Please see updated comics section
Sonic The Comic #1 - May 1993  | "Enter: Sonic"
Writer: Alan McKenzie
Artist: Anthony Williams
Nothing too taxing for the first issue, in any sense: Sonic basically struts his stuff in a lazy chase. En route, he rescues Porker Lewis (sporting a very childlike, Sega-esque look) and a variety of other Sega of Europe/America characters, including the original incarnation of Sally Acorn. They`d love him to stay and chat, but he`s got other things on his mind.
Tails has gone missing. And in true heroic tradition, Sonic has a bad feeling about this.
The artwork is average at most and the story settling for nothing more than a rehash of a game plot, and even using Sega of Europe conventions such as Sonic`s hyperspeed speech. But in doing this, you can`t claim that the first issue doesn't capture the quintessential pre-SA Sonic.
Cover: David Brown Graphics Ltd. |
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Sonic The Comic #2 - June 1993  | "Robofox"
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Woodrow Phoenix
In a continuation of the last issue`s story, Sonic finds the Green Hill Zone deserted, except for one lone rabbit, who explains that everyone - including Tails - has been kidnapped by You Can Guess Who. Sonic comes racing up to Robotnik`s fortress, only to be met by a two-tailed cyberfox! It immediately sets about pummelling Sonic into the ground, and looks as though it`s going to succeed. But it can`t all end like this! Say it ain`t so, Tails! Say it aint so!
The story is still carrying off a formulaic plot, and in Phoenix, the artwork has improved very slightly. But a climax that could`ve had some serious punch is marred by that unnecessary Eldorado joke on the final page.
Note to non-Brits and anyone under around 20: Eldorado was created by the BBC to be the greatest soap opera ever made. They were so confident that they built an entire village on location in Spain, rather than just a film set. And it was the biggest flop in their history.
I`m afraid that I may have to explain things like this rather a lot. Fleetway has a distinctly Anglocentric worldview, and can never quite resist a joke or two over the heads of the target demographic.
Cover: David Brown Graphics Ltd. |
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Sonic The Comic #3 - June 1993  | “Mayhem In The Marble Hill Zone”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Cassanovas
In a rare appearance, bow in hair and blubbering, Sally Acorn is consoled by Tails as she searches for her missing brother, Tufty, who has developed heroic ambitions after finding a discarded pair of Sonic`s old sneakers. Leaving Tails to do the `let the poor helpless girlie bawl into your shoulder` routine, Sonic sets off for the eponymous zone, only to find the errant squirrel under the guard of a gang of badniks who`re only too keen for both animals to join them.
Cassanovas` art was always unmistakable, and I could never be quite sure whether or not that plasticised sheen and those permanently dopey expressions were endearing or wrecked the mood. Although Sonic at least was identified clearly in his role as protector of the average Mobian on the street, the story in itself had very little substance other than Sonic telling anyone with any ambition to beat him that he had no equal. As usual. Tufty takes the hint and is never heard from again.
And somehow, for me, allowing badniks the sentience to speak in perfectly normal voices always lessens the impact of the story, by masking what they really are.
But it does make you wonder how advanced Robotnik's abilities with AI might be, so I suppose that these things even out.
Cover: Ferran Rodriguez |
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Sonic The Comic #4 - July 1993  | “Day of the Badniks”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ed Hillyer
A blue, hedgehog-shaped creature is going around ripping up star posts, causing animals to disappear and generally giving Sonic a bad name. When Sonic and Tails investigate, they find Robotnik waiting with a small army, using their friends as organic batteries.
Tails` attempt to help with Sonic`s attack causes Sonic to be imprisoned within the robotic replica - and it looks as though the fox is about to be next on the production line, complete with his old RoboFox suit!
All in all, Mr Kitching`s first outing basically sets the tone for a lot of earlier StC fare: hoorah for Sonic, and that fox just gets in the way and whimpers a lot. Also, Hillyer`s exceedingly scrappy artwork and a complete lack of consistency in character designs (Robotnik lookiing like a demented ringmaster in a top hat?) serve to distract from a decidedly filler quality story.
Cover: Jon Howard
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Sonic The Comic #5 - July 1993  | "Lost In the Labyrinth Zone"
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Woodrow Phoenix
Sonic is going through his usual morning routine of exercising and tucking into a huge breakfast when the tentacles of an Arach-Bot suddenly reach from the ground and grab Tails from beside him.
With the fox dragged underground into the Labyrinth Zone, Sonic, with Sally Acorn, Johnny Lightfoot and a passing random extra, sets off in pursuit...
The Robofox suit makes another appearance.
Cover: Mark White |
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Sonic The Comic #6 - August 1993  | “Attack On The Death Egg”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ferran Rodriguez
Ho hum. Another issue, another artist... Although these are some of the most accurate SegaSonic renditions that Fleetway has seen to date.
In an attempt to prevent it from colliding with the Emerald Hill Zone, Sonic and Tails take their bi-plane up to the dangerously orbiting but apparently deserted Death Egg satelite and tangle with the Metal Sonic from Sonic 2. Whilst Sonic heroically stays behind to re-direct the satelite`s course, Tails is ordered into the sole escape pod, and has an excellent view of the craft sinking beneath a convenient ocean. And it looks as though there`s nothing for the fox to do but start preparing a eulogy.
The problem is, that after this story, which consists of one TV reference that'd go over the head of even most people my age ("Ironsides"), and Sonic flogging an extremely laboured running gag about how stupid and even more childish than usual Tails must be, there's no real feel of anything momentous happening.
This was the swansong of Sonic 2's Death Egg - even in a seven page story, a sense of accomplishment might've been more pronounced.
With hindsight, the early stories were meant to show Tails developing into a more rounded character - but surely the early stories could have shown him as having some potential, rather than some complete dupe who`s one step away from comic relief? The reader isn`t to know that...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #7 - August 1993  | “Super Sonic”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Nobody reading this issue could possibly have known that it marked the first appearance of what was to become StC`s most successful partnership. This simple enough little story may do very little other than explain why Super Sonic transforms as he does, but the warm vivacity of Elson`s high-quality artwork gives the narrative that little extra clout that`s it`s thus far been mostly lacking.
Cover: Steve White |
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Sonic The Comic #8 - September 1993  | "The Origin of Sonic"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Lots of historic moments in this issue. The first sight of over-arching plot. The first appearance of the Omni-viewer. The first use of the same artist for two issues in a row.
But, aside from that, this is the big one: Stay Sonic: The Comic Strip. Herein lies all of the answers to Fleetway`s version of events.
And if that isn`t enough, the unexpected (*round of rapturous applause*) plot twist at the end sets the trend for the next ninety-two issues.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #9 - September 1993  | "Back to Reality"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
The Omni-viewer may have been able to dupe Robotnik with a semantic loophole, and return Sonic, Tails, Johnny and Porker to Mobius... But what lies in store for them in a harsh new world ruled by Robotnik? The dictator may be surprised to see them back, but it`s not as though they can be any threat to him now...
And for the first time, maybe you believe it. That raw, vivid Elson artwork, coupled with Sonic actually being serious for once, is one of the earliest signs of the major plotlines to come, and actually has some emtional drive behind it.
Cover: Cassanovas |
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Sonic The Comic #10 - October 1993  | "Megatox"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Whilst staging a daring breakout attempt for the inmates of one of Robotnik`s slave-driven factories, Sonic comes up against a creature made entirely of Mega Mack. If only he`d stop wisecracking for long enough to let us enjoy the fight - does this hedgehog ever need to take a breath?
Whoever Mobius is ruled by, Sonic will never shut up. With that level of childishness, Sonic himself is being more appealing to the "kiddie" age group, and the marriage of sly intertextual references and the target age group seems slightly uneasy.
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #11 - October 1993  | "Time Racer"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ed Hillyer
Sonic is on one side of the planet, looking to rescue Tails (again) - but Tails turns out to be nothing more than a diversion.
Robotnik`s latest Emerald Hill Zone-incinerating ray is on the other. Sonic has five seconds.
Cover: Ferran Rodriguez
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Sonic The Comic #12 - October 1993  | "The Hidden Zone"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
Stricken with amnesia, Sonic lands in the middle of a community of fugitives - unaware that Robotnik`s legions are following him to their secret location! The race is on for Sonic to recover his identity before the settlement is overwhelmed.
Flint`s competent artwork seems a very poor substitute after a concentrated burst of Elson.
And whose idea was that closing joke?
Note to the perplexed: `Take That` were the first of the great British `boy bands`, topping the charts from around 1990 to nineteen 1996, and acting as the launchpad for Robbie Williams. I understand that they had some success in the States, but never the prolonged cult status that they enjoyed here.
And certainly not amongst the prepubescent and early teen boys who made up Sonic's target market even then. They reformed in 2006 (minus Robbie) and're currently at least as big as they used to be.
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #13 - November 1993  | “Double Trouble”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Mike Hadley
After being accidentally released from its monitor by Tails, one of Sonic`s extra lives turns mean, and goes around causing havoc. When Sonic shows up, wondering why he`s suddenly public enemy number one, a fight breaks out, with the usurper looking as though he might even win the day. Is there anything that Tails can do?
A rare treat for both the self-respecting Tails fan and the pursuer of the lesser-spotted Sally Acorn (who suddenly seems to`ve acquired some clout in zone politics), this story is mainly marred by the out of proportion artwork. It`s hard to find any clout in characters who mostly look as though they were drawn from the base of an eggcup.
Cover: Mike Hadley
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Sonic The Hedgehog #14 - November 1993  | "Hero of the Year"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley
Sonic and Tails arrive at an award ceremony where Sonic is supposed to receive the eponymous prize. It`s got to be a trap, hasn`t it?
Enough said, really. More Hadley artwork and a storyline that telegraphs itself from miles away - even if, in the style of a James Bond movie, you're curious about how the trick will be puled off this time.
Yes, Sonic. We all know how clever you are by now... *yawn* But is Tails really this consistently dumb when he's been following a hero around and fighting the good fight for so long from his little cub days?
Cover: David Brown Graphics Ltd. |
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Sonic The Comic #15 - December 1993  | "The Green Eater"
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Mike Hadley
Sonic comes wandering through the Emerald Hill Zone, only to find it being torn up by a giant robot. It tries to psyche him out, claiming to be invincible. You really would think that these villains would`ve learned by now, wouldn`t you?
A competent enough story, marred again by the artwork, but still no real feeling of challenge.
Cover: Ferran Rodriguez |
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Sonic The Comic #16 - December 1993  | "Happy Christmas, Doctor Robotnik"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley
Robotnik turning over a new leaf, dressing as Santa and handing out gifts to the denizens of the Emerald Hill Zone? Only Sonic is suspicious...
After setting the scene for a much darker tone and a much more coherent storyline, this is a rewrite of `Hero of the Year` - and not a very subtle one at that.
"The Nameless Zone - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Dave Windett & John M. Burns
Tails` first solo strip arrives!
And he finds himself interdimensionally whisked back to his homeland - the legendary Nameless Zone - where the Enchanter Kings have need of the champion who, together with his sidekick Sonic, was able to defeat Doctor Robotnik.
Or at least that`s what his letters home said. Despite his protestations to the contrary, Tails is armed and taken to face the monstrous Trogg on the Dimension Bridge!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #17 - January 1994  | "Sonic The Human"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ed Hillyer
Shock! Horror! Sonic and Tails have been caught by Robotnik - but Sonic suddenly wakes in an Earth bed, to find himself a human teenager!
Hillyer proves to be a lot more adept at drawing humans than he is at drawing hedgehogs.
"The Nameless Zone - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Dave Windett & John M. Burns
It appears that Trogg, unlike Tails` neighbours, can recognise that the young fox doesn`t want to fight. The villain is defeated more by sheer luck than anything else: being forced to surrender or plunge into oblivion from the Dimension Bridge, since the fox can fly away when his sword accidentally slices one of its ropes.
But Tails still returns home a hero, much to his annoyance.
Having proved conclusively that he can`t last five minutes without Sonic. And nothing else. Oh, tell us something we don't know! This series - complete with the removal of Tails to a far more fantastic setting - was meant to establish something different for the little fox. And defeating a villain by tripping over his own feet doesn`t exactly present this in a clear light.
Cover: Ed Hillyer |
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Sonic The Comic #18 - February 1994  | "Casino Night - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic and Porker Lewis arrive in the Casino Night Zone, run by the highly suspect Marxio Brothers. Their mission: to use Porker`s disruptor to shut down a computer that`s hypnotising all of the Zone`s customers into compulsive gamblers, before everyone becomes bankrupt! But they`re not as easy to deal with as they sound or look, and when the opposing forces meet, the freedom fighters come off worse and are left tied to a rollercoaster track!
And so, with the theme tune to The Perils of Penelope Pitstop ringing in our ears, we move on to...
"The Land Beyond - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Dave Windett & John M. Burns
Tails is once again summoned to the Nameless Zone, where it appears that the two remaining Enchanter Kings have received an SOS from their comrade Shirob, who had been lost in the Land Beyond, presumed kidnapped by Trogg (see last issue), some years before. Since Tails, whether he likes it or not, is the zone`s champion, it`s his job to go to the rescue; together with a warrior fox named Errol Blackthorn, he sets off across the Dimension Bridge into the Land Beyond - only to be immediately attacked!
Cover: Carl Flint
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Sonic The Comic #19 - February 1994  | "Casino Night - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
After freeing themselves from the rollercoaster track, the Freedom Fighters attempt to recover their disruptor, lost in the previous issue`s scuffle. The Marxios smash the device as Sonic attacks, only to realise that he was a mere distraction whilst Porker manually reprogrammed the computer...
"The Land Beyond - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Dave Windett & John M. Burns
Tails and Errol see off their attackers, but Tails` reluctance to throw himself into the fray has made Errol suspicious that he is not the hero that he claims. The two of them progress uneasily into a labyrinth of tunnels - where they find the object of their quest, Shirob, chained in the lair of the Pit Beast. And you can bet that it`s hungry.
Cover: Brian Williamson & Steve White |
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Sonic The Comic #20 - March 1994  | "Hill Top Terror"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ferran Rodriguez
Sonic and Tails fly into the Hill Top Zone to sort out a badnik problem, only to find themselves battling in the bowl of a volcano! It looks as though it could be a fiery fate for the two heroes until the stress brings about a transformation into... *drum roll* Super Sonic!
"The Land Beyond - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Dave Windett & John M. Burns
Giving the slip to the Pit Beast, Tails and Errol must rely on the navigational skills of Shirob - who has been imprisoned in the labyrinth for many years - to get them out alive. Both are suspicious of where he appears to be leading them, but still follow - only to be led into an ambush and grabbed by goblins!
