B. SONIC COMICS DESCRIPTIONS
[CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME]
Now, direct from the Great White North, Brad Clark summarizes the
original Sonic miniseries:
Issue 0
"Don't Cry For Me, Mobius"
Story: Michael Gallagher, Art: Scott Shaw!
Sonic is chased by Dr. Robotnik. After the chase, which
Robotnik loses, Sonic returns to Knothole where most of the main
characters are introduced for the first time. (Note: Rotor is
referred to as "Boomer.") Antoine then announces that there is a
leak in Knothole (Knothole is located underground in this issue)
that is caused by Robotnik. Sonic defeats Robotnik with a power
ring.
"The Royal Family of Mobius"
Takes place before Robotnik was in power and has Sonic and Uncle
Chuck running a chilidog take-out stand. Robotnik destroys the
stand and captures Muttski and Uncle Chuck. Sonic meets Sally
(with yellow hair and red fur) who introduces him to the rest of
the freedom fighters in Knothole.
Issue 1
"Run, Sally, Run"
Story and art: Gallagher & Shaw!
Sally [this time with pink fur and black hair] goes to see
Robotnik about the return of her father. Robotnik captures Sally
and almost throws her into the "Robo-machine." Sonic rescues
Sally only to discover that Sally had wanted to get caught in
order to gather information on the roboticizer, using some
special boots designed by Boomer/Rotor.
Issue 2
"A Crowning Achievement"
Gallagher & Shaw! again.
Sally decides to wear the "Crown of the Acorn Kings" which
belonged to her father, but the crown is missing. They discover
a robotic freedom fighter who tells them that Robotnik has stolen
the crown and has scattered its jewels (the four Chaos Emeralds)
throughout the land. Sonic retrieves the emeralds and
Boomer/Rotor repairs the crown.
Issue 3
"Sonic Flashback"
Gallagher & Shaw!
Sonic and Robotnik recall when they were kids. Uncle Chuck
invents the power rings. Sonic and Robotnik have an argument,
and it escalates until Robotnik is constructing mechanical
monsters out of Uncle Chuck's appliances. Sonic then wakes up --
it was all just a daydream -- and resumes being chased by
Robotnik.
"Why Ask Spy"
Sonic is made to look like a robot to trick Robotnik and to
destroy one of his factories. In the process, Sonic discovers
Uncle Chuck and Muttski who have both been roboticized. Sonic
destroys the factory.
#16
[Summary by Erich Schulman]
"Sonic Under Glass"
It appears that Sonic and Sally are tying the knot, having
defeated Robotnik once and for all. In reality, Robotnik has
lured the freedom fighters to a place called Sleepy Hollow. Once
there, they were gassed, put into a sleep, and trapped inside a
virtual reality glass dome. As all their fantasies have come
true, nobody wants to escape. Uncle Chuck arrives and reveals to
Sonic that he is embracing, not Sally, but a broom. Sonic hates
to disappoint his friends, who are all so happy, but decides to
get back at Robotnik. Sonic gets Robotnik's war machines to
reverse course and attack the big guy, so Robotnik reluctantly
kills the VR software. Sonic and Sally are reunited, and Sonic
concludes that virtual reality is a nice place to visit, but....
"The Man From H.E.D.G.E.H.O.G."
Robotnik comes to the conclusion that there is a spy in his
midst, since so many of his missions have failed. Thinking that
he has found his spy in a mole, he uses the Wheel of Misfortune
to randomize his plans to destroy Mobius. On Robotnik's first
spin, he lands on "undersea bank heist." Robotnik's lackey's
find only an empty vault and the freedom fighters waiting for
them. The same thing happens after two more spins. Robotnik
finally thinks he has Sonic captured when Sonic and Sally visit
Robotnik's casino [Boy, I hope this makes more sense in the
comic! DJD], but Sonic narrowly escapes. Belatedly, Robotnik
realizes that the Wheel itself was rigged.
Sonic-Grams: Aside from now-obsolete announcements, it is
stated that Sonic is 15; that Sally is a squirrel (not
necessarily a ground squirrel); that Antoine was a donor so that
Tails would be able to fly [Yeah, right!]; that Sonic was just a
little slow rescuing Bunnie from the roboticizer. On a more
useful note, Archie Comics confesses that due to inadequate
modelling information, their Sally was a different color from the
SatAM version, a situation which has since been rectified.
#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. Artwork by
Shaw!.
#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. Artwork by Manak for the first half, Mawhinney for the
second.
