Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 87

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 87
Publication Date: August 2000

For issue 87, Danny Fingeroth and Sam Maxwell return to finish the story arc they started last time. Sonic quickly recovers from the sucker punch Metal Sonic delivered. As he races towards Mt. Mobius, to rescue the bound Tails, his robotic counterpart continues to attack him. Despite the villain throwing his best at him, Sonic continues to fight. He successfully rescues Tails but this fight isn’t over just yet. The hero has to face down the villain over the boiling caldera of an active volcano, ready to erupt.

“Heart of the Hedgehog” shows what really defines Sonic as a hero. Even with all the heroics the hedgehog gets up to, the book rarely tried to explore what really makes him tick. Fingeroth writes Sonic as willing to risk everything for his friend’s sake. He doesn’t just pay lip service to this idea.

Instead, the writer emphasizes the hero’s skills by contrasting him with the villain’s personality. The two have their snarky wit and super speed in common. Metal Sonic, however, is sadistic and selfish. He outright admits that watching Sonic suffer pleases him. Metal Sonic considers friendship and personal connections to be a weakness, something to exploit. Sonic, by the end, proves to him that this isn’t true. A “Power of Friendship” Aesop sounds corny but Fingeroth pulls it off, strengthening Sonic and Metal Sonic’s personality at the same time.

Issue 87 also functions nicely as an action story. Metal Sonic deploys more traps. Sonic gets trapped in a metal net. The two hedgehogs race each other, zooming around the forest. Sonic laps around the buzz saw blades his robotic nemesis fires. There are laser beams aplenty. The action is fast paced but that’s not the only reason I like it. This iteration of Metal Sonic actually is faster and stronger then the real deal. Compared to how easily Sonic stomped Silver Sonic two issues ago, it’s nice to see the hero actually be challenged by a physically superior enemy. This means the hedgehog can’t just rely on his speed. He has to use his fast wit too.

I guess if “Heart of the Hedgehog” has a major weakness, it’s how Fingeroth sidelines Tails. The flying fox spends nearly all of issue 87 pinned to a mountain side, a sidekick in distress. Yet the writer largely overcomes this problem by refocusing on the two’s friendship at the end. Sonic risks his life to rescue Tails. As the duo is encircled by the lava, and pinned down by Metal Sonic, Tails stays by his friend’s side. He’s willing to fight beside him until the end, showing that the team’s devotion is mutual. Considering “Heart of the Hedgehog” started with Tails doubting his own abilities, it’s great that Fingeroth returned to the fox’s heroic development at the end.

This version of Metal Sonic is a pretty great villain, a nearly unstoppable smart-ass with a psychotic drive to destroy Sonic. After building up the robot as a great baddie, Fingeroth pulls an unexpected twist: He redeems him. Metal Sonic is so moved by Tails’ willingness to die for his friend, that his robotic heart grows three sizes that day. He questions why he wants to kill Sonic so much, realizing he’s a slave to his programming. He learns the value of organic life. So much that, instead of letting Sonic and Tails die, he sacrifices himself to make sure they get to safety. It’s a potentially cheesy twist – sadistic bad guy turned good by the power of friendship – but Fingeroth pulls it off, ending “Heart of the Hedgehog” on both a cool action beat and a nice emotional moment.

Artwork wise, Sam Maxwell contributes some of his most disciplined work yet. He leaves a lot of his abstract style behind, the characters having clear designs that stay within. Instead, he adds more details to the characters and backgrounds. The shots of Sonic leaping around the flowing lava are especially memorable. The action scenes have an awesome speed and energy to them. His facial expressions are pretty great too, especially Metal Sonic’s visible aggravation as he pushes back the walls of lava.

The back-up story, meanwhile, continues to function under the mistaken belief that people give a shit about Monkey Khan. After being locked up by Robotnik, the mechanical tyrant attempts to regain control of Khan. He easily escapes, wrecks Eggman’s forces, and destroys his factory. That’s because Frank Strom refuses to actually challenge his pet character. Khan escapes because of a shitty deus ex machina, his power ring headband protecting him. He mocks and destroys Robotnik’s Shadow-Bots with ease, before tricking them into blowing up the base. In other words, a stupid side character easily defeats the main villain, mostly because of how innately awesome he is. That’s not how you build dramatic tension, Frank.

In addition to the ridiculously thin and shitty script, there’s a pretty huge continuity error at the center of “Against the Haunted Past.” Robotnik keeps going on about how he made Monkey Khan, how angry he is that he escaped… Except this Robotnik - Robo-Robotnik or Eggman or whatever you prefer to call him - didn’t make or imprison Monkey Khan. That’s just another example of Strom’s shoddy writing.

His script is full of corny clichés and ridiculous dialogue. The following lines of dialogue are deployed: “Good Gravy!” “I eat guys like this for breakfast!” “That’s my cue to vamoose!” In-between the unstoppable hero humiliating the main villain and Strom’s utterly inane dialogue, his Monkey Khan stories continue to play like amateur fan fiction.

