“Yesterday’s” Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #4

“Whatever is going on is messing with the scanner’s ability to scan this cover!”

Knuckles The Echidna #4

(apparently taking over the numbering from Knuckles: The Dark Legion, which is something I though stopped happening in the Silver Age)

Archie Comics (August, 1997)

“Lost Paradise” part 1

WRITER: Ken Penders

PENCILER: Manny Galan

INKER: Andrew Pepoy

COLORIST: Barry Grossman

LETTERER: Vickie Williams

EDITOR: J. Freddy Gabrie

Vector comes across a lone Dark Legionnaire and tries to attack, only to get his own butt kicked. The Legionnaire then goes after Knuckles but Archimedes is there to back him up. She’s revealed to be Julie-Su, who for some reason had an urge to follow Knuckles out of the crumbling base. Their “discussion” is interrupted by the Chaotix, warning of some strange quakes that Julie-Su says could be tied to one of their experiments. Reluctantly Knuckles takes her with him and Archimedes to investigate, though his dad and granddad are not happy about it as they watch from their secret location. They find an echidna city, Echiniopolis, phasing in and out of reality. Passing through the barrier to investigate Knuckles meets his mom during one phase in and during another they learn about a device called the Hyper-Zone Projector. Then the authorities come by wondering what our heroes know, but only Archimedes knows what this city is.

What they got right: A new arc begins, one that builds on Knuckles’ history. Julie-Su will be an interesting new addition until all this is used by Penders’ taking his ball and going home and destroying the Archie Sonicverse.

What they got wrong: The editor notes at the end says that Sonic The Hedgehog #50 comes out after this one, but this story clearly has to come second. I’m betting all the zones appearing after the Ultimate Annihilator was…annihilated has something to do with this and this can’t happen until the end of the previous issue, or at least while Sonic was recovering. Julie-Su just happens to show up without warning, and given what this leads Penders to do to the Sonic comics down the line you may wish they hadn’t.

What I think overall: It’s not a bad start to the story but it is more set-up. Julie-Su’s introduction is not the best and leads to trouble later. It’s not a great book but it’s an okay issue.