Cover: Jon Howard |
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Sonic The Comic #21 - March 1994  | "Girl Trouble - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
The first part of the adaption of Sonic The Hedgehog CD for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. Amy Rose is arrested for mouthing off a fantasy of being Sonic's girlfriend within earshot of some troopers. Sonic and Johnny Lightfoot use a Star Post to follow her to Robotnik's Egg Fortress in the Special Zone - but when Sonic dashes right in without bothering about making a plan, they both get trapped by the automatic defense system of the fortress.
Meanwhile Robotnik has made himself a cocoon, deciding that it's time for a change...
"The Land Beyond - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Dave Windett & John M. Burns
The truth finally comes to light: Trogg is Shirob, driven to mutating and insanity by magical contact with the evil Dark One!
It looks as though the captured Tails and Errol, no matter how much they resist, will never reach home alive; but a portal to the Nameless Zone opens up just in time, and they dive through. Back at the palace of the Enchanter Kings, Tails expects Errol to reveal his guilty secret, but the other fox proclaims him to be a true champion (I think that's what's called getting a grade A for effort, if not ability), and he returns to Mobius with his reputation intact.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #22 - April 1994  | "Girl Trouble - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Hanging around only long enough to catch the first glimpse of the new, AoStH-esque Robotnik, Sonic and Johnny rescue Amy from a grisly fate (that will befall another animal in due course...), and make their escape. But Amy`s known association with Sonic means that she will now have to stay with the group.
She`s so ecstatic that you can almost see the pink hearts swirling around her head. Sonic isn`t so convinced.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #23 - April 1994  | "Pirates of the Mystic Cave"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Viva la stereotyping! Amy`s only been with the group for less than one issue and she`s already gone and got herself kidnapped. But it turns out that she only did it to save Tails from getting kidnapped instead; so that must make it alright, then.
The trail of the kidnapper leads readers to their first glimpse of that scourge of StC (am I talking literally or metaphorically? You decide ;p), Captain Plunder and his crew, who give some hint of future roles. And Amy begins to redeem herself from her damsel status by showing a capacity for reasoning and a willingness to stand up to Sonic`s all-consuming ego that the group badly needs.
Cover: Ed Hillyer |
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Sonic The Comic #24 - May 1994  | "The Sonic Terminator - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Hold on to your hats, folks! With Robotnik unleashing his new weapon - the awesome Metal Sonic, Metallix - things`re about to get very complicated indeed.
And whilst Metallix is hunting Sonic, Plunder is hunting Chaos Emeralds.
This is the first of the larger multi-part arcs. I defy anyone not to be at least momentarily surprised at the end of the first page.
That sort of plot hook is what`s been missing so far. But not any more, `cos you`re never going to guess.
Amy fans will notice that she seems to have acquired weapons skills from somewhere, and suddenly become not half so saccharine. But that`s not the half of it...
Cover: Jon Howard |
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Sonic The Comic #25 - May 1994  | "The Sonic Terminator - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Using the directions that he tricked out of Porker in last issue`s story, Plunder arrives at the hiding place of the Chaos Emeralds, and a battle ensues with Sonic`s gang. After ther villain`s obligatory "Do what I say or Tails gets it!" moment, it looks as though the stones`re lost. But Sonic should`ve thought more closely about what they were designed to do.
And no sooner has that little tribulation been overcome than Metallix appears...
"Sonic`s World - Prologue"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley
In the first of a series originally designed to explore Mobius at large, the Kintobor computer recaps the origins of Sonic and Robotnik first revealed in issue eight, and briefly adapts Sonic the Hedgehog for the Mega Drive/Genesis.
Cover: Steve White |
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Sonic The Comic #26 - May 1994  | "The Sonic Terimnator - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic receives a distress signal from Amy, who has been captured by Metal Sonic! When Sonic arrives at Never Lake, he finds the Miracle Planet completely covered with Robotnik's factories, and chained to Mobius with a gigantic chain!
Sonic puts Metal Sonic out of commission - but just when things seem to be back to normal, Metal Sonic is revived and takes Amy to the Miracle Planet as live bait for Sonic, as he races after them over the chain that holds the Miracle Planet.
"Sonic`s World - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
The Kintobor computer recounts a slightly different version of the origin of Robotnik, first told in issue eight.
Cover: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns |
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Sonic The Comic #27 - June 1994  | "The Sonic Terminator - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic finds Amy and tries to defeat the Metal Sonic - but his enemy is a part of the technology that now covers the Miracle Planet and can drain limitless energy from the surrounding machinery! Just as Metal Sonic is about to win, he gets hit by a doppleganger of Sonic, who is only half the size of the original. The minature hedgehog then pushes Sonic into a shrinking ray, and hands him a Time Stone...
"Sonic's World - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
The Kintobor computer reveals how Sonic met Tails, in a version which is totally different from the official Sega explanation, or even anything that Archie have managed to come up with.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #28 - June 1994  | "The Sonic Terminator - Part Five"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
With the Time Stone, Sonic ventures back into the past and finds the machine that caused the changes on the Miracle Planet. Due to his small size, he is able to enter the machine and destroys it from within.
Sonic then travels back to the present just in time to prevent Metal Sonic from terminating his other self. As before, he hands over the Time Stone and sends the other Sonic back in time. Due to the changes in the past, the Miracle Planet is returned to normal and all machinery disappears, including the Metal Sonic. For now...
"The Morbidden Hunt - Part One"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Cassaanovas
Once again, Tails receives the summons to the Nameless Zone, where it appears that two cubs, Jimmy and Jilly, have been abducted by goblins and carried off into the Morbidden Lands. Tails dons his armour and sets off in pursuit.
Cover: Stephen Bliss |
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Sonic The Comic #29 - July 1994  | "The Sentinel"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ferran Rodriguez
Whilst exploring the Aquatic Ruin Zone, Sonic disturbs a huge stone sentinel that has been resting at the bottom of a lake. Since it doesn`t recognise Sonic as its master - referring instead to a mysterious earlier civilisation - it attacks; but is so ancient that it crumbles away before it can do any real harm, leaving Sonic only able to ponder its origins.
Keep this one in mind, everyone. This is one plot hole that does actually get filled. Eventually.
"The Morbidden Hunt - Part Two"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Cassanovas
Tails heads deeper sand deeper into the Morbidden Lands, where he is attacked by a hungry gryphon. He defeats it (by good luck more than good management, as usual), only to find that his actions have been witnessed by two centaurs from the nearby village of Portstable, which the creature had been terrorising. The village`s grateful inhabitants equip him with their fastest flying ship and send him on his way. But he hasn`t gone far before he crashes into the coast, and receives some unwelcome attention.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #30 - July 1994  | "Metamorphia"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Mike Hadley
A young female comes crying for the hedgehog`s aid, as they often do. Ever one for female attention, and against his friends` advice, Sonic heads off with her, only for her to morph into a slavering, genetically engineered killing machine!
He manages to escape, but is careful to keep the real story from his friends afterwards. It makes a refreshing change to see someone script the almighty hedgehog as quite so fallible.
"The Morbidden Hunt - Part Three"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Cassanovas
Tails has accidentally stumbled upon the missing Jimmy and Jilly in the company of the goblin Prince Catalus - and having such a good time that they don`t want to be rescued! The Prince is taking them back to the palace of his sister, Queen Vulpecula, for a game of "hide and seek" - or, as she prefers to call it, "fox hunting". Tails decides that he`d better tag along.
Cover: Steve White |
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Sonic The Comic #31 - August 1994  | "The Pretender"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Mike Hadley
A cocksure green hedgehog named Cosmic blasts into the Emerald Hill Zone, and challenges Sonic to a battle of skills. They race away, and as soon as they`re alone, Sonic runs rings around the stranger`s fancy moves. The stranger, unable to compete, flees defeated, but not before revealing itself to be... Can you guess?
Not only do we have the prospect of a more diverse recurring villain to look forward to, but yet another refreshing story where Sonic`s ego is his main weakness, rather than the factor which bores the villain into submission - even if the plot device of a new rival is a bit on the stale side.
"The Morbidden Hunt - Part Four"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Cassanovas
Queen Vulpecula lets the cornered foxes go, but is only prolonging the inevitable as the cubs begin to tire. They eventually find Prince Catalus waiting in a hiding place that he told them about, but it appears that he is only jealous of his sister, and wants to get rid of the foxes himself to spoil her fun! On the run again, they are forced to leap from the palace`s battlements and steal a flying ship, Errol Flynn style, before the cubs are returned to their` grateful mother and Tails returns to Mobius.
Cover: Anthony Williams & John M. Burns |
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Sonic The Comic #32 - August 1994  | "The Unbeatable Foe"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Cassanovas
Firmly convinced that this particular plot device hasn`t been done to death over the previous two issues, a mysterious traveller wanders into the Emerald Hill Zone, bringing a computer as a gift for Sonic. It`s supposed to grant "mega-coolness beyond belief", but, since Sonic can`t see how he could possibly get any cooler, something must be wrong. Tails, however, sees a chance to finally catch up with his hero...
"No More Mr. Nice Bug - Part One"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
Cam `n` Bert, the Badnik Army Repair Functionaries (that`s B.A.R.F. for short, folks), carry out field repairs on a group of Moto Bugs that have been infected by a "nicenik" virus created by Porker Lewis. When two of the bugs have escape, they must track them down before they infect the whole army!
It`s at this point that the aim of Sonic`s World as being an introduction to Mobius is forgotten, in favour of more character-driven fare. And it never comes back.
Cover: Ferran Rodriguez |
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Sonic The Comic #33 - August 1994  | "Enter Knuckles - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Robotnik's Death Egg satelite has crashed on the Floating Island! Sonic and Tails fly to the island to finish him off once and for all - and after destroying some traps and battling some Badniks, they finally meet Robotnik. But he's already convinced Knuckles, Guardian Of The Floating Island, that Sonic is a thief who wants to steal the Floating Island's Chaos Emeralds!
"No More Mr. Nice Bug - Part Two"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
Cam `n` Bert attempt to lure the niceniks into their clutches with a Sonic balloon decoy, but have more success when the two rogue robots bear down on them for flattening flowers.
Cover: Mike Hadley |
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Sonic The Comic #34 - September 1994  | "Enter Knuckles - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic and Knuckles fight with everything they've got! It ends up in a tie, as Tails is able to capture Robotnik by dropping a net on him from the Sonic airplane! Sonic and Tails escape with Robotnik as their prisoner, and Knuckles uneasy at the whole situation.
"No More Mister Nice Bug – Part Three"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
After a heated pursuit, it looks as though the B.A.R.F. have trashed the niceniks... but they fail to notice one of the wrecks sniffing a flower as they leave.
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #35 - September 1994  | "Power Of The Chaos Emeralds - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
As Porker tries to interrogate Robotnik at the Freedom Fighters' underground base, Knuckles stages a rescue attempt. In the confusion, Robotnik is able to take Porker hostage and demands the Chaos Emeralds from Sonic.
Naturally, Sonic has no choice but to submit to his demands. Robotnik and Knuckles escape in a shuttle - but the pursuing Sonic and Tails force the doctor to crash land on the Floating Island yet again.
“Zonerunner And The Flock - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
Whilst escaping through the pipe system in the Chemical Plant Zone, Tails becomes separated from Sonic and stumbles across the robot Nutzan Bolt, who's plotting to use the zone`s poisonous waste to flood the Emerald Hill Zone until it`s uninhabitable! Realising that he`s been overheard, Nutzan turns on Tails with murder in mind.
Cover: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #36 - October 1994  | "Power Of The Chaos Emeralds - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Again Sonic and Knuckles end up brawling! Sonic pretends to be beaten, but secretly follows Knuckles and Robotnik's escape. Sonic arrives just in time to see Robotnik absorb the Chaos Energy to become invincible!
Knuckles realizes that Robotnik lied to him, but is already prepared as he uses the concealed seventh Grey Emerald to regain control over the other emeralds!
Robotnik is sent back to Mobius with his new powers removed, and Sonic asks Knuckles to join the Freedom Fighters; but Knuckles chooses to stay on the Floating Island; to guard the emeralds and wait for his people to return.
“Zonerunner And The Flock - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
It looks like curtains for the cornered fox, but a flash grenade suddenly blinds Nutzan, and he`s grabbed and pulled into an underground pipe system. His rescuer introduces herself as Sab - one of a group of freedom fighters known as The Flock, who used to live in the zone before it was industrialised, and now fight Robotnik from their underground base in The Runs. Recognising Tails as a zonerunner - one who travels the zones fighting Robotnik - she asks him to join them in their sabotage plan.
If she's that observant, you'd think that she'd noticed that he's yet to actually do anything but wish Sonic was around in this story, wouldn't you?
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #37 - October 1994  | "Robotnik's Revenge - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
As Knuckles decides to finally remove the Death Egg from the Floating Island Sonic and the gang are preparing to evacuate now Robotnik knows where there base is (see issue 34) but their to late. Robotnik arrives in force and the gang are cornered inside their base, meanwhile on the Island Knuckles has Grimer cornered.
"Zonerunner And The Flock - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
It`s a precarious journey - not helped by the fact that Tails can't even switch on a hoverpad correctly and only manages to operate it by accident - but Tails and the Flock travel by hoverpad to the heart of the Chemical Plant Zone, where Nutzan Bolt and his henchmen are busily implementing their plans. During the ensuing battle, Tails finds himself facing Nutzan Bolt yet again, alone and with nowhere to run...
Cover: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #38 - October 1994  | "Robotnik's Revenge - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Massive and well drawn fight scenes ensure as Sonic, Tails Johnny must fight Robotnik inside their base whilst Porker protects the Ring that he stored the Kintobar computer on. When Knuckles arrives they manage to turn the odds back on their side but there's still a minor army of Badniks following them. When the durst clears Robotnik has escaped and Knuckles leaves on a flying egg that Robotnik left behind and Sonic and co begin their charade as Bob Beaky's travelling circus.
"Zonerunner And The Flock - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
Nutzan has Tails cornered yet again, but the canny young fox crushes him in an electronic door, decapitating him and causing him to retreat. Whilst this is going on, The Flock re-secure the toxic waste, thus saving the Emerald Hill Zone. Tails is hailed as a hero, but - as ever - receives only a dressing down from Sonic when he returns home.