“Heart of the Hedgehog” is only a brief two-parter near the beginning of a long, not-great period in the comic’s history. Yet fans remember this one well. Metal Sonic v2.5 would prove to be such a fan hit, that the character would return as a hero. Granted, it would be 151 issues and a major writer change before that happened but still. Even when paired with some typically shitty Monkey Khan stories, “Heart of the Hedgehog” is a damn good story arc, combining character, action, and heart to great effect. [8/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 86

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 86
Publication Date: July 2000

At first, it seems like an editorial oversight. Two months in a row, Sonic would fight a robotic double of himself. You’d think Archie must have planned things out badly but it seems like this was a very deliberate move. The cover for issue 86 even comments on the similarities between the two stories. Maybe it was the new guy’s fault. A two-parter would begin in issue 86, written by Danny Fingeroth, who never penned a story arc for the book before or after. Fingeroth ends up making the established guys look bad. The concept between 85 and 86 might be similar but this one tells the same story much better.

Following the plane crash at the end of last month’s issue, Sonic and Tails head out into the near-by forest, looking for supplies. The two banter playfully, Sonic using this time as a training opportunity for Tails. While looking for firewood, the fox disappears. Afterwards, the original Metal Sonic, who has rebuilt his body into a more fearsome form, shows up. The robot has captured Tails, placing him in a death trap. If Sonic wants to see his sidekick alive again, he’ll have to play Metal Sonic’s twisted game, battling his metallic double once more.

Issue 85’s fight between Sonic and Silver Sonic II made some facile attempts to add emotional footing to the story. Ultimately though, it didn’t work and we didn’t care. Fingeroth’s “Heart of the Hedgehog” immediately adds some grounding to the plot. He begins the issue by focusing on Sonic and Tails’ friendship. We return to the fact that, even though they’re brothers in arms by this point, Tails still looks up to Sonic. The fox is still younger, uncertain of his abilities. After a strong wind blows him to the ground, Sonic reassures the kid, saying that he’s still learning but has long since proven himself. It shows that Sonic and Tails are good people but slightly flawed. There’s been so much shifting and changing in the series’ universe lately. It’s very refreshing to pause and get a genuine interaction between two main characters.

Fingeroth just doesn’t do the emotional stuff better. He does the goofy, comic book stuff better too. Last month’s Silver Sonic II, for some reason, had an irritating surfer dude personality. Metal Sonic’s revised form is also a campy comic book villain. He taunts Sonic, making grand proclamations about his fleshy counterpart’s inferiority. He brings us their prior fights, making it clear that this is a quest of revenge for him. Considering Metal Sonic’s previous appearances had him as a mindless droid, designed only to destroy Sonic, giving him an actual personality makes him a better villain. (His updated form, with comes with a boatload of new accessories and weapons, is also pretty cool.)

Issue 86 tops the previous one in another way too. Last month’s fight between Sonic and Silver Sonic was deeply underwhelming, the hedgehog never appearing to be in real danger and easily defeating his opponent. Metal Sonic v2.5, meanwhile, keeps the hero on the ropes the entire time. He outruns him, nearly zaps him several times, snares him with a grappling hook, tosses him around, and pins him to a cliff side with a giant clamp. At that point, he easily could’ve killed the flesh and blood Sonic. Being a comic book supervillain, he decides to toy with him instead. This is how you raise dramatic tension, you guys.

Metal Sonic doesn't just want to destroy Sonic, you see. He wants to break his heart. So “Heart of the Hedgehog” ends on a hell of a cliffhanger. Tails is tethered to the caldera of a ready-to-erupt volcano. The bad guy gives the hedgehog a chance to rescue his friend, allowing him to run to the mountain top. Of course, it’s all just a ploy, Metal Sonic whacking the hedgehog into unconsciousness the first chance he gets. At that point, the issue ends, the reader wanting more.

The artwork is pretty good too, especially compared to Ron Lim’s hatchet work last time. Sam Maxwell returns to penciling duties. I’m not sure if Maxwell’s abilities are growing or if he got a different colorist. His style is a little less abstract, Sonic and Tails gaining more details. However, Maxwell hasn’t loss the kinetic energy that previously characterized his work. The action scenes between Sonic and Metal Sonic play out from unexpected angles, with a clearly defined motion. I also really like Metal Sonic v2.5’s design, which is both streamlined and bulky, while being different from previous version of the characters.

The back-up story, meanwhile, is steep drop in quality from the cover version. “Against the Haunted Past” begins ten years ago, with a terribly drawn Robotnik and Snively plotting behind King Acorn’s back. We then cut to… Oh no. Monkey Khan is back! That’s right, “Against the Haunted Past” is Monkey Khan’s origin story. Frank Strom explains how the simian blowhard, and his entire race, was captured by Robotnik. He attempted to transform all of the apes into super cyborg warriors but only Khan was strong enough to survive. He also proved too strong to control. The final page reveals the story as an extended flashback. While Monkey Khan is pined to a slab, starred down by the new Eggman, I guess he got a little nostalgic.

Jesus Christ, it’s bad. Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Frank Strom’s artwork is fucking hideous. His drawing abilities have actually gotten worst, somehow. Monkey Khan and his family look nearly identical. Robotnik and Snively are deeply off-model. Everyone’s proportions shift from panel to panel. The action is stiff and uninspired.

The story is no better. Khan’s dad dryly delivers exposition while talking to his boy. The dialogue between Khan and his brothers is painful, circular, and borderline incoherent. Strom writes his pet character as even more of an unstoppable bad ass. Khan is the only person strong enough to survive the cyborg-ing process. He gets his upgrade, takes out a fleet of Overlander tanks, and then turns on Robotnik. Because he’s super tough and principled. I’m surprised Strom allows Khan to be captured by Robotnik at the end. Why doesn’t Strom’s precious baby kill the bad guy, fuck the princess, and take over the world? It’s clearly what the author wants. (Oh, and it’s a two-parter too so expect more of this shit next time.)

