TailsTube #9 – Scary Story Spooktacular

TailsTube #9 – Scary Story Spooktacular 

Original Air Date: October 31st, 2024

Years ago, but not so many years ago that I wasn't already updating this fucking blog, I had an idea for a "Sonic the Hedgehog" fanfiction. I've mentioned before how I dabbled in fanfic way back in the day and have, simply for the fun of it, considered dipping my toes back in from time to time. Probably during one of my many ruminations over the lack of properly scary "Sonic" content, a glorious pun emerged in my brain: Tails from the Crypt. The idea of mashing up the "Sonic" cast and universe with the E.C. Comics approach of grisly horror and pun-cracking hosts seemed irresistible to me. I'm a long time fan of HBO's salacious television adaptation of those old comics, which became a minor pop culture fad in the nineties thanks to its lovably goofy animatronic Crypt Keeper. I love the horror anthology format, of getting a different and self-contained story every week. This has nothing to do with Sonic the Hedgehog, much less Miles "Tails" Prower... But it could. 

Though "Tales from the Crypt," "Vault of Horror," "The Haunt of Fear," and all of Entertaining Comics' other ghoulish titles were a scapegoat for juvenile delinquency back in the fifties, the formula for those comics actually upheld a stable moral viewpoint. The stories almost always involved someone committing a crime, a murder, a burglary, a betrayal, an infidelity. Through the course of the vividly illustrated tale, they would be gorily punished for their misdeeds, often via ghostly vengeance, ironic comeuppance, or zombies. The Crypt Keeper would take us to the back cover with some goofy puns, the impressionable reader getting their beastly thrills while also learning an evergreen message: Crime does not pay. What's done in the dark will come to the light. He who smelt it, dealt it. You get the idea. 

What if we applied this same approach to a collection of short "Sonic" ElseWorld tales? What if Rouge compromised whatever moral integrity she has left to grab an especially shiny jewel, only to fall victim to the horrible curse that comes with it? What if Eggman finally captured Sonic the Hedgehog and executed him, only to find life empty and meaningless without his archenemy to challenge him? Prompting the doctor to go full-Frankenstein, resurrecting the hedgehog as a grotesque combination of stitched-together flesh and robotics that ends up sealing the Eggman's doom? What if Shadow sought more power and awoke his inner Black Hands to a degree he couldn't control, turning into a hideous half-alien monstrosity? What if the Werehog or Lah the Ghost were actually scary? Shit like that. I'll probably never actually write this but it's a fun idea. 

I bring all of this up because, improbable as it seems, it would appear that someone at Sega also touched upon the catchiness of "Tails from the Crypt" as a pun. The ninth episode of "TailsTube" went up on October 31st of last year. Yes, this is another example of a "Sonic" Halloween special that I've long since sought. Subtitled "Scary Story Spooktactular," the episode sees Tails gathering his friends together for a seasonally appropriate ritual: Trying to scare each other with some ghostly stories around a camp fire. Rouge tells a creepified take on Shadow's origins, Knuckles gets existentially spooky in here, and the broadcast concludes with Tails delivering a ghost story relevant to the franchise's history. Tyson Hesse did the script for this one and he has Tails truly relishing his role as creepy M.C. of the evening, filling his dialogue with spoopy puns, which truly removes any doubt in my mind about whether "Tales from the Crypt" was on the writer's mind here. 

Unlike the episodes of "TailsTube" immediately before it, I don't get the impression that the "Scary Story Spooktactular" is meant to promote a new game or set of fortune telling cards. I suppose Rouge regaling us with a retelling of Shadow's creation is another reminder that "Sonic X Shadow Generations" was available by this point and you, the viewer, should go out and buy it. However, the main attraction of this episode returns "TailsTube" to its original purpose and lore-dumping about some aspect of this fictional universe. The second half of the episode is devoted to Tails telling a ghost story about a greedy king and his men pursuing a magical necklace inside a creepy temple. The king is so consumed by his greed that he doesn't noticed that his men are falling around him. Upon finally grabbing the object of his avarice, he is cursed to spend eternity as a spectre with a weirdly colorful tongue. Yes, boils and ghouls, you got it: This is the secret origin of King Boom Boo. 

I can't say I've personally ever wondered about where the altogether ooky "Sonic Adventure 2" boss came from. There have been a lot of "Sonic the Hedgehog" stages with a lot of boss battles, not all of which are that memorable. King Boom Boo could've been easily forgotten but the novelty of Knuckles doing some ghostbusting – and a memorable episode of "Sonic X," probably more importantly – has made this blue-lipped spectre with a Pride flag for a tongue an unfrequently reoccurring element of the series. King Boom Boo's previously unexplored origin was a bit of "Sonic" lore no one had elaborated upon previously. It also revolves around a minor enough character that I doubt Sega cared if Hesse gave him a proper backstory. In other words, this episode of "TalesTube" actually found a corner of the hedgehog-verse that some light could be shined on, fleshing out the world a tiny bit more. 

I'm not going to go so far as to say that the presentation of this ghost story, nor Rouge's reinvention of Shadow's birth, are scary. However, they are properly paced like a horror story, or perhaps a classic folktale, with a repetitive structure that builds towards a ghastly reveal. Moreover, the episode busts out some extremely fun artwork to accompany these segments. We actually see King Boom Boo's squat, already rather ghost-like human form as Tails explains the story. The Shadow segment has some eye-catching black-on-red visuals that are striking. Compared to the last few "TailsTubes" that felt truly tossed together and lazy, some identifiable work actually went into this episode. In fact, there's a new backdrop behind the gang too, featuring skeletons and Jack-o'-lanterns and creepy trees and strings of obscuring mist. The Halloween ambiance practically seeps out of the screen while watching this one. 

