Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 201

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 201
Publication Date: June 2009

Issue 201 of Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” would begin the Iron Dominion saga. This story line, featuring the Iron Queen taking over Robotnik's city and waging war with the Freedom Fighters, would last for a whole year, stretching from June of 2009 to June of 2010. This story line would be he first time “Sonic” fans would really criticize Ian Flynn's writing. And it has less to do with the actual story and more to do with the event dragging on for so long. Sadly, Flynn wouldn't learn his lesson about inflating the length of big story lines. Having said that, having Robotnik be replaced by another major villain seemed, at first, to be a refreshing change of pace. So was the Iron Dominion event good or bad? Let's find out.

Issue 201's cover story, “Change in Management,” begins with the Freedom Fighters celebrating their defeat of the Eggman Empire. Mina and her band, the Forget-Me-Knots, are performing a concert for New Mobotropolis. The celebration is short-lived, as Monkey Khan arrives to interrupt the festivities. After Sally calms the typically fiery ape down, Khan informs the group that his old archenemy, the Iron Queen, has moved into Megaopolis and is intent on continuing Eggman's tyranny.

“Change in Management” begins with Sonic in an unusually introspective mood. He still feels bad over breaking Robotnik's sanity so totally. It's an interesting place for the hero to be. Sonic's been fighting for this moment for over a decade. Now that he's finally won, he feels... Guilty. Flynn could've used this as an opportunity to explore how unsatisfying victory can be or Sonic questioning his own role as a Freedom Fighter. Instead, the hedgehog's good mood immediately perks up when he learns there's a new Big Bad in town. This is also in-character. We know from the post-”Endgame” years that Sonic doesn't do well when there isn't a villain around to fight. Yet I feel like Flynn is glossing over the most interesting part of the story.

“Change in Management” also reintroduces Monkey Khan. Now, I've said some not-so-nice things about Khan in the past. Yes, I'll admit, I hate that stupid monkey. Yet Ian Flynn has shown a real talent for rehabilitating lame concepts in the past. He begins working on Monkey Khan quickly. Within a few pages, Khan has been acknowledged as a blowhard. He also gives the simian an moment of self-doubt, when Khan admits he failed to protect his home region. It's hard to imagine Monkey Khan's creator, Frank Strom, ever giving him these flaws. Strom always wrote Khan as a totally tubular Gary Stu who specialized in being better than all the other characters. So maybe there's hope for the primate after all.

During the latter half of 2008, Flynn started to lean a little hard on fight scenes between various characters. Issue 201 looks to be going in this direction at first. As soon as Monkey Khan shows up, Sonic immediately begins fighting with him. This last for all of one page before Sally breaks up the commotion, a nice moment. There's also something in me that just really loves Sally disciplining both Sonic and Khan like ill-behaved children. This leads to an amusing series of panels where Sonic is super eager to run off and fight the new bad guy, and Sally informs him to reel it in a little. That concludes with Sally face-palming at Sonic and Khan's continued macho posturing. It's funny!

Discounting their cameo at the end of issue 200, this story is also our proper re-introduction to the Iron Queen. She doesn't do too much in this issue besides sit on her new throne, flirting with Snively and consolidating her new power. However, her interaction with Snively provides the character with more personality than Frank Strom gave her in her previous appearance. That she openly flirts with a boyfriend while in front of her husband says a lot about Regina. There's an especially cute moment where Snively leaps in her lap, showing how close these two already are. It's not a lot but it's a start.

Oh, by the way, the Iron Queen also screws over the Dark Legion. Spider-crab Dimitri – who, in a nice touch, crawls his way into the throne room in such a way that it suggests his obedience – assumes the Iron Queen will remove the explosive implants Robotnik hid in every Legionnaire's robotics. The Queen then informs that she simply can't do this and gives him a very insincere work around. At this point, Dimitri has graduated fully to anti-villain. He keeps getting screwed over. You feel bad for him, even though this is the same guy who, more than once, attempted to take over the entire world.

The cover story briefly features Espio running off to join the action before he disappears from the story. Flynn picks up the chameleon in the back-up story, “Devotion.” While talking with Nicole about what's going on, Espio is attacked by Lightning Lynx. Through the course of the story, we learn that Espio's ninja clan has been adsorbed by the same ninja clan that Lightning Lynx is apparently part of. And now, both clans are ruled over by the Iron Queen. So Espio is honor-bound to serve the new bad guy in town, even though that means betraying his friends.