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. Great line (Sonic to
Robotnik--who thinks he's dealing with a ghost): "Give Mobius
back to the freedom fighters, lose weight and get a hairpiece!"
"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 Spaziante 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.
#22 [May 1995]
"The Return," written by Ken Penders, art by Pat Spaziante &
Harvey M.
The story opens with Sonic & Sally MCW (Married with Children;
cf. the end of "Sally's Quest" in _In Your Face #1_). Sonic &
Sally are out with the kids when, during a lightning storm, an
apparition of Robotnik appears and just as suddenly disappears.
Have your pencils and scorecards ready to try and follow the
remainder of the plot: Robotnik is actually on a satellite
talking with Robo-Robotnik from "Night of a Thousand Sonics,"
(#19), only in this case only the consciousness of Robo-Robotnik
(hereinafter "R-R") remains resident. Robotnik convinces R-R to
teleport him back to Mobius, where it turns out Snively has
activated an alternative Doomesday device which would go off if
Robotnik was ever defeated. Robotnik actually deactivates
"Operation Wasteland" himself to keep from being ruler over
nothing and to have the pleasure of saying to Sonic: "You owe
me!" Robotnik and Sonic MWC are declared to be at a stalemate.
What about R-R? Who knows? Muddled story saved by Spaziante
artwork.
"Tails Knighttime Story," written by Angelo Decasare, art by Dave
Manak & John Dagostino.
As Tails grumps about "get[ting] baby-sat" while Sonic has all
the fun and adventures, Sally tells him a bedtime story wherein
Sonic is Sir Runalot and Tails is his page who "borrows" his
armour one day and who, mistaken for the aforementioned knight,
ends up doing battle with Sir Knightmare of Robotannia (guess
who?) until the real Sir Runalot saves his...er...tails.
Sonicgram: the comics should get a FAQ File, since two letters
pepper them with questions (most are answered: "Keep reading."
Translation: "we're working on it!"). The cover of Princess
Sally #2 in an ad on the same page differs from one which appears
on p. 17 of the same issue(!), thus bolstering the "creative
differences" theory in Q7.
#23 [Jun 1995]
"Ivo Robotnik, Freedom Fighter"
Story: Angelo Decesare; Art: Dave Manak
Sonic, Sally, Rotor, Tails, Robotnik and Snively are all captured
by Car-Heem, a giant alien who wants to study them. In order to
save Robotnik from "disposal," Sonic convinces Car-Heem that they
are interdependent species, a novelty to the autonomous Car-Heem.
Thanks to a diversion by Sonic, the others escape their
confinement in a craft of Robotnik's design. Although Robotnik
blows Car-Heem and Sonic out of Car-Heem's spacecraft's airlock,
Rotor retrieves them. In gratitude, Car-Heem returns everyone to
Mobius and Rotor, inspired, releases the inhabitants of his ant
farm [Heavy Message]. There's also a really bad pun which I'm
not going to reveal.
Do-It-Yourself Sonic Contest winners announced.
"Vol-ANT-teer"
Story: Angelo Decesare; Art: Dave Manak
Antoine ventures into Robotropolis alone to retrieve Tails' lost
backpack with a power ring in it. Bunnie shadows him just in
case. Surprising last panel gives the impression that Antoine
isn't exactly clueless.
Sonicgram: Further indication that Knuckles will put in an
appearance in the next Sonic special, though no hint as to his
allegiance; look for an appearance by Knack the Weasel [c.f., the
Triple Trouble game] in the same issue.
#24 [Jul 1995]
"When Hedgehogs Collide" (in 4 parts)
Script: Mike Kanterovich & Ken Penders
Art: Dave Manak (Parts 1 and 2); Art Mawhinney & Rich Koslowski
(Parts 3 and 4)
Part 1 is taken up witnessing antisocial behavior on the
part of Sonic, Sally, Tails, Antoine and Rotor. Part 2 is the
exposition as to what's happening: Evil Sonic from "The Good, The
Bad and the Hedgehog" [Sonic #11] (hereinafter referred to as
"the Antisonic," as in "the Antichrist") is looking for some
action, so he rounds up the "gang" consisting of the Antisally,
the Antitails, the Antirotor and the Antiantoine. They take the
Cosmic Interstate to Mobius, dress like their counterparts and
begin doing some damage. So where have the Good Guys been all
this time? Sonic, Tails and Antoine had been sent by Rotor into
"negative reality" though they were unable to penetrate "the Zone
of Silence" (aka, The Void) where Sally's father is being held.
