IDW Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 69

On your marks! Get set! RACE! Welcome, Extreme Gear fans, to the qualifier for the Clean Sweepstakes race around the world, sponsored by the Restoration and Clean Sweep Inc.! And look at the starting line! It’s Sonic, Tails, Amy, Surge, Kit, the Diamond Cutters, and the Babylon Rogues! Hold on to your tails because we’re in for one heck of a race!

Synopsis

Nite the Owl serves as the commentator for the Clean Sweepstakes and introduces himself as the emcee of the race, mentioning that it is sponsored by the Restoration in partnership with Clean Sweep Inc. Omochao starts the race by waving the flag, and the racers take off on their Extreme Gear. Nite reminds the participants that they must finish the race before a certain number of racers cross the finish line to qualify. Sonic encourages Tails and Amy to give their best, but Tails is too busy admiring everyone’s Extreme Gear. Sonic asks if Tails wants to test his new prototypes or just watch, helping Tails regain his focus.

In the air, Nite introduces Clean Sweep’s mascots, Doctor Yolk and Nick, to the audience, while Barry hands out chili dogs. Meanwhile, Clutch and Jewel enjoy some Chaos Cola, with Jewel finding it too sweet. Clutch mentions there are different flavors and suggests that being too public is risky, stating that individuals are approachable and weak, whereas institutions are more effective. Jewel argues that the Restoration aims to connect with people, and Clutch admits changes are necessary but praises Clean Sweep’s efforts.

As the race continues, Nite announces that the racers are entering town. The Babylon Rogues catch up to Sonic’s team, and Jet mocks Sonic, while Wave trash talks Tails’ Extreme Gear. Amy defends Tails, and Storm backs off from his trash talk. Team Sonic overtakes the Rogues, but Jet hits Sonic, causing Whisper to fire her variable wispon, which Lanolin calls a rule violation. Tangle greets her friends, but Surge uses a controller to sabotage Team Sonic’s boards.

The previous evening, Mimic discusses the race with Clutch, who calls the Rogues “Airborne Maroons” and mentions that he needs to stay off Team Sonic’s radar to avoid Amy’s interference. Clutch asks Mimic to handle pre-race inspections. On the race morning, Mimic, disguised as Duo, wakes Surge and Kit, assigning them to sabotage the heroes’ gear. Surge wants to do things her way, but Clutch insists, leaving her no choice.

During the race, Tails helps Sonic save Amy by flying him to her. Whisper blasts the malfunctioning boards to assist, but Lanolin declares them a hazard and disqualifies Team Sonic. After the race, Duo informs Jewel of Team Sonic’s disqualification, and she considers calling Amy. Duo reassures her, saying they have not been seen since the race ended.

Later, in Central City, Sonic, Tails, and Amy discuss their unfair disqualification in a restaurant. Eggman approaches them with a proposition: after the heroes wrecked Eggperial City, he wants to conduct more research. He reveals he saw the race’s opening ceremony and is angry at being mocked. Eggman offers an alliance, proposing to use his new Extreme Gear, the Eggstreme Gear, as a distraction while Tails and Amy investigate. Sonic agrees to the plan.

Appearances

Characters:

• Amy Rose
• Barry the Quokka (cameo)
• Babylon Rogues
  • Jet the Hawk
  • Wave the Swallow
  • Storm the Albatross
• Clutch the Opossum
• Cubot
• Diamond Cutters
  • Duo the Cat
  • Tangle the Lemur
  • Whisper the Wolf
  • Lanolin the Sheep
• Doctor Eggman
• Doctor Yolk (first appearance)
• Jewel the Beetle
• Kitsunami the Fennec
• Miles “Tails” Prower
• Nick (first appearance)
• Nite the Owl
• Orbot
• Omochao
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Surge the Tenrec

Locations

• Sonic’s universe
  • Sonic’s world
    • Central City
    • Eggperial City (mentioned)
    • Sunset City (mentioned)

Items

• Eggstreme Gear
• Extreme Gear
  • Blue Star
  • Pink Rose (first appearance)
  • Type-J
  • Type-S
  • Type-W
  • Yellow Tail Turbo

Vehicle

• Battleship

Misc.

• Clean Sweepstakes

Trivia

• In one of the panels, Ian Mutchler’s Sonic Forces Avatar, “Ian Jr.”, is present.