Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 44

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 44

Publication Date: September 15th, 2021

It's time for another monthly installment of "Zack Describes His Relationship with IDW's "Sonic" Series." By now, I think the new comic is officially beloved by the "Sonic" fandom, to a degree that maybe eclipses the Archie series. My Twitter feed is packed with fan art of Surge and Kit, two characters who haven't even debuted yet, and the announcement of the Whisper plush was met with orgasmic glee from many corners of the fandom. While I'm fairly invested in certain elements of the book, it still feels compromised in a way that bugs me. Which we'll discuss more as I talk about the brand new issue today. 

Part four of "Zeti Hunt" features very little of the Zetis. The Deadly Six is in custody at the issue's beginning. Sonic and Tails load them into a rocket, Gamera style, and shoot them back to their home world. Most of the issue is devoted to Belle being kidnapped by Dr. Starline. He intentionally provokes an emotional response in the puppet, so his computers can analyze the way her advanced robotic/wooden brain works. The Chaotix bust in and rescue her but Starline already has what he needs and gleefully escapes. 

Remember how I wondered aloud in my last comic review if bringing the Deadly Six back was just a way for Ian Flynn to occupy the Sega heroes, while he laid the groundwork for the upcoming "Imposter Syndrome" mini-series in the background? It brings me absolutely no joy to report that this hunch was one hundred percent correct. The final part of this story arc constitutes nothing but a brief epilogue. Zavok and his gang are already defeated by the first page and are quickly brushed off-panel, so the comic can focus on the shit it's actually interested in. There's a brief denouncement, where the Zetis land back on Lost Hex and promise they will return, stronger than ever, but that feels totally obligatory. It's Flynn's way of saying the Zetis will return someday but they are not a going concern for the present. And that's exactly what it feels like, the author patting us in the head and saying "Yeah, don't worry about these guys for a while."

In fact, Sonic himself has almost nothing to do in this issue. He explains the circumstances of Zavok's defeat and mocks the bad guys a little. There's one meaty moment in this entire exchange. When Zavok realizes Sonic is deporting them, instead of executing or empoisoning them, he laughs. Being a part of a proud warrior race, Zavok thinks mercy is a weakness. He promises he will return, worst than ever, and make Sonic regret this decision. This causes the hedgehog to reflect on the previous times this exact same thing has happened to him: When he let Eggman remain as Mr. Tinker, which eventually beget a world-swallowing apocalypse. How Metal Sonic returned from defeat to vex the good guys again. And how Shadow and Espio both chastised Sonic for allowing these things to happen. 

This seems to be an element of Sonic's personality Flynn has been building on. That his heroic qualities mean he always sees the best in people, even though this attitude has repeatedly bit him in the ass. This could lead to an interesting dilemma down the line, where Sonic questions his own tactics, his own morality, and wonders if he has the guts to make the hard decisions... But that's feeling increasingly unlikely. Sonic simply dismisses Zavok's taunting by saying he won't "sacrifice his principals out of fear." Instead, I'm beginning to suspect that this is Flynn's half-assed way to justify the Joker Conundrum: Where obviously dangerous villains stick around because of the rules of comic book plotting. Because they have to return eventually, because the comic can't just introduce a new bad guy every month. 

And I hate to keep bringing this up – complaining about these nebulous "Sega Mandates" is the worst cliché of Sonic comic fandom now – but it really does feel like something being imposed on Flynn. Insisting Sonic always be an ultra-good Good Guy, and that his enemies are never defeated forever, feels like something Flynn's corporate paymasters would do. The people of Mobius "Sonic's world" are never going to turn on Sonic because he keeps letting the villains walk away. Flynn will keep returning to this plot point, of Sonic wondering if he's doing the right thing, because he has to in order to keep his job. It's never going to pay off or resolve. It's the author trying to create depth out of the crumbs he's forced to work with.

And that represents my real problem with IDW "Sonic." It's chained to what Sega wants the "Sonic" franchise to be. Archie's "Sonic" was allowed, partly through corporate negligence, to become a completely unique version of Sonic. It's why, no matter how hard Flynn tries, no matter how many exclusive characters or decent stories are contained inside it, IDW "Sonic" can never be its own thing. It's always destined to be a spin-off to the video games, an ancillary product to the part of the franchise we're supposed to care the most about. And since most "Sonic" fans are invested in the video games, first and foremost, they're not going to complain about this. But I am, because I'm an old man. 

Flynn is obviously frustrated by these limitations too, which is why he's so clearly more interested in his own characters, that he can do pretty much whatever he wants with. Belle's story is allowed to have pathos, when Sonic's can only fake it. In this issue, we finally see Belle's backstory, how Mr. Tinker built her as an assistant. How she loved him and was beloved, in turn, by the villagers. And how they turned on her after the Metal Virus Crisis and dismantled everything Mr. Tinker built. We see how Belle's identity crisis is rooted in everything she thought she was being soundly rejected by those around her. This ties in with her function as a "fixer," because she even wants to fix the things that can't be mended, like her father figure letting her down or people being bigoted against robots. 

This stuff is good and I really feel for Belle in these scenes. When she lashes out in anger at Starline or cries softly in the corner, your heart goes out for this little wooden girl. And the way Vector caresses her head and tells her that she has friends here for her, that being around people who actually value her is the only way to "fix" these wounds, it's very touching. Yes, it is surreal to me to see Vector – who I'm so used to seeing written as a meatheaded galoot or buffoonish comic relief – play a role in an emotionally meaningful moment. In fact, Flynn also has Vector be the straight man to Belle's comedic overreaction earlier. So I guess the "Computer room!" meme is now a responsible adult in this comic book. Feels weird but I can roll with it. 