A crappy back-up story isn’t enough to ruin a pretty great cover story. I wish Archie’s creative team could balance heart, action, and suspense like this more often. [8/10]

Sonic Super Special: Issue 9 – Sonic Kids 2

Sonic Super Special: Issue 9 – Sonic Kids 2
Publication Date: March 1999

1998’s “Sonic Kids” was probably the best thus far of the Sonic Super Specials, which was always an uneven collection of stories. Especially since it easily grew pass the gimmickry of the central concept – Sonic and pals as kids! – to tell a pretty good collection of stories. Though the comic hadn’t made a habit of direct sequels like this, a “Sonic Kids 2” rolled around quickly enough, the sequel coming almost exactly a year afterwards. Equally surprising, the second issue is also pretty good!

As is par the course with the “Sonic Super Specials,” there are three stories in here. The first of which, “Zoneward Bound,” details the Freedom Fighters first encounters with the Special Zones. During a snowy day, the soon-to-be Freedom Fighters hang out around a frozen lake. Soon, the six kids stumble through portals, each exploring bizarre alternate universes. Luckily, the youngsters are smart and strong enough to pull themselves through, returning back to their home world.

“Zoneward Bound” is probably the weakest of the three stories inside “Sonic Kids 2.” However, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. The story has a lengthy prologue, devoted to showing the Knothole gang hanging out on a normal day. Seeing them play in the snow – which includes Sonic and Tails burying Antoine in snowballs and Sonic besting everyone at hockey – is fairly charming. Mostly, “Zoneward Bound” is lobbing a decent amount of foreshadowing at the little adventurers. Sonic stumbles upon the well where he retrieve his first Power Ring, all the way back in “Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue #0.”

Once in the Special Zones, the story lays on the mythology elements. Sally enters a zone that recalls the Carnival Night stage from “Sonic 3.” After riding a roller coaster off the rails, she falls through her dad’s giant crystallized head. While Tails, Antoine, and Rotor float around a zone that is part void and part mechanical jail cells, the Ancient Walkers (or rather, their heads) comment on Tails’ eventual heroism. An especially clever moment has Sonic landing in a Green Hill Zone which happens to still be under construction. After a gratuitous reference to the “SegaSonic” arcade game – apparently Sonic had prior adventures with Mighty and Ray – we get the hedgehog’s first battle with Robotnik, in his classic wrecking ball vehicle. The conclusion, which has the heroes wandering back home, is a bit underwhelming. While not a narratively complex story, “Zoneward Bound” is fun enough. I also Sam Maxwell’s artwork, which is fluid and suitingly trippy.

The second story, “My Secret Guardian,” puts the spotlight on Sally and Knuckles. After hinting at it for a while, the comic finally gets around to exploring the connection the Princess and the Guardian have. During one of King Max’s diplomatic trips to the Floating Island, Princess Sally tags along. While King Max is chatting with Locke, he leaves Sal by the ship. Knuckles soon finds the girl and they spent an afternoon bounding. As soon as both their fathers wander back, the two agree to keep their meeting a secret.

“My Secret Guardian” has some holes in it. King Max leaving his daughter unattended on a strange island seems monstrously irresponsible. There’s a single panel reference to Elias and the Queen already being on the Island, a plot snarl the series still hasn’t reconciled. However, when the story focuses on Sally and Knuckles’ play date, it’s actually pretty sweet. The two immediately bound over having evasive fathers. Likewise, both are young people with a lot of weight on their shoulders.

There’s some in-character rough-housing too, when Sally accidentally kicks the guardian off the Island’s ledge. Luckily, his gliding saves the day. Their parting and decision to keep their friendship secret is bittersweet and oddly touching. Most importantly, this story finally clarifies their relationship, burying all romantic tension. Sally and Knuckles are friends, not lovers. Manny Galan’s artwork is quite good.

“Sonic Kids 2” saves the best for last. “Eve of Destruction” is set on the day of Tails’ birth, which happens to coincide with Robotnik’s take-over of Mobotropolis. While Sonic and the future Freedom Fighters play, Amadeus Prower leaves for official business in the city. Meanwhile, the kids are left to take care of his heavily pregnant wife, Rosemary. In the city, Amadeus stumbles upon Robotnik testing the Roboticizer on an innocent Mobian. After expounding on his master plan, he makes Amadeus his second test subject. Thus, Tails’ father misses his son’s birth, as he’s too much of a robot at the time.

“Eve of Destruction” is a tear jerker. Yeah, there’s some sloppy elements. Amadeus entrusting his pregnant wife’s well being to a group of children stretches disbelief. After Amadeus discovers Robotnik’s plan, the villain explains his master plan. Instead of just, you know, killing the guy.

However, the story all builds up to a masterful scene at the end. After Tails pops out, Sonic and his gang notices that he has two tails. Amadeus – already roboticized, the others unaware – dispassionately walks away from his newborn off-spring. Rosemary is reduced to tears while Tails, despite being literally minutes old, sadly cries out for his father. After that heart-breaking panel, we have a heart-warming one. Sonic nuzzles the infant Tails, promising to be his friend. Aww man, you guys… Excuse me, I’ve got something in my eye. Art Mawhinney’s wonderful, cartoony, but expressive and meaningful artwork is perfectly suited to a touching, character-driven story such as this one.

