Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 2

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 2
Publication Date: April 11, 2018

Welcome back to my weekend coverage of IDW's new “Sonic the Hedgehog” book. As is pretty common among niche publishers in 2018, each issue of the new series is coming with roughly ten thousand variant covers. The standard covers of the first four issues of “Sonic” will form one continuous image when put together, a neat trick that Archie employed occasionally back in the day. However, I can't help but think the alternate covers look a lot cooler than the standard covers, which seem very bland in comparison. I know fan-artist-turned-legit Tyson Hesse is capable of a lot more than this. Anyway, one with the review.

“Fallout Part 2” begins much the same way as the first part. Sonic rushes into another village and begins smashing robots. Soon, he's greeted by Amy Rose, who has become a leader of the Resistance against Eggman's latest global take-over plan. Amy continually tries to talk Sonic into joining the Resistance but he is disinterested. However, the robot invasion of the village continues, forcing the two to work together again.

With issue 2, Ian Flynn's plan with the first four issues of the new series begins to crystallize. Each of these issues will be devoted to re-introducing Sonic's core supporting cast to new readers. The first issue had him interacting with Tails. The second is primarily devoted to Amy Rose. This one ends by having Sonic running off to meet Knuckles. Given her presence on the covers of issue 4, I'm betting that issue will revolve around introducing newbie Tangle the Lemur. It's an interesting approach, I guess, though I imagine most hardcore “Sonic” fans – in other words, the people reading this book – are already very familiar with Tails, Amy, and Knuckles. However, I guess there's something to be said for giving everyone a stand-alone issue to set up how this version of Tails or Amy interact with Sonic.

You know what really surprised me about “Fallout Part 2?” I actually liked Amy Rose in it! While I wouldn't say I've ever disliked Amy, I've always found her to be a somewhat flat, uninteresting character. This version of Amy is shockingly capable. She's apparently become a high-ranking leader in the Resistance, a plot thread left over from “Sonic Forces.” She's commanding people and directing objectives. Moreover, she's also pretty bad-ass here, smashing robot with ease with that giant hammer of her's.

Amy's status as Sonic's number one fangirl is rolled back slightly but her romantic infatuation with Sonic remains a part of her personality. There's at least two panels where she's awestruck by the hedgehog hero, overcome by his dreaminess in a cute, funny way. I'm not trading my Sonic/Sally shipper badge out for a Sonamy one or anything. But it's pretty well handled here.

A problem I had with issue one is that Sonic and Tails' fight against the robots seemed a little too easy, a little too light-hearted. Well, the individual interaction between the characters remain light. Sonic and Amy are trading quibs while smashing robots. They never seem especially challenged by the machines they face here. The villagers, in at least one panel, are still squee-ing over Sonic. However, the stakes at least seem a little higher this time. Flynn's script draws more attention to the villagers being imperiled by Eggman's forces. There's a moment where Amy commands fighters to defend and civilians to get to safety, implying that there's people in actual peril here. So that's good. If Sega won't allow Flynn to actually threaten Sonic, at least they'll let him threaten the helpless people around Sonic.

I may like issue 2 more than issue 1 because it's slightly better written. Or maybe I like it better because the artwork is fucking gorgeous. Adam Bryce Thomas was a regular artist on Archie's “Sonic” book, where his work was reliably strong. However, I guess Thomas has been honing his craft in the time between the two series. Because the illustrations are on a whole different level here. This is an amazing looking book. First off, there's an incredible sense of motion to the action scenes. There's a clear dynamism to the panels, Sonic and Amy leaping off the page. The characters have a lot of humor and expression in their faces and body language. The lighting is dramatic, especially in the panel where Sonic explains his position to Amy. It's just so friggin' pretty. (Thomas apparently inked and colored his own work this time, which might explain the clear step up in quality.)

As with the last issue, Flynn ends this one by showing a sinister, off-screen character watching Sonic leave the village he just protected. This unseen villain is sitting in a chair with the Eggman symbol on his chair. Cubot and Orbot – who, sigh, I guess are in this comic book – are responding to this person's orders. I suspect a rather obvious switch-a-roo is forthcoming. It looks like Eggman is behind these going-ons so it must be a twist. Is it Metal Sonic, “Sonic Forces'” fan favorite villain Infinite, or some other character operating behind the scenes? Hopefully this is resolved by the end of the month and not some mystery Flynn stretches out for a year.

