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Sonic The Hedgehog #226
Publisher: Archie Comics
Writer: Ian Flynn
Art: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
The 20th Anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog kicks off, making some of us feel really old but at the same time really nostalgic and excited for what is in store for the quickest hero ever to kick robot-butt. Sonic The Hedgehog #226 has hit stands and features part one of the new “Genesis” story arc. So why is this so important? Well, before DC made any announcement to revamp its line, Archie had planned a big new starting point for Sonic-fans new and old with this story arc.
In issue 225 of Sonic The Hedgehog, some major things happened in the story line, including long time character Princess Sally’s death, and a cliff hanger explosive ending leaving in question the fate of Sonic, Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik), and others. Issue 226 picks up where Sonic feels like he is waking out of a dream and is thrown into a world that feels and looks 100 percent like the original video game, where he kicks evil robots around and meets for the first time (in this world at least) the Freedom Fighters, including Princess Sally, alive in this world to the fans’ joy, Snively, and Dr. Eggman.
The issue provides a starting point for new readers and is fantastic. It is filled with non-stop action and they really captured the feeling of the video games themselves here, all while reintroducing these characters. The story arc also works with its new starting point that can clear up many continuity issues over the years that have developed over the last 225 issues, that have tried to incorporate the animated series and both the east and west approach to marketing Sonic, the characters, and art styles. The only question, and I guess we’ll soon see, is where this is going. The characters as they meet each other for the first time keep referring back to their hazy memories like they once knew each other and such. So is Archie just creating a new start? Are they creating an Earth-2? Are they puling a David Lynch and this is all a dream? As much as Archie has put this out there as a reboot of the comic, they have said they will get back to the cliff hanger left in issue 225 after this 4-part story is over, so are the new and old world going to converge? Much is unclear. It would be a let down if this story arc is for nothing and they pull a “it was all a dream“; please Archie Comics, don’t do it.
That said, the writing is great and the art is wild and hip. There is no reason why you shouldn’t jump onto Sonic with this supposed fresh start; it’s too good to pass up. On stands now.
Drew McCabe
drew@comicattack.net