None of the stories are perfect but they’re all pretty damn good. I’ll take it. “Sonic Kids 2” is even better than the first, which was already a fine comic book. Despite some of the problems, it may be one of the most consistent Sonic comics ever published. [9/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 69

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 69
Publication Date: January 1999

Karl Boller’s previous high-water mark as “Sonic’s” writer was issue 54’s “Running to Stand Still,” a low key story about Sonic struggling to find his place in a world without Robotnik and reconnecting with his Uncle. After wrapping up another major story arc, the pursuit of Ixis Naugus, Karl deliver another less action packed issue. Issue 69’s “A Day in the Life” isn’t as good as “Running to Stand Still” but still gets 1999 off to a decent start.

Sonic returned to Mobotropolis in the midst of many events. Sally suddenly has a brother and a mother now. King Max declares his son to be his heir, while Queen Alicia’s future remains uncertain. Hoping to blow off some steam, Sonic and Sally join the rest of the Freedom Fighters on a night on the town. Together, they explore how the city has changed in the hedgehog’s absence. Sonic also uses this oppretunity to show Nate Morgan around town, where the Overlander faces prejudice. The fun evening is interrupted when Snively and the other Devil’s Gulag escapees attack.

Before I get to all the things I like about “A Day in the Life,” let’s discuss the stuff I’m not too crazy about. The issue begins with Dr. Quack telling Sally and Elias that their mom is going to be on ice for the foreseeable future. When Sally asks why her father made the dick move of lying about the Queen and Elias’ fates, King Max launches into a three panel long explanation. The short version: The King assumed his wife was dead and, hoping to save Sally further heartbreak, kept her little brother’s existence a secret. Furthermore, when he heard she might still be alive, he kept that a secret too.

It’s a lame way to justify the “long lost brother” story type and doing it by piling words on the reader wasn’t the best way. Afterwards, Max says Elias will become King after his death. Gee, that’s an awfully big responsibility to bestow upon someone you literally just met.

Once that’s out of the way, issue 69 can focus on more important matters. Such as Sonic being reunited with his friends. When she sees Sonic, Sally gives the hedgehog a big embrace. Steven Butler draws the panel in such a way that, if her father and many others weren’t watching, you’d expect Sally to do a lot more then just hug Sonic. Sonic seeing how normal Mobotropolis has become is also a high-light. There’s a juice bar, chilli dog stands, people living and thriving in what once was a blasted out hellscape. (I guess the city isn’t radioactive anymore? Maybe half-lives are much shorter in the future…) Sonic reuniting with his friends is swell. One especially touching panel has him asking Tails why they left in the first place. In other words, it’s good to be back.

Some times you wonder if Karl Bollers had to work with the shit Ken Penders sent his way. Back in issue twelve of “Knuckles,” Sonic made the baffling decision not the tell Antoine about his father being a robot. Because Ken loves characters keeping secrets from each other. Bollers tosses that out the window. A touching moment has Antoine bemoaning how Sonic and Sally have been reunited with their families but he is still without his. Sonic gingerly breaks the bad news to Antoine. It’s a moment I wish the book could’ve focused on more but a long overdue one. This scene also features Bunnie and Antoine getting closer. When Sonic asks if Antoine is aware of Bunnie’s obvious attraction to him, he verbosely recites some poetry. Which seems in character.

 
As a new addition to the book, Nate Morgan has mostly existed to spout exposition. Which hasn’t made me a fan. Issue 69 at least does something interesting with the old man. While in Mobotropolis, Sonic attempts to integrate the Overlander into the populace. At first, it goes fine. The other Freedom Fighters embrace Morgan without problem. The scientist is introduced to the joys of chili dogs.

Once at the bar, some asshole spills juice on the Overlander’s head. Yes, even in the furry-infested future, racism exists. Since both Karl Bollers and Nate Morgan are black, I can’t help but think the writer was making a point. Sonic stands up to the bully but his views on race relations seem intentionally naïve, boiling down to “a good person should be treated kindly.” Sally informs him that it’s more complicated than that. Gee, that’s not a point you’d expect to be made in this book.

Since this is an action book for the boys: 6-12 crowd, “A Day in the Life” has to stop the character development and social studies for some explosions. The Devil’s Gulag gang attacks the bar. There’s some good artwork in this sequence. Sonic’s screams after Sally gets knocked unconscious is viscerally drawn by Butler. The story shows off the abilities of most of the bad guys. Predator Hawk can fly, Uma Arachne can shoot web like Spider-Man, Lightning Linx is super-fast, Kodos has an axe, Sleuth Dawg is… an asshole? Okay, so most of these guys are still undefined. However, it’s not a bad conclusion. The Freedom Fighters being outmatched, such as Bunnie taking a hard fall or Rotor being arm-locked by Drago, is a decent note. If nothing else, the story ends on a solid cliffhanger: Sgt. Simian tosses a grenade into the bar. Remember to buy the book next month, kids!

How about a back story? “Weathering the Storm” concludes the Lupe storyline that’s been going on for a while. As rain continues outside, the Wolf Pack seek shelter in an abandoned building. Some of the wolves are still uncertain of the human children living with them. However, over dinner, Lupe announces that the girls are part of the pack now.

As with the cover story, this back story is more character focused. The Wolf Pack continued to be developed. In addition to being a big guy, Canus is also the cook. Diablo awkwardly attempts to impart some basic morals on the Overlander girls. Reynard seems more practical, compared to the empathetic Lupe. It’s not a lot but it counts for something. There’s no action in the story, as Lupe accepting the kids is the climax of the tale. Given more pages, this tale likely could’ve had more emotion. Still, as a simple six pager, it’s not bad. When Ken wasn’t focusing on up-its-ass mysticism, his work wasn’t bad. Sam Maxwell’s artwork is eccentric but likable.