And, as ever, the villain is defeated by pure dumb luck and the fox`s incompetence as he frantically tries to escape. If the purpose of these solo stories is really to see Tails maturing and developing an individual identity, then almost eighteen months into the comic's run would surely be a good point to see some signs?
Cover: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #39 - November 1994  | "Sonic No More?"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Ferran Rodrigues
Fleetway loves reminding us that Sonic wasn't always blue and that his speed was a result of an accident, so it turns out that Professor Neinstein created a machine capable of switching the accident before he died. Robotnik and Grimer ambush Sonic on his morning run and stick Sonic's powers into Robotnik. The result: A pathetic spiky brown hedgehog and a super fast fat blue Robotnik.
Fortunately when Badniks arrive they open fire on Robotnik mistaking him for Sonic, Grimer switches the settings and Sonic smashes the machine.
"The Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Knuckles returns from the events of `Robotnik`s Revenge` to find that an amusement park has mysteriously sprung up on the Floating Island. When he investigates, the Marxio Brothers appear, with a proposal...
Readers who expected Knuckles` entrance to follow up a suitably dramatic, enigmatic (and a few more -atics that I don`t feel like going into at the moment) opening story were suddenly confronted with some less than subtle apparent comic relief.
Cover: Jon Howard |
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Sonic The Comic #40 - December 1994  | “The Frozen Zone”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Cassanovas
Sonic, Tails, Porker and Johnny travel to the Pleasant Zone, where a mysterious onset of snow has turned all of the inhabitants into giant ice statues. They accidentally fall through a hole in the ice into the lair of The Chiller - a villain wishing to lower the temperature of Mobius with a giant machine.
“The Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Knuckles innocently agrees to let the Marxios remain on the condition that some of their profits go towards restoring the Floating Island. However, they have a hidden agenda, and it`s not long before he`s unknowingly riding on a booby-trapped rollercoaster!
Cover: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #41 - December 1994  | "Icecap Attack - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley
The Freedom Fighters are confronted by a mass of badniks, appearing from a warp directly to the Icecap Zone. Sonic leaps through, just in time to help a beseiged Knuckles, and the feuding pair decide to call a seasonal truce - but a watching Robotnik could ruin their plans.
"In Good Hands"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
With the rest of the Freedom Fighters lured away by a fake distress call, Amy single-handedly defends the Emerald Hill Zone from attack, and modestly forgets that anything was ever amiss when the others return.
The first sign of Amy developing her own distinct personality away from the group, and a promising one. She seems to learn a lot faster than Tails does, at any rate.
"The Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Knuckles survives the rollercoaster and is even more favourable towards the Marxios than before, thinking it to be the best ride that he`s ever had in his life!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #42 - January 1995  | "Icecap Attack - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Mike Hadley
Sonic and Knuckles become trapped as they investigate Robotnik`s base within the Icecap Zone, but Knuckles tunnels them both out of trouble and the Doctor is sent packing. Sonic frees a number of Emerald Hill folk taken prisoner in the chaos, destroys Robotnik`s warp technology and heads home – just in time for some suitably festive snow.
But it looks as though Sonic and Knuckles may have recognised each other`s usefulness for once.
"The Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Reduced to a desk job, Knuckles is itching to make a proper job of destroying the Launch Base Zone. But when he tries to leave, the Marxios reveal their true colous in the form of a souped-up battle armour which pounds the echidna until he`s left lying in rubble!
"Hero Of Mobius"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
It`s evening in the caravan of Bob Beaky`s Travelling Circus. Sonic is so busy recounting his badnik smashing exploits that all he can do is point out that Tails wasn't there, and was probably off hiding somewhere (when in fact, he was off doing his own thing in the Nameless Zone).
A despondent young fox slips out of the caravan for some fresh air, and considers why he is always treated so unfairly, until Johnny appears and asks whether or not he would like to join the group on a raid. He accepts without hesitation, but when Johnny goes to fetch the others, a familiar portal appears... It`s the Enchanter Kings, summoning their Champion back to the Nameless Zone!
Interestingly, this storyline was never followed up.
“A Day In The Life Of Doctor Robotnik”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Mike Hadley
As its title suggests, this story follows an allegedly typical day in the life of Mobius` great dictator - from incinerating unsatisfactory badniks to chastising Grimer, and from his plans for robotosizing Sonic to a surprising choice in bedtime reading.
Every series needs some comic relief occasionally, but perhaps this shouldn`t have occupied the main series` slot. After the intensity of the previous plotlines, the comic artwork and pacing just seem disjointing somehow. It seems strange to see Robotnik as a serious threat one moment, and a fan of teenage romance fiction the next.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #43 - January 1995  | “Badniks Bridge - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Cassanovas
Sonic races to stop a thruster – urgently needed to repair the Death Egg – from being carried over the Emerald Valley Bridge. Caught and caged by troopers from the Special Badnik Service, he can only watch as the convoy advances, and is about to be blown up by a mine which he himself has planted!
“The Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part Five”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
An out-for-revenge Knuckles is kept at bay by badniks as the first visitors arrive in the Carnival Night Zone, and must find a way of defeating them without taking innocent casualties in the process.
Cover: Steve White |
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Sonic The Comic #44 - February 1995  | “Badniks Bridge - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Cassanovas
Amy and Johnny arrive just in time to catch Sonic as he plummets from the bridge, having spun his way out of confinement. Borrowing the plane`s tool kit, he removes the wheels friom the thruster`s transporter. Amy then issues the coup de grace with her crossbow, detonating the mine from a safe distance and incinerating the whole caboodle.
One of those rare stories which overtly shows how badly the gang is actually needed...
“The Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part Six”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Knuckles removes the badniks by simply burrowing along the foundations of the Carnival Night Zone, causing it to crash to Mobius before the visitors can enter it. The Marxios flee, leaving Knuckles to face a less-than-pleased Robotnik, whenever he should appear.
All in all, barring the strange contrast of the Marxios, an impressive debut for the enigmatic echidna. It helps that he has the best writer and artist available on the job, but the character is well-rounded and subtly different from any of the more gung-ho freedom fighters, and nothing is left either too unexplained, or explained enough to not have you wondering what`s to come.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #45 - February 1995  | "Day of the Death Egg"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Over the Launch Base Zone on the Floating Island the Death Egg slowly rises into the air as Doctor Robotnik celebrates the completion of his master project and decides his first target will be the Emerald Hill Zone. Meanwhile in that zone Sonic and Tails continue smashing the latest group of badniks to attack the zone, but as the last Rhinobot falls to pieces the sky goes strangely dark. Meanwhile the Emerald Hill folk watch as an unpredicted Solar Eclipse blocks out the sun, complete with an unusual moustache. As the people marvel at the sight two red eyes flare red and Robotnik opens fire on the townspeople demanding that Sonic be brought to him. Sonic and Tails arrive and Tails decides to try and fly up to the Death Egg, but Robotnik opens fire and Tails is incinerated. Furious Sonic races up a hill to launch himself at the Death Egg but Robotnik fires again, this time with a powerful enough blast to destroy most of the Emerald Hill Zone.
Grimer switches the lights back on as his demonstration ends, leaving Robotnik egg-static. They received a new Main Thruster that morning and the real launch of the Death Egg is only weeks away.
"Enter The Cybernik - Part One"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona & John M. Burns
Shorty the squirrel has never left anyone in any doubt that he hates Robotnik and anyone associated with him, but his big mouth is about to get him into trouble! Cheek to Robotnik himself when captured causes him to be chosen as the test subject for a new type of Badnik - the Cybernik!
Cover: Steve 'Robo-'Cook |
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Sonic The Comic #46 - March 1995  | "The Big Con"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
When Robotnik organises a convention for all of his supporters, only a fool would dare not show his face. But it takes Sonic and Tails to recognise that the huge buildings are actually giant robotocising plants, destroy them, evacuate the hapless citizens, and generally save the day.
This is one of the first instances of the usually passive citizens of Mobius beginning to fight back against their ruler, and adds a surprisingly serious note to the proceedings.
"Enter The Cybernik - Part Two"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona & John M. Burns
Shorty the squirrel is now the prototype Cybernik - forever! But Robotnik gets the shock of his life when his new weapon`s stubborn nature reasserts itself, giving it the free will to turn against him and set off to save his home zone from attack.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #47 - March 1995  | "Mystery Of The Sandopolis Zone - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kiching
Artist: Richard Elson
On a trip to the Floating Island, Sonic goes to the Sandopolis Zone to stop Robotnik from finishing the repairs on the Death Egg - but meets Captain Plunder instead. Back to his old, evil ways, he plans to steal a treasure from one of the zone's ancient pyramids.
Enter The Cybernik - Part Three"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona & John M. Burns
Shorty is able to defeat the robotocising parties, saving his home zone and his friends, but nothing can alter the fact that he will eternally be a badnik. Taking the nickname Shortfuse in allusion to his volatilre temper, he pledges to use his new form as a force for good in the fight to bring Robotnik down.
Cover: Jon Howard |
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Sonic The Comic #48 - April 1995  | "Mystery Of The Sandopolis Zone - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic battles the Stone Guardian of the pyramid, which reforms magically each time it is destroyed. Enter the cavalry in the shape of Knuckles, who outwits the guardian by luring it into a quicksand pit!
Meanwhile, Captain Plunder and his crew have found the treasure and try to carry it away - but the pyramid is cursed, and attacked by ghosts, the pirates are forced to flee empty-handed.
Inside the pyramid, Knuckles smashes a seal to allow the sand from the zone to pour inside, making the pyramid sink under the desert and keeping its treasures safe forever as Sonic and Knuckles escape through a secret exit.
“Zonerunner And The Big Freeze - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
Tails is enjoying a quiet nap when he`s woken by a drone with a message from Sab - and it looks as though she`s in trouble! He immediately takes a hoverpad to the Chemical Plant Zone, only to find it covered in huge, noxious clouds, and is only just able to make it to the Flock`s hideout. But there`s no one there except the turncoat Sol Furic, last seen working for Robotnik...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #49 - April 1995  | "Countdown To Disaster - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
The repairs on the Death Egg are finished! All that is needed for the takeoff is a source of infinite energy to power it. A source named: The Master Emerald!
Below the island's surface, Sonic and Knuckles have followed the tunnels to a live volcano right in the middle of the Launch Base Zone, with the Death Egg sitting atop! They arrive to see the Emerald Chamber open, and the Master Emerald gone. Without its energy, the Floating Island is doomed to crash on Mobius in a few hours.
They search the chamber, and discover a new and improved Metallix charging itself up on the Master Emerald's power.
"Zonerunner And The Big Freeze - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
Sol explains that Robotnik discovered the Flock`s hideout and destroyed them along with it; and also that Tails - now cornered with a gun to his head - is blamed for betraying the location of the Runs, and is a fox with a price on his head!
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #50 - April 1995  | "Countdown To Disaster - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
The Metal Sonic uses one of the ancient teleporters to teleport to the Sky Sanctuary Zone, and reveals that he wants to take revenge for the first Metallix that Sonic destroyed - which was only one of an elite brotherhood of badniks!
Charged with the awesome power of the Master Emerald, it proves to be almost invincible. Knuckles is knocked unconscious, and Sonic also faces defeat - until one blow knocks him clean across to the Master Emerald, where the emerald's energy transforms him into Super Sonic.
Sonic quickly defeats the Metallix, and the Master Emerald is still placed on the teleporter device. But before Sonic can save it, Robotnik teleports it into the Death Egg!
With the emerald removed from the island, the Sky Sanctuary Zone is starting to fall apart - and the Floating Island will follow!
“Zonerunner And The Big Freeze - Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
Just as it looks as though Sol is about to collect the bounty on Tails` pelt, someone charge in and saves the day - it`s Sab! It turns out that she escaped the explosion which wiped out the rest of the Flock, and she explains to Sol (apparently an ex-lover) that it was not Tails who caused the Zone to begin to freeze, but Nutzan Bolt, framing the fox and back for revenge. They set off to stop him.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #51 - May 1995  | “Face From The Past - Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist:
The Freedom Fighters rescue a hedgehog from a badnik transport convoy, and he proclaims himself to be Tonic, Sonic`s long lost brother! When Sonic, being an orphan, denies any ties with him, the newcomer flees deep into the woods of the Emerald Hil Zone, apparently heartbroken. Tails generously decides to follow to see whether the stranger is okay, only to witness Metamorphia changing back into her natural state! And none too pleased at having been seen...
“Zonerunner And The Big Freeze - Part Four”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
Tails, Sab and Sol arrive at Nutzan Bolt`s headquarters, where the head that Tails severed during their last encounter has a new body of "living ice" - and a machine that could freeze the whole of Mobius! Tails is left with yet another showdown with Nutzan to contend with. Grabbed and held firm, he finds himself unable to break free from the ice, but succeeds in making Nutzan so angry that it melts. The head manages to make its escape, but the sheep have deactivated the machine. Leaving Sab and Sol to their reconciliation, Tails returns home just in time to get another dressing down from Sonic.
Oh, come on! Tails defeats Nutzan by basically infuriating him to death. This is just getting silly!
Cover: Carl Flint
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Sonic The Comic #52 - May 1995  | "Disaster! - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic has reached the control room, but can't get to the Master Emerald! With Robotnik distracted from firing on the Emerald Hill Zone by attack from the Floating Island, Sonic is able to remove the Master Emerald, leaving the Death Egg without energy.
As Robotnik sends his Egg-Robos after Sonic to retrieve the emerald, the Death Egg is hit by another attack from the Floating Island - the shockwaves of the impact cause Sonic, the emerald, and several Egg-Robos to crash through a window and fall out of the satellite towards the earth!
“Knuckles versus the Cybernik”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: John Moore
Knuckles is none too pleased to find a badnik prowling around on his island, and attacks accordingly. The pair have almost wiped each other out when the stranger finally manages to introduce himself as Shortfuse the Cybernik - a force for good - and the pair call a truce in the interests of their common aim: the freedom of Mobius.
A simple battle story, but introduces possibly the continuity's two most stubborn, bloody-minded and downright amoral characters to one another, leaving plenty of room for plot development.
“Face From The Past - Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Gary Andrews
Sonic arrives just in time to save Tails from a grisly fate beneath the mallet of Metamorphia, but is unable to prevent her from making her escape. This does, however, give him ample time to gloat about how well the others were fooled. Which he`s very good at, as we know.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #53 - June 1995  | "Disaster! - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
It's all over for the Death Egg, being torn apart as Knuckles' continues attacks from the Floating Island! As Sonic flies back to the island by using an Egg-Robo's jet pack, a battle-armoured Robotnik executes a final attack on Sonic in his battle armour, but Sonic pushes him off the island's edge.