Since solicitations have already told us what is coming, there's not much suspense in what Starline is up to in this issue. Obviously, the information on Belle's brain will help him build the evil clones that are going to star in a mini-series in six weeks. Yet Flynn clearly still enjoys writing Starline. His type of villainy – ridiculously self-assured, refined and intellectual and more than a little flamboyant – is something the "Sonic" franchise doesn't quite have right now. He uses "gracious" as an interjection, says "my dear child" to Charmy, gingerly places Belle's cute little hat back on her head, and sails gracefully through the air while using his superpowers. Dr. Starline is the kind of guy who talks with his hands a lot. That's why, in my brain, he now sounds like Bill Hader's impression of Vincent Price. The point is Starline really enjoys being a bad guy, Flynn clearly enjoys writing that, and the reader picks up in that joy. 

So issue 44 is one I have a lot of mixed feelings about. Tracy Yardley's art is strong. He even does some cool things with the lay-out, when he has a page of Starline talking about his past with Eggman and Belle talking about her past with "Mr. Tinker" mirror each other. Starline's campy villainy is enjoyable and Belle's arc remains the most compelling thing the series has going right now. Yet this issue so sharply defines the limitations of this comic book and makes the last three issues feel like a fucking waste of time. I don't know, I guess that evens out to a [6/10]. I will definitely continue to bitch and moan about this shit so get used to it. 

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 43

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 43

Publication Date: September 1st, 2021

One of the various "Sonic" fan corners I hang out in features a person who complains loudly and obnoxiously every time an issue of IDW's "Sonic" comic is delayed. I blocked him a while ago but, before that, I would futilely attempt to explain that delays are common in the comic industry. IDW, in particular, is notorious for missing deadlines. This is the very grown-up and mature perspective I try to take but, I'll admit, IDW's fucked-up release schedule threw me for a loop today. I turned on my PC, ready to review an episode of an old cartoon, when I saw a notification that the new issue of IDW "Sonic" was out today. Issue 43's release date has been shifted so many times I forgot it was actually coming out on September 1st. So I got out of my comfy office chair, grabbed my tablet, booted up Comixology, and here we are now. 

Sorry, each of these recent comic reviews have opened with me complaining what an old man I am. Anyway, issue 43 is devoted to "Zeti Hunt, Part 3." We pick up where we last left off, with Sonic locked in a small room with the entirety of the Deadly Six. The hedgehog brawls with the six Zetis but eventually finds himself overwhelmed by their raw brute strength. Whisper helps out and Tails, with his electronic Zeti stopping devices, eventually arrives to help. Even after beating the monsters into submission, the trouble isn't over. Sonic is informed that Starline has kidnapped Belle. 

Almost this entire issue – as in 19 out of 20 pages – is devoted to the fight between Sonic and the Deadly Six. I like action in my action comics as much as the next guy. Flynn and his team find some novel moments to include in this lengthy brawl. Such as Zaz getting increasingly unhinged as he takes more of a beating from Sonic. Or Zavok picking up Zor, when he refuses to participate in the fight, and literally throwing him at Sonic. Still, there's only so much novelty to watching cartoon characters wail on each other for page after page. I wish there was a little more dramatic meat on this issue's bones. 

In fact, I didn't find myself becoming involved in this issue at all until Sonic started to loose the fight. Sonic is mostly able to handle the big colorful monsters but, after Zavok lands a lucky sucker punch on him, the tide of the fight starts to turn. I've said this before and I'll probably say it again, as it's a fact the "Sonic" franchise has trouble remembering sometimes: Fights are way more compelling when it looks like the hero might actually loose! When Zavok has his hand around Sonic's head, squeezing it like a stress ball, that's a compelling image. The issue needed more stuff like that. 

However, one thing remains consistent no matter how bad of a beating Sonic is taking: He's always a smart-ass. Some people complain about this too and it can definitely drain the dramatic tension from situations sometimes. However, here it is used well, I think. Sonic mocks Zavok's tendency to monologue about his grand, grim purpose by referring to it as failed poetry or rambling. It shows Sonic's tenacity, his unwillingness to give up, that he's still cracking jokes even when getting the shit beat out of him. It is what is commonly referred to as a "personality trait" and it helps enliven a fight-fest issue like this. 

Something else that keeps the pep up in this issue is when Sonic's pals help him out. Tangle goatses a hole in the steel door, whacking any Zeti that wanders by with her tail until Zavok yanks back. Whisper, always so whispery, fires some Wispon bolts into the room before Zavok uses his technopathy to scramble her mask. When Tails drops in, we get a good moment where he saves Sonic's ass by spindashing into Zavok's chest. It's nice to be reminded that Tails isn't just the tech guy but can do all the same special moves as Sonic. Again, brief moments like this add some color to an issue otherwise totally devoted to fisticuffs. (Also, the Chaotix get stuck in traffic and that made laugh while also raising some questions about the infrastructure on Sonic's world.)