Y'all should know by now that nothing else is required for a program to win me over other than some October seasoning. However, I've noted in the past that "TailsTube" feels the most like an actual TV show when it focuses on the wacky banter and interplay between its cast members. This episode has a lot of that. Rouge's flirts with everyone, Knuckles' sheepishness about the supernatural comes up, Shadow grouses, Tails hams it up. Knuckles' attempt at a ghost story is a riff on the "Baby shoes: Never worn" bit that regularly goes viral on the Twittergrams, before the echidna makes the morbid one-liners into an example of his childish, idiotic logic. Ya know what all this shit reminds me of? The "Sonic Boom" vibes are heavy, baby, and I think I really missed them. Seeing these characters bounce off each other in an otherwise mundane setting with a fun gimmick is such a pleasant way to spend time with the "Sonic" gang. If this had been an episode of "Boom," we would've gotten some deranged ranting from Sticks but also this five minutes bit of YouTube animation probably looks as good as any episodes of that show, so let's call it even. 

How exactly Halloween exists in the "Sonic" world is up for debate. While the holiday is never mentioned by name, "trick or treat" is dropped alongside all the seasonal decorations, more than confirming its existence. This "TailsTube" also features a running gag of sorts about "jump scares." Those are low effort attempts to get a physical reaction out of a viewer by a mediocre horror movie or game, involving a quiet build-up and then a sudden and loud shock. In moderation, the jump scare is as valuable as any other tool in the storyteller's box but it tends to be abused by the hackiest of talents. The loudness of the jump scare sacrifices any mounting sense of dread or creepiness, those elements that make a horror movie a true classic. This has made the jump scare loathed by hardcore horror nerds, considered the lowest form of spookery by most. It would seem Shadow agrees, as he decisively refers to the term throughout this installment... Which raises the question of how the hell Shadow knows what a jump scare is. Are there middling horror flicks on Sonic's world? Who is the furry equivalent to Michael Chaves and, more over, what kind of cartoon animal would he be? 

Is this destined to be my favorite episode of "TailsTube?" Unless Sega celebrates Pride Month next week by having both Tangle and Whisper on the show and then having them French. Actually, if that came to pass, this would still probably be my favorite. Unless they were kissing in a pumpkin patch. Aside from me being an easy mark for this kind of spooky scary ambiance, this is a highly entertaining episode in its own right. Honestly, my only real complaint is that Sonic doesn't wolf-out for the hell of it. I guess that would conflict with "TailsTube's" canon status. (And would also require a new model to be rigged up or whatever.) I don't even like the Werehog that much but seems like a missed opportunity not to at least mention it! Anyway, this one gets my rubber stamp of approval. Happy Halloween, you guys. [7/10]

Ghost Tale

Ghost Tale

Original Release Date: October 31st, 2023

We interrupt the meandering conclusion to an old cartoon show for a special holiday event! Yes, friends, it's Halloween season, the spookiest, happiest time of the year! I try and dig up something thematic, on my favorite of all holidays, to write about on my humble little Sonic the Hedgehog blog. It's not always easy though, as I've discussed most of the official altogether ooky "Sonic" content over the years. Luckily, last Halloween, we got a new spooky treat for us hedgehog fans to commemorate the season with. Unfortunately, last Halloweens, I was locked in the Labyrinth of Leviathan, having my flesh infinitely explored by the Order of the Gash, beyond the limits of human experience, where pain and pleasure become indistinguishable from each other. Accordingly, I was only able to post a review of an at least somewhat spooky "Sonic Boom" episode. Time to make up for missing out and take a look at "Ghost Tale."

That would be a 15 years later sequel to "Sonic: Night of the Werehog," dropping back into the haunted home of adorable ghost girl, Lah, and her two roommates/buddies/spouses(?), the rotund and bowtie sporting Su and the lanky and bandanaed Uh. While surrounded by a litter of ghostly babies, the two male spirits entertain their partner by levitating some plates. Impressed, Lah decides to give this telekinetic display a shot herself. She attempts to levitate a grand piano but has problems lifting it. After a short struggle, the piano does float into the air... Because her two boyfriends are raising it – with quite a lot of effort – behind their back. Awwww, ain't that cute?

"Ghost Tale" was a pleasant surprise last Halloween, dropped onto the internet with little teasing or prior announcement. "Night of the Werehog" might have been a one-off animated short released a decade and a half ago but, since "Sonic" fans never forget a character, its cast has maintained a cult following. Or, at least, Lah the Ghost Girl has. Which is hardly surprising, considering she's a cutesy anime character and, technically, part of that somewhat disreputable but widely beloved trope known as Monster Girls. Her more generic co-stars, Su and Uh, aren't seen nearly as much in fan art and the such. Like always, Sega has been reluctant to capitalize on the popularity of an obscure "Sonic" supporting cast member. Lah and the gang are the creation of Marza Animation Planet, a CGI animation studio. Now, Marza is owned by Sega, leading one to assume that Sonic's parent companies also own Lah and her hanger-ons. Perhaps there might still be some contractual red tape – or professional courtesy – preventing these guys from becoming regular members of the "Sonic" supporting cast. Outside of brief appearances on non-canon comic book covers or blink-and-miss-it cameos in the game, this cartoon marks only their second official appearance. 

It's also entirely possible that Sega considers Lah and company incidental characters made for a minor promotional cartoon for a video game that came out a decade and a half ago, with no need to promote them further. This would put them in the same limbo as Sally and the Freedom Fighters or Scratch and Grounder, much more significant characters that Sega technically owns but can't be arsed to include in anything as they are connected to long since deceased corners of the franchise. However, I do suspect there might be some, at the very least, legal separation between the rest of the "Sonic" cast and the "Night of the Werehog" gang. I say this because... Sonic doesn't actually appear in this short. It stars Lah, Su, and Uh alone. The Werehog has a cameo, of sorts, in a classic monster movie style poster glimpsed in the background. It looks different enough from Sonic that this could be considered legally distinct from the blue hedgehog, qualifying as more of a homage than a deliberate appearance. My point is: "Ghost Tale" is not that connected to the "Sonic" brand and could, possibly, be considered a mostly unrelated piece of media. I'm still fairly confident that Sega could use these guys if they want to but, with this review, I am straying slightly into "Lara-Su Chronicles" territory of "Sonic" material that is debatably not truly "Sonic" material. 