When Sega re-introduced Espio to the video gaming public in “Sonic Heroes,” the company suddenly decided the chameleon was a ninja. On one hand, that makes sense, since chameleons are naturally associated with stealth. On the other hand, it's total hacky, lame-ass bullshit, a cheap gimmick stapled onto a character that never displayed that attributes earlier. Without too much explanation, the comic followed Sega's lead, giving Espio shinobi abilities that he never previously had. And now, out of nowhere, Ian Flynn has decided Lightning Lynx is a ninja too. This is less of a big deal, since Lightning's never had much back story or personality before. But all this sudden business about ninjas and clan loyalty feels like a real ass pull.

I'm also no fan of Espio suddenly betraying his friends. Like I said, Espio's background as a ninja has never really come up before. So these new details of the chameleon being honor bound to some obscure leader comes out of nowhere. Espio has always been deeply loyal to Knuckles and the other Chaotix. To have him turn his back on his friends, due to some previously undisclosed alliance, is very sloppy. Not to mention annoying to fans of the character, who like him specifically because of his loyalty to his friends. Ultimately, the “Espio works for the bad guys now” was one of the those lame, comic book reversal the book just had to roll with for a while before it was finally undone.

Issue 201 is a mixed bag. The cover story has some fun stuff and seems to point towards Monkey Khan actually becoming a useful character in the near future. At the same time, the issue is mostly devoted to setting up the new plot development the book will be grappling with in its next year. The back story, meanwhile, I straight-up do not like. It's a bit of a step down after issue 200 but I'd still give this one a somewhat positive rating. [6/10]

Sonic Free Comic Book Day 2009

Sonic Free Comic Book Day 2009
Publication Date: May 2009

In 2009, Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” series participated in Free Comic Book Day for the third time. The first year, the company published a brand new “Sonic” story for the annual give away event. For the second year, Archie got lazy and just republished the very first issue of the series. For the third Free Comic Book Day edition, the company would put in slightly more effort than that. In fact, a book like this might've been vital for newcomers to the series at the time. The book is subtitled “Evolution of a Hero” on the cover, which should give you a good idea of what to expect.

“Sonic of the Ages” is what the “story” contained in this book is called. Instead of being a narrative, it's a collection of Date Files. You know, those biography the comic would publish from time to time, explaining the back story of characters and places. In many ways, it's like a shorter and less detailed version of the encyclopedia Archie would publish in 2012. The issue gives a brief history of Sonic and the Freedom Fighters, their trials and tribulations, Knuckles, Shadow, Dr. Robotnik and other enemies.

2009's Free Comic Book Day issue doesn't tell long time Sonic fans too many things they don't already know. Ian mostly recounts an extremely truncated version of the book's convoluted history. However, he does sneak in a few tidbits that we've never heard before. Such as the original Freedom HQ being build in a natural limestone cave. Or Bunnie powering her projectiles and force fields with her own life force. Some bits of info are rather crucial, things we probably should've learned by now. Such as Charmy's change in personality – becoming closer to the more child-like characterization Sega used, instead of the more knowledgeable kid that appeared in the “Knuckles” series – because Robotnik tampered with his brain at some point. Other details are more esoteric. Such as Robotnik hating Sonic partially due to his perceived “coolness.”

Stuff like this is kind of neat but, other times, “Sonic of the Ages” fills less like a character explanation and more like a list of attributes. An entire page, for some reason, is devoted to Shadow the Hedgehog's various superpowers. You know, maybe it's because I've seen too many fan characters defined solely by their countless special attacks. But this kind of thing rubs me the wrong way, however slightly. Shadow can project his Chaos energy into a number of attacks. I don't really need to know the difference between the Chaos Spear and Chaos Blast or what have you.

Honestly, my favorite thing about this little book might just be an extra included in the back. After the handful of biographies are concluded, we are presented with a gallery of the comic covers. This gallery includes every issue of “Sonic,” all the spin-offs, one-shots, and mini-series. It even includes some of Spaz' covers from the various collections released up to that point, such as “Sonic Archives.” Considering this comic book's covers were sometimes superior to the stories contained within, it's nice to peruses them all. Even if they're shrunk down to a small size.

Free Comic Book Day is ostensibly about encouraging people to seek out their local comic shops. In practice, though, the tradition is often a way for comic companies to promote whatever they have going on at the time. It's not like Marvel or DC is going to give a real story away for free or anything. Archie indulged in this too. Twice, this comic tells readers to go out and buy the issues of the still new “Sonic Universe.” It also implores readers to subscribe to the main “Sonic” book if they want to know what happens next.