Knuckles agrees to let Sonic evacuate the Emerald Hill zone residents to the Mushroom Hill Zone on the Floating Island, where they'll be safe from attack for the time being.
What could be just another big fight scene has a distinctly raw edge in the shape of one echidna defending his home with all he's got, and an awful lot of pathos in that ethereal scene of the arrival of the evacuees.
"Total Chaotix - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
While checking the damage done to the Floating Island by the blasts of Robotnik's Death Egg, Knuckles discovers a strange circular stone with ancient writing on it, that cryptically says something about a "Gateway to a Dream Country".
Sucked in as he touches the stone, he realises that the writing said "Nightmare Country" - the name Knuckles' people used for the weird dimension known as the Special Zone!
Once in the zone he meets the Omni-Viewer, who still believes that Knuckles is working for Robotnik, and sends its own team of guardians - the Chaotix: Vector, Mighty, Espio, Charmy Bee... and Nack the weasel!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #54 - June 1995  | "Beware Predicto"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Cassanovas
The new badnik seems to resist all of Sonic`s best attempts to bring it down by being able to counteract his every move. It introduces itself as Predicto, and invites each of the Freedom Fighters in turn to test its knowledge of their attack patterns, besting them all. Sonic is only able to confound and subsequently destroy it by pretending to surrender, which he, of course, would never do.
"Total Chaotix - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Despite the Chaotix's abilities, Knuckles defeats all of them one by one. Meanwhile, the Omni-Viewer has checked Knuckles' story and found out that Knuckles is no enemy - but it's too late!
At that moment, two Metallixes appear! They've been sent by the Brotherhood of Metallix to capture the Omni-Viewer and use it for their own ends.
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #55 - July 1995  | "The Great Escape - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
As Robotnik fumes over the whereabouts of the missing Emerald Hill Zone residents (safely hidden on the Floating Island), the Freedom Fighters mount an attack on a badnik processing plant to rescue some of the final few. They attempt to break in whilst disguised as badniks - but are discovered by the guards!
Yet another story which illustrates the increasing strength of the Mobian resistance.
"Total Chaotix - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Knuckles and the Chaotix pursue the Metallixes and their captive to Robotnik's Egg Fortress. But their stealth is undone when Mighty uses brute force to break through the outer hull - and triggers the alarm!
Cover: Keith Page |
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Sonic The Comic #56 - July 1995  | “The Great Escape - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
After brawling with the guards, how do the Freedom Fighters get themselves and their charges out of a sealed building? Freeing himself, the supervisor thinks that he has them cornered in a broom cupboard, only to find that it conceals a Star Post, and that everyone except Sonic has disappeared. Sonic delivers a final rebuke, before making his escape as more guards rush in.
"Total Chaotix - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Emperor Metallix sends a Metallix to intercept the intruders! Knuckles and the Chaotix hide in the ventillation system, but are spotted by the robot's infra-red sensors.
Nack makes a run for it as the other Chaotix get buried under the debris caused by the Metallix' blasts - and with the Chaotix gone, Knuckles has to face the entire Metallix army alone...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #57 - August 1995  | “The Rampage Of Mekanik - Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching & John M. Burns
The Stone Tower Zone is under attack from a new, huge badnik that Sonic and the Freedom Fighters can`t even dent! As they beat a strategic retreat, Shortfuse the Cybernik flies into the fray, and mounts a joint aerial attack whilst Amy and Johnny provide a distraction.
Riding Shortfuse, Sonic divebombs the robot`s head from the air - but a burst of flame from its mouth knocks the Cybernik into the distance, leaving Sonic in its metallic clutches with the flames only inches away!
"Total Chaotix - Part Five"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Knuckles is able to defeat the Metallix, and Mighty's strength saves the other Chaotix from being crushed by the rubble. Meanwhile, Nack resurfaces - revealing that he's found out where the Onmi-Viewer is being kept, but only ends up leading them right to Emperor Metallix!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #58 - August 1995  | “The Rampage Of Mekanik - Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching & John M. Burns
Amy and Johnny rush off in search of Shortfuse, and find him dazed but unharmed. They arrive back just in time for Shortfuse to blast Sonic free as he is about to be devoured, and - in the middle of a battle! - pause to rethink their strategy. Amy managed to fire a crossbow bolt between Mekanik`s plating, and Sonic and Shortfuse decide to attack it from the inside, Shortfuse`s lasers breaking a hole in its leg that Sonic can fit into. Once inside, Sonic runs until the supersonic vibrations cause Mekanik to shake itself apart, before emerging to the obligatory gloryhogging (pun intentional - honest!).
Shortfuse leaves, feeling slightly cheated; but not half as much as Robotnik, who is already planning revenge with his next project: Project Brutus!
"Total Chaotix - Part Six"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
The truth finally comes out: Nack betrayed the Chaotix for money, and also gave the Brotherhood of Metallix the access codes to break into the Omni-Viewer's systems.
When the Metallixes are not willing to keep their part of the bargain, Nack pulls out a disruptor device, but gets shot by one of the Metallixes before he can use it, leaving it to Knuckles to grab the disruptor and shut the Metallixes down.
After being freed, the Omni-Viewer returns Knuckles to the Floating Island. But, unknown to everyone, the Brotherhood of Metallix had a backup system that re-activated them - and they've also kept a pirate copy of the Omni-Viewer, which now enables them to have control over space and time...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #59 - September 1995  | "The Brotherhood Of The Metallix - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic and The Freedom Fighters receive a signal from the Metropolis Zone, which originates from a new kind of Badnik! It turns out to be a clown-like robot that calls itself Mr. Blobnik.
Its foolish appearance, however, is only a trick to put Sonic off guard. When Sonic smashes the robot he is caught inside a prison bubble and transported to Citadel Robotnik!
Meanwhile, the Brotherhood of Metallix captures Robotnik's assistant Grimer, and brings him to Robotnik's old base in the Special Zone: the Egg Fortress. They want him to develop a device that can control the power of the Miracle Planet...
Note to the perplexed: Mr. Blobnik was based on a semi-notorious television character of the period: Mr. Blobby. Originally created as a a parody by a BBC prankster to see how far celebrities would go when placed in outrageous situations for the sake of a fictional children's TV show (think Punk'd with less subtlety and more chunky-knit cardigans), he took on a life of his own, outgrowing the show he was created for, spawning a number one single, masses of merchandise and even a theme park.
"The Seven Badniks - Part One"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
Cam `n` Bert have a cunning plan to confuse Sonic by transporting badniks from the Palmtree Panic Zone to the Green Hill Zone (after all, he always knows what to expect); but they aren`t quite so keen on the idea when they have to go to the Palmtree Panic Zone to catch them.
"The Revenge of Trogg - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Knuckles is busy in his Emerald Chamber on the Floating Island when a sensor reports an energy surge in the Mushroom Hill Zone. Fearing an attack on the relocated Emerald Hill Folk, he goes to investigate - just in time to see Tails disappearing into a mysterious green portal. He follows, and finds himself in the Nameless Zone!
It turns out that the two Enchanter Kings have been taken captive and are being held in the hostile land across the Dimension Bridge. Errol Blackthorn was sent to attempt a rescue, but has returned transformed into the same sort of hideous creature as Trogg, and just as homicidal!
Around this time - most likely due to licensing agreements - you could`ve been forgiven for thinking that Fleetway seemed to have some sort of irrational love affair with Knuckles, fitting him into any context that they could. They seemed convinced that he could do no wrong, so who better to pair him with than a character who they never let do anything right?
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #60 - September 1995  | "The Brotherhood of Metallix - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Robotnik has finally captured Sonic - but has to join forces with him to defeat the overwhelming forces of the Metallixes.
All entrances to the Special Zone have been sealed, and Sonic is the only one who can still enter it by powering up a Star Post with his speed. He arrives just in time to see the last of the Metallixes depart to the Miracle Planet, but is unable to stop them.
"The Seven Badniks - Part Two"
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mark Hadley & John M. Burns
The B.A.R.F. - after some gentle persuasion with a hammer - collect the badniks and deliver them to the Green Hill Zone. The local badniks, however, are none too keen at having newcomers on their territory, whilst the more advanced Palmtree Panic badniks decide to destroy their older, inferior counterparts. A battle ensues, and Cam `n` Bert are forced to retreat with the sorry remains of the Zone`s original badniks, leaving the interlopers to run wild!
"The Revenge of Trogg - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
There`s no time to sort out the fact that the Nameless Zone folk have mistaken Knuckles for "Tails` sidekick", Sonic (his story and he`s being forced into sticking to it) before Tails is attacked.
Knuckles leaps in on the fox`s behalf, only to be floored himself, but recovers undaunted, knocking Errol out cold and enabling him to be safely confined in some conveniently outsized stocks. Tails decides to venture back into the Land Beyond to retrieve the Enchanter Kings, and Knuckles, relieved to be in a zone with no hero worship of Sonic, agrees to tag along.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #61 - September 1995  | "The Brotherhood Of The Metallix - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic, Amy, Johnny and Porker enter the Miracle Planet over the chain that connects it to Mobius; but whilst trying a sneak attack, they are found by a Metallix guard.
Amy defeats the robot with a shot in its neck circuity - the only weak spot. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood uses the Alpha Device that Grimer made earlier to draw energy from the planet, and slowly turn it into a mechanical wasteland!
“The Seven Badniks - Part Three”
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
Cam `n` Bert attempt to transplant the homeless Green Hill Badniks to the Palmtree Panic Zone, but arrive only to find that the Freedom Fighters are taking advantage of the peace and quiet by taking a short (and rather implausible, in the middle of a war) holiday.
They return to the Green Hill Zone, and attempt to persuade the Palmtree Panic badniks to return and fight, but they refuse to move.
Returning to their workshop, the B.A.R.F. construct "The Seven Badniks" from the remains that they collected in Green Hill - hybrid killing machines who`ll persuade the upstarts the hard way.
“The Revenge of Trogg - Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Suspicious of being followed, Tails and Knuckles discover that they are joined in the Land Beyond by Morain Blackthorn - Errol`s sword-wielding younger sister - and are busily trying to convince her to turn back when the denizens of the Land Beyond attack.
Trogg watches the battle from his scrying crystal, obsessed with his previous defeat by Tails and his desire for revenge. He reveals his plan to the captured Enchanter Kings: to summon forth the all-powerful Dark One and transform them into creatures like himself.
And with the would-be rescue party surrounded, it doesn`t look as though anyone can stop him.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #62 - October 1995  | ”The Brotherhood Of The Metallix - Part Four”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Emperor Metallix gloats over the activation of the Alpha device and the fact that an apparently captive Sonic, Amy and Johnny have been brought before him. But the Metallix which has captured them turns out to be being remotely controlled by Porker Lewis as a ruse to get close to the Emperor, and explodes as they escape, apparently taking the Emperor with it.
There`s no time to properly congratulate Porker, who quickly and successfully re-programs the Alpha device to harmlessly discharge all of its stored energy; but as the foursome leave, the Emperor uses its last vestige of strength to reactivate it.
Knowing that he`s the only one who can stop the Device, Porker turns back as the Miracle Planet fades away, leaving the other three staring into nothingness.
“The Seven Badniks - Part Four”
Writer: Mark Eyles
Artist: Mike Hadley & John M. Burns
The Seven Badniks successfully round up the renegades and Cam `n` Bert transplant them back to the Palmtree Panic Zone without difficulty. The Freedom Fighters then smash them in minutes, leaving the two sorry operatives to wonder what chance Sonic might have stood against the Seven.
“The Revenge of Trogg - Part Four”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
The captured rescue party is presented to Trogg, just in time for the summoning of the Dark One. Whilst Trogg and his goblins are distracted, the threesome free the Enchanter Kings, but the Dark One spots them trying to escape and holds them in a forcefield.
Trogg gloats at what appears to be his imminent success...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #63 - October 1995  | "Project Brutus - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Robotnik has a new robot commander: Brutus - almost indestructible and equipped with the brain patterns of Robotnik himself.
When reports indicate that Sonic has been seen in the Pleasant Hill Zone, Brutus leads a platoon of badniks into the zone to finish the hedgehog himself; without informing Robotnik.
"The Revenge of Trogg - Part Five"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
The rescue party watches helplessly as the Enchanter Kings begin to transmogrify, but the forcefield surrounding them disappears as the amount of power required for the transmogrification increases. Knuckles suggests that if the orb from which the Dark One emerged could be destroyed, and him with it.
By the time that the transmogrification is completed and the prisoners` absence noticed, they've taken the orb to the Dimension Bridge. Trogg and the Dark One arrive just in time to see Tails fling it from the bridge and into oblivion, and the Dark One plummets with it!
The transmogrified Enchanter Kings are therefore returned to normal, but there's still a very unhappy Trogg to deal with.
"Cybernik Strikes Back - Part One"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint & John Burns
Shortfuse attacks a convoy transporting prisoners, and frees the captives. One of the prisoners, a canary named Tekno, is curious as to what Shortfuse actually is - and he reveals that she was the reason that he chose that particular convoy, because he needs her engineering skills to build a bomb that will destroy a factory in the Chemical Plant Zone.
When Robotnik hears of Shortfuse`s interference, he dispatches Metamorphia to attack!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #64 - November 1995  | "Project Brutus - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
The gang have their first encounter with Brutus - and very quickly realise that he's one of the trickiest opponents that they've ever faced.
But Robotnik has his own concerns - is his star trooper malfunctioning?
"The Revenge of Trogg - Part Six"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Knuckles leaps into the fray to defend Tails and Morain. Tails lets the fact that he is not - as everyone appears to believe - Sonic, during the confusion, but Knuckles manages to send Trogg falling into the Oblivion beneath the Dimension Bridge. The trio return to the Nameless Zone, where Morain is delighted to find that Errol has been restored to his old form, but just as she is about to confront Tails, Trogg appears again! It turns out that he managed to catch hold of one of the bridge`s ropes - but as he leaps in for the kill upon everyone`s favourite two-tailed fox, something strange happens. Although it has taken longer for the enchantment to unravel, Trogg transforms back into Shirob - the third Enchanter King - and Tails and Knuckles head back to Mobius after a job well done, leaving only a confused Morain dissatisfied.
Well, a confused Morain and anyone who`s sick of seeing Tails constantly coming off worst in what`re allegedly his own strips...