This may be like DiC producing a stand-alone short starring the kid from "Sonic Christmas Blast" in 2011 but, whatever, I'm writing about it. So let us actually discuss "Ghost Tale": It's cute! There's not too much to talk about with it. The character design of Lah remains adorable and lovable. Simply by looking at her dimpled face, you want to see her be happy. This means you are invested in her being satisfied with lifting that piano. The exact details of her relationship with the other ghosts may be ambiguous. Nevertheless, it's adorable that the guys want to make the cutie-pie smile without causing her to doubt her own ability. Also, it's funny because it causes men to suffer and who doesn't love to see that? Lah, Su, and Uh are not horribly deep characters. They are akin to Tom and Jerry and other classic cartoon figures, defined entirely by static characteristics. Lah will always want something special and shiny to amuse her. Su and Uh will always be competing with each other and any other vaguely male presences to impress her. Seemingly lacking the ability to speak in any thing but sighs, shouts, and other non-word vocalizations also limits the stories you can tell with this gang. That's okay though, as simplicity is the mode they are designed to work in. Hearing Lah do that breathy little Japanese girl yelp over and over again is a little annoying but, otherwise, this is cute. 

"Ghost Tale" is all of two minutes long. There's only so much to say about it. However, reading far too much into "Sonic" and "Sonic"-adjacent media is kind of my thing, if you hadn't noticed. And "Ghost Tales" does raise an interesting question. Throughout the short, Lah is surrounded by smaller phantasms, who have curly little unibrows, a single tooth in their mouths, and babble in incoherent baby noises. All of this suggests that these critters are... Baby ghosts. The Sonic Wiki refers to them by that name, suggesting this is their official designation. How are we to interrupt their presence in the mansion or how they came to be? First off... Is a baby ghost the ghost of a baby or the off-spring of a ghost? The former suggestion is rather morbid, implying infanticide and crib death exists in the "Sonic" universe. The latter raises some other disturbing quandaries though. If ghosts can have babies... Do ghosts, ya know, make woopie? Dead or immaterial things, which ghosts usually are considered, can't traditionally procreate. In the "Sonic" world however, spectres do seem to exist as separate species all of their own that merely resemble the earthly conception of a spirit. I don't know, maybe they bud off totally asexually via a process like mitosis. If that pushes the image of Lah getting yammed out of your brain and helps you sleep at night, sure, go with it. 

I'm a pervert however, so let's run with the assumption that ghosts get down and goopy in a spooky way reproduce via sexual intercourse in the "Sonic"-verse. That presents another mystery: Who are the Baby Ghosts' parents? Are they ghostly foundlings that have arrived at the haunted mansion via unknown means and become the non-biological wards of Lah and the others? Are these the, I don't know, kids of Lah's ghost sister? Her ghost nieces and nephews or cousins or something? Is she merely ghost-babysitting? Lah certainly seems rather child-like herself, which doesn't mean much to the moë obsessed Japanese. She is, at the very least, mature enough to have a split-second crush on Sonic the Werehog. Su and Uh seem romantically interested in her, obviously. The Ghost Babies stay close to her throughout the entirety of "Ghost Tale," certainly presenting the assumptions that she is their ghost-mother. 

I think you know what I'm implying here: Did Lah do the monster mash with Su and Uh? Did bustin' make anyone feel good? Did they take turns with Lah or haunt her creepy music box at the same time? Did Su watch while Uh placed a casket in her grave? Both guy-ghosts still seem like they are trying to win the affection of their favored girl-ghosts however, probably excluding the existence of ghost-polygamy or ghost-cuckoldry. Maybe some other handsome furry besides Sonic fell into this mansion and was happy to take Lah up on her romantic advances, the unfaithful harlot. Assuming any of these scenarios are plausible, that causes one to ponder extensively on ghost biology. Maybe they do it like fish, Lah plopping out some ghost-eggs that then get ghost-fertilized by the ectoplasm of whatever Class 5 Full Roaming Vapor that happens to be nearby. I'm sure there's plenty of extremely detailed fan art out there illustrating some of these what-if scenarios. All of this is utterly unfounded speculation and I'm sure Marza, Sega, and everyone involved didn't think about it that much. But I did. And now you have too. 

All of that aside, "Ghost Tale" is charming and amusing enough for all of the two minutes it takes to watch. It would be nice if we see these spooks again. Maybe Marza will make another short fifteen years from now. That seems more likely than Sega sneaking them into another game or comic book. Since IDW made a Halloween special, you kind of have to assume Lah was at least considered for a role in that story, if they can use her. Maybe nobody wants to figure out how this trio fits into the current "Sonic" universe. They at least appear to be human-like and Sega can't make up its mind about what role fleshy humanoids play in this setting these days. 

All of that aside, Im glad this exists. It's nice. I like these characters and the haunted home they inhabit. It's good to know that there's a spooky corner of the "Sonic" world out there somewhere and that these three exists somewhere besides the fevered imagination of fans. "Ghost Tale" is short and sweet, a fun little treat for our collective Halloween buckets. It brought a little bit of Samhain cheer into my life. I hope it does for you too and that you have a wonderfully creepy October 31st and that my disturbingly vivid ideas didn't send too big a shiver down your spine. Then again, everyone deserves a little scare, or at least an uncomfortable thought about non-corporeal porking, on Halloween! [7/10]

Sonic Boom, Episode 2.36: The Haunted Lair

Sonic Boom, Episode 2.36: The Haunted Lair

Original Air Date: July 15th, 2017

When I was a kid, we just called them "haunted houses," even the ones that weren't actually set inside of houses. (My local example was technically a haunted trail.) Around Halloween, you'd pay a couple of bucks, get led into a creepy location, and a bunch of performers in monster masks would jump out and yell at you amid fittingly macabre set-dressing. Fun for the whole family, really, and a suitably spooky excursion for late October. In the decades since then, attractions such as these – now typically called "haunts," I guess to distinguish them from genuinely spirit infested locations – are a multi-million dollar industry. There are haunts out there with professional actors and elaborate, state-of-the-art special effects. Some run all year round, looking to satisfy horror nuts in search of simulated terror no matter what month it is. Some even seek to take the "simulated" part out, pushing towards more and more extreme angles. Yet humble, kid-friendly, small town haunts still exists too. These attractions have become such a common place feature that even cartoons with otherwise no scary elements feel the need to comment on them. And that brings us to "The Haunted Lair," the thirty-fifth episode of "Sonic Boom's" second season, which aired during the scariest month of all... July! What's more frightening than scorching heat waves and dog-traumatizing fireworks? BoOoOoOoO!!!