In what is surely not a coincidence, this book is also packed full of advertisement for Archie's other books. There's full page ads for “Archie: Freshman Year: Book 1,” a collected trade paperback of Archie's then-latest attempt to reinvent their mascot character. (This was before Archie was allowed to fuck, you see.) There's also a page for something called “The Cartoon Life of Chuck Clayton,” a story line apparently about Riverdale's only black person. An ad trumpets a new story line in the soon-to-be-canceled “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” comic, about the “Magical Tales of Young Salem.” That story was written by Ian Flynn and seems like an especially desperate attempt to retrofit the comedy series as a fantasy adventure book. Considering the actual Archie characters have never been very interesting to “Sonic” readers, the only ad here that peaks my interested at all is for a collection of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” comics the company published back in the early nineties.

There's not too much to say about “Sonic's” 2009 Free Comic Book Day edition. In a lot of ways, this is exactly the kind of inoffensive, inessential, fluffy extra the company should give away on that day. It's an easy way for newbies to catch up. It's totally unnecessary for long time readers but is still enjoyable to read. Considering it was literally a free book, I guess that's all we can ask for. [6/10]

Sonic Universe: Issue 4

Sonic Universe: Issue 4
Publication Date: May 2009

Issue 4 wraps up the Shadow Arc, the first “Sonic Universe” story line. This particular arc has been fairly episodic and I mean that in the best way. Flynn has been mixing and matching various video game elements, trying to figure out who the Archie version of Shadow is. Yet a few threads have connected the various issues. With number four, the author returns to the plot point that the series actually started with, bringing things full circle, I guess.

By that, I'm referencing GUN's continued desire to explore the Special Zone and grab some Chaos Emeralds. In “The Ultimate Lifeform,” Hope's teleporting machine do-hicky actually succeeds in that goal. After getting to the Special Zone, Shadow and Rouge are tested by all-powerful panda god, Feist. After failing a few of the god-like entity's test of strength, Shadow has to re-strategize. He also has to reconsider his own actions.

Many of Archie's “Sonic” writers actively fled from attempts to make the comic book a little more like the video games that inspired it. Flynn, on the other hand, was by far the most willing to embrace the series' digital roots. This tendency would eventually fail him during the ill-conceived reboot but, for a time, it worked out okay. By dropping Team Dark in the Special Zone and forcing them to play games for Feist's amusement, the main characters are given an easy objective. While Feist's tests don't seem very daunting for a superfast hedgehog – one's a race across a fiery bridge vaguely resembling the Genesis version of the “Sonic 3D Blast” special stage, the other is a cube-like maze loosely inspired by the “Sonic 1” bonus level – it does lead to some clean, concise plotting.

Then again, “The Ultimate Lifeform” isn't really about the various feats of strength Feist forces Shadow to compete in. The entire Shadow Arc has been an attempt to humanize Shadow a little bit. First, Flynn touched on his guilt over failing to contact Metal Sonic or save Gamma. Then, he showed how his feelings towards Sonic have evolved. In issue 4, Shadow has to deal with the fact that he's not infallible. His initial attempt to grab Feist's emerald fails. Partially because he got a little too cocky, relying on his Chaos Control abilities a little too much. It's a pretty good idea to challenge the so-called Ultimate Lifeform but diminishing his “ultimate” status.

The scenes that follow gives us a look at Shadow's inner life. For all his bluster about being a total bad-ass, inside his heart of hearts, Shadow is a whiny little bitch. He feels massively guilty that he failed to accomplish the goal GUN gave him. He slinks to sulk. While anger-sparring with Omega, he only speaks in monosyllabic grunts. This is pretty in character for Shadow, who has always had a degree of angst. It comes close to being insufferable but gets a past for fitting the character.

And it should be noted that Flynn balances Shadow's moodiness with some humor. That aforementioned sparring scene got a chuckle out of me when Shadow yells “Bah!” and throws Omega across the room. The so-called Ultimate Lifeform's confusion over not being able to use his Chaos Control abilities is amusing. As is a single panel devoted to Shadow's expression, after realizing he knows Feist's M.O now. Tracy Yardley gets a lot out of the character's facial expressions in this issue.

And it leads to a scene that should be too corny but actually ends up working. Hope finds Shadow brooding on a cliff overlooking the city. Hope tries to contact Shadow, who is still hurting over his failure. Hope opens up to the hedgehog, revealing how she guilty she feels about leading Snively to Knothole, eventually leading to the village's destruction. This touches the hedgehog and the two level. The panels devoted to Hope hugging Shadow, and the hedgehog imagining his beloved Maria looking down on him, probably should be cheesy. Yet Flynn summons up enough genuine emotion to sell the scene.

“The Ultimate Lifeform” also shows Team Dark – a team name so goofy that Rouge actually makes fun of it – really working together for the first time. It leads to some fun moments. After failing to navigate Feist's 4D Cube of Treachery, Shadow utilizes plan B... Which involves Omega blasting the panda god in the face with as much firepower as possible, distracting him so Shadow and Rouge can grab the Emerald. Okay, yes, that's cheating. However, it's still a satisfying moment. Moreover, these scenes also let us see the characters play off each other. So we get to see Shadow and Rouge tell the kill crazy Omega to lay off the wanton destruction.