"Cybernik Strikes Back - Part Two"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint & John M. Burns
Following Tekno`s directions, Shortfuse returns her to her secret workshop, where she reveals that she was formerly one of Robotnik`s engineers, and is the genius behind his armour`s revolutionary new Megatal alloy. She can therefore improve his armour - which she does - and the two of them set off on a bombing raid to the factory. However, as they prepare to leave after planting the bomb, Metamorphia appears and grabs Shortfuse... with only four minutes to go until the blast!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #65 - November 1995  | "Project Brutus - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
All looks hopeless as the gang're paraded through the streets in chains! But that wasn't what the Doctor ordered... It seems that Brutus's copied thought processes give him ambitions of his own - and the chain gang of captives escape in the ensuing confusion.
As Brutus corners them, Sonic reacts to stress as well as he normally does - turning into Super Sonic!
"The Homecoming - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles is in a nostalgic mood, and musing on hether the Floating Island can ever be restored to its former glory when the island's alarm system sounds!
The intruder turns out to be a strange robot which resents Knuckles interrupting whatever it's doing, and a rumble ensues. But when Knuckles despatches it and investigates what it was so intent on, he finds the one thing he never expected: another echidna!
"Cybernik Strikes Back - Part Three"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint & John M. Burns
Metamorphia proves tough. As Shortfuse lies stunned following a prolonged battle, she grabs Tekno and heads off towards Robotnik`s fortress, leaving the cybernik in the centre of the blast zone as the bomb explodes.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #66 - December 1995  | "Project Brutus - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Even Brutus isn't quite sure what to do against an enraged Super Sonic, who can't be stopped by bullets, glue, troopers or even an attempt to use Amy as a meatshield.
Brutus beats a retreat to the Metropolis Zone to fact the music from an angry Robotnik and appear contrite - for now - at reminders that he's "just a robot"...
"The Homecoming - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Doctor Zachary and Knuckles're apparently hoping to fill each other in on the Floating Island's past history, but Zachary is still concerned that last issue's robot marauder won't have given up on its mission to hunt him down.
Confident that he did a good job of seeing it off last issue but sure that he's seen the design before, Knuckles consults a library of ancient scrolls detailing the island's technology - and is heading off to ask Zachary why the robot seems to be part of the island's own technology when the machine comes back for more.
As Zachary seems paralysed with fear, Knuckles leaps to his defence - but even he can't stop the machine from brushing them both aside and shattering the Master Emerald!
"Cybernik Strikes Back - Part Four"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint & John M. Burns
Blown into the nearby sea by the force of the explosion, Shortfuse is pinned under debris, but escapes by means of his jet boots and sets off to rescue Tekno. Meanwhile, Metamorphia as had her shape-shifting powers removed and been sentenced to robotocisation as a punishment for failing to prevent the destruction of the factory.
This could open up whole new avenues for her character - and I don`t just mean a vengeance plot...
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #67 - December 1995  | "The Return of Chaotix - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
With a month gone by, the Miracle Planet returns and Sonic's there to meet it - as well as Porker Lewis, who's apparently none the worse for his own little adventure.
But he's not the only person dimension-hopping. The Omni-viewer deposits the Chaotix onto Mobius - unfortunately into the middle of a badnik attack, but they only just have time to each show off their individual strengths before Sonic (with Porker in tow) arruves to mop up.
They're convinced that the Brotherhood of Metallix're still up to no good - and Sonic's assurances that he dealt with that little threat once and for all look a bit weak when the Miracle Planet transmogrifies before their eyes!
"The Homecoming - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles lies amongst the rubble as his attempt to prevent the robot from draining the power of the Chaos Emeralds fails - and Zacjary reveals his true colours and true plan: to use the chaos-powered robot to seek and destroy all echidnas - and obliterate Mobius as a warm-up!
"Cybernik Strikes Back - Part Five"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint & John M. Burns
Shortfuse battles his way into Robotnik`s inner sanctum, but Metamorphia threatens that it`ll be the worst for Tekno if the cybernik refuses to surrender. Realising that Metamorphia is without her powers, Tekno deals with the threat herself, leaving them both alone with Robotnik. Shortfuse takes aim with a laser, but cannot bring himself to kill, whereupon the duo escape back to Tekno`s base. As Metamorphia berrates Robotnik that her shape-changing ability could have made a difference, Shortfuse and Tekno go their separate ways.
So that was Tekno`s debut, was it? We have an interesting character afoot here - part screaming professional hostage (viva clich�!) and part actually useful. Somehow, you can`t help knowing that she`s going to be back...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #68 - January 1996  | "The Return of Chaotix - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
With the Emperor having had an uninterrupted month to work on his conquest of the Miracle Planet, there's no time to lose. Sonic, Porker and the Chaotix set off for the hostile, newly alien surface - but halfway there, they're in for a shock: their travelling companion isn't Porker at all, but a powerful Metallix sent to lull them into a false sense of security and finish them off!
After Sonic punishes it during a pause for monologuing, the Chaotix showcase their Sega-given abilities yet again in making sure that the exploding unit is well out of range.
Undaunted by the idea of a whole planet of these things, our heroes press on and soon find the real Porker - along with Emperor Metallix, who explains that the Brotherhood's cunningly pirated copy of the Omni-viewer is behind the sudden change in the appearance of Mobius - or should I say Planet Metallix?
"The Homecoming - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Without the power of the emeralds, there's nothing that Knuckles can do to stop the Floating Island from crashing towards Mobius. As it perches precariously on a mountain top, it's time for a showdown between Knuckles and Zachary - whose robot has been damaged to the extent where he can't escape the crash, but is still determined to take Knuckles down himself.
As Knuckles dismantles his opponent's armour, an earthquake sends Zachary plummeting over the island's edge before we can even find out any answers - but the power contained in the robot head he leaves behind proves a useful substitute for the Master Emerald, so order is restored to our lone echidna.
For now.
”Snow Business”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
Amy is relaxing on a wintry day, having got away from Sonic`s boasting, only to stumble across a frozen badnik, which has only just thawed out and is looking for something to destroy. She despatches it with ease, but still faces a belittling from Sonic when she rejoins the others, since the whole incident went unnoticed.
Yet again, it`s nice to see one of the subordinate characters actually getting out on their own - and being competent, too! But, as is the case with Tails, thou must not do anything in front of the star. Thou might just show him up...
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #69 - January 1996  | "The Return of Chaotix - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
In a move that'd have Predicto (remember him?) seriously confused, even Sonic can be persuaded that this time, it won't be any use to stand and fight.
The Mobians leap into the Omni-viewer in pursuit of Sonic's idea of rounding up any survivors - only to be confronted with exactly how likely that is in an understatedly grim single page (say what you like about Fleetway, but they never had any taboo over the use of "the d-word").
With Metallix on all sides, it looks as though the idea of resistance may be short-lived until Sonic finally stumbles upon some flesh and blood inhabitants in the nick of time, and introduced to their leader...
"The Graveyard - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles sets off to the one place on his island that he's never set foot on, in search of a replacement for the missing Master Emerald. But conditions're treacherous, and as his mask is torn away, is it just the strange effects of the local vegetation which causes the bones around him to rise, calling for his punishment for unknown "sins"?
“Brute Force - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
Commander Brutus is behaving strangely, separating his captives into two groups and delivering only one to Robotnik. When he collects the two portable mind scanners that he ordered Grimer to build, he reveals his hidden agenda by instantly using them on the scientist - giving him not only Robotnik`s ambition - but Grimer`s knowledge, which will enable him to construct his own badnik army!
Cover: Nigel Dobbyn |
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Sonic The Comic #70 - February 1996  | "The Return of Chaotix - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic's recapping his origin story again - but this time, it's to Kintobor himself, whose newly twisted timeline means that the whole accident never happened.
Armed with an untested anti-Metallix device, Sonic and the Chaotix decide to utilise the Omni-viewer's apparent ability as a time travel conduit to return to the past and rectify whatever was changed - even if they have to fight their way through an entire time stream of Metallix to do so.
The anti-Metallix device turns out to turn them against their own, so fixing it to one of them soon sorts out that little problem - but Sonic's presumably so distracted by everything (it surely can't be that he's not very bright, can it...?) to figure out why the rotten egg that one of the mangled wrecks contains seems familiar...
"The Graveyard - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
With Knuckles safely trapped in the very cave he was trying to reach, the Spirit of the Kohenyu Herd explains why it's taken such a strong dislike to him.
It seems that the ancient echidnas - not knowing how few of the creatures could breed - hunted them to extinction, and that Knuckles must now be held accountable for the ignorance of his ancestors.
“Brute Force - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
In a notable continuity slip, Brutus reveals that he is manufacturing his own secret army from the Misery Zone (see `The Unbeatable Foe`). With his own badniks complete, he launches an attack on the Cotton Factory Zone, with only Johnny Lightfoot to stand in his way!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #71 - February 1996  | "The Return of Chaotix - Part Five"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Another recap of the origin of his speed is finally enough to remind Sonic of the significance of the rotten egg - but in some impressive use of dramatic irony, he decides not to mention to the Chaotix exactly why he leaves the egg back in its place in the fridge and asks to be taken one day forward in time.
Given Sonic's normal tendency to monologue, you might expect a lot more dialogue and recapping during the scene where Sonic is revealed as ultimately responsible for creating his own nemesis - but it's all left to visuals and the reader's imagination until the angst sets in.
There's some consolation, as "Planet Metallix" has returned to normal and only the Miracle Planet remains under Metallix control - but Sonic and the Chaotix have a stop-off to make before that confrontation...
"The Graveyard - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles makes a last ditch attempt to escape with a fresh emerald as the Kohenyu spirits close in - leading to a tense stand-off as he discovers the Soul Crystal keeping alive this last trace of the herd!
“Brute Force - Part Three”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
Johnny tricks Brutus` badniks into destroying Robotnik`s cotton factory and freeing its slaves. But before he can celebrate, he is grabbed by Brutus, who applies a mind scanner. This gives him not only the Freedom Fighters` secret identity as Bob Beaky`s Travelling Circus, but the location of the hidden Emerald Hill Folk on the Floating Island!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #72 - March 1996  | "The Return of Chaotix - Part Six"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
In a display of hitherto unknown logic, Sonic suspcts that the Metallix must have had a particular reason for wanting to prevent Robotnik from ever being created, and it turns out that it's the self-destruct programme that he built into each one.
Sonic's understandably more than a little resentfl at the revelation that the Metallix were supposed to finish him before the Doctor finished them by himself, but there's no time for recriminations as the Metallix attack en masse!
Sonic's right in the ultimate quick fix solution being something of an anti-climax somehow - as is the complete lack of consequences for Robotnik (maybe his new sense of responsibility has something to do with that, although unlike Wile E. Coyote, Sonic can't even eat whatever he catches).
But the cliffhanger shows promise, and the understated characterisation of Porker belies a big theme for later.
"The Graveyard - Part Four"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles and the Kohenyu finally find that they have something in common: the sense of loneliness...
“Odour Zone”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Mark Hadley
Sonic travels to the eponymous zone, where Marcel Skunk, the leader of its underground movement, has been turned into Mobius` biggest badnik and is destroying anything in his path. Sonic is able to behead the giant with surprising ease when he catches up with it, and Robotnik flees, leaving Marcel and Sonic to celebrate.
Somehow, the point of this story goes over my head. It does nothing for the continuity except to prove that Fleetway will stoop as low as an Antoine-esque pseudo-French accent at the flimsiest excuse...
“Brute Force - Part Four”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
It appears that when Brutus scanned Johnny`s mind, he collected not only the rabbit`s thoughts, but his personality! When Brutus begins to behave like a Freedom Fighter - destroying his own badniks - he is forced to wipe out all traces of Johnny`s knowledge, and destroys his own mind scanners before they can do further damage. He retreats, but vows to return.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #73 - March 1996  | “The Spinball Wizard”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Keith Page
Depressed at his lack of recognition whilst he looks through Sonic`s fan mail, Tails receives a letter from an alleged fan asking him to the Casino Night Zone, and sets off without a second thought. A suspicious Sonic follows at a discreet distance, and arrives to find Tails tied to a giant pinball table, and Robotnik eagerly waiting to literally squash any of the hedgehog`s rescue attempts with a well aimed ball. It looks as though it`s curtains for Sonic until Tails is able to free himself and direct the ball into the Egg-o-Matic, but the only recognition that the fox gets upon their returning home is an overdue notice for his library books.
One of very few of the main Sonic stories for the Tails fan, even if the payoff does leave no doubt about who`s Sega`s little blue-spiked boy.
“The New Master Emerald”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
When Knuckles attempts to transfer the power of the Master Emerald from the robot head to its replacement, it attacks to protect itself. Knuckles mounts a sneak attack by tunneling up to it, but the exertion of the fight is such that the robot`s energy level is too low, and it begins a self-destruct sequence. When Knuckles disables this, he finds that the robot is a conscious being, freed from Zachary`s influence by the energy drain, and may be a valuable source of information about his people.
“Fox On The Run - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
Tails rescues a young mouse nicknamed - aptly enough - Tantrum, and is about to return him home when he is interrupted by Fleabyte, a cybernetic feline bounty hunter convinced that Robotnik will honour the reward that he has placed on Tails` capture. With no option other than to drag Tantrum along, Tails makes his escape; but the mouse decides to escape in a different direction - an attempt ending with both of them plummeting down a huge shaft!
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #74 - March 1996  | “Mission To The Metropolis Zone”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Sonic and Johnny are taken prisoner during a mission to the eponymous zone, leaving only Amy to escape, but when the captives are presented to Robotnik, they reveal that their capture was only a ruse to allow Amy to break into Robotnik`s information centre and delete valuable knowledge. Sonic and Johnny escape through a ventilation shaft, just in time to help Amy, who has completed her part of the mission but been caught by troopers. The three of them exit following a successful raid.
“The Ghost Ship - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Captain Plunder and his crew crah onto the Floating Island during a storm, and are discovered by Knuckles and Porker.
“Fox On The Run - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
Tails and Tantrum contend with badniks in a network of lava-filled underground caverns, whilst Fleabyte tracks them from above.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #75 - April 1996 | ”Smokey And The Badnik”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
A young Metropolis Zone inhabitant named Smokey sneaks out to meet his unusual best friend - a rogue badnik - but their rendezvous is interrupted by Sonic. Not unreasonably misunderstanding the situation, he almost destroys the machine, until Smokey`s desperate pleas strike a chord and he leaves the unusual pair alone.
This story is a firm favourite with the fans, and you can see why. In the midst of the war, we have a snapshot of what it`s doing to the ordinary Mobians. And if badniks are going to have minds of their own – as their colloquial speech has suggested – then things like this`re bound to happen. Saccharine, yes. Mawkish, definitely. But nice.