The episode begins with the gang arriving at T.W. Barker's latest endeavor: The Haunted Forest, a walk-through attraction designed to spook the skeletons right out of ya. Even though Eggman pushed to the front of the line, he soon finds the crudely engineered haunting too much for him. Even into the next day, he's possessed by an overwhelming phobia of ghosts. When a spectre seemingly appears in his lair, he's happy to get rid of it. He sells his HQ and everything inside it to Barker, who then turns it into an even bigger and better haunted attraction. When Sonic's ongoing quest to prove to Eggman that ghosts aren't real ruins the business, Barker then goes on the offensive, attacking Team Sonic with his newly acquired robot army. Now, Sonic being saved is dependent on Eggman getting control of his lair back. 

I have an unquenchable thirst for all things macabre and creepy. You probably know this, as I mention it about every chance I get. "Sonic Boom" has dipped its toes into the horror-adjacent side of things from time to time. Going into "The Haunted Lair," just based on the title, I was really hoping this would be another Halloween-y "Boom" installment. The first half certainly fulfils that promise. Sonic and the gang walk through a demonic looking gate into a mist-shrouded forest. Cardboard tombstones, rubber bats, moaning sound effects, and blinking eyes surround them. When the ghosts do appear, they are white sheets with crude faces drawn on them, suspended by ropes. I find super lo-fi attempts at the horror aesthetics like this incredibly charming, actually. The joke here is that these effects are deeply, obviously unconvincing but they still reduce Eggman to a quivering mess anyway. Despite this, I mostly came away from this scene enjoying seeing Sonic and friends hanging around a dollar store haunted location. I'm a simple man. Piped in some fog, prop up some tombstones, and sprinkled in a bat or two and I'm happy.  

Disappointingly, most of "The Haunted Lair" isn't actually devoted to the spoopy location promised in its title. After Eggman's traumatizing encounter with a sheet ghost, Sonic and Tails fuck with him in a public library by pretending to be harassing poltergeist. When it becomes clear how intense Eggman's spectophobia is, they start to feel bad and back off. Exactly one scene is dedicated to showing a ghost appearing in Eggman's lair, this being enough to scare him off. We never even see the full width of what Barker does to the place once he converts it into an attraction either. Sonic leads Eggman down one hallway, points out a projection of a ghost, and that's it! Instead, the episode quickly turns towards Barker taking over Eggman's position as the biggest thorn in Sonic's side and the doctor's attempts to get back that which is rightfully his. I'm just sayin': An episode called "The Haunted Lair" probably could have spent a little more time showing how haunted this lair is. 

Instead, the second half of the episode is focused on another idea. Though he has shown flashes of competence over the 88 episodes of "Sonic Boom" I've thus far watched, Eggman's credentials as a villain have long since come into question. (That was literally the premise of the last episode, after all.) Eggman will always be undone by his wafer thin ego, his own self doubts, and his general incompetence. While T.W. Barker has suffered his own humiliating defeats over his handful of previous appearances, "The Haunted Lair" suggests that he's at least better at utilizing Eggman's tech than he is. The second act has Barker using actual strategies with Eggman's armies of Badniks, eventually overwhelming and cornering Team Sonic. They even admit that, with someone more competent at the wheel than Eggman, the machines they usually tear through like tissue paper are creditable threats. This presents an interesting idea on its own. Namely, Eggman has the ability to be a genuinely dangerous villain, he simply lacks the necessary ruthlessness. Probably because he secretly wants to be friends with Sonic or whatever. 

It's a big, action-packed finale. Eggman does prove his competence, in a roundabout way, when he outsmarts Barker and gets control of his horde back. Yet, as the episode ended, I felt disappointed. I really expected "The Haunted Lair" to circle back around to the titular haunting. Wouldn't it have been a funny ending if Eggman goes through all of this, only to discover his base is genuinely haunted? Or maybe he simply doesn't realize the ghost is real, after going through all of this. Instead, the episode simply never returns to that moment. It wraps up on the image of Sonic and friends posing on the battlefield. That abrupt conclusion definitely feels like a case of the limited runtime these episodes have catching up with the ideas the writers had. Or maybe the haunted house set-up truly was merely set-up and I should stop expecting everyone to be as enamored of spooky shit as I am. (That will never happen.)

Despite that serious, gaping reservation I have with this episode, it's still funny. This is the sole "Sonic Boom" credit of Sandrine Joly. Her resume is a real grab-bag of licensed cartoons, having also provided scripts to shows based on Maya the Bee, Lassie, Noddy, and Robin Hood. Judging from that work, it's surprising to see some pretty sharp, caustic jokes from her. There's a great gag about what really frightens Sticks. There's an off-hand line about the Haunted Forest attraction being built in a Gogoba burial mound. Probably the funniest line has Barker assuring everyone that his attraction is not the most morally bankrupt, as at least he's not hurting any whales. Did I expect a "Sonic the Hedgehog" cartoon to reference the SeaWorld/Blackfish controversy? I did not. I also didn't expect the show to include a joke about Eggman deleting his browser history, which has got to be among the edgiest one-liners in the show's history. Did Joly actually write these jokes or did the "Boom" home team spice up the French script to make it smarmier? I can't speak French, so I'm not going to watch that version of the episode to know for sure. 

So, yeah, I did laugh. I laughed at Orbot and Cubot doing some Eggman themed roleplaying. I laughed at Barker's verboseness on the battlefield. I laughed at Sonic debunking the haunting. I'm just saying, this episode needed to emphasize the "Haunted" aspect a lot more. Don't promise me ghosts if you aren't willing to deliver! And it's not like ghosts aren't canon in the "Sonic" universe! At least give me a proper "Scooby-Doo" mystery or something. I'm just saying, if I had the chance to write a haunted house themed episode of a "Sonic" cartoon, it would go a lot harder than this, alright? [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Halloween Special

Sonic the Hedgehog: Halloween Special

Publication Date: October 11th, 2023

Once again, I have to open one of these blog posts with an apology. I really didn't mean to take half of October off. It's always the busiest time of the year for me. In-between a number of professional and social responsibilities, what I do over at my other blog – watch and review as many horror films and TV shows as I can – takes up a lot of time too. In all of that, I just lost track of updating Hedgehogs Can't Swim. Sorry about that. I'm sure anybody reading this is used to frequent delays and missed updates from me. I'll try and do better in the last two months of 2023. 

