“Forget Mega Man, we’re crossing over with Legend Of Zelda!”
Sonic The Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day Edition
Archie Comic Publications (2007)
“Unburying The Hatchet”
WRITER: Ian Flynn
PENCILER: Tracy Yardley!
INKER: Jim Amash
COLORIST: Jason Jensen
COVER ART: Pat “Spaz” Spaziante
LETTERER: John Workman
EDITOR: Mike Pellerito
Robotnik (or rather Metal Sonic) has captured Sonic, and uses a device implanted in the hedgehog hero that allows the villain to control his body…though not his mouth. The Freedom Fighters and Chaotix both have a hard time dealing with him until Knuckles and Tails team up to stop him. The comic leads into Sonic The Hedgehog #175 as Robotnik and Snively prepare to invade the Acorn Kingdom.
What they got right: I always like when a Free Comic Book Day offering is a self-contained story, even when previewing a larger story in the main book or graphic novel being promoted. It also works as a good preview, showcasing each team and their talents as best it can, and giving any readers not acquainted with the main comic a taste of what the series or GN is about so they can decide if they want to come back to the comic store to get more issues.
What they got wrong: Are some of the characters putting on weight? Rotor also looks older than he should, given that he’s supposed to be the same age as most of the Freedom Fighters.
What else is there: There’s a big break in my collection between the previous issue and this one, so I’m not up to date on the changes at this point. Why and how is Snively human again? (I see he’s still plotting against his evil uncle.) Were the other roboticized Overlanders turned back, including Hope’s parents and Nate? I also noticed that the Floating Island is now being called Angel Island, which I think is what SEGA eventually called it, but what’s the in-universe reason for the name change? Is this Robotnik or Robo-Robotnik? That’s not really clear. I’m guessing they weren’t thinking of readers who fell away so much as new readers entirely.
What I think overall: I must have looked at what the regular comic was doing at the time and wasn’t interested (I don’t remember) because I didn’t start picking this series up for a few more years yet. Next time we’ll be starting with Sonic Universe based on the dating, then another Free Comic Book Day, and then we’ll be switching back and forth between Sonic Universe and the main book, at least until I’m all caught up to where I was when BW Media Spotlight started. If the comic had been closer to this, still with the action but a better balance of light-hearted fun and serious adventure, I might have stayed with the title longer before this.
BW Media Spotlight 