“The Ghost Ship - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Captain Plunder asks Knuckles to raise the Floating Island even higher in pursuit of the mysterious `Ghost Ship of the Tantaror' in return for information about his island`s technology. It turns out that the Captain doesn`t have the documents with him at that precise moment, but by the time that Knuckles realises this, it`s too late. Pursued by Knuckles, Plunder boards the ship and steals the Tantaragor idol - but the Tantaragor themselves block their way out!
“Fox On The Run – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
Beginning to think that Tantrum reminds him of his younger self, Tails leads the young mouse out of the caves, but they`re met by Fleabyte with a loaded and aimed laser rifle.
It`s a pleasant shock to see Tails engaging in a little mature self-realisation. And long overdue.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #76 - April 1996 | ”The Big Decision”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Porker Lewis has decided that, following his experiences at the hands of the Metallix on the Miracle Planet, he no longer wants to be part of Sonic`s group. Sonic is furious, branding him a coward, a laughing stock and a shame to the Freedom Fighters` name, but is laughing from the other side of his face when the remainder of the group is ambushed by a badnik patrol. Only Porker`s electronic genius saves them, forcing Sonic into a rare apology, and Porker leaves for a new life on the Floating Island as a hero.
Yet again, we`re reminded what a plain unlikeable character Fleetway`s Sonic actually is. Sega may not like their mascot to dent his machismo by showing anything so wussy as – shock! Horror! – emotions, but when Nigel is also so skilfully portraying Porker on the edge of an obvious nervous breakdown, is this gung-ho... let`s face it... thug any better? Yes, he ultimately sees that he was wrong, but is this really any way to represent the essence of coolness to Fleetway`s allegedly young target age group (and I say alleged because, although people my age appreciated the intensity of the storyline and do to this day - myself included), even if he learns his lesson?
“The Ghost Ship - Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Trapped on the slave ship, Knuckles and the pirates don`t stand a chance against the monster Tantaror, so it`s lucky that Plunder figures out how to activate the idol`s transportation powers, and instantly transports Knuckles and his crew to Pirate Town.
“Fox On The Run - Part Four”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Carl Flint
Fleabyte has Tails and Tantrum tied up, but has forgotten to secure the fox`s tails. Tails takes Fleabyte for an impromptu flight, but it looks as though he may be forced to surrender when the felonious feline threatens to harm Tantrum. However, with a little coaxing from Tails, Tantrum lets out one of his trademark screams and causes a rockfall, which pins Fleabyte and allows the mouse to be delivered safely home.
For once, Tails gets not only solve a problem himself, but fly off into the sunset rather than go home to an ear-bashing. Things`re looking up...
Cover: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #77 - May 1996 | "Voice Of The People”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
In an unusually spirited moment, the people of Mobius mount a protest at one of Robotnik`s monuments, but the crowd is set upon by robotocisation squads. Sonic and Tails make sure that the protestors all escape unharmed, but the giant statue of Robotnik is destroyed in the process. This is taken as an omen that it will soon be the real Robotnik`s turn...
The portrayal of the population`s resistance is really becoming polished in the small space allowed for it.
“The Ghost Ship - Part Four”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles reviews Plunder`s documents with satisfaction, and the Captain offers to transport him home, but when he suggests returning to free the prisoners on the Tantaror slave ship, the pirates turn nasty. The dispute is interrupted by Zorabel, the Pirate Queen, who orders plunder to take the idol away before the Tantaror begin searching for it... But it`s too late, and they`re transported to the Tantaror`s dimension!
“Hidden Danger - Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Sonic and Tails investigate as an invisible foe tears up the Tropical Jungle Zone. Sonic guesses that it must be a robot with a cloaking device, but his head-on attack method gets him only knocked out cold, leaving a terrified Tails at its mercy.
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #78 - May 1996 | “Plasma”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic comes up against a new villain, seemingly composed entirely of energy and impossible to beat by his usual method of mindlessly charging in. That`s at least until Amy realises that it is actually remote-controlled by a weedy scientist. When she tackles the scientist and destroys the control, the problem solves itself. But Amy isn`t going to do anything so drastic as to wreck Sonic`s heroic reputation as an icon and inspiration for the people of Mobius by interrupting his gloating with the truth.
“The Ghost Ship - Part Five”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles and the pirates are before Ekkletos, the Tantaror`s spiritual leader, who explains that he expected to have transported the three creatures from whom the idol was stolen. It turns out that that they are followers of an evil priest, who, following his death, requires burial in a pyramid if his spirit is to enter the afterlife. When Knuckles reveals that slaves for the project have already been taken, Ekkletos gives him the idol and transports him back to the slave ship, where the Tantaror confront him.
“Hidden Danger - Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Sonic recovers just in time to grab Tails from the monster`s path, and covers it in water from a convenient nearby river, making its outline visible. He manages to force it into the water, where it short circuits. And back ack at his fortress, Robotnik can only vent his frustration on Grimer, since an accident (in yet another alarming gulf between serious undertones and the just plain lame) turned the cloaking technology`s plans invisible, meaning that he`s unable to build more.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #79 - June 1996 | "Return To The Miracle Planet”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic, Amy and Johnny return to the Miracle Planet in another attempt to destroy the Alpha Device. Sonic chases what appears to be a solitary Metallix, which attacks in self defence, and when Sonic investigates closer, he finds a bird who has escaped from the Metallix`s prison, and disguised himself using spare parts stolen from a Metallix assembly line. The plot device then explains what has gone on since the gang was last there...
“The Ghost Ship - Part Six”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles is subdued by the Tantaror, only for Ekkletos to transport the whole slave ship back to the Tantaragor dimension, having successfully used Knuckles as bait. Everyone is instantly returned to from whence they came, whereupon Plunder tries to prevent Knuckles from leaving with his hard-earned chest of documents. He is overruled by Zorabel, and Knuckles departs.
“Revolution - Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Sonic, Amy and Johnny are busily trashing badniks in the Metropolis Zone when what appears to be in-fighting breaks out among the badniks themselves! But they`re not that lucky. It appears that Commander Brutus is back, and before long, he arrives to join his badniks in a battle with the Freedom Fighters. He`s upgraded himself into a match for Sonic, and leaves the hedgehog lifeless in the rubble as his troops surround the other two...
“Grounded”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Tails is flying along, minding his own business, when his tails are shot with a sticky, web-like substance during a sudden ambush. He plummets to the ground, and, deprived of his usual means of both attack and escape, it looks as though he might finally be captured; but he is able to scramble onto a supple tree and use it to catapult himself into the air, from whence he can get rid of the threat in safety and free himself at leisure. And he does.
And all on his own, and thinking for himself, too! This was the first in an extended series of regular Tails strips which looked set to have the comic permanently set out with one strip for each of the three heroes and a `Sonic`s World` adventure. And it looked promising. The secret to not outshining the star might be to wander off and get your own strip, but it appeared as though the events of `Fox on the Run` had been taken seriously into consideration, and we were seeing a more confident, more independent fox in action.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #80 - June 1996 | "Running Wild - Part One"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic's dropping in to Porker's new home on the Floating Island for a visit, but is so busy indulging in his usual hobby of picking on him that he falls into the emerald chamber.
And back on Mobius, Amy Rose is giving Tails a few lessons in sharp-shooting when Super Sonic rockets into view, with his homicidal tendencies firmly fixed on the last thing he was thinking about before his exposure to the chaos energy caused the change: her!
”Revolution - Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching
As Brutus terrorises the Metropolis Zone, a weakened Sonic is joined by Shortfuse in his mission to rescue to rescue Amy and Johnny. Robotnik finds to his horror, that Brutus has deactivated his own self-destruct programme, but cheers up when the would-be rescuers rush in, since it means that he can unveil his two latest badniks. Who look rather familiar...
“Fleabyte Returns”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Tails is putting in an appearance in the Casino Night Zone when Fleabyte the bounty hunter - last seen in `Fox on the Run` - reappears, still bent on claiming the price on the fox`s head. But the badniks who follow the resulting commotion aren`t particularly discriminating about who they capture, forcing them to co-operate in order to escape, and giving Tails time to work out how to deal with the duplicitous feline afterwards. Fleabyte is sent on his way, humiliated in full view of the Zone`s inhabitants.
Perhaps it`s only within these solo strips that we can really appreciate the various members of Sonic`s gang for what they are: the stabilising influence; the maturity; the brains to his brawn. Certainly, the way that Tails is able to rationalise is like nothing that we`ve seen from the hedgehog as yet.
“The Fundamental Four – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Deep in the Chaotix`s Special Zone HQ, Vector has finally had enough and, as the leader, boots Charmy Bee out of their headquarters and out of the group! But no sooner has Charmy buzzed off than a huge granite fist crashes through the hideout`s wall and in crash The Fundamental Four - elementals who appear to have a score to settle. When Charmy wanders back to the hideout sometime later, he peers through the window to see the rest of Chaotix trapped in a liquidiser, but what can he do?
This is one of the first glimpses given of the Chaotix`s life away from Sonic, but whereas the other Freedom Fighters seem to provide a serious element, the Chaotix are nothing more than a group of clowns wheeled in for comic relief.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #81 - July 1996 | "Running Wild - Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Super Sonic has Amy and the gang on the run, with page upon page of open promises of a very grisly and sadistic end. First the caravan is destroyed, then half the landscape, then the 'plane...
The artwork in the last couple of pages really does impress, with Sonic's gradual return to normal followed by the perspective of a single page of a very small hedgehog surrounded by an awful lot of smoking ruins...
“Revolution - Part Three”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Sonic and Shortfuse are forced to attack Amy and Johnny in self defence. Shortfuse manages to free Johnny, whilst Robotnik sneaks down to the lab to don his experimental war armour, and deal with Brutus once and for all...
”Shock Tactics”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Mike Hadley
Having stayed around to Protect the Casino Night Zone from badniks, Tails is surprised when the ungrateful owner, Max Gamble, claims that he`s losing business because the fox isn`t doing his job fast enough. Tails visits Marks and Sparks, the zone`s chief electricians, who equip him with a fake badnik casing that will allow him to follow the badniks back to their secret base. But his tails break from the casing at a crucial moment, revealing his true identity, and the badniks give chase; but he leads them between two electricity pylons, allowing Marks and Sparks to short circuit them en masse. Max Gamble is not amused by the resulting power failure, but pressure from his customers forces him to leave Tails alone. Tails leaves in safety, but Max Gamble harbours a strong grudge.
Suddenly, we have not just an independent hero but a recurring villain. For anyone who doesn`t know, Marks and Sparks is a pun on the nickname for Marks and Spencer - a popular chain of British department stores – but you can almost forgive the story that for its general dynamics.
“The Fundamental Four - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Charmy makes a brief trip home to his hive to collect some worker bees before leading an assault on the Fundamental Four. They mix the earth and water elementals, which they then use to douse the air elemental, before attacking the fire elemental with high octane fuel. The Fundamental Four are reduced to nothing more than a clay pot, which is even too crazy for Vector, who throws Charmy and his relatives out without so much as any thanks.
Coming squarely in the middle of a very powerful plot arc, this hackneyed slapstick feels somewhat schizophrenic.
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #82 - July 1996 | "Running Wild - Part Three"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic languishes in the seedier parts of the Metropolis Zone, firmly convinced of his status as a mass murderer and very, very afraid of any sort of repeat performance...
Yes, you read that correctly. Sonic shows emotion. A lot of it. More than one type, too. It's a long time before we see him this open again.
”Troubled Waters - Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles is rowing homeward with his new prized chest when he is suddenly set-upon by a powerful submarine, whose Captain orders him to surrender - or else...
“Revolution - Part Four”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Sonic defeats Amy by re-directing her own crossbow fire, and the Freedom Fighters retreat as Robotnik and Brutus prepare to establish supremacy once and for all. Although his war armour is badly damaged, Robotnik manages to freeze and then shatter Brutus. Although suitably dramatic, this is a tragic waste of one of the most viable rival villains that Fleetway has ever seen...
“Changing Times”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
What`s this? Tails just standing back and watching a zone be destroyed? Not at all! It turns out that Tails arrived shortly after the destruction, and was feeling guilty at not having prevented it, but that a freak lightning bolt has caused time to run backwards and the damage to therefore fix itself.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #83 - August 1996 | “Bubble Trouble”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Whilst Sonic and Tails respond to a distress call in the Labyrinth Zone, badniks knock Sonic into the water. Of course, since he can`t swim, he tries to find air bubbles; but when he does, it becomes clear that the whole situation is a trap, leaving him caught in a giant - but shrinking! - bubble. He bursts the bubble with badnik debris and climbs back onto dry land just in time to help Tails, who`s been overwhelmed by the badnik forces. Robotnik vows to make his future traps worse...
“Troubled Waters - Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles defeats Captain Claw and the Octo-Naught by causing some highly convenient sea stacks to crush it. But since Knuckles` boat has been destroyed, he`s reduced to loading his chest of documents onto the wreckage, and forcing the Captain to row it towards the nearest shore.
“The Mystery Villian”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Mike Hadley
Tails is suddenly attacked by a stranger who seems to know him well and hold a serious grudge. After besting her during their chase, he finds out that it is actually Metamorphis, who, robbed of her shape-changing powers as a punishment for her failure to catch Sonic, is out for revenge against any of the Freedom Fighters that she can find, in order to prove her worth. Tails comforts her, telling her that she is better off away from Robotnik, and she suddenly undergoes one final, unexpected metamorphosis. Transformed into a young girl, she will be unrecognisable to Robotnik, giving her an opportunity to start a new life.
Tails doing what he does best: being kind and reasonable. This is most likely an unexpected, and certainly a highly sentimental ending to the story of Metamorphia, but that`s probably its charm.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #84 - August 1996 | “Heroes & Villains – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic travels to the Chaotix Crew’s headquarters in the Special Zone via Omni-Viewer to try and hunt down Super Sonic, but when he tells the Chaotix about the dangers at hand they refuse to believe him and head off to New Tek City on Planet Meridian to deal with some problems of their own. After deciding to go with them Sonic gets caught up in a battle between two groups called “The Justice Brigade” and “The Discriminators” but it’s pretty difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys. The fight ends with the police show up, Vector quickly informs Sonic that the Chaotix have a “little misunderstanding” with them and the gang run to escape through Omni. But Sonic hesitated at the last minute and ended up getting caught…
“Village of the Damned – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
After making it across the ocean Knuckles is currently continuing his journey to The Floating Island through a forest. He stumbles upon a village and chooses to spend the night at a local tavern - although it turns out he probably won’t be getting much rest when he discovers the villagers are planning to sacrifice a young girl.