I picked a hell of a time to take a break too. The last few weeks have been an extremely busy time for "Sonic" fans. The much hyped "Sonic Superstars" was released. I haven't had a chance to play it yet though people seem to like it alright. An entirely new 3D platformer was announced, beginning the hype cycle all over again. Most randomly, we even got a second short film starring Lah the Ghost Girl. In the middle of all that were three new comic releases: A regular issue of IDW's monthly series, a digital one shot meant to promote "Superstars," and something I've long crowed for. 

Yes, 2023 saw the release of an official "Sonic the Hedgehog" Halloween special! Every year, I bemoan how there should be more spooky, scary "Sonic" content. I guess someone at IDW heard my cries. The one-shot is entitled "Sonic the Hedgehog: Halloween Special." There's no ambiguity there. This story isn't just a Halloween adjacent tale of ghosts and goblins, the "Sonic" version of a horror story. It is set on Halloween, explicitly involving the traditions of the holiday, which are named and referenced many times. This is about as Halloween-y as a "Sonic" Halloween special could probably get, at least from a story perspective. 

So what is this "Sonic" Halloween Special about? Well, not Sonic, not really. Instead, "A Very Chaotix Halloween" does exactly what that title promises. Vector, Espio, and Charmy Bee are all decked out in Halloween costumes, ready to take Charmy out for a night of tricks and/or treats. Just as they are about to leave, a small child knocks on their door. The kid informs the detective that her and her friends were led astray by a sinister fellow named Herschel. This proceeded a monster leaping out and stealing their candy. The trio decides to investigate. Sonic and Tails, travelling towards their own seasonal activities, notice the crime fighters and decide to assist them. 

I'm as pro-Halloween as a person can possibly be. In all my years of requesting a "Sonic the Hedgehog" Halloween special, I suppose I never asked a question that is obviously very important now: Uh, how do Sonic and his friends know what Halloween is? Here on our world, a very specific junction of several pagan traditions, Christian festivals, and corporate exploitation of market trends led to this holiday existing in the form it does now. It's hard to imagine anything similar happening on IDW's "Sonic" world, which barely seems to be a post-industrial society and has no religion to speak of. If this was the old Archie comics, where Mobius was actually a far-future Earth or Sonic and the gangs co-existed with humanity, this question would be a little less vexing. In this particular continuity, which has been extremely resistant to any sort of world-building, the wide-spread celebration of Halloween, in much the same way we Americans do here in the 21st century, can't help but strike me as a little odd. 

Of course, I am, as I always do, overthinking this. We are supposed to take this holiday and all its related traditions existing on Sonic's world at face value. The same way we are in any of those old Christmas specials, where any number of bizarre, cartoon creatures are aware of and partake in earthly rituals they really should have no awareness of. "A Very Chaotix Halloween" definitely emphasizes the most commercial elements of the autumn festival. The focus here is primarily on dressing up in wacky costumes, going door-to-door, and gathering as much candy as possible. The presence of a monster is quickly resolved in the most "Scooby-Doo"-esque of fashion. There's no discussion of spirits, spectres, ghouls, goblins, or otherworldly entities here. Samhain and the harvest are not mentioned. Considering ghosts, werehogs, Zombots, eldritch abominations, and mismatched robotic oddities do exist in Sonic's world, it's a little odd to see the IDW series go in a strictly secular direction here. There's plenty of Halloween ambiance, which I greatly appreciate, but things definitely veer more towards "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" than "The Halloween Tree" here. 

IDW "Sonic" has certainly embraced horror elements before, which makes it odd that the Halloween special rears back on that. There might be a clear reason for this though. "A Very Chaotix Halloween" is the first "Sonic"-related credit from writer Mark Bouchard. On their website, they describe horror as their favorite genre and have published several fairly grisly comics before. Yet perhaps Bouchard's lack of experience with "Sonic" prompted them to take it easy here. "A Very Chaotix Halloween" sees the characters operating in a fairly archetypal fashion. Sonic is a super-fast, slightly snarky but always virtuous hero. Tails is his light-hearted sidekick. Vector wants to be a tough guy but his goofy, soft side constantly shows. Charmy is an excitable little kid. Espio and the rest of the cast here don't even get that much definition. 

The result is a story that lacks much in the way of depth. Sonic and Tails assist the Chaotix totally on a whim. The Chaotix help the kids out of the kindness of their own hearts and a desire for candy. The actions of the antagonists are explained strictly by greed. There's not a lot to this one. The only thing that really sticks out to me are the slightest suggestion of a rivalry between Sonic and Vector, based on who can crack this particular mystery first. More focus on that probably would've made this one a more satisfying read. 

Honestly, I can't help but wonder if Bouchard doesn't think these "Sonic" comics are for a much younger audience. (Or was instructed to target this one at really little kids.) After the mischievous candy thieves behind the monster are exposed and defeated, Sonic gives them a lengthy lecture on why stealing is wrong. This leads to a super-happy ending where everyone learns a lesson and discovers that being nice feels nice. Moments like that make it seem like this comic is aimed strictly at the preschool audience. I mean, "Bluey" is a show literally for toddlers and it's typically less didactic than this. Perhaps Bouchard's primary knowledge of this series and its hero comes from the old "Sonic Sez" segments. 

It's not like I expect great psychological depth from my blue hedgehog comics. Yet, considering the "Scrapnik Island" mini-series managed to bring quite a lot of pathos to its premise last October, it is disappointing that this feels so thin. Obviously, this is a light-hearted comic that's going for some pleasant hangout vibes. Really the only moment that amuse me in a visible way is when Vector's master plan for defeating the monster involves socking it right in the face. That's direct. Overall though, this one didn't give me much to work with. 