I wish the book could’ve balanced action and character development like this more often. While not a masterpiece, issue 69 is still a solid read. Considering the series would soon be consumed by the “Sonic Adventure” status quo, appreciate these quiet moments while you still can. [8/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 68

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 68
Publication Date: December 1998

Sonic and Tails leaving Knothole Village behind to explore the world, chasing after Ixis Naugus, was a story met with some controversy. Many feared, not totally without reason, that this was a way for the comic to write Sally and the rest of the SatAM crew totally out of the book. This fear turned out to be premature. After bringing the Naugus plot to an abrupt end, Sonic and Tails are returning to Mobotropolis, rejoining Sally and the rest of the gang. In another story turn Sega would be unlikely to approve today, issue 68’s cover story “Surprise!” has the hedgehog growing a year older, turning sixteen.

Sally and the Freedom Fighters have been hanging out in Knothole Village, still stuck in a pocket dimension three hours into the future, when they receive a message from King Acorn. A face from the past has returned. Sally and the others presume the king is talking about Sonic. Sonic has returned, in fact. Along with Tails and Nate Morgan, they wear heavy robes, concerned that Morgan being an Overlander might upset the populace. Above Mobius, another mysterious satellite activates, sending asteroids raining down on Mobotropolis. Sonic has to spoil his own surprise, rescue Sally and help dismiss the chaos. Turns out, Sonic’s return isn’t the one the King was hyping. He was referring to Prince Elias, Sally’s long lost brother.

When Karl Bollers incorporated a sense of emotion into his stories, not allowing it to be swept away by the plot, they usually worked out very well. “Surprise!” has a little bit of heart. While the rocks are falling from the sky, Sonic zooms pass Sally. She pauses, recognizing the figure as her returned boyfriend. She’s so excited that she doesn’t see the space debris headed right towards her. Luckily, Sonic rescues Sally and the two have a heartfelt if brief reunion. (A mild clever moment has Sonic telling Sally “surprise.” I see what you did there, Karl!)

The story, sadly, doesn’t focus more time on Sonic and Sally’s reunion. There’s so much other stuff to attend too. When Prince Elias marches onto the page, King Acorn takes a panel to explain who the hell this guy is. This info-dump is presumably for the “Sonic” readers who don’t read “Knuckles.” On the same page, Geoffrey St. John unmasks Nate Morgan and immediately accuses him of being an Overlander spy. Even though, you know, the war with the Overlanders has been over for a decade. Naturally, Max recognizes Morgan and re-embraces him.

The opening pages are a practical non-sequitur, showing Snively and the Fearsome Foursome hanging out with the crystallized Kodos and Uma Arachnis, who then de-crystalize. The book doesn’t bring that plot point up again. Along with all of that, there’s also the asteroids plummeting down on Mobotropolis. Again, the book is hinting at Robontik’s inevitable return. It would take another five issue to reveal that, even though we readers already figured it out.

Of course, the natural disaster allows for some solid action. Steven Butler continues to do some fine work. This is his first time drawing Sally and the gang and they all look fantastic. It’s impressive how Butler can filter Sally, Rotor, Bunnie and the rest through his style without loosing the original aspects of the character. The falling asteroids feature some crumbling buildings, fleeing innocents, and Sonic racing around, being a badass and rescuing people. (A nice touch shows Bunnie and Dulcy saving people too, since Sonic isn’t the only hero around) Butler’s sense of motion is very well utilized on these pages. His sense of detail is also given a work-out, during the stories’ two double-page spreads.

Though crowded, I still thought the cover story was pretty good. As for the back-up story? “Survival of the Fittest” picks up from last time. Lupe and the other wolves ride their raft to solid ground. Climbing aboard a dock, they soon discover an abandoned building. Inside are two Overlander children. The little girls, a mute redhead name Athena and a blonde named Ariel, aren’t given the warmest greeting by the wolves. Lupe, however, wants to protect them.

Last time, I criticized Ken’s back-up for not developing the other wolves. Well, he fixes that a little bit here. Diablo is focused on the mission. Reynard is naturally suspicious. Leeta is afraid of heights. Lyco and Canus… Well, the one has a sister and the other is a big guy. Still, Ken is trying. As for the introduction of the Overlander children, it’s hard to say where the writer is going with that. This back-up story is so brief, just when it’s getting started, it ends again. Sam Maxwell’s artwork could be better. His Mobians look fine but the human children are weird lookin’.

That’s so often the case with this book. You can see the writers struggling to introduce something bigger but they’re always held back by Sega mandates, a limited page count, or strangled by their own plot machinations. Still, issue 68 is fairly satisfying. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 67

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 67
Publication Date: November 1998

After the satisfying, if slightly rushed, conclusion to the Ixis Naugus story arc, Sonic and Tails will soon be returning home to Mobotropolis. After all, the comic is already preparing for the return of Dr. Robotnik, with numerous ominous satellites floating in the sky. However, Karl Bollers wanted to have some fun first. Before Sonic and Tails reunite with the Freedom Fighters, they’re taking a stop over in Spielberg country.

