Sonic the Comic Issue 61

• Managing Editor: Richard Burton
• Editor: Deborah Tate
• Designer: Gary Knight
• Assistant Editor: Audrey Wong
• Publisher: Rob McMenemy
• Production: Sarah Colley
• Advertising: Tom Glenister

Sonic the Hedgehog – “The Brotherhood of Metallix, Part 3”

• Script: Nigel Kitching
• Art: Richard Elson & John Burns
• Lettering: Ellie de’Ville

Synopsis

The Freedom Fighters, consisting of Sonic the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Porker Lewis, and Johnny Lightfoot, are making their way up a long chain connecting Mobius to the Miracle Planet. This celestial body appears in orbit for only three days each month. Sonic, ever the complainer, grumbles about his previous unfortunate experience on the Miracle Planet when he was stuck there for a whole month, especially since he was accompanied by Amy. Porker feels nervous due to the height, but Johnny offers him reassurance.

As they continue their ascent, they receive a communication on their portable computer, and Sonic suspects it’s from Robotnik. Strangely, Sonic had given Robotnik access to their channel, much to the dismay of the others, as part of a temporary truce to combat the Brotherhood of Metallix. However, Sonic refuses to take Grimer, one of Robotnik’s associates who knows much about the Brotherhood, with them, citing the operation’s secrecy.

Upon reaching the far end of the chain, the Emperor Metallix rallies his fellow robots to channel energy into the Alpha Device. Their goal is to reshape the planet and harness its boundless power. Detecting four life forms, one Metallix is dispatched to eliminate the intruders. Sonic and his team take refuge in a system of underground tunnels, a location familiar to Sonic from his previous visit when he hid there for two days to escape Amy.

The Metallix attacks them with its chest cannon, and Johnny is the first to retaliate, using his staff. However, the Metallix catches the staff mid-air and breaks it. Just as the Metallix is about to use Johnny’s own staff against him, Sonic intervenes with a Spin Attack. Sonic recalls Robotnik’s advice that the neck is a Metallix’s weak spot, so Amy expertly shoots a crossbow bolt into the Metallix’s neck, causing it to power down and collapse. Although they can’t employ this strategy against all the Metallixes, Sonic has a new plan up his sleeve.

Meanwhile, the Emperor Metallix announces that the Alpha Device is fully charged. He hurls it into the ground, and it begins to sprout metal tendrils that rapidly spread across the grass.

Appearances

Characters:

• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Amy Rose
• Porker Lewis
• Johnny Lightfoot
• Doctor Ivo Robotnik
• Grimer
• Emperor Metallix
• Metallix

Continuity

• Sonic’s reference to being stuck on the Miracle Planet with Amy for a month serves as a callback to a previous event that took place in Sonic the Comic #28, titled “The Sonic Terminator, Part 5.” This event involved Sonic and Amy’s prolonged stay on the Miracle Planet between its periodic appearances over Mobius.
• This mention also serves as a foreshadowing of another character, Porker Lewis, experiencing a similar predicament. Porker becomes trapped on the Miracle Planet for a month between the events in Sonic the Comic #62, titled “The Brotherhood of Metallix, Part 4,” when the Miracle Planet disappears, and its reappearance in Sonic the Comic #67, titled “The Return of Chaotix, Part 1.”
• Additionally, in the previous issue, Sonic had rescued Grimer and subsequently sent him back to Robotnik, which is a detail worth noting.

Trivia

• This story was later reprinted in Sonic the Comic #182.

Ecco the Dolphin – “Return of Ecco the Dolphin, Part 2”

• Script: Alan McKenzie
• Art: Steve White
• Lettering: Elitta Fell

Ecco attempts to retrieve the Black Pearl from the giant squid, known as the “many-fins,” by using his sonar to blast it. Unfortunately, this tactic fails, and the squid retaliates by spraying Ecco with a cloud of dark ink, hoping to use it as cover to escape. Ecco, however, can still navigate in the darkness thanks to his sonar, and he presses on with his attack.