Tracy Yardley isn't a master of surreal art like Jay Axer was. Can you imagine how Axer would've drawn the Special Zone? That would've be amazing. Yet Yardley does an okay job. The spinning colors, floating spears, and billowing mist make for a decent visual. Honestly, it probably says a lot about Yardley's ability that he makes Feist – a ridiculous character – actually somewhat intimidating. Giant pandas usually engender cuddles, not startled gasps. Also, let's give Yardley credit for drawing Omega really well. Some artist on this book really struggle with the giant robots.

All four issues in this story arc were pretty strong, making sure “Sonic Universe” gets off to a good start. The comic ends with a teaser of the next story line, a return to the “30 Years Later” setting. (We also get a full page “Off-Panel” comic, drawn by a way overqualified Steven Butler.)  While it lacks the emotional stakes of the last few issues, number 4 is still a solid comic book. Over all, Flynn has actually succeeded in making me like Shadow the Hedgehog, a character I was once totally ambivalent too. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 200

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 200
Publication Date: May 2009

Back when I reviewed issue 100 of “Sonic the Hedgehog,” I talked about my childhood belief that a comic series reaching a hundred issues was an indication that the book was really successful. That continued success was a big deal for “Sonic the Hedgehog,” a seemingly silly licensed book that has been commonly overlooked. And now, here we are, a hundred issues later. If “Sonic” hitting 100 issues validated the book, the series hitting 200 proved that Sega's blue hedgehog had truly, once and for all, earned his place in comic-dom..

And what a difference one hundred issues make. When issue 100 came out, the book was not doing very well, quality-wise. The darkest times were yet to come but 2001 was a very not-good year for Archie's “Sonic.” By 2009, Ian Flynn had reinvigorated the series. The fans were passionate about the Sonic comic again. The individual issues rose to a consistent level of quality. Flynn also knew to make the anniversary issues count. Issue 175 had Robotnik scoring a major victory over Sonic. Issue 200 has Sonic scoring a major victory over Robotnik.  It's certainly a big improvement over the mediocre story that appeared in issue 100.

“Turnabout is Fair Play” picks up right where issue 199 left off. Sonic and Robotnik are having themselves a showdown. Inside a secluded chamber, Robotnik attacks with a giant robotic spider. The hedgehog, without even breaking a sweat, defeats the doctor. As his latest plan falls to pieces, the Eggman cracks up. With their enemy reduced to a rambling madman, Sonic and the Freedom Fighters have won. As they race back to Mobotropolis, celebrating their massive victory, Snively and the Dark Legion have other ideas planned.

Over there's any problem with issue 200 – otherwise a very fine comic book – it continues a problem Flynn has been having with Sonic recently. Truthfully, it's a problem that has affected the whole “Sonic” franchise from time to time. As Sonic faces down Robotnik's latest vehicle of destruction, the hedgehog is quibbing the whole time. He makes jokes about the giant spider, probably entitled something lame like the Egg-Spider. When the doctor brings up his coup of the original Mobotropolis, Sonic derisively references how he was five at the time.  The hedgehog denigrates every one of his arch-enemy's accomplishments. Only once during the entire fight, when the spider's legs spin in a saw-like fashion, does Sonic even seem intimidated. It only takes a handful of spin dashes before the robot spider is reduced to scrap.

Then again, maybe the ease with which Sonic defeats Robotnik was on purpose. For a while, the comic has been referencing the doctor's worsening mental state. After his latest plan is smashed, Eggman completely falls apart. He removes his glasses, revealing the red-on-black eyes of his SatAM counterpart. He yanks out his mustache. His words degrade into half-formed syllables. He has a complete and utter nervous breakdown. If “Sonic” is a book partially characterized by formula, which isn't an unfair accusation, this represents a major break in tradition. When the bad guy is defeated, he's not suppose to totally loose his shit. It's an unexpected sight.

Even more unexpected is the guilt Sonic feels for totally breaking his greatest opponent. The scientist's mental collapse shocks Sonic even more than it does the reader. Both the hedgehog and Sally are repulsed by how ugly the villain's reaction is. Sonic seems dismayed when celebrating the victory with Amy and Tails. As a hero who rests comfortably in a moral white zone, completely shattering his enemy's mental state – even someone as wicked as Robotnik – weighs on him.