Issue 2 of IDW's “Sonic” series has about the same outline as the first one. However, there's a little more personality to this one, which goes a long way of improving over the slightly meh first issue. However, I can't help but think Adam Bryce Thomas is the auteur behind this issue, the driving creative force that elevates the material. Hopefully, IDW has plans to bring Thomas back soon enough. [7/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 207

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 207
Publication Date: December 2009

2009 was nearly over and the Iron Dominion super-arc was heading into its last third. If I remember correctly, this was right around the time when fans were beginning to tire of the story. (Excluding those who thought it was a terrible idea to begin with, anyway.) However, it's hard to replicate how I felt about this story being dragged out for a year, when I'm reading one or two issues a day. Honestly, the only problem I have with issue 207 is that it feels like a mostly unnecessary plot point while pushing a new romance I'm not a fan of.

Issue 207's cover story, “Blackout,” begins with the Iron King about to attack Old Mobotropolis. No, not Robotnik's former base. Robotnik's former-former base. As in the radioactive remains of the original capitol, which powers New Mobotropolis generator and is surrounded by a bubble. Sonic and Monkey Khan immediately fly off to stop the villain before he can burst the force field, polluting the area and draining the Freedom Fighters' home of energy. Meanwhile, Sally asks Bunnie for advice concerning her growing infatuation with Monkey Khan.

So does anybody else remember this business about a fort being built in front of the irradiated remains of Robotropolis? Okay, I'm sure Ian has covered this information before. I vaguely remember something about Nicole using the still radioactive ruins to power New Mobotropolis. Is this new information? Or did I just forget everything? You know, it says a lot about how convoluted this comic's universe can get, when even a faithful reader like me regularly forgets shit like this.

In truth, this is mostly set-up up for another fight with the Iron King. Just a few months ago, Sonic was marveling at how the Iron King is nearly physically unstoppable. Now he rushes back into battle with the guy, more-or-less making the same mistakes. Even when aided by Monkey Khan, there's only so much the hedgehog can do to the goat man. However, if you're a fan of seeing the hedgehog bounce off a bad guy, well, this issue does provide that. There's one or two clever moments, like when he digs the guy into the ground, a gag Sonic's been using since the original mini-series.

However, all the fighting and pinging builds up towards a very underwhelming conclusion. Sonic outsmarts the Iron King. Which is fine. (Even if he should've realized that sooner, since he already knows he can't beat the King into submission.) It's the method I have trouble with. After a few pages of fighting, Sonic tells Monkey Khan that Nicole will rebuild the generator underground. That they'll tell the King they're retreating, that he's won this one. Which is a seriously disappointing conclusion. The heroes fooling the bad guy off-panel and then just walking away is anticlimactic, to say the least.

The battle scene ends on a lame note. Yet this is not what I truly dislike about “Blackout.” The issue begins with Sally and Monkey Khan at lunch, The two participate in some pretty obvious flirting. While the men are away fighting, Sally visits Bunnie. The cyborg rabbit essentially tells the Princess what she already knows, that she wouldn't be attracted to the guy if he wasn't a good person, if slightly irresponsible. (Considering what we'll soon learn about Geoffrey St. John, I'm not sure Sally's judgment is so great.) It's all set-up for the last two pages of the story. After Sonic and Monkey Khan return to Knothole, the Princess walks away with the simian, arm in arm, giving him some serious bedroom eyes.

Just... Why? Flynn has brought Monkey Khan a long way with the last few issues, taking him from a totally obnoxious character to someone that's at least sort of likable. But why ship him with Sally? What do they have in common? Moreover, what purpose does teasing a romance with the monkey serve? Beside attempting to disrupt a love story that is practically preordained at this point? I mean, “Sonic Universe” just finished an arc set in the future where Sonic and Sally are married and have two kids. I know, that's an alternate time line. But come on. The Sally/Ken ship sank before leaving the dock. It's not offensively done or anything but why bother?

The back-up story, “The Iron Queen,” continues to fill out Regina's back story. After learning of the Iron King's failure, the villainess storms off, seriously pissed. This segues into a conversation between Snively and the Iron King, where the monarch explains how he first met Regina and how they came to rule the Dragon Kingdom together

On one hand, expanding on the Iron Queen's origin is a good idea. However, “The iron Queen” goes about it a bit awkwardly. 202's “A Lonely Girl's Story” had the conqueror explaining her history in her own words. This story is told by someone else, causing the explanation to smack deeply of flat exposition. While that story gave us a peak at Regina's personality, “The Iron Queen” just lays down the facts about how she assumed power. Which is not as interesting. It also tosses more ninjas at us, which I still barely care about.