But maybe some mildly spooky October atmosphere is all that's really required of a one-shot holiday special like this. Jack Lawrence does the artwork for this one and, as usual, he's a reliable talent. You can tell Lawrence really had a ball designing everyone's Halloween costumes here. Vector is a Frankenstein monster, Espio is a mummy, Chamry is a vampire, and Tails is a hootin', hollerin' cowboy. (Sonic didn't dress up cause I guess he's too cool for that...) All the little trick-or-treaters look cute too, which vary from skeletons to gillmen. Herschel, who is rocking some sort of Dracula get-up, is especially neat. Matt Froese and Gigi Dutreix's ink and colors deserve some praise too, as they definitely add to the autumnal vibes and forested feeling of the story's second half. 

I suppose it was inevitable that me, being dead center in the "Sonic" nerd/horror aficionado Venn diagram, probably expected more than was reasonable from this. This is a simple Halloween special, with extremely simple goals, targeted at seemingly the youngest members of the "Sonic" fandom. I'm glad it exists even if this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the potential here. Mark Bouchard definitely strikes me as capable of a lot more, so I'm going to chalk it up to first time shakiness. But, IDW, I've got a killer pitch for next year's Halloween special – "Tails From the Crypt!" – if you want to do this again. (And accept unsolicited submissions from random weirdos on the Internet with no experience writing for comic book companies.) [6/10]

Sonic Boom, Episode 2.08: In the Midnight Hour

Sonic Boom, Episode 2.08: In the Midnight Hour

Original Air Date: December 31st, 2016

Every chance I get, I bring up the lack of Halloween adjacent "Sonic" media. Being in the middle of the massive horror nerd and massive Sonic nerd Venn diagram is not an easy life and one rarely validated by the blue hedgehog's adventures. Over the years, I've managed to dig up the handful of cartoon episodes and comics that border all things scary, creepy, and spooky. Yet it's always a delight when I unexpectedly stumble across more. Here I am, watching what I thought was a regular episode of "Sonic Boom" when I quickly realized it was a horror inspired of "Sonic Boom!" What a joyous occasion! Naturally, this episode aired on the 31st of... December, because "Boom's" schedule was completely fucked-up by this point. 

Sticks is channeling her inner Jackson Pollack/Jean-Claude Van Damme right around the stroke of midnight, while outside Comedy Chimp's television studio. That is when she spies a ghostly entity floating outside the studio, tinkering with the antenna. No one believes her, dismissing it as another one of her paranoid delusions. Further investigation confirms that the creature is real. He's an Eggman robot named the Dreamcaster who is hypnotizing everyone at night while they sleep, through their television. This soon turns everyone into mindless zombies, who do Eggman's bidding. As Sticks doesn't own a TV, she is immune. Yet can she save everyone and stop Dreamcaster on her own? 

As soon as the hooded, ghostly figure with Freddy Krueger claws floated on-screen, I got my hopes up that "In the Midnight Hour" would be a spookier "Boom" episode. The premise of no one believing Sticks when she claims she's seen a weird monster brings certain cryptozoological connotations to mind, furthering that horror movie feel. The episode quickly falls into a not-spooky-at-all groove quickly after that, leaving me disappointed... Ah, but in the last night, Sonic and friends are turned into somnambulist zombies! They even shamble around with their arms outstretched and do the "Thriller" dance! (Which is also followed by a random "Funkytown" shout-out.) Later, the Dreamcaster is even revealed to be a flying skeleton guy under his hood. It's undeniable: "In the Midnight Hour" is the horror inspired episode of "Sonic Boom," with ghosts and zombies galore. 

That alone is enough to earn a positive score from me but I'm happy to report that, in general, this episode is pretty good. Making Sticks the main character was a smart decision here that leads to an interesting dynamic. Everyone knows Sticks is kind of crazy but usually in a harmless, "local eccentric" sort of way. Yet what she sees in this episode is so outrageous that her friends begin to suspect her grip in reality is really slipping. Like, more than usual. It gets to the point that, when Comedy Chimp insists Sticks in thrown in jail for vandalizing his studio, her friends reluctantly let her go. They hope maybe a night in the penn will help her get grounded again. 

This is a strong narrative hook, the show's most eccentric hero being turned on by her friends for perfectly understandable reasons. Yet it also leads to an unexpectedly, if brief, poignant moment. After interrupting one of Dreamcaster's broadcast, Sticks is not thanked by the populace. Instead, they are annoyed for being woken up in the middle of the night. This causes Sticks to run off, crying a little. You'd think a paranoid conspiracy theorist like her would be used to people rejecting her plans but she's clearly genuinely hurt by this. We're not used to seeing the loud-mouthed Sticks be vulnerable like this and it's a moment that genuinely got to me a little bit. Poor little badger nut job! 

Of course, Sticks is vindicated in the end. In this case, the seemingly delusional crackpot was entirely right. Dreamcaster is real and part of Eggman's latest evil plot, which comes shockingly close to actually succeeding. Amusingly, the script really leans into this "what if the paranoid looney was right?" angle in its last act. Sticks shields herself and her friends from the machine's influence with tin foil hats, that perennial symbol of all unhinged crankery. Sticks' paranoia is actually what saves her in another way. She already didn't own a TV, believing it to be a device to control people's minds. And, in this very specific scenario, that was entirely right. 

That revelation leads to a good fourth way break, where Sticks assures the audience watching at home that this TV show is not a mind control plot. That's just one of several good gags here from writer Paul Shriver. A moment that got a big belly laugh out of me was Tails telling Sticks that a lack of sleep can cause hallucinations, to which Sticks deadpans that this isn't a problem as she never sleeps. The opening bit that her creative art project and her work-out routine is one and the same made me chuckle too. As did a bit where a guy's epiphany is interrupted. Dreamcaster having a deep, smooth, chocolate-y voice, like a radio deejay or a soul singer, is another inspired bit of goofiness. Of course, the robot's name is a reference to Sega lore, leading to an amusing in-joke conversation about whether the name is bad or not. His eyes being red swirls is also a likely homage to the late, great Dreamcast. 