“Sneaker Seeker”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
A kindly stranger gives Tails a pair of new sneakers as a gift for all the times he’s beaten Robotnik, but when Tails leaves to show them to Sonic the sneaker designer reveals himself to be Grimer!
As Tails walks down the street with his new footwear everyone is really impressed, though Tails’s limelight is shattered when a missile heads his way. After flying around for a while he realises that the new sneakers must have a homing device in them so he looks for a place to dump them. First he tries to drop them in the sea but a couple of dolphins remind him that there’s life in the ocean as well as on the land. So instead he dumps them on Grimer, who activates the missile’s self-destruct device to save himself. Even though the city folk don’t find Tails cool anymore he’s happy with the new found knowledge that he shouldn’t accept gifts from strangers and comfort is better then fashion.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #85 - September 1996  | “Heroes & Villains – Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
In the New Tek prison, Sonic tries to reason with Lieutenant Furor about Super Sonic and the Chaotix without much luck. However his luck changes when Lord Sidewinder, a man apparently linked with a nuclear bomb incident, comes to bail him out.
Back at the Chaotix headquarters the gang are feeling guilty about Sonic’s capture and try to plan a rescue, unknowing that Sonic has already found his own way out. At Lord Sidewinder’s family residence Sonic is introduced to Lightmare, Mr. Fry, Bio-Hazard and finally… Super Sonic!
Sidewinder says he had a deal with Super Sonic but now Sonic has been brought to him Super Sonic goes back on his end of the deal and blows up Sidewinder’s home. Super Sonic kept everyone safe from the explosion so he could have the pleasure of wiping them out personally and easily defeats Mr. Fry and Bio-Hazard, but its Sonic he’s really interested in destroying.
“Village of the Damned – Part Two"
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles rescues the girl that the villagers are planning to sacrifice, and she leads him to a place where they should be safe. She turns out to be the sister of the ringleader - and leads the villagers to Knuckles, who is made the new sacrifice!
Another story with very dark and even vaguely political overtones, showing actual snapshots of Robotnik's style of rulership on everyday Mobians
“Trooper Trouble – Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
Robotnik’s troopers seem to be demanding tax from the citizens of Wood Village Zone a lot more then usual. Tails finds a stray trooper to get answers from but instead of standing to fight this Trooper tries to escape.
Fleeing again from a group of troopers, the stray causes Tails to break its armour, and reveals a donkey called Clive.
Clive tells Tails that he repaired a Trooper Sonic had destroyed to teach the villagers a lesson for bullying him. Tails warns him that although he knows what it’s like to be picked on himself there was no call for what Clive did - and whilst they’re talking the real troopers are able to attack, over power and capture them both!
“Scream Theme Park”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Max Gamble opens up a new Theme Park at Casino Night Zone to try and make money by attracting customers with The Pit Plunge Roller Coaster. Many Mobians go to the park to take their minds off Robotnik’s reign, but it turns out that at the bottom of The Pit Plunge a badnik-creating machine is waiting for them with a horde of troopers!
As the troopers round up the prisoners, one rider reveals himself to be Shortfuse The Cybernik - who destroys the machine and then destroys the ride, so Gamble can’t try the same trick again.
Cover: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #86 - September 1996  | “Heroes & Villains – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Just as Super Sonic closes in to destroy Sonic, the Chaotix Crew appear through the Omni-viewer! Sidewinder sets his minions on them.
While Lightmare reveals her powers to Charmy (a magic box which forces her enemies to think they’re living their worst nightmare), Sonic tells has an idea to beat Super Sonic. He takes on his evil counterpart whilst Chaotix battle Sidewinder’s gang and manages to force Super Sonic into the Omni-viewer, instructing it to send Super Sonic to another dimension - but Omni refuses to do this as he knows Super Sonic would destroy no matter what dimension he was in.
Instead, the Omni-viewer freezes time inside himself to trap Super Sonic in stasis, whilst Sidewinder escapes in the commotion.
“Village of the Damned – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles demands an explanation from the traitorous girl - who tells him that the legends foretold he must die at their hand or else she will be sacrificed instead! He destroys the source of Mesmer's control over the villagers, and as Knuckles begins questioning, the landlord of the Tavern shows himself to be Robotnik!
“Trooper Trouble – Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
Restrained on an aircraft, Tails tries to break their cuffs by force. Clive uses his technical knowledge to cut the power - but accidentally cuts off the power to the whole craft! Tails flies Clive out of the craft and beats the troopers on the way down. Clive promises to give the villagers their money back, and in return Tails tells everyone how Clive helped him defeat the troopers, so that they’ll stop picking on him.
Stringer's Tails stories increasingly held a strong sense of didacticism - made all the more obvious by the use of a character who had only recently been shown to have any sort of maturity at all suddenly knowing better than just about everyone he came across one minute, and not being able to grasp a similar concept the next.
“Future Shock – Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
It's a typical day in the badnik-bashing office for the gang until they meet an elderly blue hedgehog beats them to it then claims to be Sonic from fifty years in the future! When Sonic still doesn’t believe him, they find a doctor capable of sampling their DNA - and it turns out that the cell samples from the two hedgehogs are identical…
Cover: Nigel Kitching |
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Sonic The Comic #87 - October 1996 | “Mister Shifter”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic sits contemplating about being stuck in New Tek City and how the others might be when he hears someone screaming. It turns out to be from a girl whose about to get shot by a gangster called Mister Shifter. Sonic manages to catch the bullet in mid-air and fights with the current villain, but it turns out this creature is made from a material that’s too soft for Sonic to even hit! However Sonic works out a way by using his speed to stretch out Mister Shifter so far he can’t fight back. The girl he saved vanishes before saying thank you and turns out to be a spy waiting to inform Robotnik that the Special Zone isn’t ready for an invasion yet, as well as who she bumped into during her time there.
“The Good, the Bad and the Echidna – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
On the way back home Knuckles passes through a desert and unfortunately gets caught up in a stampede. Luckily two guys riding pterodactyls were around looking for a friend of theirs who was also in the accident and manage to find him, unluckily all three of them think it was Knuckles that started the stampede to sabotage them and knock him unconscious before taking him to a nearby city…
“Easy Target”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
Tails helps out a Unicorn called Forelock who’s being attacked by a group of badniks and in return gets granted one wish. Of course he wishes for Mobius to be free of Robotnik so Forelock transports him to a room above a parade that Robotnik is celebrating, gives him a gun and tells him if he shoots then all of Mobius will be free. Ultimately Tails decides that doing that would be wrong and Forelock sends him back telling him he made the right choice and what he just saw was an illusion. Before disappearing he tells Tails that one day his wish would come true.
“Future Shock – Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Even though the tests show the older hedgehog is Sonic from the future the present day blue blur won’t accept it, but decides to hear his story after Amy and Tails convince him to. The older Sonic reveals that while he was fighting Robotnik a decision he made caused Amy, Johnny, Shortfuse and Tails to be killed in battle leaving him unresisting when the troopers came to arrest him. He spent years in a prison cell grieving over the loss of his friends while Robotnik ruled Mobius. One day he managed to escape and returned here to fix his mistakes. When Amy asks how he got back the older Sonic simply replied that he wasn’t sure but thought an increase in speed caused him to break the time barrier. Sonic still doesn’t believe him but the others decide to go along with him to destroy the weapon that kills them before its been completed. During the mission Amy starts to have her doubts and turns out to be right when older Sonic leads them right to Robotnik!
Cover Art: Carl Flint
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Sonic The Comic #88 - October 1996 | “The Ultimate Nightmare”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Kitching
Sonic and the Chaotix finally notice that Super Sonic isn’t exactly frozen in the Omni Viewer and come to think that Omni Viewer slowed time down instead of stopping it. However the Chaotix are distracted by the appearance of a mysterious box that makes them live out their worst nightmares when they open it. Lord Sidewinder and his gang come out of the box and reveal that they shrank down by a device supplied by Nack the Weasel, as well as that the box is Lightmare’s doing. It turns out Sidewinder has another scheme to capture Super Sonic and use him as a slave but doesn’t count on Sonic being around and unaffected by the box (Since he wasn’t looking into it when the Chaotix opened it). During a fight Biohazard accidentally hits Sidewinder with some of his toxic sludge and the gang escape to get the antidote. Sonic talks with the others and tells them their old friend Nack the Weasel may be back soon…
“The Good, the Bad and the Echidna – Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Even though there isn’t any proof of his crime Knuckles is still placed in a cell until the sheriff returns from out of town. During the wait it’s revealed that it may be a business rival called Boss Krouch who tried to kill Rooster so that he would have the market all to himself. Over at a bar it turns out to be one of Rooster’s own men, Chito, who started the stampede for Krouch and that Krouch has plans to take care of Knuckles. A gang storm the prison and take him hostage to try and hang him, but in the nick of time the real sheriff shows up and scares them off after setting Knuckles free and full of complaints.
“Small Change”
Writer: Lew stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Jealous of his cousin Grimer for being Robotnik’s favourite Slimy sets out to prove this wrong and chooses Tails as a target for a weapon that shrink him down to the size of an ant. Then he attacks the citizens with the help of a badnik. But Tails manages to use this size to his advantage by flying inside the robot and messing with its circuitry. When the shrink ray wears off Slimy tries to hit him with a more permanent blast, however the blast reflects off the badnik and shrinks Slimy down instead.
“Future Shock – Part Three”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
After leading Amy, Tails, Shortfuse and Johnny to Robotnik future Sonic reveals that the only chance they have at peace is to side with the evil dictator. But Robotnik tells him he’s a moron to believe that and he isn’t Sonic from the future at all, just a clone created in a lab. Since the clone aged too rapidly to be used to fight Sonic he was instead implanted with the story and sent to bring the Freedom Fighters to Robotnik. In a rage the clone Sonic manages to escape and find Sonic, telling him that his friends are in trouble. While Sonic goes to save them the clone fights Robotnik and defeats him, though the rapid aging causes him to die and change into pure energy that shoots off to the stars.
Cover Art: Nigel Kitching
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Sonic The Comic #89 - October 1996 | “The Tomb – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
In the Chaotix Communication room Sonic is talking to the Freedom Fighters to explain the events that happened involving Super Sonic. However he’s cut short by Espio. The chameleon explains about the Black Asteroid, formerly the largest gemstone mine on Mobius, where they will be taking the frozen Super Sonic to before setting off a gravitation bomb that’ll seal the entrance shut. As Sonic questions if it’ll work the ship bumps into something. It’s passed off as nothing to worry about, as this section of the Special Zone is full of debris. However this is far from the truth as Nack the Weasel boards the ship in his micro size as they reach the entrance of the asteroid. Returning back to his normal size he manages to shrink Sonic and the Chaotix down, causing the ship to crash since Vector can’t pilot it at this small size. Nack manages to capture most of them before they can escape but he misses Sonic…
“The Good, the Bad and the Echidna – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
With his former debuty out of the picture the sheriff offers the job to Knuckles before seeing Roster off on his travels. At the bar Knuckles, complete with his new sheriff’s outfit, searches for Chico, who doesn’t hesitate to fight with the echidna and quickly loses. Chico tells Knuckles that Krouch has left town to kill Rooster himself so Knuckles decides to pursue him.
“A New Hope”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Carl Flint
While Sonic’s trapped in the Special Zone the three remaining Freedom Fighters (Tails, Amy and Johnny) struggle to fight against the mass horde of Badniks attacks. During the fight Tails takes a fall and when Amy turns to him she is grabbed by a flying Badnik and taken off. During the flight something in the distance blasts the Badnik apart and before she hits the ground Shortfuse the Cybernik comes to her aid. The two quickly return to the battlefield helping Tails and Johnny to overcome the attack. Once the danger is over the gang manage (With some difficulty) to convince Shortfuse to stay with them during Sonic’s absence.
Cover Art: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #90 - November 1996 | “The Tomb – Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Nack believes that now Sonic is micro-sized he can’t cause much of a threat and casually blabs about his mission to return Super Sonic to Lord Sidewinder. Though attacks at Sonic’s size can hardly cause damage to Nack he does put enough force into one spin to knock off the hat Nack was storing the capsules on. He manages to zap Nack with one of the capsules but accidentally gives him too strong of a dose of the chemical, making the weasel disappearing into seemingly nothing. As Vector has knowledge of the capsules he knows which one will return them to the correct size and they take off again to continue their journey. They leave Super Sonic and the trapped Omni Viewer in the asteroid, musing on if Omni Viewer will know what to do when Super Sonic breaks loose. With a last look they seal the exit to the asteroid.
“The Good, the Bad and the Echidna – Part Four”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Krouch plans a sneak attack on Rooster before Chico arrives on the scene. Angrily, he tells Chico he already had his chance to kill Rooster, which is enough of a confession that the sheriff and Knuckles (Disguised as Chico) need from him. When he realises he’s been tricked Krouch sets his men on them before making a getaway, only to be followed by Knuckles. At the edge of a cliff Krouch threatens to drop a chemical smelling of the Apterixes’ most feared predator into their holding area causing them to stampede. However, he accidentally falls off backwards and spills the chemical over himself. This makes the herd stampede and crush him to death. To thank Knuckles for his duty and save him the trouble of carrying the heavy chest home he’s given a Pterodactyl to travel with.
“Secret Weapon”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
In Metropolis City a rough looking stranger gives Johnny some information on a new Super Badnik Robotnik’s creating and taking through the Gum Tree Zone tomorrow. However once Johnny leaves it is revealed the stranger was given the information to pass on by Robotnik himself. As the Freedom Fighters arrive in the location they find the Troopers, who seem to be letting them win too easily. When they inspect the cargo a new Cybernik called Vermin breaks out. The Rat who gave Johnny the information decided to let himself willingly become a Cybernik for Robotnik. And one more powerful then Shortfuse at that.