On the art front, issue 202 brings back some names we haven't seen in a while. James Fry illustrates the cover story. Like many other artist, Fry alters his anime-influenced artwork so it's more in line with Tracy Yardley's work, which is more-or-less the book's default look now. Fry still has some of that energy though. You can see it in the character's facial expressions and some of the action scenes. The back-up features the second appearance of Renae de Liz, after her impressive debut in issue 198. de Liz' weaknesses are more apparent here. Her Snively continues to look seriously weird. Her composition is still relatively dramatic and eye-catching though, I'll give her that.

I guess I just wasn't feeling this one much. The cover story's central action chases the reader around before coming to a sudden stop. Meanwhile, the romantic subplot simply has no reason for existing, other then generating more unneeded shipping drama. The back-up has a solid idea but the execution feels a bit rushed and underdeveloped. It's a fairly flat issue to wrap 2009 up with. [5/10]

Sonic Universe: Issue 10

Sonic Universe: Issue 10
Publication Date: November 2009

Yes, the image of heroes stuck between two spiked walls that are slowly closing in on them is a visual cliché. I don't know where it was first featured. It's one of those troupes that have been so widely featured, and parodied, over the years, that it's likely difficult to trace an origin. Having said that, it's a cliché for a reason. As far as raising tension goes, there's not very many better visual metaphors. It's certainly a good place to leave our heroes for a cliffhanger. So Flynn gets a pass for falling back on that one in “Sonic Universe.” For now.

As I stated above, “Echoes of the Past: Part Two” picks up with Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty in a booby trap. The trio just barely escapes, thanks to Mighty's super strength and Julie-Su's willingness to shoot her gun at a computer. As the trio explore the temple, they see further signs that Finitevus was here recently. Following the Warp Rings, they discover a village in Downunda with architecture similar to that on the Island. And that's when the mad doctor makes his appearance. Meanwhile, on the Shrine Island, Vector and Ray continue to fight off the Wing-Dingoes.

All throughout Archie's various “Sonic” series, Knuckles has had a problem. During the many years when Ken Penders was directing the echidna's destiny, Knuckles often seemed to be at the mercy of other characters. The Brotherhood of Guardians were, too often, pushing the teenager around from the shadows. Fans hate Ken for this. Yet Flynn has treated Knuckles in not entirely a dissimilar fashion. Dr. Finnitevus manipulated him into becoming Enerjak. Recently, his father's death has haunted him. So Locke is still controlling his son, even after his death. About the only real difference in how Flynn approaches this, compare to Ken, is that Knuckles is angry about it. He's pursuing Finnitevus, desperate for answers and to take revenge for what was done. Which is satisfying but doesn't exactly fix the problem.

Having said that, the eventual showdown with Finnitevus is satisfying, in its own way. Knuckles has spent all of the last issue, and most of this one, chasing after the guy. When he finds him, the Guardian wastes no time voicing his displeasure. Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty all shout at the villain. Once Knux gets his hands on Finnitevus, he punches him, tosses him into a wall, and seems prepared to gouge his eyes out. Flynn lets the villain stand his own ground too. His trademark warp rings actually make for an inventive weapon. His adversaries make punches that go into thin air, before portals open before their feet that drop them atop their own team mates. It's relatively neat stuff.

A big complaint I had about the first installment of “Echoes of the Past” was that I did not give a shit about the Albion technology appearing out in the desert. And, sorry, I still don't care about it. The third act reveal that echidnan society has some sort of roots in Downunda would be a decent surprise... Assuming you have no familiarity with real life echidnas. The burrowing spiny anteater that somehow inspired Knuckles are primarily found in Australia. It's never been addressed but – considering the many cultural signifiers and, you know, the name – Downunda was obviously Australia before the Xorda's Gene Bomb dropped. I mean, shit, they even gave him a Crocodile Dundee hat in the anime.

Getting back to the shrinking room of doom that opened the comic book... That is a pretty cool sequence. Knuckles, who is still reeling from guilt, outright offers to sacrifice himself to save the others. Julie-Su and Mighty aren't having it. Mighty instead uses his strength to hold back the wall while Julie-Su pulls an “Entrapment” and slithers through the lasers. Amusingly, not without burning her tail. Her reaction to the computer controlling the trap – shooting it – probably wouldn't work but it's still a fun sequence.

