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/___//_\ /___\ ascii Sonic by Han J. Lee
|====================== THE SONIC FAQ FILE =====================|
Feb 24, 1995 edition
Compiled by: Daniel J. Drazen
Contributors: Ron Bauerle, Brad Clark, Craig Moore, Michiyo
Nakajima, Paula O'Keefe, Eric E. Pearson, Jeff Pegnato,
Alessandro Sanasi, Erich Schulman, Fred Sloniker, Andy White
Address all comments, corrections, contributions and flames to:
drazen_at_andrews.edu
**All new material for the week will be prefaced by two
asterisks.
I. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
II. SOURCE DESCRIPTIONS
A. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG EPISODE GUIDE
B. SONIC COMICS DESCRIPTIONS
C. OTHER SOURCES
I. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
=============================
Q1: How did Tails come to have two tails?
Q2: Is "Tails" his real name?
Q3: Is Tails related to Sally? He calls her "Aunt Sally" quite
often.
Q4: I can't figure out what kinds of animals some of the
characters are supposed to be.
Q5: "Sally Acorn?"
Q6: How old are the characters supposed to be?
Q7: What happened to the Princess Sally miniseries?
**Q8: Does anyone have a theory about Sonic's speed?
================================================================
Q1: How did Tails come to have two tails?
A: The writers of Sonic comics solicited reader responses to this
in issue #___; the replies were printed in issue #___. They
range from transplantation to mutation. At this point, there is
no "official" explanation as to how Tails got that way, so you're
pretty much free to believe what you like. Personally, I prefer
the theory that it is a mutation, induced by Robotnik's pollution
of Mobius. This would accord with the fact that Tails had not
been born when Robotnik took over (cf. Q6).
Q2: Is "Tails" his real name?
A: No, his real name is "Miles Prower" (you have to say it
sorta fast to get the joke). That was his name when he was
introduced on the front screen of the Sonic 2 video game. Tails
was given as his nickname, and it stuck.
Q3: Is Tails related to Sally? He calls her "Aunt Sally" quite
often.
A:This argument has been put forward by the "Sally is a fox" camp
(see below). However, if that were true, then he'd also be
related to Bunnie, as he's been known to address her as "Aunt
Bunnie." For that matter, it seems that everyone in the Knothole
gang refers to Sir Charles Hedgehog as "Uncle Chuck," though he's
technically only uncle to Sonic.
While it was not explicitly stated in either the comics or in the
cartoons, it has to be kept in mind that all of the freedom
fighters' families were disrupted by Robotnik's takeover of
Mobius. It's safe to assume that they all have had relatives who
have ended up being roboticized. As a result, they have become
not so much a paramilitary resistance group as a loose-knit
family. Sonic, for instance, clearly relates to Tails as if the
latter was his little brother, the difference in species
notwithstanding.
Q4: I can't figure out what kinds of animals some of the
characters are supposed to be.
A: Admittedly, it's trickier to spot some species in the series
than others. Herewith is the list:
Sonic and Sir Charles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .hedgehogs
Bunnie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rabbit
Tails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fox
Rotor. . . . . . . . . . . . . .walrus (sea lion, cf. Teitelbaum)
Antoine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fox
Sally Acorn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ground squirrel/chipmunk
Sally's father . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fox
The identification of Sally as a ground squirrel is based on
extended discussion of the topic on Internet {alt.fan.furry and
rec.arts.animation). She was also declared to be a ground
squirrel in the comics, most recently in the Sonicgram of Sonic
#19.
Despite this statement, controversy continues. Identifying
Sally's species has been particularly vexing to some fans,
especially those who reason that since Sally's father is clearly
a fox, then she must be one herself. It is possible that Sally
takes after her mother in this regard more than her father.
Cross-species mating is a definite possibility, and an example is
implied in the "flashforward" at the end of "Sally's Crusade"
[Sonic: In Your Face #1].
At this point, the identification of Sally's nanny, Rosie,
remains ambiguous. Given her buck teeth, she could be either a
beaver or a woodchuck. Since she is always shown wearing a long
cloak, I've been unable to spot the character beaver tail. Final
identification is still pending.
Q5: "Sally Acorn"?
A: This is how she was identified in the Sonic-Gram Extra, vol.