Sally's been out on a mission with the trainees (cf. the Sally
miniseries). Everyone arrives back in time to incur the wrath of
their fellow Mobians. In disguise, they come upon the gang about
to terrorize some more Mobians. The first fight turns into a
draw until Sally realizes that there's no way they can defeat
their other selves, who would be able to anticipate their
strategies. So it's "Change partners!" as play is resumed: Sonic
punches out the Antisally (this frame alone is worth the price of
admission!), Sally defeats the Antiantoine, Antoine stops the
Antirotor, Rotor defeats the Antitails, and Tails gets the better
of the Antisonic. Since the Antisonic got what he came to Mobius
for (a fight), the gang agrees to return to their homeworld
peacefully.
I guess the ol' doppelganger plot device worked so well in
Sonic #11 they decided to dust it off and run it past us again.
A valiant effort marred by two Plot Holes and a Serious Omission:
PH#1: If Sally could figure out that fighting themselves
would get them nowhere, wouldn't the Antisally have reached the
same conclusion? Then again they might have spent the entire
issue second-guessing each other.... ;-)
PH#2: On the homeworld of the Antisonic the SWATbots do all
the work and "kindly ol' Robotnik is a grade-A wimp!" At least,
according to an exposition by the Antisonic. This then leads us
to...
SO: Where's Bunnie? Despite a "Sonic + Bunnie" graffiti
carved into the desk of the Antisonic [along with "Sonic +
Sally," "Sonic + Nicole"--THAT I'd like to see!--and "Sonic +
Sonic"], Bunnie's legion of fanboys will be disappointed to learn
that she doesn't put in an appearance in this comic, either as
Bunnie or as the Antibunnie. If indeed Robotnik is more
benevolent on the Antisonic's homeworld, does that mean that
Bunnie would be intact (i.e., not partially roboticized) there?
Interesting question but one that Kanterovich and Penders
conveniently sidestepped for the moment.
SonicGram: information on two upcoming "special" issues: the
48-page Sonic & Knuckles special will include a solo Knuckles
effort and a lead story involving Knuckles' floating island, and
the "Silver Anniversary" issue #25 featuring Mecha Sonic from the
CD game (artwork by Spaziante). There's a list of "Do-It-
Yourself Sonic Contest" winners who have moved and left no
forwarding address. Two fan letters to Knuckles, plus word that
Tails will have his own miniseries coming out in the fall.
Sonic & Knuckles 48 page special
(based on summaries by James Firmiss)
"Panic in the Sky!"
The Mobians living on the western shore of "the Great
Continent" [you'd think that Mobians would have come up with
another adjective besides "Great": viz.: the Great Forest, the
Great Swamp, the Great Unknown, etc. See also the "all-purpose"
use of the word _hriar_, or "thousands" by rabbits in Richard
Adams' _Watership Down_. But I digress....] are alarmed by the
approach of a floating island. Sally and the gang realize that
the island is on course for Knothole; Sonic explains to the group
(for the first time!?) that he and Tails were on the island a
while back and met Knuckles. Antoine flies Sonic and Tails in
the turboprop, dodging antiaircraft fire from the underside of
the island. After landing on the island, seeing giant mushrooms
and avoiding some traps, Sonic falls into one trap and again
meets Knuckles. Since this is the second time Sonic has been
caught trespassing, Knuckles is about to send him over the edge
of the island. Tails tries dropping a rock on Knuckles from
above to avoid this from happening, but it ends up that Tails has
to rescue both Sonic and Knuckles by airlifting them to safety.
It appears that Robotnik is "hijacking" the island by
somehow draining the energy from the Chaos Emerald which keeps
the island afloat. Already having established a presence on the
island, Robotnik has installed weapons on the underside and plans
to use the island as a flying fortress to attack Knothole.
Knuckles won't allow the island to be used this way; he smashes
the Chaos Emerald. With the island losing altitude, Robotnik
abandons it, expecting that it'll still smash into Knothole
(though how he suddenly knows of Knothole's location is unclear).
But Knuckles replaces the "real" Chaos Emerald just in time--I'd
tell you how he switched it with a phony one which was the one he
broke, but I don't understand it either. Knuckles turns down an
invitation to join the Knothole gang; part of his stewardship of
the island now involves disarming it since Robotnik is gone.