In the past, I've made not secret about my feelings towards Vector. He annoys the piss out of me. Ray the Squirrel, meanwhile, has never made any impression on me at all. Yet, despite my better judgment, I'm enjoying their subplot in this story line. While surrounded by wing-dingoes, Vector actually bites one in half. Which is the first time I've seen that character actually do something crocodile-like. Meanwhile, Ray pulls a cute trick. He jumps on the Master Emerald and pretends to be transforming into a super form. He's not actually capable of that but it's enough to trick the dingoes. That's a cute moment.

One more thing: Tracy Yardley's artwork is not up to his usual standards here. The facial expressions are a little too cartoonish. The body work is a little too loose, limbs seeming to bend at odd angles. As for the script, I'm still not really feeling this one. Maybe Flynn will really knock it out of the park in the second half. This one's ending is decent, so let's hope for the best. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 206

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 206
Publication Date: November 2009

Ever since “Sonic X” ended, Patrick Spaziante has been contributing covers to Archie's “Sonic the Hedgehog” series more frequently. Not as often as in the good ol' days but still pretty regularly. Spaz' work has been as dynamic as ever but, with issue 206's cover, I really have to question his decisions. It's not a bad cover and represents the book's content fairly well. But drawing a strand of spittle flying from Sonic's mouth was, at the very least, an odd choice. Not really sure we needed to see that.

Anyway, the plot. Issue 206 concludes the “On the Run” two-parter with “Troubles by the Dozen.” Sonic faces off against the Iron Queen and King, along with an army of ninjas. Sonic distracts the bad guys while Tails sneaks the comatose Dr. Robotnik back to Mobotropolis. The ninjas are easy to deal with but the Iron King presents a bigger challenge. Luckily, the Freedom Fighters swoop in to help him out.

“On the Run: Part 2” represents the heroes' first victory over the Iron Dominion. Granted, that comes with a covet or two. The guys still have to race away from the battlefield suddenly. However, Sonic successfully squashes the Queen's foot soldiers. He wrecks her hovercraft, dropping the villain out of the sky. Sonic even gets in some genuinely intimidating trash-talk. He points out to his adversaries that an exact clone of him successfully conquered his world in a few days. Flynn has proven good at this in the past. It's satisfying to see the heroes get one over on the bad guys, especially after loosing several key battles.

Yes, of course, this leads to several big action sequences. Which are fun. Sonic knocks several saucers out of the sky by pin-balling through them. Those Yagyhu bat ninjas are tossed around easily. Maybe showing Sonic wrecking his enemies so easily is intentional, as the next scene has the Iron King knocking him back with one blow. (That scene may be where Spaz got his idea for the cover, since he features a line of spit flying from Sonic's mouth.) Once the Freedom Fighters rush in, we get a cool panel of Tails tossing Sonic through Regina's hovercraft. It's fun stuff.

Steven Butler is still the book's regular penciler at this point. His work is up to his usual quality. What I really like about Butler's work this time is the visual humor on display. Such as Tails huffing and puffing after dragging Eggman back to the city. Or a close-up of the Iron King's snorting nostrils. My favorite sequence begins with Antoine wondering aloud if they can outrun the bad guys. We then get a whole page devoted to Sonic running back and forth, carrying various Freedom Fighters to safety, while Antoine struggles to keep up.

Ian wraps the action up early to make room for some more character-oriented scenes. Sonic has a one-on-one with Dr. Robotnik. The doc is still raving mad. He seems to be confused about which point in time he's at, referring to Sonic as Sir Charles. He leaps back and forth between thinking it's before the Great War or right afterwards. This scene is decent but what follows is better. Monkey Khan confronts Sonic, asking him how he can show Robotnik mercy after all the horrible things he's done. This continues last issue's conversation about delivering justice with a fair hand. Sonic's not-so philosophical answer boils down to him not being interested in revenge. Monkey Khan's reaction – bafflement that Sonic is deeper than he expected – is amusing.

Speaking of Monkey Khan. Ian is still subtly pushing a potential romance between the simian cyborg and Princess Sally. It's evident in little moments. Such as Khan giving Sally an especially welcomed grin when she catches him walking around the village. Or how graciously she thanks him when he carries Robotnik to his jail cell. By this point. Flynn has recuperated Monkey Khan as a character, actually giving him some humility and heart. But pushing him as another potential love interest of the Princess? It's unnecessary and, while the two share a certain chemistry, it's clearly just as friends.