During the confrontation, the squid drops the Black Pearl, and it sinks even deeper into the ocean. Despite the immense pressure and danger, Ecco follows the Pearl’s descent. He manages to catch it, but as he holds it, he begins to feel an unusual sensation – the Pearl is “hot, but not hot.” Unbeknownst to Ecco, the Pearl emits a deadly radiation that quickly overwhelms him, causing him to lose consciousness. If not addressed soon, this radiation will prove fatal to Ecco.

Knuckles and Tails – “The Revenge of Trogg, Part 3”

• Script: Nigel Kitching
• Art: Nigel Kitching
• Lettering: Elitta Fell

Synopsis

Knuckles and Tails have traversed the Dimension Bridge into the Land Beyond, but their journey is soon interrupted when they notice someone following them on the Bridge. This mysterious figure is revealed to be Morain, the sister of Errol Blackthorn. She is fueled by a burning desire for revenge against Trogg, who turned her brother into a monstrous creature. In the Nameless Zone, everyone believes that Tails is the true hero and that Knuckles is his sidekick, whom they refer to as “Sonic.”

As Knuckles attempts to explain, albeit rather abruptly, that their mission is perilous, Morain takes offense. She interprets Knuckles’ words as implying that she can’t fight because she’s a girl. Morain asserts that no one in the Nameless Zone can outmatch her in swordsmanship. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted when they are ambushed by a group of five warriors from the Land Beyond.

During the skirmish, Morain is impressed by “Sonic’s” combat skills but expresses surprise that he isn’t blue. Knuckles humorously quips that blue is his least favorite color.

Meanwhile, Trogg observes the battle using a scrying crystal, while the Enchanter Kings are held captive behind him. The Enchanter Kings note that Trogg has become obsessed since his defeat by Tails. Trogg reveals his sinister plan: when the moon reaches its zenith, he intends to summon the Dark One and transform the Enchanter Kings into a “superior form” – monstrous beings like himself.

Back at the battlefield, Morain is confident of their victory until Tails points out the arrival of a new army of warriors, significantly increasing their opposition.

Appearances

Characters:

• Knuckles the Echidna
• Miles “Tails” Prower
• Morain (first appearance)
• Trogg
• Enchanter Kings
• Land Beyond monsters

Continuity

• The Enchanter Kings reference Tails’ celebrated triumph over Trogg, an event that occurred in Sonic the Comic #17, titled “The Nameless Zone, Part 2.” This victory has clearly left a lasting impression on Tails’ reputation in their eyes.

Trivia

• In the second panel of this story, there is an error in the placement of Tails’ second word balloon, which appears to be directed towards Knuckles incorrectly.
• Additionally, it’s worth noting that this story was reprinted in Sonic the Comic #200, further cementing its place in the comic’s history.

Sonic’s World – “The Seven Badniks, Part 3”

• Script: Mark Eyles
• Art: Mike Hadley & John Burns
• Lettering: Steve Potter

Synopsis

Appearances

Characters:

• B.A.R.F. (Cam and Bert)
• Palmtree Panic Zone badniks:
  • Anton
  • Needlenose
  • Pata-Bata
  • Unnamed beetle robot
• Green Hill Zone badniks:
  • Moto Bugs
  • Crabmeats
  • Choppers
  • Buzz Bombers
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Porker Lewis
• Johnny Lightfoot
• Amy Rose
• Rabbit
• The Seven Badniks(first appearance)
  • Buzzorgsky (first appearance)
  • Crabaton (first appearance)
  • Crabinator (first appearance)
  • Buzznik (first appearance)
  • Metamoto (first appearance)
  • Choppalien (first appearance)
  • Motobotnik (first appearance)

Continuity

• This story appears to be set before Sonic the Comic #59, “The Brotherhood of Metallix, Part 1,” as it involves the Miracle Planet without any mention of the Brotherhood of Metallix. However, there is a contradiction with Sonic’s statement in “The Brotherhood of Metallix, Part 3,” where he claimed not to have returned to the Miracle Planet since “The Sonic Terminator” storyline (Sonic the Comic #24 to #28).
• Additionally, the story repeats the notion that the Miracle Planet appears for one month in a year, which aligns with the storyline from Sonic the Hedgehog CD but contradicts the established canon of Sonic the Comic. In Sonic the Comic, the Miracle Planet is known to appear for three days out of every month, as reiterated in “The Brotherhood of Metallix, Part 3.”