"Fire Drill"
Knuckles investigates an explosion on the island, suspecting
that it's Sonic. Catching just a glimpse of an intruder, he
follows him to places unfamiliar even to him(!). As the trail
leads off the edge of the island, he still thinks it's Sonic;
however, we catch a glimpse of a shadowy presence still on the
island. Could be a Chaotix character, could be Nack the Weasel,
check out the Sonic-Gram in issue #23 for a hint.
"Lord of the Floating Island"
While patrolling the island on a windy day, he spots a lost
joey (baby kangaroo) names Bengy. The kid asks Knuckles to bring
back the sky; Knuckles explains that there's an eclipse in
progress and that's what's causing the winds. They avoid a pack
of (biped) dingoes as Knuckles goes into further exposition about
the island-- how it's a paradise which some parties (Sonic and
Robotnik) want to change. They eventually find Bengy's mom.
Knuckles' exit line: "This is my island! And I live to protect
and serve!" The entire story appears to exist to supply needed
exposition and to nudge Knuckles closer to the Good Guy category.
No SonicGrams, but announcements: Sonic #25 will have a
silver ink cover and feature Mecha Sonic; dated August '95. Also
slated for that month: a Sonic Triple Trouble 48-page special
featuring Nack the Weasel; it will also include a Sonic v.
Knuckles story, a Knuckles solo story, and a Tails solo story.
Another 48-page special -- Knuckles Chaotix -- is schedules for
November '95. Solo Knuckles stories will appear in Sonics #31-33
(Feb-Apr '96) and a Knuckles 3-parter will begin Jan '96.
#25
"Go Ahead...Mecha My Day" (the only story in this issue)
Story: Mike Gallagher
Art: Pat Spaziante
based on summary by James Firmiss
In a bow to the CD game, the story focuses on the freedom
fighters' discovery of the Collision Chaos Zone, a "zone portal."
Robotnik tries to lure Sonic into the zome portal by kidnapping
his #1 fan: Amy Rose, the pink hedgehog (remember her?). Based
on her dialogue on page 14, I'd describe her in Foghorn Leghorn
terms: "Nice kid, but about as sharp as a sack full of wet mice."
Tails investigates from the air and is captured instead. To
rescue both Amy and Tails, Sonic must race through the new zones
and do battle with Robotnik's Mecha-Sonic. Spaziante's artwork
of Sally in this issue is surprising, in that her shape has
gotten...well, more shapely. I don't remember her having that
much of a bustline in issue #21!
Still no SonicGrams; another repeat announcement of the
Triple Trouble and Chaotix specials, as well as the Knuckles and
Tails miniseries. Also staff artwork.
#26 [Sep 1995]
"Way, Way Past Cool"
Script: A. Decesare; Pencil: D. Manak; Ink: J. D'Agostino
Sonic, Tails, Sally, Rotor and Antoine find themselves in a
snowstorm...in the middle of summer. Of course it's a plot by
Dr. Robotnik: after lowering the temperature on Mobius, he will
use infrared heat sensors to locate the warm-blooded freedom
fighters. Sonic and the gang take shelter (such as it is) in a
cave, where they encounter a group of polar Mobians--they were
trapped down south when Robotnik took over and have lived in
hiding ever since. After initially attacking the Weather
Annihilator with a snowball-loaded catapult, the Knothole gang is
captured by Snively. The polar Mobians, however, come to their
aid and Sonic destroys the Annihilator. The polar Mobians return
north to their home, inspired to put up more of a resistance.
This story has inspired renewed argument over species
identification since one of the polar Mobians [Erma, presumably
an ermine] looks something like Sally. However, Erma doesn't
have the white winter coat associated with a true ermine, nor is
her tail long and tipped with black, nor is her body long and
slender. But, hey, we're talking design by Manak here! Wadja
expect?
Additional problems/flamebait: Where did the catapult come
from? If Sally decided not to wear a vest because of the summer
heat, how come she's still got her boots on? [Then again, I'm
convinced that furries are Not Clear On The Concept when it comes
to clothing]. And why is Sonic shown skittering across the
surface of a river in the story's opening when the character
guide to Sonic clearly states that Sonic is a non-swimmer and
would ordinarily avoid water?
Fan art
"Fortified"
Story: A. Decesare; Pencil: A. Mawhinney; Ink: R. Koslowski
The Knothole gang (the cast of the above story PLUS Bunnie!)
are in the mountains, trying to keep ahead of Robotnik--not easy,
since Sonic has a sprained ankle. Bunnie discovers an old fort,
complete with an old muzzle-loading cannon and a blacksmith's
forge. Robotnik's "bus" crashes into the fort, only to confront
Bunnie, suited up in improvised body armour. She takes out
Robotnik's SWATbots and maneuvers the bus to crash through the
fort wall and roll back down the mountain.