In the past, we've seen multiple artist work on a single story, which I frequently suspect is to help lighten the work load of whoever the primary artist was supposed to be. This issue is split evenly between three different artists. And the shift in style is a bit jarring. Jamal Peppers does the first ten pages. I used to love Peppers' work on the Archie series but have been underwhelmed by his contributions to IDW so far. It seems Peppers has dropped the slightly sketchy pencil lines from his work, which always invoked a somewhat gritty feel. Without that, his art comes off as overly smooth and stationary. Or maybe he's just bad at drawing the Zetis. The Deadly Six come off as especially weightless, with wide-eyed and blank facial expressions, on his pages. 

When Bracardi Curry takes over on page eleven, it's really obvious. Curry's art has a fantastic sense of motion. His character work is stylized, and a little more jagged than the traditional "Sonic" artwork, which makes his action sequences even more distinctive. After five pages of excellent art from Curry, Thomas Rothlisberger takes over. After doing impressive work on the 30th Anniversary special and this year's FCBD issue, this is Rothlisberger's debut in the regular series. His talent really lies in facial expressions. Which is probably why panels devoted to Sonic and Tails being defiant while Zavok squishes them, or the clear masochistic pleasure on Zor's face after getting zapped with Tails' gizmo, really shine. It's a good looking book but having three people, each with such distinctive art styles, work on one issue does make for a slightly disorientating read. 

As we reach the end of the "Zeti Hunt" story arc, I do have to wonder what the point of all this was. Did Flynn just want to remind readers the Deadly Sox where still out there, doing zeti shit? Did he bring the colorful monsters back simply to occupy the main cast while setting up the upcoming "Imposter Syndrome" mini-series in the background? That really feels like where this is going but I guess we still have more issue in this arc for it to justify itself. This isn't a totally useless issue and the script does what it can to spruce up a story devoted totally to a fight scene... But it's still just an extended fight scene and only so much can be done with that. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 42

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 42

Publication Date: July 21st, 2021

I have such a weird relationship with IDW's "Sonic" comics. There have been a few times when I've been really into it, eagerly anticipating the next issue. And then there have been times, like this week, where I forget what happened in the last issue until I read the new issue. Which I only remembered to do because someone on Twitter reminded me "hey, the new issue is out today." I think the awesomeness of the anniversary special wiped out my recollection of the last regular (mediocre) issue. But, hey, you are reading these words right now, so clearly, I'm staying ahead of things.

Anyway... "Zeti Hunt, Part 2" starts with Jewel on a video call with Sonic, Tails, and the Chaotix. They have deduced that the Deadly Six have been attacking the villages they attempted to conquer during the Metal Virus crisis. It seems like a good bet but they are wrong. The Zetis instead attack Restoration HQ directly, catching everyone off-guard. Meanwhile, Dr. Starline sneaks into the base at the exact same time and uses the chaos to capture Belle, whom he seems to have nefarious plans for. 

The Freedom Fighters Restoration weren't the only ones caught off-guard by the Deadly Six pivoting from their expected path. This is a plot twist that successfully surprised me too. When Zavok throws a flaming truck at a sleeping security guard – possible "Manhunter" reference??? – it sure got my attention too. I guess I've gotten so use to Ian Flynn's mediocre plotting that, when he tells us what the characters are going to do, I just believe him. Does that mean kicking this story arc off with an underwhelming issue actually a fiendish scheme to make this issue's events more unexpected? Probably not but it worked out anyway.

This issue also satisfactorily brings together two of the book's lingering plot points. I really expected this entire story arc to simply focus on Sonic and pals fighting the Deadly Sox, since that's what all the solicitations seem to say. Dr. Starline entering into this story was also a surprise. Considering watching big colorful monsters tear shit up has limited appeal, Starline sneaking around makes for a good counterpoint. It was also wise to play off Belle's on-going circumstances, as that's the most compelling plot point the comic has right now. 

The most memorable thing about the first part of this story arc was the brief insight we got into Zeti philosophy. That continues here. After busting into Restoration HQ, Zavok and the gang are disappointed to only be met with a handful of armed guards. Master Zik observes that the furries live in peace when Eggman isn't around. They know nothing of conquest or conflict when an outside force isn't involved. I don't know how serious Flynn wants us to take this observation but I'm betting it's supposed to be bullshit. We know avaricious and power-hungry critters like Mimic, Clutch, Rough, Tumble, and Starline exist in this universe. I'm assuming this observation is meant to tell us more about the Zetis than Sonic's gang. Their lives are so consumed by violence that, when they see people who don't spend every waking minute focused on conquering shit, they just assume they're all a bunch of lazy, empty-headed peaceniks. If Flynn did this on purpose, it's another subtle way to build up the Zetis' cultural obsession with warfare. 

What ultimately makes this a stronger issue is something I've lauded Ian Flynn for doing during his better moments. That would be sneaking little character moments in-between the smashing and trashing. We have Charmy waving hi to Jewel in the background of the video chat with Vector, behavior befitting a small child. When Starline comes to claim Belle, the gearhead orangutan who was previously an asshole to her stands up for her. Good to know that big orange guy isn't a total prick. Belle's interaction with Starline – nudging herself towards getting away from him whenever possible–  is also pretty cute. For that matter, so is an adorable panel of Starline geeking out when he thinks about Belle in the context of Eggman creations. He really is a fanboy, having a joygasm when discussing new discovery by his favorite creator. (Who just happens to be a world-conquering tyrant.)

