Today’s Comic> Sonic The Hedgehog #209

Regina shows off her new Sonic Heroclix.

Sonic The Hedgehog #208

Archie Comics (April 2010)

WRITER: Ian Flynn

PENCILER: Tracy Yardley

INKER: Terry Austin

COLORIST: Matt Herms

LETTERER: John Workman

COVER: Tracy Yardley & Jason Jensen

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Paul Kaminski

EDITOR: Mike Pellerito

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Victor Gorelick

At Freedom Fighters HQ, Sonic, Tails, Sally, and Khan are trying to regain control of Nicole, under the spell of the Iron Queen’s techno-magic. Sonic and Sally digitize themselves and attempt to access Nicole directly. The Iron Queen learns of the plan and uses her powers to interfere, but Nicole is able to be broken free and decides to work undercover until the time is right. Meanwhile, an offhand comment by Sir Charles may have unsnapped something in Robotnik’s sanity.

What they got right: I have to give Flynn some real credit at how he’s handling the characters. Sonic is willing to accept Khan and Sally’s current relationship, but you can still feel a level of rivalry. And there’s still a connection between Sonic and Sally formed by their years as friends and a couple. And the other characters in the story are not forgotten, but given a sense of realism without reflecting some version of “our real world” that usually means “dark and gritty”. However, these interpersonal relationships not only don’t stop or bog down the story, but actually makes the story more natural and believable. I wish more writers in all mediums (not just comics) followed this comic’s example.

What they got wrong: I just went through the whole comic again and came up empty.

Recommendation: If you want to know what a good comic is like, Sonic the Hedgehog #209 is a perfect example.

Come to think of it, she is rather buggy.