FINALLY an appearance by Bunnie! [One has to wonder whether
her (largely out-of-the-way) role in "Vol-Ant-eer" in Sonic #23
even counts as an appearance.] Mawhinney, though, seems to draw
her a little on the "squashed" side. After Spaziante's rendering
of Sally in Sonic #25, I wonder how *he'd* draw Bunnie.
SonicGrams: In-house humor featuring Fulop, Mendez, Pepitone
and Pauley [DJD: Leave it at the water cooler, guys!]. Hint that
the upcoming StH Triple Trouble special issue will feature Tails
in a Sea Fox submarine solo story, by way of warming up for the
Happy Fun Fox miniseries in the fall. Question about why the
SWATbots carrying out Operation Wasteland in Sonic #22 went after
Robotnik and Snively [DJD: What part of "total destruction" don't
you understand?]; a fan from Canada complains about Bunnie's
seldom appearing in the comics [DJD: Hear! Hear!]; fan letter for
Tails from Cleveland. Also cover art for #27 and the Triple
Trouble special.
Princess Sally Mini-series #1 [April 1995]
Summary by Ron Bauerle
"Deadliest of the Species!" written by Mike Kanterovich & Ken
Penders, art by Art Mawhinney & Rich Koslowski.
Opens with a nice splash page summarizing the struggle so far and
describes the main characters (get this: "Antoine is renouned for
his military skills" - okayyyy...). Next it recaps Sally's
meeting Geoffrey St. John...in StH #20.
Sally & Geoffrey are attacked by SWATbots after destroying the
facility and manage to beat them off [hey, Ron, let's leave their
private lives out of this ;-) ] and exchange some banter in the
process (I can't call it friendly but it's not really sarcastic
either). They then head back to the camp where some young
trainee freedom fighters are waiting for Sally. Geoffrey
mistakes them for enemies and jumps a pig (Hamlin) but they're
separated by Sally. This establishes some bad blood between
Hamlin and Geoffrey that continues all issue.
The team proceeds to its next target (an energy substation) and
after battling SWATbots and ORBbots manage to destroy it. During
the battle Geoffrey saves Hamlin's life but Hamlin still doesn't
trust him. That night, when everyone else is asleep, Geoffrey
slips away, activates a teleportal, enters some kind of building
and descends to its basement where he speaks to a figure in a
glass case: Sally!?
Also some fan art: two pics of Sally & Bunnie (both NBD), and one
of Sally as a dominatrix (!).
Princess Sally Miniseries #2
(Summary by Erich Schulman): The story opens with a fight
between St. John and Hamlin, and Sally gives Hamlin a scolding.
To reach the third, undestroyed substation, the freedom fighters
use a new (!?) technology: hang gliders. Arlo's hang glider is
hit by the defenses and he is wounded in action; Penelope
volunteers to stay with him.
Once inside, Sally and St. John are attacked by an octopod,
and everyone barely manages to escape the explosions. Upon
leaving, they find that Sally and Penelope are gone. Sally says
they will return to camp without them (to which Hamlin is
opposed), and they never show up again.
Did you have your doubts about St. John? That night, St.
John replaces Sally with a lookalike robot and delivers the real
Sally to Robotnik.
Fan mail (singular; only one letter appears):
Will Sonic and Sally marry? "Could be." Has Sally met Knuckles?
She will in a forthcoming 48-page S&K special. Does Sally have a
mother, and if so what does she look like? "Of course...her
origin may yet be told." Or [shameless plug] you can read about
it in "Bloodlines" in the fanfic section of Rotor's homepage.
"Deadliest of the Species, Part III"
Story: Mike Kanterovich & Ken Penders
Art: Art Mawhinney
(Summary: James Firmiss)
(Recap of parts 0, 1 and 2 omitted)
Sally, Hamlin and Dylan are fighting their way into
Robotropolis with paint guns and grenades (blinding SWATbots).
Dylan believes that attacking at half strength isn't wise, yet
they press on. Hamlin nearly falls from a collapsing catwalk but
Sally rescues him.
They eventually reach their objective, break down the doors
and find...Robotnik, St. John and Sally (in the container).
Hamlin believes Geoffrey to be a traitor so he jumps him. Sally
breaks it up and says she and St. John are on the same side.