My favorite little bit of character development occurs when Sonic is chilling at Winterburg, sipping hot coco with a cozy blanket around his legs. He looks out the window and sees two kids playing with snowballs. He thinks about how "everyone wants to forget the Metal Virus was even a thing." That everyone is eager to get back to their normal lives. At first, I was going to bitch about how Flynn once again wants to sweep the aftermath of the Zombot crisis under the rug... But then I realized he's not talking about the Metal Virus, you guys. I don't know how far in advance these comics are written. If he wrote this issue in the middle of lockdown or if it was done more recently, when rising vaccination rates made it look like normal life may resume soon. Considering the first third of this issue is devoted to a Zoom conference, I'm guessing the latter. Either way, it's nice to see that Flynn, however obliquely, is finally referencing the world-shattering pandemic that his stupid cartoon animal comic just happened to resemble. 

This issue also marks the first time Tracy Yardley has drawn a "Sonic" comic in quite a while. As far as I can tell, his last issue was #18, in June of 2019. It's nice to see Yardley back after such a long absence. The only way you can tell that he might be a tad rusty is that the Zetis look a little goofy in a couple of panels. Check out Zeena doing the Adventure pose on page nine, with her dainty little feet. Otherwise, Yardley's work is solid and there's even two pages that look excellent. That would be the Zetis storming into Restoration HQ, which features some really nice shading, and Sonic speeding off to make it back to base, which is depicted as a series of sonic booms breaking across the countryside.

Overall, it's an unexpectedly good issue. I don't even mind Flynn having Tails talk about two new gadgets that will presumably factor into the Deadly Six's defeat. It would be real nice if he was planning on subverting that particular set-up as well. A strong plot twist pairing with some decent little character works makes for a very enjoyable issue. Also, Starline mentions both "serenity now" and "fear is the mind killer," two references I did not expect to see in a "Sonic the Hedgehog" comic book. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 41

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 41

Publication Date: June 16th, 2021

We are getting back to the IDW "Sonic" comic sooner than we usually do. What with June of 2021 being Sonic's 30th birthday month, IDW became determined to pump out as many blue hedgehog-related comic books as possible. Last week, we had the final part of Evan Stanley's recent arc. This week, we have the first part of Ian Flynn's return to the book. Next week, this year's annual (and anniversary special for the entire franchise) will come out. It's nice to get a triple dose of Sonic shenanigans this month but I'm glad this is not the usual release schedule. 

We begin in Winterburg, the snowy town we visited back in "Chao Chases and Badnik Base." Eggman is currently attacking it and Sonic is currently protecting it. The doctor is looking for the Deadly Six, who have been missing since the end of "Bad Guys." It turns out the Zetis are planning something. Zavok recoups from his previous defeat and decides to get the band back together. He gathers up the members of his pack, wrecking havoc wherever he goes in his quest for revenge and conquest. Jewel hires the Chaotix to figure out who is behind the attacks and they immediately deduce the Zetis are responsible and that Winterburg is there next target. 

After letting Evan Stanley drive for two whole arcs, Ian Flynn is back in the driver's seat. And his plot heavy writing returns with him. "Zeti Hunt, Part One" is one of those issues devoted entirely to setting up the rest of the arc. Within the span of these twenty pages, the Deadly Six are shown getting back together and then get on the war path. Our heroes prepare to react and... That's the end of the issue. This is an entire comic book made up of inciting incident, with no room left for character development or personal interaction. 

What dialogue we do get is also focused on setting up the plotting. The opening fight between Sonic and Eggman has them trading lots of banter but they mostly trade exposition. I guess Flynn expects the 30th anniversary advertising push to bring in some new readers, because the two characters breathlessly recount the pertinent plot points. Or maybe he's doing this for his own benefit, as the scene really feels like Flynn reminding himself of where the Deadly Six, Starline, Eggman and Sonic where when he last left them. (Which is emphasized by the multiple editor's boxes, pointing readers back to the recent issues.) There is, disappointingly, no references to anything that happened during Stanley's run. Has this script just been sitting on a shelf for eight months? 

About the only crumb of character development we get this time is establishing Zavok's motivation. His defeat in "Bad Guys" has left him deeply humiliated. After moping for a moment, he rededicates himself to revenge. When he meets up with Master Zik, it's implied that conquest and fighting are the cornerstones of Zeti culture. Zavok says destroying your enemies or dying in combat are the only two ways to live life. This is why his defeat pissed him off so much. He didn't just loose. He was dishonored. This Klingon/bushido thing is the most insight we've gotten into the Zetis' actual value system in all the time they've been featured in "Sonic" comic books. 

If this is a prologue to a deeper exploration of Zeti honor, the rest of the issue doesn't let us know. Because the colorful ogres spend the rest of their page time just wrecking shit. They go from town to town and raze them. Zavok, for some reason, blames the Restoration for his failures and wants to undo everything they've done. The resulting destruction reminded me of the role the Deadly Six played during the Metal Virus, where they were just huge assholes determined to destroy and conquer for no particular reason. Zavok's characterization as a scheming master-planner in "Bad Guys" was much more compelling. It definitely feels like the character is backsliding some. 