Despite these moments of discomfort, issue 200 is characterized by a sense of victory. As I mentioned last time, there's something to said about seeing our heroes win after fighting for so long. Sally tears up with glee. Tails and Amy jump into the air with excitement. There's dancing and celebration in the streets of New Mobotropolis. Yet Flynn even gifts this moment with some sweet, sweet ambiguity. In a private area, Sonic tells Sally that this wasn't how he pictured their victory. And wonders what they'll do, now that they've won. Sally assures him that more adventures await. Yet Sonic's doubt speaks volumes.

Robotnik's defeat also gives Snively cause for celebration. There's something powerful about the scene where he grimly informs the Freedom Fighters that they've won. While Snively shares very little affection for his uncle, it's obviously that his sudden deterioration affects him too. Yet Snively can only hold his glee back for so long. Just as the Freedom Fighters have been dreaming about defeating Robotnik for years, Snively has been dreaming about taking over the empire. And it's finally happened. He finally has the respect he craves. It's a far more insidious type of feeling but, again, there's something to be said for seeing Snively achieve his dream.

Because, of course, the Freedom Fighters' battle is far from over. This is comic books. The conflict can never end. In the final page, Ian Flynn reveals who Snively has been communicating with, the other superpower he sold Eggman out to. The last page shows the Iron Queen and her gathering of ninjas landing in Megaopolis. I'll admit that, when I first read this comic book, I had completely forgotten who the Iron Queen was. I'm sure I wasn't the only Archie Sonic fan who was baffled by the reveal. The Iron Queen had only appeared in one issue, number 60, which was eleven years before this one. And it's not like I ever paid much attention to the Monkey Khan-centric issues anyway. I guess I'll be talking about that corner of the Sonic-verse a lot more in the near future.

The emotional aspect of issue 200 really makes it worth reading. The action beats are cool and all. Seeing Sonic and his friends triumph over evil, no matter how briefly, is also satisfying. Tracy Yardley's artwork, naturally, is very good. He clearly has a good time illustrating Eggman's breakdown. I have some mixed feelings about the changes the book will be undergoing soon but it's clear to me that these last few issues have been very successful. [8/10]

Sonic Universe: Issue 3

Sonic Universe: Issue 3
Publication Date: April 2009

Ian Flynn seems to be using the opening story arc of “Sonic Universe” – the Shadow Saga, the cover calls it – to wrap up video game related plot points the comic has left dangling. Issue 1 followed up on the “Sonic Rush” adaptations. Issue 2 actually provided some context for the “Sonic Adventure 2” adaptation. Issue 3, meanwhile, revisits the character of E-102 Gamma. Gamma hasn't appeared in the comics since the “Sonic Adventure” adaptation. While the video game killed the robot off, the comic left his fate ambiguous... Until now!

“Old Soldiers” begins with two separate presentations. Abraham Tower, Shadow's boss, informs the hedgehog that Gamma has been waging a one-man robot war against Robotnik's empire. Tower wants Shadow to recruit the machine. Meanwhile, Robotnik is informing E-123 Omega – the latest in the same line – about Gamma' rebellion. The heavily armed robot is given the mission to track down his older “brother.” The two fighters meet up with Gamma on a snowy, forested hill.

E-102 Gamma has never been very popular with Sonic fans, which is probably why he hasn't made many appearances in the comic. That Sega gave his story a definitive ending probably contributed to that. Yet I've always considered him a underrated character. He's a robot who suddenly develops a soul. He doesn't rebel against his creator out of anger or pain. Instead, he comes to the conclusion that tyranny is wrong, naturally. That a machine seemingly without emotions realizes this nearly on his own is a potentially powerful plot point. That Sega dropped the character after one game probably says a lot about them. Flynn, however, continues that thread, by depicting Gamma as assisting various Freedom Fighter teams around the world from the sidelines. As a former slave, he wants to free other slaves. 

(In fact, I was so fond of Gamma as a kid that I even wrote some fanfiction about him. In these stories, he survived the end of “Sonic Adventure” and fought some more additions to Robotnik's Greek-lettered robots. Eventually, Gamma transferred his consciousness into an organic body. A black furred echidna, if I remember correctly, because I was super creative as a teenager. He then went on to pursues a romance with Amy Rose, which was my not-too-graceful way of settling the Sonic/Amy/Sally love triangle. Thankfully, none of this fan fiction ever made it on-line.)

The Shadow Saga has mostly been composed of stand alone stories, thus far. However, Flynn reveals a through-line with “Old Soldiers.” Shadow is still feeling guilt over failing to connect with Metal Sonic in issue 1. He hopes to rescue Gamma, seeing further kinship with another Robotnik-built living weapon that rebel against his master. It's hard to imagine the Shadow Ken Penders and Karl Bollers wrote ever feeling guilt for anything. Flynn has made some big strides with the character, is I guess what I'm saying. The little jokes Shadow cracks with his helicopter pilot are also fairly amusing.