So how does the Iron Queen react to her first major failure? As you'd expect, poorly. That visual sense of humor that characterized the earlier scenes reappears when Snively, crawling across the battlefield, is nearly stomped on by the retreating army. Later, after returning home, he knocks on the door to Regina's chamber. She informs Snively that he won't see her again until they've regained Mobotropolis. Which confirms two things. That the Iron Queen really is just using Snively as a power play, something obviously to everyone but him. And that he really isn't getting laid tonight.

Which brings us to the back pages. The month before, Flynn presented the first half of “Birthright,” which covered Lien-Da's early history. The second half of the story picks up in the modern day. Lien-Da and Dimitri are in his lab, discussing the microchips, which would override the kill switch Robotnik previously installed in the Legionnaire's robotic parts, the new regime has promised them. The conversation goes differently when Lien-Da shatters Dimitri's glass orb, robbing him of mobility. She then hides him in a box in the lab, finally assuming the role of Grand Master of the Dark Legion.

As I've said before, Lien-Da's utter ruthlessness has greatly endeared her to me. In “Birthright: Part 2,” we really see just how far she'll go for power. Imprisoning Dimitri in a box, as nothing but a head, is by far the most evil thing she's ever done. It's somehow even worst than if she had outright murder him. And what did she commit this ghastly act over? A title and a little more power than she already had. That's cold. And, in an especially villainous way, pretty bad ass.

Hey, this is a good comic book! The artwork is strong for both stories, as Jamal Peppers continues to do fine work in the back pages. The script is solid enough, allowing us some peaks into the characters' minds along with decent action beats. That sounds like a [7/10] to me.

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 1

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW): Issue 1
Publication Date: April 4, 2018

Following the unceremonious cancellation of Archie's long-running “Sonic the Hedgehog” comics, fandom speculation ran wild. During the months long hiatus when Archie refused to confirm whether or not the book was canceled, fans started supposing shit. With the inevitable death of the original book widely assumed, readers soon wondered if a new 'Sonic” comic might follow. After all, this is a franchise that is ostensibly still viable, with a nearly twenty-five year long legacy in comics and a loyal – perhaps too loyal – fan following. “Sonic” going back to comic shops, newsstands, and your e-readers makes sense.

During this time, some even suspected that IDW or Boom! Studios, two comic publishers that handle a lot of licensed kids books, would be the likely new home for “Sonic's” four colored adventures. So I wasn't surprised when it was announced that IDW Publishing was picking up the license. What did surprise me was the haste with which it happened. A day after it was finally, formally announced that the Archie series was dead, the official Sonic Twitter shouted that a deal had been signed with IDW.

It was also widely presumed that Ian Flynn and most of the other Archie staff, all being freelance workers, would follow Sonic to a new publisher. This has also come to pass, as almost the entire Archie crew is now working on IDW's new book. What was also supposed and has, thus far, not come true was the hope that IDW would continue the post-reboot continuity Archie started, since Sega owes all the characters anyway. I always figured that was a long shot. IDW, following many fan questions, has currently confirmed that the Freedom Fighters won't be appearing in the new book within the first year. I suspect Flynn is actively fighting for their inclusion and has hinted that they may appear further down the line. (Assuming there is a further down the line...)

So where does that leave me, a hardcore Archie “Sonic” fan that is largely ambivalent to Sega's current output and was mostly left cold by the rebooted Archie book? It probably says a lot that the rumors that IDW may be facing financial hardships of their own – that the new “Sonic” book may be smothered in its cradle before it even starts running – filled me, not with disappointment, but relief. It's hard for me to get invested in a new universe starring only a few of the characters I loved from the old one. I'm mostly reviewing it because you fucking people want me too. Okay,  also because of my wholly narcissistic desire to make this blog a comprehensive guide to all non-video game Sonic media. (Also because of my OCD, which is why these reviews will be coming out as bonus weekend content, so as not to fuck up my perfectly planned schedule.) The point is: The new “Sonic” comic has an uphill battle ahead in convincing me to like it.

So, how did they do? “Fallout” seemingly follows the conclusion of “Sonic Forces,” Sega's latest mediocre 3D Sonic game. Dr. Eggman – I guess he's really, truly just Eggman now? Robotnik seems to be a forgotten alias – has vanished following his latest defeat. Sonic is now traveling the world, cleaning up the remaining pockets of Eggman's robotic forces. He zooms into a new town, saves the uninspiring local resistance, and starts smashing robots. Soon, Tails joins him. Afterwards, both wonder if something more organized is going on. If the final panel is any indication something, naturally, is.