But let's get back to the Restoration for a minute... In this issue, we see that the various towns and communities ravaged by the Metal Virus have, more-or-less, been restored to their pre-pandemic status quo. The Restoration is credited with this. It's funny how the Restoration has been doing all this restoring completely off-panel. How much time has passed since the Zombot crisis ended? A couple months? Weeks? That's a lot of restoring in not-a-lot of time. Once again, we are told how much of a difference the Restoration has made without actually seeing them do any of the fucking work. Similarly, Ian Flynn also continues to show a willingness to just move on from the year-long arc he wrote by essentially pretending it never happen. Seriously, Flynn, why did you spend so much time on the Metal Virus saga if you were just going to sweep it under the rug the minute it was over?

We know that the Metal Virus storyline was originally planned for the later period Archie 'Sonic” series. And now that Flynn is done with that, I'm getting this increasingly strong suspicion that the dude is just simply out of ideas. The two-parter immediately following the big storyline's conclusion felt similarly exhausted, characters reduced to their Sega-approved archetypes and the plot mechanically moving forward without much passion, personality, or wit. Is it possible, after writing “Sonic” for two-plus decades, Ian Flynn is just worn out? I don't know but the beginning of this latest arc doesn't exactly get my hopes up. 

Then again, I've been wrong before and this certainly wouldn't be the first time a story in this comic had a weak start, before becoming something more interesting later on. Maybe things will perk up if Flynn brings Belle and Starline into things. If nothing else, Adam Bryce Thomas' artwork is typically great. The panels of Zavok going into a revenge-fueled rage or Sonic's fight with Eggman's snowman shaped machine are wonderfully expressive and dynamic. I wish the boring script was up to the standard of the exciting illustrations. [5/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 4

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 4

Publication Date: December 23rd, 2020

Dear Hedgehogs Can't Swim readers: I am finally caught up with IDW "Sonic." In the past, I've fallen so horribly behind with the new book that I've had to do short burst of hyper-focused updates like this before. And while I will probably almost definitely have to do this again, I think I am finally hooked on IDW "Sonic" after three years of it existing. It's not the same as the Archie book I fell in love with as a kid but this iteration of "Sonic" has finally forged its own weird identity, separate from the games or previous comics. I'll try and review the new issues as they come out, posting them as Monday/Wednesday/Friday updates. (Because adding them as weekend bonuses really wasn't working for me.) I'm still deliberating whether or not to go ahead with my Best of/Worst of list for 2020 or wait until issue 36 of the main book comes out. 

Anyway, enough about me! Let's talk about issue 4 of "Bad Guys!" As his plan comes crashing down on him, Starline has to make a quick escape from the clutches of his former teammates. Using his new superpowers, he quickly disposed of Rough and Tumble but Zavok proves trickier. Mimic betrays everybody and alerts Eggman to what's going on, before bouncing out of there. Eggman assumes Zavok is behind the entire enterprise, flattening the base with explosives. The Zeti lives and Starline gets what he wanted in the end: a small chunk of Eggman's empire. 

From the minute "Bad Guys" started, it was inevitable that Starline's plan was going to implode on itself. Zavok was aware of his treachery and it was only a matter of time before he made his play. But, I'll admit, I'm a little disappointed with how the implosion goes down. Starline's scheme is revealed but he immediately escapes. We never even get a showdown between the platypus and Zavok, which is what I figured the comic had been building towards. Flynn even gave Starline abilities that would make him Zavok's physical equal and still avoids a direct confrontation. I can't believe I'm chastising Flynn for not including a fight scene but it is anticlimactic that Starline really doesn't face any consequences for betraying his teammates. 

My big issue with "Bad Guys'" ending is that nobody faces consequences. Starline immobilizes Rough and Tumble with his poison spurs but they still have the strength to wiggle out of the base before Eggman bombs it. Mimic peaces out long before the pyrotechnics begin. Despite being caught in the explosion, Zavok survives and walks away bruised but intact. I know Sega never would've allowed Flynn to kill off a game character but he could've at least implied the Zeti's death, in order to build suspense for his inevitable return. And, in retrospect, it was pretty dumb of Starline to give his homies weapons but did not booby-trap them. Did he really expect to outsmart them the entire time? What a chode! 

The last issue of "Bad Guys" had me wondering what the point of all this was until its final pages. The status quo seems more-or-less restored at the end. Mimic is still out there, looking for revenge on Whisper. Rough and Tumble are free agents once again. Zavok is likely heading back to reunite with the rest of the Deadly Six. It seemed, in the long run, the only thing this mini-series really does is put everyone back to where they were right before the Metal Virus saga began. (Making me wonder what the point of that year-long event was once again.)

Except Starline has changed. Zavok's words really did get to him. He no longer wants to become Eggman's BFF, realizing the doctor is too flawed to ever achieve his goal of total world domination. Instead, he desires supplanting Eggman all together, conquering the planet totally on his own. Which finally gives a character I've always found somewhat irregular a proper characterization. (And it's also clearly what Flynn had been building towards from the moment he introduced him.) And thus, the "Sonic" comic gains another strong, secondary antagonist. Which was almost worth torpedoing "Bad Guys'" climax for, I guess. 

I'm fine with Starline becoming a fully-formed baddy. I'm less satisfied with him becoming a hyper-confident badass. Flynn gave Starline the Tri-Core and all the associated superpowers not to give him an awesome confrontation with Zavok but to make him more of a creditable threat in the future, I suppose. But watching the guy zip around Rough and Tumble, disposing of them in seconds with his poisonous elf boots, isn't very interesting. Egomaniacal smarty-pants like Starline are best left as intellectual threats, because they become completely insufferable if they're as all-powerful as they think they are... Unless Flynn is planning on making Starline the big bad of 2021's main story arc. We'll see but right now I'm not loving it. 