“Old Soldiers” also introduces E-123 Omega into the comic's world, six years after his video game debut in “Sonic Heroes.” Omega would prove much more popular with “Sonic” fans, making regular appearances in the various games. It's easy to see why he would catch on. Flynn drives Omega as a robotic demolitionist. He's heavily armed, often bragging about his destructive abilities. He's also rather fond of explosions. Hearing such enthusiasm for massive blasts spoken by a deadpan robot is amusing. Omega is driven by this weird mixture of child-like glee and petty emotions. He wuvs blowing shit up the way a six year old boy loves dinosaurs. Yet he joins GUN so he can take revenge on Robotnik... Not because of the doctor's villainous actions but because Eggman kept Omega under wraps for a few years. (This does create a plot hole. If Eggman has been so low on firepower lately, why was he just sitting on Omega? But just go with it, guys.)

As much as I'd like to see more of Gamma, I understand that part of what makes his story powerful is that it ends with his death. Flynn realizes this too. He has Omega blow Gamma away. Yet he finds a solution that keeps the character alive... Sort of. Gamma attempts to rationalize with the machine, talking to him about their differences and similarities. It's just a cover, as Gamma is actually downloading his mind into Omega's body. This is the other reason Omega defects from Robotnik so quickly. (This results in a funny conclusion of Omega building a grave marker for Gamma and then threatening Shadow into never telling anyone about this.) So we get our cake and get to eat it too: Gamma makes a heroic sacrifice and gets to live on, through Omega.

The rest of Team Dark – Rouge and Hope – don't make much of an appearance in this issue. It's mostly about Shadow and his interaction with the two robots. Yet Flynn throws in a really cute moment near the end. Before Hope gives Shadow and Rouge their newest mission – going to the Special Zone and retrieving a Chaso Emerald, ostensibly Shadow's objective in the very first issue – the three are seen sitting on a couch. Rouge even plays with Shadow's hair, which irks him. It's a nice way to endear the entire team to the audience. Yes, even Shadow the Hedgehog has to relax and unwind at some point.

Tracey Yardley's artwork remains strong. There's an especially striking panel where Omega leaps through the trees, attacking both of them. It's something he does in the beginning of the issue that I especially like. Tower's presentation ot Shadow and Robotnik's presentation to Omega are going  on at the same time, seemingly. Yardley contrasts them directly, showing one meeting at the top of the page and the second meeting at the bottom. It continues the playful approach to the page construction that Yardley showed off in the last issue of “Sonic Universe.” I guess he's evolving as an artist.

“Sonic Universe” continues to roll along really well. Flynn is still finding small ways to flesh out Shadow's characters. He also continues to show the ability to successfully roll game and comic elements together in a way that makes sense for both. All along, he brings mixes action and humor well as well. This results in another good comic book. Why can't it always be like this? [8/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 199

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 199
Publication Date: April 2009

Pacing is something Ian Flynn struggled with on and off during his tenure as head “Sonic” writer.  Before issue 199 and many times afterwards, he would develop a bad habit of letting inventive or interesting plots go on for way to long. We experienced this recently with the Scourge saga and it'll be coming up again soon with the Iron Dominion arc. Yet when the guy got a hold of a story that really moved, that had a strong forward momentum, his reputation of the comic's best writer really held true. Issue 199's “Knocking on Eggman's Door” is one such example.

The Freedom Fighters, still in their make-shift camp outside New Megaopolis, wake up from a restless night of sleep. Rotor sets up a live stream to Knothole, informing the residents that, for better or worst, the war ends today. The combined forces of the Freedom Fighters and Chaotix march on Robotnik's city. What they encounter is not exactly what they expect. The Dark Egg Legion gives them so resistence. Yet they also retreat at times. This is a result of Snively and Dimitri's partnership, preparing to sell out Robotnik to an outside force. Robotnik doesn't know this. Instead, the mad doctor has prepared for a one-on-one showdown with his archenemy.

Midway through “Knocking on Eggman's Door,” characters begin to reminiscence about the last time Sonic had a fight to the death with Robotnik. Tails notes that most of the team were captive last time. Bunnie and Antoine recall that they had just escaped from a prison camp in Downunda. Sally, in a nice bit of gallows humor, points out that she was “dead.” Yes, they're all talking about “Endgame.” I'm not sure if Flynn is directly comparing his story to Penders' would-be epic. One is certainly a lot more upbeat and humorous than the fairly grim “Endgame.” It's also a lot more clearly plotted, with none of the half-assed plot twist. Knowing Flynn, he probably threw this references in as just a callback to the book's history. But it makes you wonder if “Knocking on Eggmans' Door” is meant as a direct assault on one of the book's most controversial story lines.