Sonic races through the Great Rainforest, approaching the ancient temple of the Shazamazons. Years ago, Nate Morgan stashed an especially powerful Power Ring there. Sonic races through the traps, which include machine guns in the walls, the floor opening up to reveal a pool of lava, and a giant ass snake. Meanwhile, a satellite activates in the sky. Along with it, another set of hostile, mindless Robians.

Issue 67’s main story is a deliberate act in homage. The intentions are announced right from the cover, which features Sonic posing with a fedora and brown gloves. Karl didn’t even bother to think up a funny title. He entitles the story “Tomb Raider,” though he resists strapping enormous tits on Sonic’s chest. This story is basically a re-creation of the opening scene of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” but with Sonic elements traded out for Harrison Ford, Alfred Molina, and a golden fertility idol.

As an extended bit of re-creation, “Tomb Raider” is mildly entertaining. After so much talk about restoring Mobotropolis, Sally and her dad butting heads, and Sonic confronting Naugus, it’s sort of nice to have a simple adventure story. There’s a few cute touches here. After the machine guns pop out of the walls, Sonic reaches back up to grab his hat. After barely escaping falling into a pool of lava, Sonic stops to let his smoking sneakers cool. The giant snake appears in a mildly clever fashion. The snake had coiled around the walls of the room.

Because this wouldn’t be an “Indiana Jones” reference without a giant bolder, Sonic knots the snake. It rolls down the path after him, until it slams into the Robians outside. The giant cobra looks cool and reminds me of E.V.E.’s third form, all the way back in Issue 21. Speaking of snakes, Sonic tosses some snakes out of the Winged Victory before blasting off. Why did it have to be, etc. (Though considering this is Mobius, shouldn’t the snakes be bipedal and intelligent?) Steven Butler’s dynamic artwork helps sells things.

Unfortunately, an otherwise fun and breezy story is hassled with some exposition. For some reason, the story devotes two pages near the beginning to recapping the last few issues. I’m not sure what the purpose of this was. Maybe Archie was expecting an influx of new readers, with “Sonic Adventure” coming soon? The whole business with mindless Mobians has yet to prove compelling. Mostly, the reader just wonders what’s going with that. In its final act, Nate Morgan rambles on about Super Emeralds and all that jazz. I swear, I’m going to star calling Nate the Great Lord of Technobabble. Anyway, it ends the story on a bit of a down note.

The back-up story introduces a new Tales of the Freedom Fighters arc, while Geoffrey and his crew are off resolving the old one in Knuckles’ book. The new story focuses on Lupe and the Wolf Pack. The wolves, being closer to nature, decide Mobotropolis isn’t for them. The Pack head out of the city, crossing a suddenly appearing river on a shaky raft.

 
On one hand, it’s nice to see the book focusing on Lupe and the Wolf Pack. Considering they’re an important part of the “Sonic” mythology, dating back to SatAM, they haven’t contributed much to the comic thus far. Hell, we don’t even know their names, beyond Lupe and Drago. This story gives us some insight into their past. We find out that Lupe has a mate, named Lobo, and children, which are thus far kept off-screen. After the start of the war, Lobo took the kids to a safe hiding spot while Lupe went off to fight the good fight. Now, the family can be reunited.

That’s a good foundation for a story. There’s even some potential for emotion in there. Which makes is a bummer that the story itself doesn’t work. Penders write some truly tin-earred dialogue here. None of the other wolves are developed beyond their names. The story has no narrative drive, ending at a random point. Sam Maxwell’s artwork is alright but this story arc is off to a snore.

So here’s another issue that had potential but doesn’t entirely work. Oh well. Enjoy some Dave Manak artwork, an unused cover for issue 14. [6/10]

Sonic Super Special: Issue 6 – Sonic #50 Director’s Cut

Sonic Super Special: Issue 6 – Sonic #50 Director’s Cut
Publication Date: July 1998

When the final part of the “Endgame” saga was originally published, it arrived on comic store shelves in a compromised form. Originally, “Endgame” was going to conclude with a double-stuffed issue. However, that didn’t happened, forcing the final product to loose about half its pages. I went over all of this in my review of Issue 50. Either luckily or unluckily, depending on how you feel about “Endgame,” the extended version of issue 50 was published as the sixth Sonic Super Special. Incorrectly called “The Director’s Cut” on the cover – “Extended Cut,” “Writer’s Cut” or just “Uncut” would all be more accurate – the issue reprints the final part of “Endgame” the way it was meant to be seen.

Plot wise, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” runs the same as issue 50’s “The Big Goodbye.” Robotnik plans to activate the Ultimate Annihilator, wiping Knothole Village off the map. In Downunda, the local Freedom Fighters help Bunnie and Antoine escape. As they make it back to Mobotropolis, they tamper with Robotnik’s doomsday machine. Sonic’s tense confrontation on the Floating Island with Geoffrey St. John and Knuckles is cut short by Dulcy’s reappearance. Assuring them that he’s telling the truth, they head to Knothole and kick some ass. Afterwards, Sonic races towards Robotropolis, having his final showdown with Ivo Robotnik.

Issue 50 – a book I like – had a lot of problems. The Director’s Cut, unfortunately, only clears up some of Penders’ typically messy plotting. That bullshit about dragon’s being able to detect truth is still intact. Sonic and Knuckles still liberate Knothole in only two pages. Antoine and Bunnie still arrive in Robotropolis far too quickly. Lastly, that bordering-on-incoherent resolution is intact. All that business about Dr. Quack betraying the king and Knothole slipping into a pocket dimension three hours in the future? Yeah, still there. It’s a tad sad to realize these plot holes weren’t the result of missing pages. Turns out the writers are just fond of bullshit story turns.