Initial impression: Well, it's not bad. This first issue is mostly focused on action. With that goal in mind, it comes off as very zippy. Excuse the pun but this one hits the ground running. We're treated to many panels of Sonic smashing robots, of both small, large, and moderate sizes. It's fairly fun but, at times, the action comes off as too choreographed. Sonic and Tails sawing a huge, hammer-swinging robot in half with a homoerotic, hugging double-spin dash may be a little too cool for school. So is the scene where Sonic does a three-point landing after smashing through the head of another huge hammerer bot. This shit is pretty cool but it feels a bit forced, don't you think?

Sonic seems to be in-character. The hedgehog's sarcastic and light-hearted personality is intact. He runs into the village smirking. He winks and points finger-guns at Mobians random cartoon animal people after saving them. He cracks a Bugs Bunny joke and seems generally nonplussed by the robotic threat. The only time Sonic seems upset is when he nearly gets crushed, before Tails saves his ass. And, sure, that's pretty typical of Sonic. Yet hopefully the book won't always be this flippant. Scenes of grateful villagers being starstruck by Sonic's presence is cute now. But hopefully it won't be this super-duper light when the world is eventually in peril.

It's hard to say how much Ian Flynn's heart is in this one. “Fallout” is such a boilerplate standard Sonic adventure, seemingly by design, that I can only speculate about Flynn's quirkier, stronger attributes coming to the forefront. Credit where its due, there is one moment of genuine emotion in the book. After saving the village, and wondering if Eggman is planning something new, Sonic asks Tails to join him on this adventure. Tails pauses and gets a little misty-eyed, basically admitting that seeing his best friend face possible death again is too much for his little heart to handle. Okay, so the characters (and, by extension, the author) at least seem to care about each other. That bodes well.

In many ways, the first issue of IDW's “Sonic” series really feels no different from the latter-day Archie book. With most of the same creative staff coming back – right down to inker Jim Amash and colorist Matt Herms – it looks identical to the old Archie book. Tracy Yardley's pencils are the solid, if slightly samey, cartoony style we're all very use to by now. If it wasn't for the references to a video game that wasn't out last time Sonic was on the page, and the lack of the Freedom Fighters, this could slot into the Archie continuity pretty easily. For all these reasons, I suspect the enthusiastic fans of the Post-Super Genesis Wave continuity will happily eat this up.

But what about the rest of us? I have my reservations about IDW. Their love of gimmickry is already apparent in the book, with its ten thousand variant covers and strategy of debuting four weekly comics in the month of April, before going to a normal monthly schedule next month. (Though that, helpfully, will give me a whole year's worth of comics to talk about come January, when I do a new Best/Worst list, a tradition I'm absolutely continuing with the new publisher.) I'm dreading the day when IDW reboots or relaunches “Sonic,” splintering the title into numerous mini-series and stand alone books, as they've done with other properties, like “Godzilla” or “Transformers.”

Putting those fears aside and just looking at this one comic book by itself, I'm still not sure what to think. It's thoroughly okay. Not bad, not mind-blowing. Looks good and there's one moment that rises above the rest. Will the whole book be like this or will an actual emotional heart and core take root eventually? Will Flynn be content to follow Sega's bylines going forward or will the series soon form a weird, elaborate mythology of its own that could rival Archie's series? Are Princess Sally, Bunny, Rotor and Tommy Turtle gone forever? All these questions and no forthcoming answers. I guess all we can do is wait and see, dear reader. A “Sonic” comic is back in my hands. I wish I felt more confident about it. [6/10]

Sonic Universe: Issue 9

Sonic Universe: Issue 9
Publication Date: October 2009

Once upon a time, Knuckles the Echidna was popular enough to hold down his own comic book. Whatever your opinion on that series may be, it shows that Knuckles was clearly the second most popular “Sonic” character at one point. By 2009, when Archie published a comic book devoted to exploring Sonic's supporting cast, Knuckles didn't get a devoted arc until issue 9. Says a lot about how things had changed, doesn't it? Still, Knuckles' “Sonic Universe” arc was hyped up by Archie. So hardcore fans were still happy to see him, even if the general comic-and-video-game-buying public had passed the echidna by.