Starline becoming the comic's primary threat would make sense though, since Eggman has been dropping the ball more and more here of late. At the end of the issue, he realizes Zavok isn't smart enough on his own to pull off all these raids. Yet he also never connects the dots, wondering if maybe that sidekick he betrayed not too long ago might be responsible. After his embarrassing performance in the "Recovery" two-parter, I'm really not loving this trend of Eggman being a dumbass. The excuse of "he's still frazzled after the Metal Virus catastrophe" is only going to wash for so long, Ian. 

Anyway, I suppose I still liked "Bad Guys" well enough overall. It definitely eats it a little in the second half but those first two issues were really strong. The weird helpful/antagonistic dynamic between Starline and Zavok was so good, I honestly wish Flynn could have kept that going for longer. If this mini-series had been six issues, instead of four, it would probably feel less rushed and more satisfying. As it is, I am forced to hand out another [6/10] and end 2020 on a whimper. 

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 3

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 3

Publication Date: November 25th, 2020

I've written, several times over the years, about how comic books are notorious for having misleading covers. When children have been the primary target for your product for upwards of fifty years, that only seems natural. When a kid sees a cover about how Superman has turned into a gorilla or the Flash is a puppet now, their eyes light up with shock and awe that results in them immediately buying the comic in question. Kids are also more likely not to feel ripped off when nothing of that sort actually happens in the comic. Archie's "Sonic" series was certainly not above tactics like that. Remember when Sonic cradled Sally's dead body in his arms or our heroes were consumed by a white void full of monster arms? While I've done little but bitch about IDW's "Sonic" books, I'll give the company this much: They've done few misleading covers. Yes, the shocking event depicted on the cover of issue 3 of "Bad Guys" does happen. 

Volume three of "Bad Guys," which the Sonic News Network wiki informs me is subtitled "Trust Issues," begins with Starline doing another monologue... Except it's not Starline but Mimic impersonating him. Yes, Zavok and the octopus are well aware of the doctor's in-coming betrayal. The next day, the team raid the hub of Eggman's computer network. The new power cores Starline has outfitted his team with makes the job easier than ever. Just as the platypus thinks victory is within his grasp, Zavok and Mimic turn on him. 

From the beginning, "Bad Guys" has been interesting because of the different schemers plotting against each other within the team. Trying to figure out how aware of each other's plots Starline and Zavok were has been a lot of fun. Issue three is when Flynn cashes that check. It turns out Zavok has always been aware of Starline's plot and Mimic had his suspicion all along as well. This is a little disappointing, as I was hoping Flynn could milk that tension a little longer, but it does lead to another intriguing event. Now Starline has been (seemingly) outsmarted and outmatched, making us wonder if he can wiggle his way out of this predicament. Which is also pretty exciting and a good cliffhanger to leave things on, so Flynn continues to have my begrudging respect for this month.

It's a good thing this issue has such a strong dramatic hook to it. Otherwise, part three of "Bad Guys" is pretty simple. It's largely devoted to Starline's team crushing Eggman's defenses with ease. Supercharged by the Power Cores, they tear through the Eggnet Hub's protection without breaking a sweat. But, in its own way, these action scenes are kind of fun. We haven't seen what the Power Cores can do exactly, so there's novelty in watching a super-fast Rough or a more pumped-up Zavok tear some robots apart. Some times, you just want to see a team of goons working together and fucking some shit up, ya know? You get a certain rush from watching ownage like that getting laid down. 

Perhaps these admittedly tension-free action scenes are fun because we are kind of invested in these guys at this point. Somehow, Flynn has managed to get me to care about Zavok and Rough and Tumble. The zeti's calculating nature and shrewd powers of observation have taken him from a C-list "Sonic" villain in my mind to someone who is actually a compelling antagonist. Rough and Tumble - who I had pretty much no feelings towards, one way or the other - are also growing on me. In the truck on the way to the Eggnet Hub, the two compose a new poem to introduce their entire team. See, these two are the opposite of Zavok and Mimic, in the sense that they are totally clueless about the incoming betrayal. They are basically just big, dumb, hyper-destructive kids and that's endearing. Flynn should play up that contrast between their ultra violent and childish world views more often. 

If there's been any flaw at all with "Bad Guys," it's been Flynn's insistence on keeping Eggman to the margins. Considering that's the big bad these lesser bads are fighting against, you'd think he would have more of a presence. In this issue, his alarms alert him that the Eggnet Hub is being raided. Starline quickly hijacks the signal and says another location is being attacked. Eggman hedges his bets by sending forces to both locations. Honestly, the fact that Eggman has been even a little fooled by Starline's obvious manipulation undermines his supposed great genius. Considering how goofy he was in the "Recovery" arc, maybe Eggman is still licking his wounds after the whole Zombot fiasco. Or maybe Ian Flynn is just an inconsistent writer. You decide!

What is not inconsistent is the quality of the artwork. Jack Lawrence draws the opening and closing few pages of this book, providing his typically excellent pencils. The middle section of the book is drawn by Aaron Hammerstrom, who provided the atmospheric "Reflections" in this year's annual. You can immediately tell when Hammerstrom has taken over, as his style is far looser and more cartoony than Lawrence's. This is okay, as Hammerstrom's art provides the right kind of chaotic energy for this action scenes. I don't know if the "Battletoads"-like decision to have the guys grow giant hands and feet while kicking ass was just Hammerstrom exaggerating or an effect of the Power Cores. Either way, I like it!

