“Yesterday’s” Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #10

Knuckles is your god now!

Knuckles The Echidna #10

Archie Comic Publications (March, 1998)

“The Forgotten Tribe” part 1

WRITER: Ken Penders

PENCILER: Manny Galan

INKER: Andrew Pepoy

COLORIST: Barry Grossman

LETTERER: Vickie Williams

EDITOR: J. Freddy Gabrie

When the Floating Island was constructed to get the echidnas out of the path of a meteor, some objected to leaving the ground and were allowed to leave Echinopolis and the Floating Island area to attempt life on the ground. Forced to become wanderers, the tribe has continued to present day, but now Athair is too old to continue watching over them as the Ancient Walkers assigned him. Turning the tribe over to his disciple, Yanar, while seeking out Knuckles to continue leading them to “Journey’s End” and survive the “day of fury”, a time when the planet basically resets itself. Meanwhile, Remington tries to figure out Julie-Su’s future, just as the “day of fury” hits Mobius (including events in the regular Sonic comic) as Knuckles has to go into rescue mode to save the tribe from an earthquake that ripped open the magma layer of the area.

What they got right: As set up to the story arc this works okay. Knuckles has a new mission, and we learn more about the Echidna past in this continuity.

What they got wrong: However, it’s tough to enjoy the story knowing Penders is going to get it all tossed out, not that it followed the games anyway. The Chaotix are becoming an afterthought as Penders focuses on his own story with the Echidnas.

What I think overall: As storytelling it’s fine. As an adaptation it feels more like an original story. If Penders enjoyed all this worldbuilding so much maybe he should have saved it for his own work rather than tear the continuity apart with his own “day of fury”.