“Echoes of the Past” begins with Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty warping into Von Stryker's dingo outpost in the desert. The dingo general gives the guardian some new documents, cluing them into Dr. Finitevus' locations. It seems the mad scientist has shacked up in some ancient echidnan ruins, which Knuckles doesn't recognize. While exploring the pyramid, the trio falls into danger.

Not all Chaotix are created equal. My dislike of Vector is no secret while Charmy and Ray have never done much for me. So temporary reducing the team to three characters is a good idea. Especially when that team-up revolves around Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty, always three of the book's strongest characters. Yet “Echoes of the Past” is not a light-hearted adventure. Knuckles is still feeling guilt about his actions as Enerjak. The dingoes are hoping Knuckles and Finitevus destroy each other. Mighty is in a bummer mood. Really, only Julie-Su is her sassy, usual self. Flynn is obviously setting this up to be a serious story line.

One of the best parts of “Sonic Universe: Issue 9” isn't devoted to part of the central trio. Knuckles and the others are carried out to the ruins by a cloaked riding a sand worm. After Mighty is left alone with the guy, his identity is revealed as Harry. You remember Harry, the dingo cab driver that occasionally showed up in Knuckles' solo book? When Mighty asks how he is, we get a four page spread devoted to the dingo's recent history. How he got recruited into Stryker's army, despite his hatred of military life. How he helped Locke escape Kage's structure during “Return to Angel Island.” And how he's still with the dingo resistance, albeit horribly scarred. It's a melancholy sequence that effectively brings us up to speed with a beloved, if rarely appearing, bit player.

It's certainly more interesting than the issue's attempts at mythology building. As soon as they arrive at the ancient ruins, Knuckles is immediately flummoxed. He doesn't recognize the pyramids as local artifacts. They look more like Albion structures. As they enter the pyramid, Knuckles becomes certain that the temple was built by Albion echidnas. This doesn't line up with Knuckles' knowledge of the Floating Island's history. I'm sorry, this stuff isn't very interesting to me. Ian's latest attempt to reinvent the series' mythology is getting in the way of his story telling. (There's one nice bit of continuity here though. The inside of the pyramid resembles the secret building Knuckles discovered in “Fire Drill,” a story that was published all the way back in the “Sonic & Knuckles” one-shot.)

Even though Knuckles is seeking out Dr. Finitevus, hoping to get revenge on the madman who turned him into Enerjak, Finitevus doesn't actually appear in “Echoes of the Past: Part One.” Flynn keeps the arc's main villain off-screen so the issue can end on a juicy cliffhanger. While exploring the temple, Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Mighty fall through a trap door into one of those shrinking room death traps. This reminds me of the sub-Indiana Jones style adventuring Knuckles got up to in his original mini-series. Maybe Flynn was trying to bring that to mind intentionally. He probably should have opened, instead of closed, with that. It makes this issue seem like a long  prologue, instead of the first part of an on-going plot.

Maybe that's because Flynn pumps this issue full of other plot developments. While Knuckles and the others are exploring the desert, Vector and Ray are left with the Master Emerald. As the Island floats over Downunda, we learn that Vector was born on the future-Australia, fleeing it as a teenager. This potentially interesting development is interrupted when the Wing-Dingos – the flying canine henchmen CrocBot employed in the “Tails” mini-series – attack the two. I can't remember where Flynn goes with this but it's not the most promising development. If he wanted us to care about some heroes being imperiled, he should have picked more interesting or likable guys than Vector and Ray.

That flashback devoted to Harry is great. The rest of issue 9 of “Sonic Universe?” Could be better. The plot hasn't hooked me yet. This issue really feels like the author is throwing a bunch of stuff into the air, hoping one of these events will grab readers' interest. I'm sure it'll crystallize into something solid soon but, right now, I'll say “Sonic Universe's” first arc isn't off to the smoothest start. [6/10]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 205

Sonic the Hedgehog: Issue 205
Publication Date: October 2009

Just recently, I was yelling about misleading comic book covers. It's a proud tradition of the art form. In the days before comic shops ruled the industry, when most people bought comics at new stands, outrageous covers that frequently did not reflect the books' actual content were done to draw in youthful eyes. Even in 2009, Archie was keeping this tradition alive. No, Sonic and Robotnik do not team up in issue 205. That doesn't even come close to happening. But, you know, I bet it probably sold a few more issues.