1, no. 1, Winter 94-95; I am still trying to identify a first
usage of the name. Technically, royalty do not have surnames or
family names in the accepted sense; rather, the title of the
personage tends to serve the purpose. Her middle name, Alicia,
is apparently seldom used (cf. "Blast to the Past," part
1). If you wanted to be grandiose about it, Sally's formal title
would be: Sally Alicia, Princess of the House of Acorn. But in
any event it's unlikely that Sally's formal title will come back
into use so long as Robotnik is in charge.
Q6: How old are the characters supposed to be?
A: According to the TV series ["Blast to the Past: part 1"]
Sonic and Sally were both 5 years old when Sally's father was
overthrown and Robotnik took over. Two other age clues were
given in the "Drood Henge" episode: that Tails was 10 years old,
and that Sally wouldn't "come of age" for another two years.
**At one point, Sally's age is explicitly given as being 16,
though the comics reportedly put both at age 15. Subtracting 5
from 16 leaves the number of years Robotnik has been in charge:
11. Thus, it would appear that Tails was born after the fall of
the House of Acorn. Still, the simplest way out of this dilemma
would be to put the age of majority on Mobius at 17 instead of
18; that would eliminate the extra year differential without
altering the stated ages of Sonic and Sally (in the comics) or of
Tails (in "Drood Henge").
Q7: What happened to the Princess Sally miniseries?
A: Archie Comics was supposed to roll out a three-part
miniseries starring Sally as the main character. The story
actually began with "Deadliest of the Species" in Sonic #20. The
cover art for the miniseries, however, differs in subsequent
advertisements: one cover for the first issue prominently
features Geoffrey St. John, while another does not. The third
issue cover either does or doesn't feature Sally doing battle
with a clone of herself, depending upon where you see it. The
fact that the Sally creative team PLUS Archie Comics PLUS Sega
reportedly came together to discuss "improving" the series (as
reported in the Sonicgram for Sonic #21) would seem to indicate
that someone had come down with a case of "creative differences."
In any event, the "improved" Sally miniseries began shipping the
week of Feb 13.
**Q8: Does anyone have a theory about Sonic's speed?
A: How, in other words, is Sonic able to run so fast? Apparently
the same way you get to Carnegie Hall in the old joke: practice.
I'm serious; here is the only print explanation I've come across
so far: "Years ago, when things were right on Mobius, there lived
a hedgehog named Sonic.... Sonic was only interested in running
as fast as he could. Every day he practiced." [Michael
Teitelbaum, _Sonic the Hedgehog_. Mahwah, NJ: Troll, 1993, pp.7-
8]. And that's the extent of Teitelbaum's explanation. Thanks a
heap, Mike!
=================================================================
**NOTICE: The fact that episode and story summaries appear here
means there is a good chance that you will encounter spoilers.
This is your only notice!
II. SOURCE DESCRIPTIONS
A. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG EPISODE GUIDE
1. First Season
Super Sonic
Writer: Jules Dennis
When Nicole malfunctions, Sonic and Sally go to Robotropolis to
get replacement parts. While there, they discover the Forbidden
Zone and a being named Lezar. Lezar causes Sonic to lose his
speed abilities, and teaches him that he can still accomplish
things without it.
Sonic Boom
Writer: Len Janson
While on a mission in Robotropolis, Sally intercepts a message
which includes the use of her father's pet name for her. They
follow the lead to the Dark Swamp **and the remains of Ironlock
Prison. In the process, a freedom fighter named Cat is captured.
The freedom fighters gain maps to Robotropolis, but the search
for Sally's father proves futile.
Sonic and Sally
Writers: Pat Allee and Ben Hurst
Before becoming the principle writers for the second season,
Allee and Hurst wrote this account of Sally's capture by
Robotnik's forces. Sonic rescues what he thinks is Sally but
what is instead a robot double. Back in Knothole, Tails begins
to doubt Sally's behavior because of small details, such as how
she reads a bedtime story. After first dismissing Tails' fears,
Sonic also comes to realizes he's been dealing with a "Stepford
Sally."
Hooked on Sonics
Writer: Randy Rogel
In an attempt to impress Sally, Antoine tries to capture Robotnik
by himself. He attempts to lure Robotnik into the open with the
offer of a power ring, but Antoine is himself captured and Sonic
has to rescue him.