While not being quite as strong as the previous two issues, the third issue of "Bad Guys" continues to be compelling. This mini-series is working because Flynn is actually balancing action and character development, something he should've tried during the tail-end of the Metal Virus Saga. Maybe that's because he's awarded more freedom when working with less well-known characters. I don't know the reason but I do know I'm enjoying this one and am actually looking forward to the exciting conclusion next month. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 2

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 2

Publication Date: November 4th, 2020

One of the reasons why I might have seemed a little overly disappointed in the first issue of “Bad Guys” is because this kind of thing is entirely within my wheelhouse. I’m a big fan of “men on a mission” flicks like “The Dirty Dozen” or “The Wild Bunch.” I watched way too many episodes of “The A-Team” as a kid. I even gave “Suicide Squad” far more credit than it deserved. You get a band of rogues together and send them on some wacky mission and I’m immediately sold. “Bad Guys” is pretty much the “Sonic” version of that. Flynn is clearly drawing from his own work here, as “Bad Guys” has a similar premise to “Eggman’s Dozen,” one of the better arcs of the post-reboot Archie era. I’m hopeful that, now the set-up is out of the way, this thing can get moving. 

His team assembled, the second part of “Bad Guys” sees Starline and his motley crew going on their first proper mission together. Starline wants to break into a storage facility full of Eggman’s power cores: little balls of concentrated energy that boost certain strengths. (Starline isn’t telling his duplicitous teammates the entire truth either.) Naturally, the place is heavily guarded. As the gang breaks in, they do everything they can to make it look like Sonic is responsible. But will Eggman see through this deception? And will Starline see his scheme through to success without his feelings for his former boss getting in the way?

The best thing about issue 2 of “Bad Guys” is it adds a little more depth to Starline and Zavok’s personalities. Starline’s interior monologue reveals that he has no trust in his teammates and, in fact, intends on disposing of them once he achieves his goal. So the platypus isn’t just willing to deceive people, he’s planning on killing them too. Starline graduating from nerdy wannabe to full-blown supervillain would certainly make him a more intimidating figure. Zavok, meanwhile, seems to be a little more honorable than I expected. He believes that robots can never be as creative or willful as living things. Which suggests he’s not a total authoritarian, who wants to enslave everyone, but rather some sort of Nietzschian, who sees himself and his Zeti pals as inherently superior to the rest of the world. This helps distinguish Zavok a bit in the “Sonic” rogue gallery. 

The interaction between these two is probably the highlight of the book. During a quieter moment in-between smashing robots, Zavok and Starline have a little talk. The doctor ends up revealing a little too much of his true motivation, suggesting he’s personally hurt by Eggman’s rejection. When Zavok responds by saying “He’ll never take you back,” Flynn comes awfully close to framing this as a romantic rejection. Which is made even funnier when Zavok immediately tells Starline he “doesn’t need” Eggman. The pep talk/seduction that follows actually gets to Starline a little. But we, the reader, know that Zavok is also planning on betraying the doctor. You’re left wondering how sincere this conversation was. The question of who is scheming who looks to be what will keep me interested in this mini-series. 

In general, the interplay between the team members energizes what would otherwise be a routine action issue. Mimic is probably the most selfish of the squad, only in this to get his name out of Eggman’s database. (A fitting motivation for a shapeshifter.) His barely-begrudging tolerance of his teammates, especially of Rough and Tumble’s idiotic catchphrases, made me chuckle. While the skunks remain the most simplistic members of this quartet, a moment where they leap into action to protect their new “boss” is surprising. These two are simple-minded lunkheads who need to take orders, so it makes sense that they would immediately latch onto a new leader. It also suggests that this team is already closer than expected. 

As much as I rag on Flynn’s overreliance on action scenes, they are fun here. Mimic shape shifting into an Egg Pawn just to snipe another one in the back shows how dangerous and elastic his abilities are. The proper climax of the issue has Rough and Tumble taking down a robotic T-Rex. The fight is over way too quickly but I can’t dislike any comic book that includes a robot dinosaur. In general, Flynn seems to be using these action scenes not just to fill pages. It’s allowing him to continue to show off the cast’s unique abilities. Mimic’s shapeshifting, Rough and Tumble’s team work, and Zavok’s technopathy all come in handy during this raid. 

As much as I enjoyed this issue, Flynn is still choking on his own set-up a little. Three and a half pages are devoted to Starline explaining the mission objective to the team, something that a single panel probably could’ve accomplished. It’s not like Flynn needed to tell us what a Power Core is. We probably could’ve figured that out on our own. There’s minimal character development in this scene too, making it really unnecessary. Flynn could’ve cut the exposition heavy intro, jumped right into the raid, and spent a little more time on the awesome dinosaur fight. 