Cover Art: Carl Flint
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Sonic The Comic #91 - December 1996 | “The Hive – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
While finding he can’t sleep one night Sonic stumbles across Charmy being kidnapped by a couple of other bees. The kidnappers turn out to be royal guards come to escort Charmy to his old home because he failed to keep a promise to the queen. As Charmy’s chosen friend Sonic goes with him to the hive. When they arrive Sonic asks what some of the worker bees are up to, so Charmy tells him that they’re making gold. While Sonic doubts this to be possible Charmy insists that the bees know how before they are ushered in front of an angry queen bee. Charmy apologises to his “mother” only to be grabbed by Sonic, who (In shock) demands to know if Charmy’s a prince. Charmy admits that he is a prince but says he doesn’t want the rest of the Chaotix to know because he doesn’t want to be treated differently by them. Though the queen demands that her son stays at the hive she is soon cut short by a guard informing her that an army of wasps led by Jesper is attacking them…
“Shanghaied – Part One”
Writer(s): Nigel Kitching and Richard Elson
Artist: Richard Elson
Filch has managed to install a Star Post into Captain Plunder’s ship, enabling the pirates to go anywhere they like. Their first stop is New Tek City to hunt down some new recruits. An unfortunate Professor Speckle happens to be out walking that night when some of the crew grab him (Worrying about going back to Plunder empty handed they decide even someone as scrawny looking as Speckle will do). The pirates shove him in the hold over night, which turns out to be a bad choice as he eats Plunder’s much loved chocolates that were also occupying the hold. He is soon made to walk the plank by a very angry Plunder. In the water he makes a quick attempt to get the stopper off his transforming serum, which leaks out into the water by mistake. Luckily for Speckle he manages to drink some, making him change into Mr. Fry, who wants revenge against the pirates.
“Secret Weapon – Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Vermin has been purposely designed to be stronger then Shortfuse, so he quickly takes down him and Tails in battle before using the spike on his tail to inject a virus into Shortfuse’s system. Though Johnny tries to make up for the slack he also fails until Amy manages to out-smart Vermin by firing at one of the gum fruits in the trees. The corrosive liquid from the fruit starts to melt Vermin’s armour forcing him to retreat. The gang take Shortfuse back to Tekno’s lab to get him repaired, which means he’ll be out of action for a while. But the angered Shortfuse assures them that when he has a rematch against Vermin the outcome will be different.
Cover Art: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #92 - December 1996 | “The Hive – Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Roberto Corona
The bees fail to keep Vesper and his army of wasps from entering the Hive, but despite the word of her advisers the queen refuses to leave! Sonic agrees with them but it’s already too late as Vesper storms the throne room. Though having faced hundreds of opponents like Vesper before Sonic easily manages to use his speed to disarm the wasps. He’s reminded that the sheer number of wasps waiting outside completely outranks him however and much to the queen’s horror Sonic decides to organise a planned surrender. Luring them all into one of the tunnels Sonic uses his speed vortex to send them all out of the Hive in a daze then orders for the entrance to be sealed. As with custom of an outsider saving the Hive he gets one wish and chooses for Charmy’s freedom from his role as a prince.
“Shanghaied – Part Two”
Writer(s): Nigel Kitching and Richard Elson
Artist: Richard Elson
Even though they are faced with the monster form of Mr. Fry the crew refuse to back down and start fighting to defend their ship. Though Fry defeats them and much to everyone’s surprise starts beating up one of the sharks claiming that in these waters they’re tough eating. After cooking the tenderised shark for them Fry gets an apology from Captain Plunder for making him walk the plank. But Fry explains that he’s a different person from Speckle and he didn’t blame the captain for making Speckle walk the plank. After explaining how he used the serum to transform in the water the crew started to wonder what happened to the remaining serum that he didn’t drink. They don’t have to wait long to find out as three mutated sharks rise out of the ocean to attack the ship!
“Head in the Clouds”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Based two months earlier when Sonic was first trapped in the Special Zone this story starts with an angry Robotnik sending the bearer of bad news to be robotisized as he wanted to get rid of Sonic personally, not simply have him disappear. Grimer comments that most of the Mobians think Sonic will return anyway which puts Robotnik into even more of a rage. He orders for a rocket to be made in his image so the citizens will be reminded who is in charge and demands for it to be ready in two months instead of the recommended six months timescale. Coming back to the present day Robotnik is preparing to launch his rocket, which turns out to be a flop and crashes. He demands to know who sabotaged it, and it turns out that the rocket crashed due to it’s own rushed construction. Despite this he tells Grimer to file the report as a sabotage saying sometimes you have to lie to protect an evil image.
Cover Art: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #93 - December 1996 | “A Christmas Wish”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Even though he’s still trapped in the Special Zone Sonic wants to make the most of the Christmas spirit. However elsewhere a young puppy called Richie is enjoying Christmas too much as his present of a super hero costume makes him think he can fly. It’s lucky for him that Charmy was passing to save him as he tries to jump out of his bedroom window, landing him in front of the Chaotix. Despite harsh words from Vector the kid still believes that he’s a super hero and charges towards a villain who was about to attack the Chaotix. Sonic shows up to save him when he realises he can’t fight the bad guy and by the time the enemy has been defeated Richie has gone away, upset that he’s not a hero. Sonic finds him, explaining there are much safer ways to be a hero then inviting him to come with them delivering presents to a children’s hospital. A better way to be a regular hero.
“Shanghaied – Part Three”
Writer(s): Nigel Kitching and Richard Elson
Artist: Richard Elson
Though the ship’s crew feel too scared to fight the mutated sharks Mr. Fry is straight into the battle, swinging on the ship’s sailcloth. As the battle commences Fry has the unfortunate luck to change back into Speckle who tries to sneak away from it all, leaving Captain Plunder to take out the sharks with a mallet. To celebrate defeating the sharks he orders Simpson to fetch some rum truffles, only to find that the crate is gone! Speckle decided to use it to make his big escape in.
“Season of Goodwill”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Andy Pritchett
Though most of the Emerald Hill residents are gone Tekno decides to enforce the Christmas cheer by throwing a party for the other Freedom Fighter in celebration for their hard work during Sonic’s leave. Optimistically Tails believes that even Robotnik couldn’t do anything bad on this day, though Shortfuse doubts that to be true. It turns out he’s right as Robotnik plans on frying the Mobians using a heat ray from his satellite. But before he can a mysterious figure appears claiming to be Father Christmas. Angered by this Robotnik calls his Troopers to attack him, but since they are machines they can’t see the Christmas spirit. Santa offers Robotnik the chance to redeem himself by using the self-destruct option on the satellite and when he refuses to an image appears on the screen of Shortfuse destroying it instead. Before leaving Santa warns Robotnik that if he continues on his current path his rein over Mobius will not last long, as a prelude to future comic event…
Cover Art: Carl Flint |
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Sonic The Comic #94 - January 1997  | “Eve of Destruction"
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic and the Chaotix are currently having trouble beating a monster called the Bulk, so we take a flash back to a few hours ago where a doctor called Bob Bobble is boring his date at a new year’s party. The girl dumps Dr. Bobble so that she can get a dance before midnight and he storms off back to his laboratory where he uses his Delta Ray Machine to try and bulk himself up. But he accidentally absorbs too much of the rays and becomes the Bulk. Out on the streets Sonic and the Chaotix are watching the countdown to midnight when the Bulk rips the bell from the clock tower and throws it at the crowd. Sonic causes a tornado to cushion the bell’s fall and the enraged Bulk jumps down to fight them, which brings us to where the story started from. While they fight Vector thinks upon how to beat him and heads to Dr. Bobble’s lab. He brings back the Delta Ray Machine, which has been repaired to reverse its earlier affects and change Bob back. Sonic then destroys the machine so it can’t be used again.
“Roots – Part One”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
A protest is being held at one of the last remaining parklands of Metropolis Zone to try and save the trees. At the front of the crowd, a dog called Pyjamas, is having a vision of a tiny winged creature heading their way. One of the protesters points out Knuckles on his pterodactyl to a black cat called Ebony and asks if she thinks Pyjamas meant him. As Knuckles looks down on the protest he notices that Robotnik has sent some of his SBS (Special Badnik Service) Troopers to deal with them, which isn’t good news. The echidna jumps down to fight them off and is helped by Ebony, who says that although she’s read about Knuckles before she doesn’t think he can take down the SBS on his own, and she wants some fun too. She uses magic powers to team up with Knuckles and fight them off. Whilst they’re fighting Knuckles says he has a feeling Ebony’s done this sort of thing before to which she replies, “Might have, handsome.” After the danger is over Knuckles tells them Robotnik is only going to send more badniks so they should all head to safety. But the protesters say they can’t do this, as they must save the trees. Knuckles asks what’s so important about the trees, and the trees themselves answer that question…
“The Monster Wakes – Part One”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Amy, Tails, Shortfuse and Johnny are spending New Year’s Day with Tekno in her underground laboratory. Tekno says happy New Year to Shortfuse and gives him a kiss, to which he coughs and replies that it would truly be a Happy New Year if only they could triumph over Robotnik. Johnny tells him to forget about Robotnik for today but Shortfuse says he can’t forget that Robotnik turned him into a cybernik. Amy gets in-between them before an argument can start and says Tekno has a suggestion to make. The canary tells them that they can use her lab as a secret base instead of being on the run all the time. They agree this is a good idea but Shortfuse points out that the lab is too small for five. As Johnny starts to suggest they burrow through the walls to make more room (“Trust a rabbit to suggest that!” – Amy) the alarm goes off to signal there’s someone on the surface. But it turns out that there’s no need to worry, as the new comer is only Knuckles on his way back to the Floating Island. The girls use puppy-dog eyes to convince him to dig extra space onto the lab. He quickly heads off back to his own journey after this before they make him do anymore work. After he leaves Shortfuse and Tails go to check out the space only to discover they’ve woken up a rather cranky sleeping dragon.
Cover Art: Richard Elson |
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Sonic The Comic #95 - January 1997  | “The Big Fight”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic has gotten tired of living with the Chaotix so he moves out to an apartment in New Tek city, but while he’s trying to get settled in a fight between the Bruise Brothers shakes the building so he goes to try and stop them before they destroy the city with their battle. He fails to beat them and only their mother turning up can put an end to the fight.
“Roots – Part Two”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
After learning the trees can talk Knuckles changes his mind about how important they are and helps the protesters fight further as Ebony’s rival Omen turns up to have them arrested. But during the fight a stray blast destroys the eldest of the Fauna angering the rest of the trees…
“Out for a Spin”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
On a walk through the Emerald Hill Zone Amy and Tekno find a damaged spinning disk that must have fallen off the Floating Island from the Marble Garden Zone (Remember Sonic 3?). After Tekno repairs it at her lab Amy takes it out or a spin daydreaming about being able to fly like Tails and Shortfuse. Unfortunately during a battle with some Eggrobos the Disk gets damaged beyond repair, but Amy decides it’s probably better to keep her feet on the ground anyway.
“The Monster Wakes – Part Two”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
The angered dragon attacks the Freedom Fighters so Shortfuse and Johnny try to fight it off failing miserably, and Shortfuse’s rage almost causes harm to the dragon. Amy points out that the dragon hasn’t actually done any wrong so Tails goes to apologise to it. Everything end well, though Amy is starting to worry that Shortfuse’s temper could cause problems in their missions. |
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Sonic The Comic #96 - January 1997 | “Hero Hour”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Andy Pritchett
As Sonic tries to stop a bank robber the local citizens get in his way and claim they have their own heroes to stop criminals. These heroes are called the Zed Monkeys and turn out to be all talk, letting the robber get away because of their Hero Hour (An hour dedicated to posing and flexing their muscles). During this hour the majority of the city’s crimes take place as there’s no one to stop the criminals, so Sonic heads to the Zed Monkey’s school to find out whose idea this was. It turns out that the Zed Monkey’s leader Professor Zed was actually their arch enemy Madmeano in disguise and was using Hero Hour to help his fellow villains. After his arrest the Zed Monkeys replace Hero Hour with Agony Hour and Sonic leaves them deciding this is a hopeless case.
“Roots – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Even after the destruction of the elder tree Omen and his gorillas continue to fight over powering Ebony. The Fauna threaten to erase flesh creatures from Mobius but Knuckles reasons with them and convinces them to stop. To thank them the trees beat Omen and his gang warning them never to come back again, so the protest has been won.
“Furtual Reality”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Roberto Corona
Tails gets a message that his fans want to meet him at Casino Night Zone but when he arrives the Mobians waiting try to blast him out of the sky with lasers! It turns out that the headsets the Mobians are wearing makes them see Tails as a badnik and they all think they’re playing a virtual reality game given to them by Max Gamble, the Zone’s ruler. Though the joke’s on Max when they see him as a badnik too and try to blast him apart. After it’s all over some of the Mobians ask Tails for his autograph making him feel better about the trip after all.
“Mock the Doc”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Robotnik’s annual TV announcements are interrupted by a new show called “Mock the Doc”, where Mobians compete to see who can do the funniest impression of Dr. Robotnik. The real Robotnik is not very happy about this and sends Troopers over to the station to put a stop to it, but because everyone is dressed up as Robotnik the Troopers get confused about who to obey and blast each other to bits. The contestants and host of the show manage to escape before Robotnik can sort them out himself. |
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Sonic The Comic #97 - February 1997 | The information for this issue is currently unavailable. |
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Sonic The Comic #98 - February 1997 | The information for this issue is currently unavailable. |
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Sonic The Comic #99 - March 1997  | “Doomsday – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Richard Elson
Sonic and the Chaotix (Minus Vector) look for Lord Sidewinder before he can act on his plan to control Super Sonic. While they’re doing this Vector works in a lab called Equinex to bring back Omni. The scientists at the lab tell Vector that when the Black Asteroid explodes it will cause an electromagnetic pulse that will shut down all the computerised systems on the planet. Vector and Omni travel back to where the others have just finished beating Sidewinder to tell Sonic about the Emerald Hill folk being captured and the electromagnetic pulse. Sonic then shout to Omni to teleport the Black Asteroid to Mobius before it explodes…
“Victims – Part Three”
Writer: Nigel Kitching
Artist: Nigel Dobbyn
Knuckles escapes from his prison on the biological computer to try and stop Robotnik before he can fully activate it so Robotnik orders Zachary to destroy him. During the fight Zachary tells Knuckles how he found the Guardian Robots and installed his own software so they’d obey him. Before Robotnik can throw the switch a strange light appears in the sky, the Black Asteroid…
“No Exit”
Writer: Lew Stringer
Artist: Andy Pritchett
In the capital of Mobius a rebellion has started by all the citizens who have had enough of Robotnik’s rule. Since Grimer’s been left in charge he sends Troopers to deal with it but the Freedom Fighters easily defeat them. In a panic Grimer sends ALL badniks to stop the rebellion but they continue to fight despite being outnumbered. Amy and Johnny run to get some weapons from the Citadel and are attacked by Vermin The Cybernik on the way. The light in the sky distracts them from this problem though…
Cover Art: Richard Elson/John Burns |
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