Sonic #30 (for FAQ File)

From: Dan Drazen <drazen_at_andrews.edu>
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 14:05:23 -0500 (EST)

#30 [Jan 1996]
"The Return of Uncle Chuck"
Story: Angelo Decesare; Art: Art Mawhinney
     After two pages of Sonic's reminiscing about Uncle Chuck, we
dive into the plot. Robotnik and Snively are preparing to test a
"transdimensional transporter" [hereinafter "T2"], and are about to
use Uncle Chuck as a test subject. Something goes wrong (though
John Johnston suggests in his review that Snively had this planned
all along) and Robotnik ends up trapped in the Void. While Snively
goes off to show Robotnik how to properly crush a rebellion, there
is an unforseen consequence of the accident: Uncle Chuck regains
his consciousness and will.
     Quick cut to Uncle Chuck's deserted chili dog stand where
Sonic just happens to be mooning about Uncle Chuck, and where Uncle
Chuck just happens to pop up. Before there can be a tearful
reunion, quick cut to Knothole some time later where Uncle Chuck
could apparently think of nothing better to do than whomp up a
batch of chili dogs for the gang before warning them about Snively.
Uncle Chuck returns to Robotropolis, where he steals plans Snively
has drawn up to mount a T2 on the nose of an aircraft. Sonic and
Uncle Chuck go after the plane, but Sonic is (for lack of a better
word) voided. Snively, with Sonic held as a captive audience, then
wastes a sizable chunk of the Great Forest before he's shot at from
another aircraft, this one piloted by Uncle Chuck. Snively is all
set to destroy the entire planet out of either spite or bad writing
when Robotnik drops in on him...literally. Seems Uncle Chuck got
him out of the Void in some unspecified way [Can you say "Deus ex
machina?" I knew you could], and returned him to Mobius on
condition that Robotnik not harm the freedom fighters. The cookout
resumes.
     This little story has some BIG problems, especially when
compared with the "Sonic Conversion" episode. In the latter, Uncle
Chuck's "restoration" is not just an accident or the byproduct of
an accident. His building of the holographic diarama of Mobius
helped establish his scientific credentials; in this story (as well
as the comics in general) he almost comes off as a glorified short-
order cook. Worst of all, there is NO SPACE AT ALL devoted to
Sonic and Uncle Chuck's reunion despite so much set-up. Any
emotional impact has been totally sacrificed. IMHO, a comic
adaptation of "Sonic Conversion" would have been preferable; it
would have also given Mawhinney a chance to draw "the Bunnie bod"
in its entirety, though showing Bunnie in profile at the top of
page 8 is less than flattering.
     "Who Keeps Stealing My Chaos Emeralds?"
     Story: Paul Castiglia; Art: Pat Spaziante
     In order to further safeguard some Chaos Emeralds from a
thieving "anteater", Robotnik sends Coconuts to set some traps on
an island base. The traps are pure Chuck Jones-Roadrunner stuff
(and Castiglia does nothing to hide the allusion) and Coconuts
comes off worse than the shadowy biped "anteater" who (it is
revealed in the last panel) is Bunnie, making her first appearance
as a Spaziante subject. Except for some severe foreshortening of
her left arm, her depiction should please her fanboys; as for
keeping her "on model" [see discussion of #29], Spaziante literally
skirts the issue.
     Sonic Art
     Knuckles' Chaotix Sneak Peek: 2-page splash/tease. Haven't
played the game, but I seriously question the existence of Renfield
the Rodent (who looks too much like a Chicago alderman to suit me).
     Sonic Grams: Different artist [Freddy Mendez], same lame
office humor. One page of plugs, which includes the information
that Geoffrey St. John will resurface in Sonic #31, and the return
of Mecha Sonic as part of the Chaotix special issue. Also, in
answer to several questions in a letter, the news that Amy Rose
will be reappearing at some point.


Received on Wed Nov 15 1995 - 14:39:07 PST