As we approach the home stretch on the road to 200, things are beginning to really heat up! The gauntlet’s been thrown, the pieces are in place, and everyone is now ready for the lead up to the next big confrontation between Sonic and Dr. Robotnik!
This issue is supposed to lead up to something that will drastically change the status quo, and the lives of Sonic and his friends and enemies in the process. Looking at #199, the stage is most definitely set for something like that. Below, as usual, I will post the five preview pages released by Archie, as well as the issue’s official solicitation, and of course, my review.
For those of you not willing to scroll through everything, this is an issue I highly recommend, as it more or less represents the reason why I read these comics in the first place, and why I think all of you other Sonic fans should too.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #199
“Knocking on Eggman’s Door”: Sonic leads the combined might of the Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix in a final push against Dr. Robotnik and his Eggman Empire! In this climactic battle old friendships and rivalries are revisited, family confronts family, and a treacherous plot is revealed that you won’t believe! You simply cannot afford to miss this pulse-pounding lead-in to the mega-milestone SONIC #200!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ART: Tracy Yardley!
Shipping Date: April 1st, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 8th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 21st, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$ 2.50 US
This issue was most definitely leagues above the somewhat anticlimatic “Egg Pheonix” story last issue. Featuring the usual amount of nice action scenes, this story also had some nice character to character moments. I won’t go into it, lest I spoil it for people who haven’t picked it up yet, but Ian’s writing is definitely at it’s best when he lets the characters be themselves and interact with each other on a more personal level, not just with their fists. The story touches on past plot points to help show just how important this battle is, and ties this issue in with continuity that is over twelve years old quite nicely.
The art is fantastic, something that has thankfully become the norm ever since Tracy took over and Ron Lim quietly left the book. Tracy’s cartoon style really matches the atmosphere of the book, and Sonic himself. Matt Herm’s coloring is also a nice step above Jensen’s style, which has always been too bright for my taste. I am hoping he will soon become the regular colorist on the book.
Of course, the issue does have it’s share of problems. I would say it’s biggest problem does not lie in the issue itself, but rather it’s build up. Despite the battles in New Megapolis in during the New Moebius arc, this whole “end of the Eggman Empire” plot point still feels rather sudden. Considering this war has been going on since the book’s conception, it seems to me that we needed to have many more issues before it focused squarely on building up to this monumental battle. I enjoyed the Bold New Mobius saga far more then any other storyline Archie’s ever made in the Sonic book, but I think it may have been best to delay or shorten the storyline so that more issues could have focused on building up to this fight. Without a focused build up, this story doesn’t feel nearly as epic as it really should.
Hopefully, with Sonic Universe now allowing Ian to write two issues a month instead of one, Ian can make a more concerted effort to ensure future storylines like this have the right amount of build up, without leaving other plot points and characters hanging for years on end, as he probably should have with Scourge and the Anti-Mobius reinvention.
I highly recommend this issue to Arche fans and Sonic fans alike. This issue isn’t necessarily the best jumping on point for new readers, but with stuff like the pending epic battle between Sonic and Robotnik, a fight between Shadow, E-102 Gamma, and Omega, as well as the formation of team dark and a huge change in the status quo all coming in the next few issues of StH and SU, I can’t imagine a more exciting time to start reading it. The comics themselves contain loads of fan service to Sonic fans, and perfectly show Sonic’s attitude in a way I haven’t seen since the sprite animations in the classic games. Couple that with excellent art and entertaining writing, and I don’t think any Sonic fan has a legitimate reason to not give this comic a chance right now. This comic isn’t about love affairs, teen soap operas, and family drama anymore. This comic is about Sonic.
I would really to reed those comics from sonic but here in portugal they aren’t for sale :(:(:(:(:(:(:(: :'(
I wish we could get this in the UK. I only have a couple of issues from when I went to America on holiday.
Gonna nab Sonic Universe #3 and this today after work 😀
@ Graxar
You can get them in the UK. If you have a “Forbidden Planet” near you.
The FP in Southampton gets STH and SU in for me whenever it’s out.
Sonic Universe #3 aint out till next week, Jix.
Where can I get this in the U.S.? I know they exist, but I just don’t know where to look since I’ve never been a big comic reader.
Well, this issue should be available at any nearby Borders of Waldenbooks now. Generally, any place that carries comics, but I find those two stores to be the most reliable, as I’ve yet to find either of those stores without a comic book wrap.
You can pick them up a week earlier through comic book retail. You can find one near you if you look it up here:
http://www.comicshoplocator.com/
Have to admit the writing improved massively when Ian came on board with less hammy character diolouge a massive bonus. Archie Sonic still doesn’t appeal massively to me but it’s taking the correct steps. I’d still rather they have a less cartoonish artist for these ‘epic’ stories, perhaps have Tracy draw one offs or side strories (no offense) and have them hire an artist with a more gritty style (I miss you Axer!).
I haven’t been into the Archie comics for quite a while. It’s good it’s still going but they got too involve in Sonic’s love life to make it worth reading anymore.
@ nuckles87 – my bad, seems like its been months since I picked up SU#2.
199 rocked thou
*spoilers below*
The plot may seem sudden, but it’s the first time the crew have the opportunity to take Eggman down together, no one is missing, no one is dead, no one is possessed in any shape or form.. they’re taking the initiative.
I was expecting to see “Her”, the mysterious female Snivleys been communicating with, on the last page, but (ok, that’s enough)
Geez I really like to read the newest issues but somehow they not submit them on [link removed]
Fabio: try this site I wrote, here you can get every issue from the begining till present
I find it hilarious Herms’ coloring is better than the coloring for the cover.
As far as I’m concerned, Zeus, gritty and Sonic don’t really mix very well. Axer’s stuff was nice, Spaz’s stuff was better, but Tracy’s stuff fits Sonic just as well.
As I said, Shade, they don’t really focus on Sonic’s love life anymore. That’s what got me to stop reading the book (again) too. Ian resolved any outstanding romantic plots for Sonic himself back in 173. At the moment he’s a pretty content single, and it looks like that’s where Ian plans to keep it.
….er hem, it is not very wise to post sites where these comics can be downloaded in a public place. Nor is it very respectful (or beneficial) towards the creators to not put down the measely $2.50 to pick up the books. The comics are not very difficult to find. Check a nearby Borders or Waldenbooks, or use that website I posted to find a nearby comic book store.
Damn i want these comics but i wont get them here in Germany!!!
This has been for out for a month.
I cheat and use the internet, but yeah! These comics are great, I do hope to see more of Eggman’s alter ego “El Gran Gordo.” Yes, I read the Xs.
Reading this reminded me why I quit reading archie comics.
Sally sucks, the art sucks, the writing sucks, archie sucks.
@STULF
Thats unlikely to happen, seeing as the Sonic X comic is no longer with us.
I think “Her” is Iron Queen because look at the shape
Only been out three weeks at comic shops, Edge ;). This is for newstands.