Archie Sonic Universe Issue 67

BRAND NEW STORY ARC! The events of “Shadow Fall” and “Chaos Caper” have clashed to collision in the epic new tale — “Total Eclipse” Part One! The third chapter in the DARK TRILOGY begins here as Team Dark comes to Angel Island on the hunt for Eclipse. But Knuckles isn’t known for his hospitality! Sparks begin to fly as he and Shadow clash over how to protect the world! Meanwhile, the sinister Eclipse hunts our heroes! It’s the first-ever SU TRILOGY and you’ll be in on the ground floor with this titanic new issue, featuring cover art from TRACY YARDLEY and a special “PIXEL CUTSCENE” variant from Ryan Jampole!

Total Eclipse Part One: Uninvited Guests

• Writer: Ian Flynn
• Pencils: Tracy Yardley
• Inks: Jim Amash
• Letters: Jack Morelli
• Colors: Matt Herms
• Assistant Editor: Vincent Lovallo
• Editor – Executive Director of Editorial: Paul Kaminski
• Editor-in-Chief: Victor Gorelick
• President: Mike Pellerito
• Special thanks to: Tyler Ham, Anthony Gaccione and the CHARACTER BUSINESS and LICENSING DEPARTMENT of SEGA CORPORATION

Synopsis

Not long ago, Eclipse was somberly contemplating his defeat against Shadow and the downfall of the Black Arms while piloting his Escape Pod. Suddenly, he realized the need for an emergency landing in the Red Mountain Zone. With his pod crashing, Eclipse awoke to discover that many of the Dark Arms didn’t survive, though some managed to hatch in time. Eclipse vowed to nurture, train, and safeguard these survivors, determined to exact revenge on this world.

A few days later, Team Dark, consisting of Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, and E-123 Omega, arrived at the Launch Base Zone on Angel Island. Their mission was to locate the alien ship that had crashed on the island. While Dr. Julien Snively aided them in setting up their equipment, they were focused on finding Eclipse. As they proceeded to Angel Island’s city, Rouge assured the others that she would handle the interaction with Knuckles, the guardian of the Master Emerald.

Meanwhile, Knuckles contemplated his responsibilities in safeguarding the island amidst the Shattered World Crisis. He grappled with his own ability to address the issues at hand, including mysterious plants appearing across the island. Relic and Fixit, two newcomers, approached Knuckles with samples of these plants, seeking his insight. Their conversation was interrupted by Rouge’s arrival, accompanied by Team Dark. Rouge engaged in playful banter with Knuckles while introducing her team’s mission – to eliminate Eclipse, the surviving Black Arms entity.

Shadow and Knuckles shared information about the Black Arms’ return, which had been thwarted except for one individual. They deduced that Eclipse was now on Angel Island. Relic provided Shadow with a plant sample, revealing it to be a Red Fruit Tree cultivated by the Black Arms. Eclipse’s presence was confirmed, prompting Knuckles to accept their assistance in dealing with the situation. As they prepared to set out, Shadow and Knuckles assured Relic and Fixit’s safety on the island.

Eclipse, on the other hand, contemplated his mission to enhance the surviving Dark Arms’ strength. He recalled an energy source he had sensed earlier but hadn’t investigated due to time constraints. Now determined, Eclipse left his shuttle to search for this source. He overheard Rouge and Knuckles’ conversation, realizing that they were closing in on his location. Eclipse understood that they might discover the Dark Arms soon. However, he also overheard Knuckles’ desire to keep Shadow away from the Master Emerald, which inspired Eclipse to attempt seizing the gem.

As events unfolded, Relic engaged Shadow in a conversation about his experiences with the alien Black Arms. Shadow revealed his disdain for their kind and any affiliation with them, seeing no redeeming qualities. Intrigued by alien civilizations, Relic probed further but was baffled by Shadow’s sudden horrified reaction. Meanwhile, Snively’s attempts at communication were met with Shadow’s growing unease. Eclipse, now in close proximity, emerged from hiding, shocking everyone with his presence.

Appearances

Characters:

• Black Death (fantasy)
• Blurk
• Cregal
• Cyzer
• Eclipse the Darkling
• Chaotix(flashback)
  • Charmy Bee (flashback)
  • Espio the Chameleon (flashback)
  • Vector the Crocodile (flashback)
• Chip (flashback)
• Fixit the Robot
• Guardian Units of the Nation
  • Dr. Julian Snively
  • Team Dark
    • E-123 Omega
    • Rouge the Bat
    • Shadow the Hedgehog
• Knuckles the Echidna
• Relic the Pika
• Rhygenta (first appearance)

Races and species:

• Black Arms
  • Dark Arms
• Human
• Mobian

Locations:

• Prime Zone
  • Sonic’s World
    • Angel Island
      • Azure Lake Zone (first appearance)
      • Carnival Night Zone (first appearance)
      • Hidden Palace Zone (mentioned)
      • IceCap Zone (first appearance)
      • Launch Base Zone
      • Marble Garden Zone (first appearance)
      • Red Mountain Zone
      • Shrine Isle
    • Sky Rail Zone (mentioned)

Items:

• Chaos Emerald (flashback)
• Inhibitor Rings
• Master Emerald
• Red Fruit Tree (mentioned)
• Rocket-skates
• Space Colony ARK (mentioned)
• Tele-Pod (first appearance)

Vehicles:

• G.U.N. Shuttle (first appearance)

Misc.:

• Guardian
• Shattered World Crisis

Trivia

• Omega’s act of destroying a barrel in Carnival Night Zone could serve as a subtle nod to the frustration that players often experienced while attempting to utilize the Spinning Wheel mechanic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
• Additionally, when Knuckles urgently warned Shadow against touching the Master Emerald, this could be a reference to a similar moment in the game “Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).” In that game, Shadow yelled at Rouge to refrain from grabbing a nearby Chaos Emerald, reflecting a parallel situation where characters feel compelled to protect powerful gems from being mishandled.

• Script: Aleah Baker
• Pencils: Diana Skelly
• Inks: Rick Bryant
• Colors: Steven Lisefski

Synopsis

Shadow instructs Rouge to keep an eye out for Angel Island, to which she straightforwardly responds that the island is a conspicuous floating mass of rock and therefore quite noticeable. Shadow gives her a displeased glance, prompting Rouge to glance outside where she observes numerous fragments of Earth suspended in the air.

Appearances

Characters:

• Team Dark
  • E-123 Omega
  • Rouge the Bat
  • Shadow the Hedgehog

Races and species:

• Mobian

Locations:

• Prime Zone
  • Sonic’s World
    • Angel Island (mentioned)

Misc.:

• Shattered World Crisis