Robotnic reveals that Sally is an auto-automaton, a perfect
robot duplicate, and that there was no weakness in the defense
system. His master plan is to replace key members of the freedom
fighters--we see auto-automatons of Sonic and Tails being built.
Robotnik also plans to roboticize the Sally delivered to him by
St. John.
Robotnik begins the roboticization process but the chamber
blows up because a "feedback loop" has occurred. Something which
is impossible unless...he were trying to roboticize a robot! The
real Sally was with Dylan and Hamlin.
Sally tries to 'arrest' Robotnik, but large StealthBots
emerge from the walls and capture the freedom fighters. Note:
you could see the outlines of the StealthBots 5 pages back. St.
John pushes a button on a remote control and a vehicle burrows
its way up through the floor. Out pop Penelope, Arlo and three
"moles". They help free Sally, Dylan and Hamlin (more paint
guns). Robotnik manages to activate a 30-second self-destruct
and disappears down an escape chute. Sally and the others all
head for the vehicle maintenance area and grab saucer-shaped air
cars (from Hanger 18! X-P ) and get out with no time to spare.
With everyone back at the base, Hamlin, Penelope, Arlo and Dylan
are promoted to full-fledged freedom fighters. Sally tries to
convince Geoffrey to come to Knothole but he declines in order to
rejoin the Rebel Underground. He does engage Sally in some
serious lip-locking before they part.
If you're not confused yet, here's a run-down of the plot-
twists, as Sally explains them at the end:
The FIRST Sally switch occurred right at the beginning of
Part 1 shortly after meeting St. John. St. John really was the
leader of the "Rebel Underground" and acted as a double agent in
order to gain Robotnik's trust and activate the robot double
prematurely in order to find out what its plans were. It was the
auto-automaton Sally that helped attack the 2d and 3d
substations. It was such a good copy that it could give orders,
make hard choices, and even grieve for missing comrades. But did
you notice the two clues that would have tipped you off that this
was an automated Sally:
1. "Auto" Sally wore a purple vest instead of a blue one.
2. "Auto" Sally referred to Geoffrey by his first name,
while the real Sally always called him "Mr. St. John."
The SECOND Sally switch occurred in Part II, when Robotnik
(and the reader) was supposed to think that Sally was being
replaced by a robot double.
And what about Arlo and Penelope? They were taken away by
the moles from the literal Rebel UNDERGROUND. The Rebel
Underground was also supposed to be backup in case anything
unexpected happened.
"This is definitely one of the most complicated stories Archie's
Sonic group has ever come up with. Congrats...." JF
SallyGram: Horace Hawkins (14) wishes Sally a Happy Valentine's
Day, and expresses the desire to be her boyfriend.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Scott Fulop (Editor) asks if there is interest in a MONTHLY Sally
comic. If so, send a postcard with the following:
Give me Princess Sally.
Monthly.
NOW!!!
to: SallyGrams
c/o Archie Comic Publishing
325 Fayette Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
NOTES FROM THE NET: that's the heading suggested for comix-
related posts to a.f.s-h by none other than Paul Castiglia of
Archie Comics. Seems P.C. thinks that NftN would make a good
subsection of the Sonic Grams, and said so in a recent post. The
idea is that you can post to a.f.s-h, and your post (and e-mail
address if you want) will be reprinted in NftN. But ONLY if you
specify that it's for NftN. Apparently Archie Comics is still
getting a feel for whether they should go ahead with the plan, so
let's see some support for it! Hmmm, wonder if Sally's e-mail
address is princess_at_frdmftrs.mobius.org ?
COMIC PUBLISHERS:
For subscriptions and back issues--US & Canada:
Archie Comics
325 Fayette Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914) 381-5155.
$15.00/year US monthly
$18.00/year CAN monthly
For subscriptions and back issues--United Kingdom (Fleetway
Editions comics):
Sonic The Comic
Subscription Dept. OR Back Issue Zone
Aim Ltd.
P.O. Box 10
Pallion Industrial Estate
Sunderland, SR4 6SN
UNITED KINGDOM
01144-91-5102290
L28.60 (=28 pounds, 60 pence)/year UK fortnightly
L45.00/year Europe fortnightly
L47.00/year Overseas surface mail fortnightly
L55.00/year Overseas airmail fortnightly
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; _Sonic the Hedgehog: Friend or Foe?_
(c)1995: Mahwah, New Jersey: Troll Associates.