Also, this episode reveals that everyone in the village seemingly sleeps with their TVs on. Yeah, I do that sometimes too. I can't help it, the Roku screensaver is so relaxing! Anyway, I was definitely predisposed to like this one just because it's got a ghost and zombies in it. I'm happy to report that it is a pretty strong episode otherwise, with lots of sharp gags and even a mildly touching character arc for Sticks. I'm glad that "Boom's" most horror adjacent episode is a pretty good one! [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island: Issue 3

Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island: Issue 3

Publication Date: December 21st, 2022

Man, the release schedule for IDW's "Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island" really has me conflicted. Releasing the first issue of this horror adjacent story in October was the most natural move the company could have made. I heartily approve of that. Yet the monthly release schedule means the mini won't conclude until January, really fucking with my OCD. (And the yearly retrospective I do.) The series launching in October might just be a coincidence, as the fall is when the last two IDW “Sonic” mini-series also began. I don’t know the nuances of comic book scheduling and I assume there’s a reason it’s like this. The last issue if this story coming out next month either gives you something to look forward to in the new year or mildly irks you, depending on how anal retentive you are. 

Anyway! Part three of “Scrapnik Island” begins with Sonic strapped to a table deep within the Death Egg. It seems the events in the last issue have awoken something in the rebuilt Mecha Sonic, who is now planning vengeance on his former enemies and his creator. A little Scrapnik spies on this conversation and gets the information to Tails. The fox immediately assembled a rescue team and goes into the Death Egg to save his friend. Yet Mecha Sonic is more dangerous than he appears. 

As the main cover for this one makes clear, Sonic actually doesn’t have a lot to do in this issue. He’s only on a few pages and spends all of them strapped down to an examination table in a make-shift laboratory. Instead, Tails gets all the heroic moments. He slaps a bunch of cool looking gear on and leads a team of Egg Robos into the Death Egg. They are all wielding big guns too, which they fire quite a bit as well. That makes this feel slightly like a throwback to the edgy “Shadow the Hedgehog” era of this franchise. Ya know, Tails packing heat brings certain connotations to mind.

Now, I’ve been critical of depictions of Tails as some sort of hyper-confident bad-ass before. The “Sonic” comics definitely have shown a tendency to overcompensate for Tails’ cutesy, kid sidekick demeanor in the past. Here, Tails does dress up like a commando and blast a killer robot with a giant gun. Even after being disarmed, he rolls into a spin dash and takes on Mecha Sonic directly. Yet his legit action hero credentials – he's been studying Sonic's special moves since the Genesis era, after all – are balanced nicely here with his innate vulnerability. Tails is obviously nervous while tracking Mecha Sonic, sweating in one panel. The villain catches him off-guard and leaves him panting on the floor quickly. The little fox stutters while delivering boastful battle banter to Mecha. It's a small detail that makes all the difference. Tails is capable of kicking ass but he's also still just a kid, who isn't always very confident in himself and makes mistakes.

This scenario also brings something else to mind. Tails and a gang of disposable robots head into a dark, industrial series of tunnels where they are pursued and eliminated by a red-eyed villain. Yep, "Scrapnik Island" recommits to the horror vibes prevalent in the first issue. Tails even has a beeping radar, that adds to the tension in these scenes. That seems like a deliberate homage to "Aliens" to me. In fact, I'd wager this entire issue was inspired by James Cameron's seminal sci-fi/horror sequel. I also love it when the "Sonic" comics dip outside of the reference pool you'd expect. 

As in the previous two issues of this mini-series, the spooky atmosphere is helped along by some truly spectacular artwork. Jack Lawrence's pencils are great, his characters expressive and his action animated. But Nathalie Fourdraine's colors once again really makes this one shine. The interior of the Death Egg are depicted in shades of blues, blacks, and greens. The glow from Tails' tablet adds an especially eerie feeling to these panels. Panels devoted to Mecha grabbing an Egg Robo, looming over Tails while his red eyes glows, or the fox's descent down a trash chute all emphasize a dreary, claustrophobic horror movie ambiance that elevates an already good comic. 

In my review of the previous "Scrapnik Island" issue, I said that this version of Mecha Sonic had the potential to be a very complex villain. Part three supports this while also backtracking in some slightly disappointing ways. Last time, it seemed like Mecha Sonic's villainy during this mini-series would almost be unintentional. That he would be driven to act violently simply because his brain was so scrambled, he wasn't even aware of his actions. Instead, this issue clarifies that he has a deliberate evil agenda. He steals Tails' handheld computer, having specific plans for it, and seems to have something nefarious in mind for Sonic. 

We know this because the issue gives Mecha Sonic the ability to speak. His words are a bit jumbled at times but he can still express himself clearly. He expresses a desire to get revenge on Eggman. He feels like he's been discarded by his creator, betrayed by the world, and that pisses him off. Not only is this motivation kind of similar to what Surge is going through in the main book right now, it's also a little less compelling to me than someone merely acting erratic because their mind has betrayed them. We'll see if that anxiety about being treated like trash goes anywhere interesting, I guess. 

It's possible this mini-series will nail the landing in regards to that particular plot thread. If only because "Scrapnik Island" continues to show an excellent handle on memory and visuals. A flashback, which occurs while E-117 Sigma's systems are rebooting, shows Mecha Sonic came to be on Scrapnik Island. A number of panels are without dialogue balloons, such as when Tails goes digging through a pile of junk to find the parts he needs. This series has done such a good job of showing why comics are a visual medium, how a focus on those visuals can express a feeling of melancholy or urgency all on their own.

While I have some misgivings about where this issue takes Mecha Sonic, and how that might play out, I still really liked this one. "Scrapnik Island" continues to be really strong in general. I might be partial here because I just love the horror movie vibes. But the characterization is strong, the art is fantastic, the story is moving along at a compelling pace. Gotta say, I'm really enjoying it. Also, some extremely talented "Sonic" fans made plushies of Scrapnik Mecha Sonic and Mecha Knuckles, on display in the letters section at the back of the book. And that's the kind of fanatical resourcefulness that I love about this fandom. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island: Issue 1

Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island: Issue 1

Publication Date: October 19th, 2022

Owing to my status as both a horror buff and a lifelong "Sonic" nerd, I've bemoaned the lack of official creepy "Sonic" content a lot in the past. I think I've probably written about the limited crossover between "Sonic" and horror more than anyone, at least outside the realm of creepypasta authors. Specifically, there aren't many "Sonic" Halloween specials. The comics and various Sonic Channel artists have nodded towards the holiday's existence a handful of times but that's about it. If you want something to satisfy both your spooky, autumnal needs and your "Sonic" fandom, your options are limited. (Again, outside the realm of crappy creepypastas. Tails Doll isn't scary, you guys.)

