“Yesterday’s” Comic> Sonic The Hedgehog #74

In space, nobody can hear you spin.

Sonic The Hedgehog #74

Archie Comic Publications (September, 1999)

LETTERER: Jeff Powell

EDITOR: J.F. Gabrie

“Don’t Call It A Come Back!”

WRITER: Karl Bollers

PENCILER: Steven Butler

INKER: Pam Eklund

COLORIST: Frank Gagliardo

Tales Of The Great War: “Enter…Robotnik”

WRITER: Ken Penders

ARTISTS: Art Mawhinney & Jim Amash

COLORIST: Barry Grossman

Against the King’s orders, Sonic tries to find out what happened to his parents. (Whether it’s Sonic’s current emotional state or the King still trying to convince the “kids” to be kids I couldn’t say.) The other “former” Freedom Fighters decide to help him, and Nate brings them to a space shuttle Robotnik planned to use to go into space. With Dulcy’s help they get the ring-powered ship into space and onto the platform, where they learn Robotnik has re-enslaved the Robians. Engraged, Sonic attacks Robotnik and he ends up splashed by acid, revealing something we’ll have to wait for the next issue to learn.

What they got right: It’s good to see the team in action again. It’s a good cliffhanger to end on.

What they got wrong: I don’t want King Acorn to become an antagonist. He’s headed down that route since he seems convinced the teens who grew up in war as soldiers can somehow switch that off and go back to being normal. He’d be better off accepting the situation (and maybe double-checking if new events has the Source Of All picking a new mate for Sally–like Sonic and not Geoffrey) and just utilizing their expertise and training.

In the back-up story, framed as a flashback since Nate and Amy are left behind but Tails was there when Chuck told his tale, we learn how Robotnik betrayed Kodos and tried to use the war to pit both enemies against each other. I like how Chuck still would have saved him because it was the right thing to do, even if listening to him wasn’t eventually. It shows the difference between the good guys and bad guys.

What I think overall: It’s a good adventure. I’d only be selling it because it requires the rest of the series, including the issues I’m selling, to follow or care about it.