_Sonic the Hedgehog_ synopsis:
Note: Any resemblance between this book and the original comics
miniseries shouldn't be surprising; what IS surprising is how far
from the TV series this is. Herewith, the "Cliff's Notes"
description:
Ch.1: At the beginning, Sonic is 7, Robotnik is 15, and both are
staying with Uncle Chuck (you get some idea of how non-canonical
this is going to get!). While Robotnik is only interested in
gadgets, Sonic is only interested in running fast. While Uncle
Chuck works on perfecting a power ring, Robotnik cannibalizes
parts from Uncle Chuck's old tractor for a robot. When Uncle
Chuck starts up the tractor, it goes out of control and heads for
Robotnik. Ch. 2: Sonic interrupts a game of one-against-nine
baseball to move the tractor which has pinned Robotnik and Uncle
Chuck. He's able to move it with the power ring and he takes
both Robotnik and Uncle Chuck to the hospital. Ch. 3: After
being released from the hospital, Uncle Chuck and Robotnik return
home. Robotnik's robot confesses to Uncle Chuck that he was put
together with the stolen tractor parts, and Robotnik is grounded.
Robotnik cobbles together another robot from Uncle Chuck's major
appliances; it grabs Uncle Chuck but Sonic defeats it by wrapping
it up in a garden hose. Robotnik leaves. Ch. 4: "Eight years
passed." Sonic, 15, has a pet dog, Muttski, and works as a
delivery hedgehog for his Uncle Chuck's chili dog stand. Sonic
tests his new sneakers (designed by Uncle Chuck) while filling a
large order, but in his absence Robotnik returns and arrests
"Uncle Chuck" and his robots trash the stand. Ch. 5: Sonic
delivers the chili dogs to an old factory, walking into a trap.
He escapes and returns to what's left of the stand. He destroys
a couple of robots who try to capture him and learns that
Robotnik is responsible. He heads off for Robotnik's factory.
Ch. 6: Stopping in the forest just outside the factory he
encounters "a cute little chipmunk girl": Princess Sally Acorn.
She shows Sonic a short-cut to the "Ro-Bo-Machine." Ch. 7:
Reaching the fence around the factory, Sonic sees that Uncle
Chuck has already been roboticized. Sally tries to stop him, but
Sonic goes over the fence. Ch. 8: Sonic goes into Sonic Spin and
takes out the SWATbots. With Sally's help, they get Uncle Chuck
and Muttski and head for the Great Forest. Ch. 9: Sally leads
them to "Knothole Village" which is "under the forest floor."
(cf. Sonic #0). Sonic uses a power ring to restore Uncle Chuck
and Muttski. None of the other Freedom Fighters are introduced.
_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 (see
above), which conflicts with "Sonic Conversion" and, in fact, the
rest of the second season.
_Sonic the Hedgehog: Fortress of Fear_
PLOT SYNOPSIS: Ch. 1: Rotor is being held prisoner by Robotnik in
the old royal fortress, which is now Robotnik's headquarters. He
shares a cell with a woodchuck named Digger, who says he's from a
Freedom Fighter group on the western edge of the Great Forest.
Digger tells Rotor about the King's list of freedom fighters.
Snively takes Digger away and tells Rotor that Robotnik's looking
for the list as well. Ch. 2: Sonic & Bunnie arrive at Robotnik's
fortress to bust Rotor out of his cell. Guided by a small
transmitter in the lining of Rotor's cap, they locate the cell,
take out the bots and "haul some serious haunch" back to
Knothole. Ch. 3: Snively reports the escape of Rotor to an
unconcerned Robotnik, who is preparing to rip the fortress apart
to locate the list. Rotor tells the others about the list and
Robotnik's search for it. Sally guesses that the list in
question was one of "brave and true warriors" compiled by Sally's
father when she was a girl. A box of her father's papers turns
out to have a secret compartment which yields the following
fragment:
...beside your bed safe and...
...tucked in tight...
...you cannot fall...
Ch. 4: Sonic, Sally, Bunnie, Rotor and Antoine set out the
following evening. Using a high-frequency generator, they
scramble the circuits of the SWATbots at the front gate. Antoine
suggests beginning the search with the safe in her father's
bedroom. Ch. 5: While Robotnik leads a search of the main level,
Snively detects the Freedom Fighters' entry into the fortress.