At least in the realm of comics, IDW has been working hard to rectify this problem. During the Zombot arc, the on-going book essentially became a horror comic for more than a year. There was also a recent issue with some distinctively creepy vibes. And now, the company is publishing a new mini-series with a spooky bent, kicking off just in time for Halloween. "Scrapnik Island" is a new four-parter and, everything we've seen of the mini up to this point, has made it look like a full-on "Sonic" horror comic. Bitchin'. Let's get into it. 

To further confirm the announcement that this is a spooky-scary Sonic story, issue one of "Scrapnik Island" even starts with "It was a dark and stormy night." Sonic and Tails are flying the Tornado to one location or another when it's caught in a bad storm. They happen to fly over the remnants of the first Death Egg before a lightning bolt takes out the plane's wing. Awakening from the crash, Sonic finds himself inside the desolate remains of the space station, with a metal brace on his foot and a sore ankle. Soon, he's pursued by old Badniks that have been hastily patched together. Frightened, the hedgehog runs for his life. But is everything as it seems? 

I am pleased-as-punch to confirm that, yes, the first issue of "Scrapnik Island" is a "Sonic" horror story. The plot here builds upon well-known horror tropes. Essentially, this is a haunted house story presented within the "Sonic" framework. Instead of a creaky old building, it's a derelict battle station from Eggman's past. Instead of moaning sheet ghosts and spectres banging chains around, it's cobbled together Badniks chasing after Sonic. The seemingly mindless way the incredibly strange, mixed-up machines pursue Sonic also brings a zombie movie to mind. In fact, the mix-and-match approach to the beings – who we learn call themselves "Scrapniks" before the end – even bring Frankenstein's monster to mind. 

The issue doesn't just use horror trappings for flavor. I think part one of "Scrapnik Island" is actually trying to make a shiver run up your spine. A surprisingly large amount of this issue is devoted to Sonic wandering around the dark, dusty Death Egg. His only illumination is a small light from Tails' tablet computer, furthering the feeling that he's out-of-his-depth here. The hero is as clueless as the audience is, creating a sense of isolation and disorientation. There's even a pretty cool series of panels where the Red Eye from "Sonic and Knuckles'" Death Egg Stage spies on Sonic and cast the area in ominous red light. Establishing a sense of shadowy atmosphere makes the appearance of the Scrapniks, and the subsequent chase scene, more intense than it otherwise would've been. You just know, if this was a cartoon and not a comic book, it would be heavy on discordant musical cords and loud banging noises coming from off-screen. Writer Daniel Barnes clearly knows the basic elements of telling a suspenseful camp fire story. 

Barnes, who previously wrote the "Weapons" story in this year's annual, seems like a smart guy. To further up the tension, he gives Sonic a fucked-up ankle with a big metal brace on it. This is a great way to put Sonic at a disadvantage, unable to run or spin-dash with his usual efficiency, so it's a shame that a regular issue of the main series did something similarly not that long ago. I'm still giving Barnes points for being so willing to write Sonic as vulnerable though. The hedgehog actually gets scared in this issue. He's caught off-guard, outnumbered, confused and a little freaked out. It's a testament to Barnes' grasp of the character that Sonic is convincingly frightened without undermining his status as a snarky superhero. One word balloon about how he's happy Knuckles isn't here to see this goes a long way. 

Even though Sonic fans clearly like to see their hedgehog hero mashed up with horror tropes – see, once again, the proliferation of creepypastas based on the franchise – there's an obvious reason why official content rarely goes in this direction. "Sonic the Hedgehog" is for the children. It's generally frowned upon to scare kids, even though they love it. After a pretty fun spook house approach through most of this, the conclusion makes it clear, once again, that "Sonic" is a kid-friendly series. Sonic runs into Tails, who explains that the Scrapniks are not violent. In fact, their leader – an E100 unit with a monocle – is friendly and soft-spoken. The storm lifts, the sun comes out, Tails smiles like a dork. Everyone is happy by the end. I definitely would've liked to have seen the horror vibes stretched out longer but I get it. 

This issue doesn't just appeal to me because it's dropping Sonic into a Halloween-worthy setting. It's also full of shout-outs to the series' golden age. The appearance of the original Death Egg is the first sign that this story was crafted with a love towards the Genesis era. The Scrapniks are assembled from classic Badniks. Just based on a cursory glance back through these pages, I spot parts of: Cocoanuts, Caterkiller, Buzz Bomber, Newtron, MotoBug, Chopper, Crabmeat, Ball Hog, Bat Brain, Grabber, Octus, Clucker, Chop Chop, Buzzer, Kama-Kama, Noro-Noro, Dragonfly, and Madmole. I think there's bits of Jaws, Turtloid, Grounder, and Toxomister in there too. I’m sure there’s some ones I missed too. I eagerly await seeing the trivia section on this issue’s Wiki page filled out. 

Obviously, the star of the show is the “Sonic & Knuckles” version of Metal Sonic. (Which this comic calls “Mecha Sonic,” in what I guess is accordance with the modern fandom consensus.) He gets an anime antihero poncho, a cool rusty red coloration, and a buzz saw for his one leg. There’s other callbacks to series lore too, like a fun bit where Sonic hides inside an old Egg Prison. Considering the sheer number of references here, I'm not surprised the reader, decided to create a new E-100 unit, in the form of Sigma. What fan could resist, ya know? 

Overall, this is a very fun first issue. Jack Lawrence's art is a bit looser than I prefer but still excellent. Nathalie Fourdraine's colors really fucking pop, making all those shadowy scenes look amazing. There's enough plot points raised here to provide meat for the rest of the mini: a mysterious sunflower in a pod, an appearance from the Egg Carrier, some tension between Sonic and this Mecha Sonic, and a before-the-end tease of what's presumably the series' real villain. I'm ready to say that Daniel Barnes knows what he's doing. (I mean, he's doing the "Adventure" pose in the photo in the back of the book, so clearly he does.) I think we could've stayed in Spooksville a little longer but I can't complain. This is a properly Halloween-y installment and a fine "Sonic" story on its own merits. [7/10]