The extended version does clear up two minor plot holes. Now, we see the Downunda Freedom Fighters escape Crocbot’s prison. We see Bunnie and Antoine sneak aboard the transport ship. That’s nice, since the published version just had us assume that happened. (These segments, happily, only reuse some artwork from “Down and Out in Downunda,” the flashback heavy story published in Sonic Super Special Issue 4.) Another plot hole clarified is the destruction of Knothole. Instead of that happening off-screen, Sonic now sees it with his own eyes. That makes the brutal fight that follows between the hedgehog and the robotic dictator seem more reasonable.

So if it doesn’t resolve the reader’s confusion, why does the long version add to “Endgame?” About sixteen pages. Early on, we see Robotnik execute a fellow Overlander, someone he knew from the first Great War. Other than showing just how ruthless Robotnik is, and displaying how effective the Ultimate Annihilator is as ultimately annihilating things, those two pages don’t add much. About four pages are devoted to the events in Downunda, with some nicely gritty artwork from Nelson Ortega. Later on, a whole heaping set of pages have Bunnie and Antoine explaining their plan to Sonic. I’m not exactly sure that adds too much to the story. Essentially, the plot gets garbled enough that characters have to stop what they’re doing and explain what’s going on. That’s never good.

However, there are a few additions I like. The most important one shows Hershey getting her revenge on Drago. In #50 as originally published, a small rock tossed at his head is enough to bring the sleazy wolf down. Here, Hershey beats the ever-loving crap out of him. She scratches him across the face, knees in hard in the groin, pounces on him, punches him a bunch, and nearly crushes his head with a big ass rock. This makes Drago look like less of a light-weight. Considering what a scum bag he is, it’s also pretty satisfying. It doesn’t make up for Hershey being such a weak character but it’s cathartic for the reader.

The fight between Sonic and Robotnik goes on a little longer. I’m not sure who did the artwork for these new pages. It might be Steven Butler and, if it is, he might be having an off-day. Either way, Sonic is super angry and scatters some more SWATBots. I’m a fan of Angry Sonic and wish we saw him more often. At the conclusion of the fight, after both hedgehog and huge ass slip into the Ultimate Annihilator, there’s a one-page pencil spread of the two locked in combat, provided by Spaz. That’s cool. The page of blank whiteness that follows is unnecessary. Still, it does make a big fight seem a little more big. Lastly, a splash page of Sonic and the resurrected Sally locking lips, beautifully rendered by Art Mawhinney, is added near the end. You know I’m a die hard Sonic/Sally guy, so it’s satisfying to see them finally lock lips after so long. Especially since we know it’ll never happen again.

Normally, I’d ask if the quote-unquote “director’s” cut of Issue 50 is worth picking up for anybody but die-hard Sonic fanatics. Archie has answered that question for me though. This is the version of the story included in all future reprints. The extended version of “Endgame” has essentially replaced the original cut. Truthfully, it’s only a marginal improvement. The shorter cut, which I spent far more time thumbing over as a kid, is probably the version I’ll always prefer. As far as unnecessary director’s cuts go, this is slightly less useless than the “Donnie Darko” director’s cut. In other words: Still flawed, still satisfying. [7/10]

Sonic Super Special: Issue 5 - Sonic Kids

Sonic Super Special: Issue 5 – Sonic Kids
Publication Date: April 1998

Readers who grew up in the late eighties or early nineties may remember “Muppet Babies.” Spun off from a sequence in “The Muppets Take Manhattan” which showed Jim Henson’s famous felt creatures as toddlers, the show was a big hit. Big enough that other studios tried to spin their own properties into “baby” versions. That’s how we got “Flintstone Kids,” “Tiny Toon Adventures,” “A Pup Named Scooby-Doo,” “Tom and Jerry Kids,” “Jungle Cubs,” and even “James Bond Jr.!” Archie Comics might have pioneered this kind of thing with “Little Archie,” which has been published in various forms since the sixties. Considering all of the above, maybe “Sonic Kids” was an inevitability. Despite the gimmicky concept, the two Sonic Super Specials devoted to this concept are actually fairly well regarded.

The first story, “When You and I Were Young, Sally,” was written by Mike Gallagher and illustrated by Manny Galan. As kids, Rosie raised the future Freedom Fighters in Knothole. Tails is feeling insecure about his lack of special abilities, especially when compared to Sonic’s super-speed. Sonic gives the young fox the idea to spin his tails like a helicopter, defying logic and sailing into the sky. Being new at this, Tails quickly looses control of his new abilities. The gang track him to a hollowed-out tree stump and the cave below. That’s right. This story is the secret origin of Tails’ flying ability, his nick-name, and the future location of Freedom HQ. Accordingly, it ends with Sally naming the group the Freedom Fighters and deciding to battle Robotnik’s regime.

The above description probably makes the story sound really trite and silly. It’s actually surprisingly good, though. The Freedom Fighters don’t act like the heroes they are now. Instead, they’re kids. Sonic shows off and brags. (So, you know, not too much has changed.) Though a pretty serious kid, Sally is still happy to play when Julayla gives her permission. Rotor uses big words, as if he’s trying to impress his friends with his big brain. There are also cute nods to future history. “Boomer” is revealed to be a childhood nickname of Rotor’s. Sally, in as diplomatic a fashion as possible, acknowledges that Antoine wouldn’t be useful for a while. Though an energetic kid, Sonic is still willing to help out his pal, by encouraging Tails. The story concluding with the discovery of the future Freedom HQ and the team taking a vow to fight tyranny is satisfying.