Thinking to score points with Robotnik, Snively plans to capture
them himself. The Freedom Fighters arrive at the bedroom, but
find Snively and a platoon of SWATbots. Sonic and Bunnie take
out the bots while Antoine trips up Snively before he can grab
Sally. Unfortunately, they notice that the safe door is open and
the safe is empty. Ch. 6: Thinking of the second and third lines
of the fragment, Antoine suggests that it might be Sally's old
crib--a bed from which one cannot fall. Sneaking to the nursery,
they discover that Robotnik hasn't gotten there yet. Rotor tears
the mattress apart but finds nothing. Snively arrives and locks
the Freedom Fighters in the nursery. Ch. 7: While Snively goes
off to find Robotnik, Rotor accidentally bumps into an old music
box. Sally suddenly realizes that the fragment of "clues" is
actually part of the lyrics of an old lullaby sung to the tune
the music box is playing. The lyrics make mention of a clock,
which is no longer in the room. Sally guesses that it was hidden
in one of the towers. She also remembers a secret passageway
from the nursery to the tower. Moving a book on a shelf, a panel
slides back, revealing a staircase. Ch. 8: Ascending the
staircase, they find the clock in a room filled with old
furniture and such, but also find that the clock has been torn
apart. Noticing that several pieces of SWATbot are lying about,
Sonic and Bunnie get inside the metal parts and act as if the
"bot" were escorting the others as prisoners. Robotnik's
exultation at finding the list is interrupted when the bot and
its "prisoners" arrive. Sonic grabs the list, lays out Robotnik,
and the Freedom Fighters escape.
_Sonic the Hedgehog: Friend or Foe?_
PLOT SUMMARY: [If you know the plot of the "Game Guy" episode
[second season], you pretty much know the plot of this book,
though there are several major differences.] Ch. 1: Sally has a
nightmare wherein Robotnik displaces her father. Referring to
the list that was captured in _Fortress of Fear_, and noting that
its descriptions of locations are extremely general, she plans to
begin searching in the Caverns in the Great Unknown. Ch. 2:
Rotor tests a magnetic field generator, managing to snare Bunnie.
While exploring the caverns, they use the generator to dislodge a
boulder. Spooked by a swarm of bats, Antoine becomes lost in the
cave. Ch. 3: Antoine is found by the bank of an underground
river. Using an inflatable raft, they head down the river and
are almost hurled over a waterfall. They bed down for the night
but awaken in the morning to the sound of approaching SWATbots.
Ch. 4: The SWATbots take no notice of the Knothole gang,
concentrating on an escaping figure. Sonic helps out the
escapee, who turns out to be Ari on his way to free other freedom
fighters in his group being held by Robotnik. Ch. 5: Ari
explains how his group, which originally numbered 20, has lived
on the run. Sonic is all for helping him, but Sally doesn't
trust him. When Sonic goes off alone with Ari, Rotor is able to
unscramble the bots' orders: to pretend to pursue Ari in order to
lure Sonic to a trap. Ch. 6: Sonic and Ari reach the fortress,
but not before Sonic pulls Ari out of quicksand. Once inside,
Ari lets Sonic get captured. Ch. 7: Sally, Antoine, Rotor and
Bunnie are in pursuit of Sonic and Ari. Sonic is deposited into
the large pinball game/arena, with the object of avoiding the
energy vortex. Ari realizes that his comrades have been
roboticized and he's been double-crossed. Ch. 8: The Knothole
gang arrive at the fortress and manage to save Ari. He leads
them to Sonic. In a major reversal of the TV plot, Ari manages
to pull Sonic out of the vortex, then helps him escape the game.
As the group approaches Knothole, Ari returns home on his own.
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.
Attention WEB-Slingers:
The following individuals have set up Sonic the Hedgehog
home pages on the World Wide Web. You can access them at:
[Note: these addresses are current as of the date of this FAQ
file edition; beyond that, I make no claims as to the accuracy of
accessing these pages. Many WEB sites do have links to other
Sonic pages so give 'em a shot]
Shawn Wolski
http://wwwvms.utexas.edu/~n5una/index.html
Fanart and this FAQ file; also access to Ratman's Sonic Web Page.
http:/www.PrimeNet.Com:80/~rotor/
Dave Pistone's awesome collection of graphics and stories
http:/www.ysu.edu/~ptighe/sonic.html
Bryant Melesko's graphics page
http:/pumadyne.mv.com.80/sonic/
Sonic Mailing List page: gateway to info and HFF graphics
ftp://hff.mv.com/pub/sonic/images
Erich Schulman's 10Meg+ .GIF site
Received on Fri Jul 14 1995 - 09:17:14 PDT