“Yesterday’s” Comic> Sonic The Hedgehog #75

“Hey, we can’t all fit on this cover!”

Sonic The Hedgehog #75

Archie Comics Publications (October, 1999)

“I Am The Eggman!”

WRITER: Karl Bollers

PENCILER: Steven Butler

INKER: Pam Eklund

COLORIST: Frank Gagliardo

LETTERER: Jeff Powell

EDITOR: J.F. Gabrie

Robotnik is revealed as Robo-Robotnik, a version of Robotnik from another dimension Sonic battled in an issue I don’t have. After destroying the Mobians of his world and learning of his counterpart’s dying in this one, Robo-Robotnik decided to invade this one. Robo-Robotnik has restored the lack of will in the Roboticized Mobians, and now his new Shadow Bots are invading the kingdom. The Royal Family manages to escape along with as many Mobians as possible to Knothole following thanks to the Secret Service. Back on the station, our heroes are freed by Snively, who doesn’t want to be roboticized with the others. Sonic goes to rescue his family, but only his parents, restored to free will thanks to the wedding bands forged from Power Rings, are able to join him before the station explodes. Back in Robotnik’s headquarters, Robo downloads himself into a new body, resembling his official game design.

What they got right: I think that was the ultimate goal of this arc, to bring back Robotnik and explain why he now resembles Eggman from the games. He’s still called Robotnik, the original US name for the character, but now looks more like the games than either of the DIC character designs Archie had been using. To make this happen, we get a good story and a good explanation.

What they got wrong: People upset by the use of multiverse lately to replace characters with other versions will probably hate this reveal, but it wasn’t as poorly and overly used back in 1999. It’s disappointing to lose Uncle Chuck and Muttski, but this seems to be the point where Archie starts pulling away from the DIC interpretations and come closer to what SEGA was doing at the time.

What I think overall: While I still don’t connect to this series anymore, credit where it’s due. This is an interesting way to restore Robotnik to the Sonic universe and get him closer to Eggman. While it does restore the Robotropolis and Robians from before, which is a step back, there is potential for good Sonic stories in the future. Now I get to remember if it still does. Hope someone warns Knuckles soon.