not sure what the point of this “mid-logue” was. It breaks up the flow of the on-going plot, the resolution to last month’s cliffhanger being interrupted by a random flashback. Usually, you’d expect the flashback to reflect on the current story in some way. But this one doesn’t seem to. If anything, it emphasizes how Knuckles has always been at the whims of greater powers around him. As a kid, his dad bossed him around. As a teenager, his life is directed by his strange chaos powers and Dimitri’s interests.

I can only speculate why Ken wrote this “mid-logue.” I suspect he did it as another excuse to boost Locke, his favorite character. While Knuckles stumbles into things like a drunken ox, Locke uses his chaos powers to completely destroy the robots attempting to steal the Master Emerald. Keep in mind, these aren’t SWATBots or any of Robotnik’s other mindless drones. Instead, these are Robians. The comic has established repeatedly that Robians are normal Mobians, robotocized and enslaved by the mad doctor’s machines. So, in other words, Locke just murdered three innocent people who had no control over their actions. Because, once again, Penders’ heroes act more like villains.

Ron Lim illustrates both the first and last stories. The action scenes and backgrounds in “Operation: Off-Switch” are totally lifeless. In the back-up story, he draws child Knuckles as being far too small, making the adult Knuckles look like a giant. The Robians, meanwhile, look pretty good, making me wonder if someone else didn’t draw them. The cover story is a fun bit of pointless fluff but the stories bordering it are weak sauce, making for an uneven issue. [5/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 114

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 114
Publication Date: September 2002

I have no idea why Archie took a month off to let Many Hands out of his cage, to present us with the totally worthless “Cry of the Wolf.” Either way, things are back on track with issue 114. As the cover promises, Mammoth Mogul returns to the book. This installment has Benny Lee breaking his habit of stand alone stories. Instead, this one is steeped in the series’ on-going mythology. It also, thankfully, wraps up one of the previous year’s dumbest dangling plot lines.

In “Twice Told Tails,” Sonic’s sidekick is being haunted by nightmares about a spooky cave. Sonic and his parents try to assure the fox that these dreams are nothing to worry about. Instead, Tails flies the Tornado away in the middle of the night. Sonic secretly follows him. The two arrive at the cave Tails has been dreaming about. Inside, they meet Mammoth Mogul and another version of Tails trapped inside a bubble. We quickly discover the truth behind Athair’s startling revelation last year.

Obviously, the main purpose of “Twice Told Tails” is to resolve that stupid “Tails isn’t the real Tails” nugget Ken dropped on us. Benny Lee waste no time in revealing the truth. After being released from the Master Emerald during the “Sonic Adventure” prologue, Mammoth Mogul immediately grabbed the real Tails. He kept the true fox locked up in his cave, slowly draining his special “Chosen One” powers, in order to keep himself alive. To keep his friends off the trail, Mogul created the bogus Tails. It’s succinct and – assuming Benny Lee isn’t really Ken, as I’ve long suspected – probably a much more concise conclusion then Penders would’ve delivered.

It’s nice that this dumb plot thread is finally resolved. Disappointingly, “Twice Told Tails” rushes through the story a bit too quickly. Tails shows up at the cave, inexplicably drawn towards it. Mogul barges in and immediately explains what the hell is going on. Sonic and Tails punch Mogul twice in the face. This is enough to distract the elephant, freeing the real Tails, and forcing the supervillain to skedaddle. Afterwards, the fake Tails dissipates into nothingness. It all happens in the space of a few pages. I’m not complaining about Lee’s eagerness to wrap up this asinine plot twist. However, I wish it was done with a little more elegance.

Granted, there are one or two cute emotional moments. The early scenes of the hedgehogs, including Uncle Chuck and Sonic’s robotic parents, showing concern for Tails is nice. Sonic has some amusing battle banter with Mammoth Mogul, proving that Benny Lee occasionally had an ear for dialogue. I wish Sonic’s reunion with the real Tails at the end was more detailed. It only occupies a few panels but I do like the tears welling up in the hedgehog’s eyes, upon seeing the real Tails gain his freedom.

The back-up story, “Ultimate Power: Part 1,” returns us to the Chaos Knuckles saga, a story line I was personally happy to take a break from. Knuckles sets up Julie-Su and her parents with a swanky apartment in Echidnopolis. When asked how he accomplished this, Knuckles flat-out admits that being the Guardian comes with some perks. Meanwhile, Dimitri reveals to Lien-Da that he’s dying, hoping his protégé will be a worthy heir to the Dark Legion leadership.

The first part of “Ultimate Power” is loaded down with plot mechanics. It sets up Dimitri’s declining health and growing distrust of Lien-Da. The short six-pagers also reveals that Mammoth Mogul is on the Floating Island too, presumably up to nefarious things. If there’s anything interesting about “Ultimate Power,” it’s in the little moments. The way Dawn Best illustrates Lien-Da agreeing to Dimitri’s terms certainly establishes that she’s up to no good. The banter between the Guardian and his girlfriend, as she gushes about her new apartment, is kind of cute. Knuckles is finally reunited with the Chaotix, allowing Vector to get back to harassing Julie-Su. (Considering his secret crush Knuckles is the one openly collaborating with the enemy, Vector’s misogyny is even more misplaced than usual.) Amusingly, Julie-Su tosses Vector to the concrete, clearly sick of his bullshit. Which is, you know, nice. These little moments keep you reading through whatever Ken is planning.

Continuing the three story structure the comic was going with at the time, issue 114 also shoves in a third story. Karl Bollers’ “Young at Heart” has Tails and Amy Rose returning to school, much to their chagrin. Both are annoyed that they have to go to school, while the Freedom Fighters get to do fun stuff. Throughout the day, Amy has to find her own ways to pass the time.

“Young at Heart” is a pretty useless story. Karl resurrects the Knothole High concept but at least realized sticking Sonic in school was a dumb idea. The story doesn’t move the plot forward any or expand on the world. It really just exist to establish that Amy is back in school and to fill out the comic. Yet the antics Amy gets up to – making faces at Tails during history class – are amusing. Both the characters’ frustration with going to school, and the matronly way Sally escorts them to class, is cute. Sonic’s disdain for Geoffrey St. John, and the insistent way Sally clarifies their relationship, are also cute. Jay Axer draws this one and his artwork is as excellent as ever.

None of the stories in issue 114 are entirely satisfying. Yet they all have little moments in them that make me smile. The cover story, most importantly, does do away with a lame plot twist, which is certainly appreciated. Where the comic is headed next, I don’t remember. But at least we’ve got the real Tails back. [7/10]