Ultra Sonic
Writer: David Villaire
While on a raid in Robotropolis, Sonic finds his Uncle Chuck as a
robot worker in a crystal mine. Uncle Chuck recovers his mind
and will long enough to help destroy a giant crystal which would
have damaged the ecosystem of the entire planet. As Uncle Chuck
loses control of his will, Sonic vows to return for him.
Sonic's Nightmare
Writer: Frank Santopadre
The freedom fighters are captured and held on a deserted island
refinery. Sonic must not only rescue them but he also has to
deal with a recurring nightmare where he unable to prevent
Sally's being roboticized.
Warp Sonic
Writer: Matt Uitz
The freedom fighters discover an underground civilization called
Lower Mobius and one of its citizens, Griff. Lower Mobius draws
energy from a power crystal, but it is weakening. Feigning
friendship, Griff visits Knothole and steals the power stone
which is the source of the power rings. After fighting off some
mechanical rats, the power stone is retrieved. Griff apologizes
for his theft and is given a portion of the stone to aid Lower
Mobius.
Harmonic Sonic
Writer: David Villaire
After Robotnik launches a robot-manned orbiting space station to
locate Knothole, the Knothole freedom fighters use a rocket
booster to reach and destroy it.
Sonic and the Secret Scrolls
Writer: Janis Diamond
The freedom fighters journey to Mauga (sp?) to recover some
legendary scrolls, but Robotnik is tailing them. Robotnik's ship
is hurled off a plateau by a violent wind, and the Knothole gang
mistakenly believe he is finished. Will they make the same
mistake at the end of the second season?
Sub-Sonic
Writer: Barbara Slade
Sonic discovers a stream of water that makes plants grow at a
fantastic rate. In their search for the source, the Knothole
gang discover a subterranean creature whose habitat has been
disturbed by Robotnik's drilling operations.
Heads or Tails
Writer: Len Janson
On a raid of Robotropolis, Sonic runs into Muttski, his now-
roboticized pet dog and vows to return him to normal someday.
The freedom fighters also have to contend with a squadron of
Buzzbombers carrying an orange defoliant [Agent Orange?
Hmmmm...] intent on destroying the Great Forest and exposing
Knothole. Artwork in this ep is decidedly off-model.
Sonic Past Cool
Writers: Kayte Kuch & Sheryl Scarborough
Tails finds a baby terrapod and the freedom fighters escort the
terrapod herd to Boulder Bay, where they will be safe from
Robotnik.
Sonic Racer
Writer: Len Janson
While on a mission to disable Robotnik's power generators, Sonic
**is tempted into participating in a contest against a super-fast
robot designed to capture him. While he engages the bot, Bunnie,
Sally and Antoine go after their target: Robotnik's back-up
generator.
2. Second Season
Game Guy
Sonic rescues someone from capture by Robotnik; he turns out to
be Ari, a freedom fighter from another group. Ari directs Sonic
to a place which turns out to be a trap. Sonic manages to escape
(after Robotnik toys with him), but Ari--whose comrades were
roboticized and who was himself deceived by Robotnik--is sucked
into the Void. Before falling into the Void, Ari says something
about a list of other freedom fighters.
Sonic Conversion
The Knothole gang test a deroboticizing process on Bunnie, whose
partially-roboticized body is returned to normal. Sonic then
goes after Uncle Chuck and is able to convince him to undergo the
process. However, the process turns out to be only temporary as,
in a poignant scene, Bunnie reverts to a half-robot. When Uncle
Chuck reverts to robotic form, he captures Tails and Antoine for
delivery to Robotnik; Sonic confronts him and manages to break
the hold on Uncle Chuck's mind. Uncle Chuck returns to
Robotropolis to work as a spy for the Knothole gang.
No Brainer
Sonic's thought processes are temporarily scrambled while on a
mission in Robotropolis. Taking advantage of the situation,
Snively convinces Sonic that they are friends. The disruption
wears off just as the Knothole gang face imminent capture.
Blast to the Past (two parts)
Dulcy takes Sonic and Sally to a floating island where they use
the Time Stones to return to Mobotropolis on the eve of the
planet's conquest by Dr. Robotnik (then known as Julian,
affiliated with the War Ministry and supposedly in charge of its
dismantling). They also encounter themselves as 5-year-olds and
learn that it was Sonic's Uncle Chuck who had perfected the
roboticizer process in the first place, though Julian/Robotnik
stole the process. Sally and Sonic work to keep their child
selves from being roboticized, to prevent the Great Forest from
being destroyed, and to make sure that Sally's nanny, Rosie,
would not get captured.