“On the Run Part One: Put All Your Eggs in One Basket” – Do you like egg puns? You better like some fucking egg puns – begins where the last issue left off. While still ranting and raving, Robotnik escapes his padded cell. Despite being a rambling lunatic, he manages to escape the Egg-Dome in a giant robotic tortoise. Sonic encounters the mad doctor while exploring the woods and is quickly disturbed by his scrambled actions. After Sonic and Tails apprehend the nutty doctor, they consider returning him to Mobotropolis and putting him in jail. That's when the Iron Queen catches up with them.

Ian is running with the idea that his most recent defeat has completely shattered the Eggman's sanity. But don't expect this mental breakdown to make the villain more dangerous. The book mostly plays Robotnik's lapse into total madness for comedy. He shouts references to the “Pingas!” internet meme, as well as the music video remix relating to said meme. His behavior is unhinged but child-like, delusional. He allows Sonic to circle his vehicle for several minutes. I'm not sure about the goofy comedic moments but making Robotnik pathetic, even sympathetic, is an interesting move.

Even more interesting is Sonic's reaction to his greatest enemy being reduced to a gibbering lunatic. As previously references in issue 200, Sonic actually feels bad for the guy. This leads to an interesting conversation between Sonic and Tails. Tails believes Eggman is beyond forgiveness. Sonic isn't so sure. Either way, they both agree that leaving him to the mercy of the Iron Dominion is cruel and decide to incarcerate him in Mobotropolis instead. It's an interesting moral dilemma to put our hero in. Usually, Sonic just runs fast, smashes robots, and makes quibs. Actually discussing the nature of justice is an unexpected but appreciated shift.

But this is still a comic book for the seven-to-twelve crowd. We've got to have our action scenes. Due to Robotnik being nuttier than squirrel shit, the fight scene is rather one-sided. The initial sight of his Egg-Tortoise tearing up the forest is actually rather startling. So is a panel afterwards, of Sonic being tossed aside by an explosion. Though the best action beat in the story is one of the more low-key ones. After Tails effortlessly disables Robotnik's robo-turtle, Sonic offers the scientist a hand... And he gets a straight-up punch in the face for his troubles. It made me laugh anyway.

In some ways, this feels like a transitional issue. The opening scenes are devoted to Sonic checking in on Bunnie in the hospital. There, he runs into Monkey Khan, who is still feeling sorry for himself about what happened recently. What's especially amusing about these scenes is Dr. Quack grumbling at both of his patients, for not staying in bed. Quack has been part of the comic for over a decade but has never been developed much. Flynn does more for the waterfowl in a handful of pages than past writers have done in years. This moment also shows Khan's continuing development, that he's starting to get over his guilt a little.

Steven Butler is still penciling the book and doing a great job. He gets several opportunities to draw Robotnik's grotesque face, which he seems to relish. As always, Butler's attention to detail is especially valuable. A nice, small touch has Robotnik continuing to wear his straitjacket, as a stylish cape, throughout most of the issue. He also gets a bunch of leathery electronic wrapped around one arm. I'm not sure when that happened but it does look cool. Butler even manages to make the Egg-Tortoise, a very goofy concept, look threatening. His character work is also fantastic.

During the cover story, Lien-Da walks away to sulk in her bunk. The back-up story, “Birthright: Part One,” picks up with Lien-Da laying in her bed, thinking about her past. She reflects on her time in the Twilight Cage, when she conspired with Kragok to murder their father. Lien-Da successfully pulls off the assassination but gets herself heavily injured in the process. She lived but Kragok took over the Dark Legion while she was out.

Lien-Da's ruthlessness has always endeared me to her. She's a villain who treats her adversaries with no mercy. Yet “Birthright” gets you to feel a little bad for her. She reflects on her failures. Despite numerous stabs at power, she has never achieved her goal of becoming the Grand Master of the Dark Legion. Moreover, her failures are laced with personal betrayal. Kragok promised her that they would rule the Legion together, after their dad's death. Instead, he intentionally boobie-trapped the blaster she used, knowing it would blow up in her face. While she was rehabilitating in the hospital, he assumed power without her. What a dick! Lien-Da may be an unrepentant villain but she has feelings too.

By the way, Jamal Peppers' pencils on the back-story are also very strong. Overall, issue 205 is a solid one. The cover story introduces a heady conflict for the hero which is compelling. The back story is a decent character piece, devoting to exploring a villain's history. The artwork is good throughout. The humor is a little heavy-handed but I enjoyed this one. Let's see if Flynn can keep it up in part two. [7/10]