Still, this is a big improvement over the first installment of “Bad Guys” and one of the better balanced issues Flynn has written this year. I’m actually getting invested in these guys and am curious where their relationships will go next. Moreover, the action isn’t being used as a means to its own ends but rather as a way to build on the characters. The way it’s supposed to be! Let’s see if Ian can stick the landing in the next two issues of this thing. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 1

Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys: Issue 1

Publication Date: October 7th, 2020

And so, in its third year, IDW continues the long tradition of “Sonic” comic mini-series spin-offs. Yet there’s a notable difference in the approach IDW is taking with this, as opposed to Archie’s methods. Archie was desperate for an on-going “Sonic” spin-off and released mini-series as “pilots.” They focused on Sonic’s most popular supporting characters, like Tails, Sally, and Knuckles. IDW, meanwhile, is presumably limited in how they use the Sega-created supporting cast. The most obvious candidate for a stand-alone story — Shadow and Team Dark — would probably be seriously handcuffed by Sega’s narrative demands or some sort of other red tape. Instead, IDW has focused on the comic exclusive cast. “Tangle & Whisper” was an immediate fan favorite and now Ian Flynn is hoping to replicate that success with “Bad Guys,” a mini-series starring Dr. Starline and other recent additions to Sonic’s rogues gallery. 

Starline is now operating outside of the Eggman Empire. He still hopes to influence his idol in world conquering but an attempt to infiltrate an Eggman base almost results in him being crushed by robots. Starline realizes if he’s going to succeed in his plans, he’s going to need help. Bullshitting his way into Everhold Prison, he contacts four prisoners: Zavok, Mimic, and Rough and Tumble. Each take some convincing — and Zavok and Starline are both plotting to double-cross each other — but eventually the doctor assembles his team. They fight their way out of the prison and begin on their villainous path.

The first issue of “Bad Guys” is another one of those Ian Flynn part ones devoted largely to setting shit up. Starline’s interior monologue runs all throughout the opening action sequence, further establishing his motivations. After that, we are treated to two whole pages devoted to Starline dictating a captain’s log, describing his current predicament in detail. Even once we get to the prison, “Bad Guys” continues in this mold. Much attention is paid to establishing why each of these crooks will work with Starline, each wanting revenge on Eggman. Even the subsequent prison break is a way to show off everyone’s unique abilities. 

Another issue facing “Bad Guys” — especially when compared to “Tangle & Whisper” — is that I still don’t know if I actually like Starline. I immediately liked Tangle and Whisper grew on me after a while. Starline I’ve been reluctant to embrace. Flynn has sort of played up the juicy, Snively-like rivalry between Starline and Eggman... But it’s held back by the platypus remaining a die-hard Eggman fanboy. He’s uncomfortably situated between obsessive stalker and scheming lackey. I get Flynn not just wanting to create a stand-in for Snively but, if Starline is deluding himself into thinking Eggman still wants his help (and he must be), the writing should reflect that more. He’s also got this faux-elegant, loquacious tone to him that I don’t find particularly charming. Flynn gives him more superpowers this issue, like electro spurs on his boots or a potentially plot-breaking hypnotism device, but that doesn’t make Starline much more interesting. It remains to be seen if I’ll come around to him. 

The truth is the verdict is still out on most of these guys. Mimic is cool but he’s not given much to do her besides shapeshift and flout his self-interested personality. I haven’t made up my mind about Rough and Tumble yet either. As big dumb brawlers, they serve their purpose. Action comics like this do need guys like that. As goofy comic relief, they don’t do much for me. (Though Tumble’s continued insecurity about his lack of a tail does still amuse me.) Weirdly, it’s Zavok that comes off the best here. Flynn has redeemed the Zetis a little in the last year and Zavok’s ruthlessness, the utter brutality he displays in his quest to further his goals, does make him a compelling villain. 

In fact, probably the best thing about issue 1 of “Bad Guys” is watching Starline and Zavok scheme around each other. Starline appeals to Zavok’s ego, assigning him leader of this squad, in order to convince him to go along with his plan. This is, of course, a lie and Starline plans to betray the Zeti the minute he steps out of line. Zavok, meanwhile, is well aware of this impending deception. He is waiting for the right moment to betray Starline too. We’ve got two separate secrets working against each other here. See, now that’s dramatic! Who will strike first? Which of these underhanded plots will succeed? Now I’m drawn into this thing and Flynn better not fucking squander it. 

The second half of the comic is largely devoted to the jail break which is, admittedly, an entertaining action sequence. Each of these guys have their own special abilities and a prison full of hapless guards provides plenty of cannon fodder for them to practice on. Zavok turns Wispons against their masters. Mimic disguises himself as the warden to trick people. Rough and Tumble bash a lot of heads. Starline utilizes his various gadgets. It’s more than just your typical punching and smashing. And that’s fun. Even if the inevitable prison riot scene is totally expected, that’s a plot device I almost always enjoy. 

Jack Lawrence, one of my favorite art debuts of the year, will be penciling the entire mini-series. He does good work here. His action scenes are incredibly dynamic. The panels devoted to Starline using his various gadgets, like those tricked out spurs, are pretty cool. He manages to make every panel as expressive as possible, telling us a lot about the characters even as they just talk in their jail cells. Like how Rough and Tumble are playing tic-tac-toe on the floor of their cell. Or just how freaked out the guards are when the bad guys surprised them in the watch tower. It’s a testament to Lawrence’s skills that he makes visuals cliches — like Zavok slamming heads together or the gang walking away from an explosion without looking at it — look neat. 

So, we’ll see how this one plays out. Issue one of “Bad Guys” suffers from a lot of the first issue lag I’m accustomed to with Flynn. Yet it sets up some potentially promising leads too. Where it goes, and if it ends up being more interesting than tedious, is something I guess I’ll discover soon enough. This one has enough stuff I like to give it a mild recommendation. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 30

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 30

Publication Date: August 19th, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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