Of course, a big difference between issue 50 and issue 199 is that Sonic was facing Robotnik alone during “Endgame.” This one is decidedly a team effort. Every team member gets a panel or two to shine. Antoine is slicing laser blaster in half. Bunnie is backhanding baddies. Mighty gets to show off his super strength. Sally's skills as a field leader continue to be on display, as she formulates plans on the fly throughout the attack. Flynn really draws attention to the camaraderie among the team. Which makes the fight seem a little too easy for them but certainly draws attention to how important they are to each other.

Probably my favorite moment of the issue concerns Julie-Su. While running through the Egg Dome, combating Legionaries, she begins a dialogue with Vector. One of the crocodile's defining characteristics over the years has been his irrational hatred of Knuckles' girlfriend. Julie-Su outright informs him that now isn't the time for petty bickering. Before Vector can call her a “witch,” both characters help the other from being attacked. Which leads to a really funny panel, where the two look at each other and, confused, say “thanks?” This is a nice way for Flynn to give Vector some character development without discrediting the character's history. (Or my personal headcanon that he's got some serious hang-ups about women.)

I don't know if Ian felt himself slipping during the recent Scourge fight-a-thons. Yet his work here and in the first few “Sonic Universe” issues suggest he realized he was loosing sight of the characters among the constant fist fights. Issue 199 pauses for some character moments. The opening scene, where Rotor allows Sonic and the others to address friends back home, was an awfully nice inclusion. Mighty and Esipo get jumped by some attackers, only for Charmy, Saffron and Ray – hardly the most prominent characters – to swoop in and save them. The armadillo and the chameleon comment on how the younger Chaotix, the ones they're use to protecting, have protected them. Julie-Su asks Knuckles if he's okay with wailing on Dark Legion members. He says he is, because winning the war is more important right now. It's not a lot but small moments like this elevate an action-heavy story.

In particular, Flynn throws a bone to the shippers. While Amy Rose is wrecking enemies,  she talks about how happy she is to be fighting the final battle with her true love near-by. Later, before Sonic runs towards his fight with Robotnik, Sally gives him a great big hug. Flynn is clearly providing some grist for both Sally and Amy Rose shippers. Yet it's also clear to me which moment is more important. Sally showing her vulnerable side to Sonic is especially interesting, considering how the book has been hammering home her status as a brave leader recently.

The scenes concerning Snively's incoming plan are less emotional. It's mostly set up for the upcoming next arc. Still, there's something nice about seeing Snively act confident. A cute comedic bit has Robotnik's nephew putting on cologne. Lien-Da is grossed out by the smell, which greatly annoys him. Snively is usually nothing more than Eggman's toady. To see the guy happy, for one of his schemes to actually go according to plan, is a nice change of pace.

If there's any real criticism for “Knocking on Eggman's Door,” it's how relaxed everyone is. Flynn did a good job last time of showing how nervous everyone was. The Freedom Fighters realize they may die on this mission. There's some slight nods towards that point here but, otherwise, everyone seems to be having a good time. As Sonic walks into the villain's trap, ready to fight Robotnik one-on-one, he's still cracking jokes. I mean, I know that's part of Sonic's personality. But it does drain the dramatic tension a little. If “Knocking on Eggman's Door” is meant to rebuff “Endgame,” that's one thing Flynn could've learned from Penders: That your heroes probably shouldn't be so pleased with themselves, when marching towards their possible doom.

Still, this is a good comic book. There's plenty of action but we get a sense of who these characters are, what's important to them. Moreover, this satisfies as a near-conclusion to a long fight for everyone involved. Obviously the Freedom Fighters and the Eggman Empire would be warring again eventually but the script imposes on the reader that this is a pivotal battle. I liked the last issue a little more but this one still earns high marks from me. [8/10]

Sonic Universe: Issue 2

Sonic Universe: Issue 2
Publication Date: March 2009

The point has come up recently. The way Ian Flynn adapts Sega's “Sonic” games, more often than not, involves a quickly put-together prologue in the back of the book. Good or bad, at least it's a tidy technique. However, true Archie Sonic fans know Flynn didn't invent that habit. Karl Bollers' “Sonic Adventure 2” adaptation covered the opening scene of the game and then told readers to go out and buy the real deal. That approach works better for some forgettable handheld game but it was a frustrating approach for a major “Sonic” event. In the second issue of “Sonic Universe,” eight years after “Adventure 2” came out, Ian Flynn would introduce a far more satisfying but equally fast-paced version of that game's events into the comic's universe.