Fed Up With Antoine/Ghost Busted (back to back episodes)
Feeling unappreciated, Antoine allows himself to be made "king"
by a group of renegades, unaware that with the office comes the
"honor" of being an entree./While out camping, Sonic's ghost
story panics Tails, and Antoine once more demonstrates his
ineptitude.
Dulcy
Dulcy begins having overpowering urges to fly to Dragonsnest, a
nesting site for female dragons. She, Sonic and Sally, arrive
just as Robotnik has captured another female dragon; they then
discover the dragon's egg inside Dragonsnest. Taking the egg
back to Knothole, they rescue the female dragon who returns in
time to hatch the egg.
The Void
Sonic discovers an opening to the Void while out in the "Great
Unknown" [another name for the Forbidden Zone?]. Sally and
Bunnie are put under a spell and pulled into the Void by a
sorcerer named Naugus, who had been imprisoned there years before
by Robotnik and who needs Sonic's speed to escape. Sonic learns
what has happened from Nicole and allows himself to be pulled
into the Void. Attempting to rescue Sally and Bunnie, he is
tricked into rescuing what he thinks is Sally's father but is
really Naugus. Sonic returns to the Void and finds not only
Sally and Bunnie but the King and Ari as well. He brings them
all out, but Naugus and the King have spent so much time in the
Void that their bodies cannot handle living on Mobius. Naugus
breaks off his tormenting of Robotnik, and Sally's father gives
her the list of other resistance groups. On the whole, Sally
goes through the emotional rollercoaster ride of her life.
The Odd Couple/Ro-Becca (back to back episodes)
After a crash landing by Dulcy leaves Sonic homeless he moves in
with Antoine, who predictably gets bent out of shape by Sonic's
lifestyle./Rotor cobbles together a robot which develops the hots
for Antoine.
Cry of the Wolf
The Knothole freedom fighters search for and discover the Wolf
Pack, the remnants of an ancient race who are now one of the
other resistance groups. After several unsuccessful attempts to
destroy a test pod from the Doomsday Project, Sonic draws it into
a lightning storm and destroys it.
Drood Henge
Sonic and Tails discover an archaeological dig by Robotnik; they
learn from Nicole that the object of the search is the Deep Power
Stones, and that Robotnik has recovered one of the two. Tails
comes up with a plan to retrieve the second stone before Robotnik
can get to it.
Spyhog
On the eve of final preparations of the Doomsday project,
Robotnik begins to suspect that there is a spy in his midst.
Uncle Chuck's cover is blown, but he escapes capture and goes
back underground with a different cover.
Doomsday
In the season finale, a combined force of the five freedom
fighter groups tries to destroy the Doomsday project. Robotnik,
however, seems to have too many safeguards built in. As a last
resort, Sonic and Sally use the Deep Power Stones. The Doomsday
project is destroyed; Robotnik's fate is uncertain but Snively is
ready to step into his shoes in a burst of megalomania and
overacting. Cliffhanger: who or what does Snively have to help
him? And will there be a third season?
VOICE CREDITS:
SONIC: Jaleel White
SALLY: Kath Soucie
NICOLE: Kath Soucie (uncredited)
TAILS: Bradley Pierce
BUNNIE: Christine Cavanaugh
ANTOINE: Rob Paulsen
ROTOR: Mark Ballou (1st season)
Cam Brainard (2d season)
DULCY: Cree Summer Franks
UNCLE CHUCK: William Windom
ROBOTNIK: Jim Cummings
SNIVELY: Charlie Adler
ADDITIONAL VOICES:
(First season):
David Doyle
Gaille Heindenmann
Dana Hill
Danny Mann
Jason Marsden
Charlie Schlatter
Frank Welker
(Second season):
Shari Belafonte: Lup‚ (?)
Michael Bell
Crystal Cooke
Tim Curry: Sally's father; Keeper of the Time Stones
Dave Fennoy
Dorian Harewood
John Kassir
Katie Leigh
Nancy Linari
Victor Love
Tahj Mowry
Hal Rayle
Alaina Reed Hall
Lindsay Ridgeway
April Winchell
B. SONIC COMICS DESCRIPTIONS
FYI: for anyone who needs to contact the offices of Archie Comics
in Mamaroneck, NY, their phone number is: (914) 381-5155.
[CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME]
#18 [Jan 1995]:
"Wedding Bell Blues"
Robotnik gets word of Sonic and Sally's impending wedding and
plans an attack.
"In the Still of the Night"
While trying to determine the nature of the mysterious orb (cf.
"First Star....", #17), Sally is called to the bedside of her old
mentor, Julayla, just before she dies.
Sonicgram: includes statement that Sonic is 15, and a German
fan disses Dave Manak's artwork
Sonic: In Your Face #1 [1995]
"Sally's Crusade: The Quest"
The orb is revealed to be a casing surrounding Nicole. Sally,
with the others in tow, searches for what turns out to be
Julayla's last testament. The significance of this document is
spelled out in a "flashforward" at the end of the story.
"Mirror Zone"
An excuse to practice backwards lettering.
Sonicgram: Sally's age is given as "about 15." [Note, if
you're going to guess a lady's age, guess on the low side ;-) ]
"Tails' Tallest Tale"
Tails substitutes for Sonic, putting in an appearance at a con.
His exaggerations almost get him into trouble.
#19 [Feb 1995]:
"Night of a Thousand Sonics"
In order to defeat Robotnik's latest scheme, Sonic has to call in
as many versions of himself from as many parallel universes as he
can.
Sonicgram: The name of Sally's father is given as "King
Acorn" (but see FAQ #5). Scott Fulop hedges on when Knuckles
will make an appearance and whose side he'll be on. Again, Sally
is identified as a "ground squirrel." Hint is dropped as to a
Sonic motion picture in the works.
#20 [Mar 1995]:
"That's the Spirit"
Exposure to an antimatter explosion renders Sonic invisible;
Sally and the others [Tails being the exception] believe he is
dead. The comedic pacing and Manak's artwork mar what otherwise
might have been a very poignant story.
"Deadliest of the Species"
[Prologue to the Princess Sally miniseries]
While on a sabotage mission, Sally is confronted by someone
claiming to be part of a rebel underground.
Sonicgram: Once again lists Sally's age as 15.
#21 [Apr 1995]:
"3 Phases of E.V.E"
**Pat Spazziante debuts as a story artist. Robotnik unleashes
E.V.E. ["exceptionally versatile evolvoid"] to capture Sonic. As
Sonic manages to outsmart E.V.E., it simply adapts to another
form to compensate. Sonic lures it to Robotnik's headquarters
where, assuming a self-conscious form, E.V.E. determines that it
is being held back by its biological inheritance from Sonic and
Robotnik [i.e., individual cells used in E.V.E.'s creation].
E.V.E. toasts Robotnik, but thanks to some quick thinking by
Sonic--apparently, Sally's influence is rubbing off on him ;-) --
E.V.E. spares Sonic and travels out into space on a journey of
self-actualization. Is Robotnik really history? That's the
tease--stay tuned, probably until after the Sally miniseries.
Sonicgram: announcement of the delay in rolling out the
Sally miniseries; another special issue (48pp) due out in May.
C. OTHER SOURCES
Michael Teitelbaum, _Sonic the Hedgehog_ (c)1993; _Sonic the
Hedgehog: Robotnik's Revenge_ (c)1994; _Sonic the Hedgehog:
Fortress of Fear_ (c)1994: Mahwah, New Jersey: Troll Associates.
_Sonic the Hedgehog_ synopsis:
COMING SOON
_Sonic the Hedgehog: Robotnik's Revenge_ synopsis: one of the
Knothole freedom fighters is captured by Robotnik and used as
bait to lure Sonic into a trap. In this case, the victim is
Bunnie, and the story supposedly explains how she came to be
partially roboticized. This account is at odds with the
explanation in the comics. In addition, both Uncle Chuck and
Muttski in this book has been successfully deroboticized, which
conflicts with "Sonic Conversion" and, in fact, the rest of the
second season.
_Sonic the Hedgehog: Fortress of Fear_ synopsis:
COMING SOON
OVERSEAS BOOKS:
Martin Adams, _Sonic the Hedgehog and the Silicon Warriors_
(c)1993; _Sonic the Hedgehog in Castle Robotnik_ (c)1994; _Sonic
the Hedgehog in the Fourth Dimension_ (c)1993; _Sonic the
Hedgehog in Robotnik's Laboratory_ (c)1993: London: Virgin.
Received on Fri Feb 24 1995 - 09:00:36 PST
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