It’s cute but not syrupy. It sets up future events but isn’t overly self-referential. It’s fun without being goofy. In other words, it’s one of the best things Mike Gallagher has ever written for this series. Unlike his uneven work in issue 60, Manny Galan’s artwork is very good here. The “kid” designs look like younger versions of the character we’re used too. Their cuteness is not overly emphasized. Galan’s expressive faces also really help this story out, since it’s mostly about the kids reacting to the world in the hyped-up, exaggerated way kids do.

The second story continues the “kids” theme. The embarrassingly entitled “Stop… Sonic Time!” was written by Karl Bollers and drawn by Art Mawhinney. In the present day, Sonic regales a group of kids with the story of how Tails got his sneakers. The flashback starts on Tails’ birthday. Sonic rushes into Robotropolis and buys a specialized pair of sneakers from a shifty individual, who readers may recognize as Tails’ uncle Merlin. Around the same time, Robotnik deploys a new weapon, a beam that can freeze time. He targets a random patch of the Great Forest, sending in soldiers to capture the frozen denizens. Sonic, being out of town, avoided the weapon’s range. So it’s up to him to save the day.

“Stop… Sonic Time!” feels a lot like a left-over “SatAM” script. A time freezing ray definitely seems like something Robotnik would have cooked up on that show. The long-forgotten Cluck even puts in an appearance. Sonic’s role in the story as a smart-ass hero who uses his cunning as much as his speed to defeat the villain recalls his characterization on that show. Sonic’s strategy involves him pretending to be frozen, being brought into Robotnik’s HQ, yanking on the villain’s mustache and getting the SWATBots to blow up the bad guy’s own device. Aside from a few comic-exclusive concepts, such as Merlin Prower or Crabmeat as Robotnik’s number one toady, this easily feels like it could’ve aired on ABC back in the day.

Furthering this feeling is Art Mawhinney’s pencils. Whahinney, of course, started out as a storyboard artist for the cartoon and, even this far into the book’s existence, he maintained that connection. The young versions of the Freedom Fighters look especially adorable in Mawhinney’s already cartoon-like style. He even manages to make Tails’ feet not look monstrously weird! Having said that, Art occasionally goes a little off-model. His Crabmeat looks more like an actual crab than a robotic facsimile.

The last story in the book doesn’t feature younger versions of the main cast, though it continues the theme of “memory.” In “Total Re: Genesis,” Sonic, Sally, and Antoine have barely survived a confrontation with the last remaining ComBot, which suddenly activated. As Uncle Chuck asks for a report on what happened, each Freedom Fighter gives their recollection of the events that just transpired. Each character’s version varies wildly from the other. Finally, using Nicole’s previously unmentioned satellite hook-up, Uncle Chuck observes the objective version of the truth. In other words, this is the Sonic version of Akira Kurosawa’s classic “Rashomon,” a reference the readership for this book surely understood.

What’s really cool about “Total Re: Genesis” is that it gives us a peak into each of the character’s heads. In Sally’s version of events, she’s extra confident. While her teammates are knocked unconscious, she stays in the action, defeating the robot with her quick thinking and enduring toughness. Antoine’s version has him as a dashing hero, single-handedly taking down the robot with his swashbuckling skills. When Sonic recalls things, he’s portrayed as a pun-sweeping action hero. He effortlessly defeats the villain with his super abilities, cracking lame jokes all the while. The objective truth shows that each of these stories are slightly true and, ultimately, teamwork is what took the bad guy down. This is a nice way to show us that the characters truly do depend one each other. The individual memories give us a concise idea of everyone’s personality. It’s a fun read.

A defining gimmick for “Total Re: Genesis” is that each memory is drawn by a different artist. Newcomer Nelson Rebeiro handles the framing device. I wonder if Nelson Rebeiro and Nelson Ortega are actually the same person, as their styles are very similar. The artwork is moody and features heads and hands that are slightly exaggerated. Yet it’s also consistent, with a good sense of motion. Sally’s flashback is drawn by Art Mawhinney. Mawhinney’s work is typically excellent though, it must be said, his ComBot looks a little blocky and uninspired.

Sam Maxwell draws Antoine’s flashback. Maxwell is an acquired taste, as his work is extremely expressionistic, frequently approaching action scenes from off-beat angles. I’m on record as being a fan and his work here is pretty great. I especially like his use of shadows, which emphasizes how melodramatic Antoine’s recollection is. Sonic’s flashback is drawn by John Herbert, last seen in issue 54 and credited as John Hebert here. Herbert’s action is a little stiff and his Sonic looks a little goofy. Yet his detailed ComBot is awfully creepy. Rebeiro returns for the epilogue, drawing most of it as a hyper-contrasted “hologram.” Though undeniably a gimmick, I like the different artists approach and it helps bolster a fun story.

“Sonic Kids” might be the best of the Sonic Super Specials thus far. It doesn’t have the plot holes or overdone writting of “Battle Royal” and “Return of the King.” While there’s nothing here matching the emotion of “Brave New World,” the artwork is much, much better. In other words, Archie managed to turn a potentially awful idea into a pretty solid comic book! Cherish moments like this because they didn’t happen very often. [8/10]