G.U.N. sends Shadow and Rouge on a mission that necessitates some help. Robotnik has converted a telescope into a giant doom laser and the agents have been assigned to destroy the weapon before the Eggman gets a chance to use it. Shadow tracks Sonic down to help, awaking the blue hedgehog from his sleep in the Freedom Fighters' camp, right outside Megaopolis. As the trio go about their mission, they recall how they first met and the initial adventure they had.

In one issue, Ian Flynn proves that he's a lot better at adapting a video game's plot into a comic book than Karl Bollers ever was. He doesn't needlessly drag out “Sonic Adventure 2's” plot over half a year, making all sorts of bizarre attempts to incorporate the game into the comic's continuity. He also resists lazily plopping the game's events into continuity, without any explanation other than “play it on your Dreamcast.” In “Time & Again,” Flynn successfully boils “Sonic Adventure 2” down to its most salient points. So we get Sonic and Shadow's jungle-set boss battle. There's a brief look at that pyramid Eggman was hanging out in for reasons I can't remember now. Then we're launched into space, aboard the ARK, and watching Super Sonic and Hyper Shadow fight the Biolizard. I guess if you didn't play the video game, this will be confusing. Yet, considering “Sonic Adventure 2's” plot was a swiss-cheesed mess, Flynn summing it up so succinctly should really be applauded.

Maybe this works so well because “Time & Again” isn't really about adapting “Sonic Adventure 2.” Instead, it's about showing how much Sonic and Shadow's relationship has changed since they first met. Their initial introduction immediately dissolves into name calling and fighting. Later, they reluctantly team up to rescue Rouge. By the time they're fighting the Biolizard together, they've developed a begrudging respect. In the present day, Shadow almost likes Sonic. He smiles when the other hedgehog challenges him to a race, for example. He'd never admit it but Shadow does have something like a friendship with his primary rival.

Compare this to how Shadow the Hedgehog was characterized by Ken Penders', during his final shitty year as head writer. Back then, the so-called Ultimate Lifeform was needlessly gruff, single-minded in his drive but seemingly without motivation, and eager to fight Sonic at every turn. In “Time & Again,” Shadow is willing to sacrifice himself to destroy Robotnik's latest doomsday device. This is linked with his similar self-sacrifice at the end of “Sonic Adventure 2.” (Which similarly shows how off-base Penders' characterization of Shadow always was.) After Sonic saves Shadow's life again, hefting him to safety, the black hedgehog even smiles. He's reminded of how he turned over a new leaf to honor Maria's dying wish. All of these moments show the shades of Shadow's personality.

Rouge hasn't been quite as badly abused by this comic as Shadow. Subplots about her dating Scourge or romancing Knuckles' dad were ill-conceived. Usually, her personality – someone whose alliance varies depending on how overpowering her love for jewels is at any given minute – was intact. “Time & Again” recalls Rouge's technical first appearance but maintains the flirtiness that firmly defines her. Such as her introduction to Sonic, outside the pyramid, which features the two trading some bedroom eyes. She gets a couple of cute moments, such as brushing aside Sonic and Shadow's debate about Robotnik's sanity. Or reassuring Sonic she can pilot a space shuttle during the flashback. At the end, she teases Shadow about his new found respect for Sonic. Honestly, my favorite Rouge moment in this issue doesn't feature her speaking. It's a panel of her hefting Sonic and Shadow towards the doomsday ray, Yardley drawing attention to her straining face.

Honestly, the character stuff is so paramount that the action scenes almost seem like an afterthought. But they're pretty cool too. The opening fight between Sonic and Shadow, a recollection of their encounter in the game, really emphasizes how much these guys annoy each other. The raid on Eggman's laser cannon is held back by some cheesy technobabble from Rouge.  However, the panels devoted to Sonic and Shadow leaping around lasers and destroying the cannons are solid enough. There's even a neat moment where the hedgehogs screw up, which shows the two are flawless.

Tracey Yardley's artwork remains strong, as always. His ability for expressive faces and cartoony action are obviously well utilized here. But ti's a little thing he does that really impressed me. Yardley draws most of his panels here in an angular style. The panels depicting the flashbacks to “Sonic Adventure 2” have a purple border, which the present-day scenes lack. Word balloons describing the time period are still included but eventually become unnecessary. The reader figures out very quickly that anything with a neon border is set in the past. It's a clever visual way to convey this information.

“Sonic Universe's” beginner's luck remains strong. The second issue does nearly as good of a job of balancing character development and action as the premiere issue does. It lacks the charm of Marine the Raccoon but this still functions as a solid Shadow story while also providing “Sonic Adventure 2” with a proper adaptation. [8/10]