Cover
by Patrick Spaziante
Sonic, Evil Sonic, and Psudo Sonic in a race. Never happened, but it would have been interesting to see!
The sky is a bright yellow - reminds me of the cover to issues 13 and 18. Actually, since 13's cover was on a race-track, that one is particularly similar to this one.
Credits Page
The same image of Psudo-Sonic as on the cover (though larger), along with the following credits:
Chairman and co-publisher: Michael I. Silberkleit. President and co-publisher: Richard H. Goldwater. VP/Managing Edior: Victor Gorelick. VP/Director of Circulation: Fred Mausser. Editor: Mike Pellerito. Art director: Joe Pep. Covers: Patrick Spaziante
Table of Contents
"Psudo-Sonic"
"What's the Point?"
"Revenge of the Nerbs"
"'Twan With the Wind"
"The Good, the Bad, and the Hedgehog"
"Beat the Clock"
"Food For Thought"/"You Are What You Eat"
"A Timely Arrival"
"The Bold-Headed Eagle"
Editor-in-Chief: Richard Goldwater; Editors: Victor Gorelick & Paul Castiglia.
By Manak & D�Agostino
"Sonic the Hedgehogs�Don�t miss the saga of Pseudo-Sonic!"
Written by Michael Gallagher, penciled by Dave Manak, inked by Henry Scarpelli, lettered by Bill Yoshida, colors & "production" by Barry Grossman.
Robotnik builds a mechanical copy of Sonic, Pseudo-Sonic, to defeat Sonic, but meanwhile, Sonic is defeated by a field of poison sumac. Pseudo-Sonic makes it into Knothole, but Tails defeats it.
A butterfly sees Sonic�s predicament, and flies to the Freedom Fighters to get help. Bunnie rushes to the rescue, arriving just in time to defeat Robotnik, who had also found the incapacitated Sonic.
I found the first two-pages of this story hilarious. It�s also interesting to note that this seems to be the first meeting between Bunnie and Robotnik.
Written by Michael Gallagher, penciled by Dave Manak, inked by Henry Scarpelli.
Robotnik�s latest bot is even crueler than Robotnik!
Written by Michael Gallagher, penciled by Dave Manak, inked by Henry Scarpelli.
How to draw Sonic.
Written by Angelo Decesare, penciled by Dave Manak, inked by Henry Scarpelli.
It�s Sally�s birthday, and Sonic gets her a pet Needle Bird. Later, the bird helps Sonic save Sally from a robotic tree.
�As the Sega Data Files indicate Sally was born after Sonic was, and Sonic�s fifteenth birthday is in issue 11, this would have to be Sally�s 14th birthday�
Written by Gallagher, penciled by Manak, inked by Scarpelli.
Very-quick Vic and Pedal-to-the-metal Paul tear through two pages of lickety-split letters.
Brian Pepper bets them a hundred million dollars that the next issue would be so good, it would drive his brother crazy. This tempts the creators to publish that all-Robotnik issue they had in the works� (And they actually did plan on making a "Day in the Life of Robotnik" story not long after this�see Ken Penders� web-site.)
Finally, the editors advertise the shows once again, encourage readers to go buy all the Sonic games, and ask for fan art.
A bit of a landmark issue, this. The first appearance of the "Metal Sonic" line of robots, and the first birthday we see.
Edited by Victor Gorelick and Paul Castiglia. Editor-in-Chief: Richard Goldwater.
Penciled by Dave Manak, inked by D�Agostino.
Freeze Frame!
Written by Angelo Decesare, penciled by Dave Manak, inked by Art Mawhinney, lettered by Bill Yoshida, colored and produced by Barry Grossman.
The Freedom Fighters are trying to tap into Robotnik�s power-grid, but are caught in a trap. They escape through a tunnel dug by a "Nerb"�a guy with green skin, a huge nose (sorta like the "Bone" creatures from the comic of the same name), and all the trappings of your stereotypical nerd�plus a stocking cap and wooden shoes� (?!)
The FF are led to the underground kingdom of the Nerbs, which is under attack from Robotnik. Despite the green guys� hostility, the FF set out to rescue them.
After Sonic gets the Nerbs to safety, he heads through the Mobian Sewer System to a door holding back the Mobius River. He cuts the door open, then races out (thought not so fast that we don�t have time for a quick cameo by the Ninja Turtles), making it to the surface just in time. The water sweeps through the tunnels and washes Robotnik and his bots away.
�Yes, the story is as ridiculous as it sounds (more so, actually), but it is a fun read.
Written by Angelo Decesare, penciled by Art Mawhinney.
We open with the FF in a hot-air balloon, looking for a good spot for a picnic. As they float along, Ant declares he was once the "Head of Balloons" for King Acorn (who appears pink in the flashback!). He doesn�t mention that it must not have been a very important job, if a kid under ten years old was entrusted with it�
A couple of Buzzbomers happen along, and pop the balloon, convincing all but Ant that the balloon was a bad idea.
Later, the FF are enjoying their picnic, when Robotnik and his forces arrive to spoil the fun. Luckily, Ant has just got the balloon in the air again, and takes out the bots by dropping stuff on them�
Not much to this one� It is interesting, though, to compare Manak and Mawhinney�s art styles. The difference is subtle, but Mawhinney�s work is a bit "smoother" than Manak�s.
Two pages of letters�letters from Dominique Ducote, Robin Decker, Chuck Winsel, Michael Niggel, Tracy Harkins, and Jennifer Kraft.
The first fan art page. Pictures of Sonic by Bradley Harlan, Emily Rigelsky, and Teddy Woodall, and a picture of Sonic and Tails by Kevin Rouse.
A historic issue�the first Sonic Fan Art page, and the first story drawn by Art Mawhinney, signaling the beginning of the evolution of the comic�s art� Other than that, nothing special.
Edited by Victor Gorelick and Paul Castiglia; editor-in-chief: Richard Goldwater.
Ah, Sonic issue 11� does this bring back memories. It was the first issue of Sonic I read, let alone owned�
I�d seen a few episodes of SatAM, but not enough to get hooked. Well, one day, my Mom was going to the store, and I asked her to keep an eye out for the latest issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures. They didn�t have it, but for some reason, she got me Sonic 11 instead.
I wasn�t quite sure what to make of this� in those days, Sega and Nintendo were fierce rivals, and I was a loyal Nintendo supporter. Having an issue of a series devoted to their rival�s mascot seemed wrong somehow� But, I read the issue anyway, and was amused by the main story. Because of this (and the fact that I don�t like throwing stuff away), I decided I might as well keep it.
By Dave Manak and Jon D�Agostino.
Robotnik attacks a cutout of Sonic, while the real Sonic hides in the bushes, and in the corner-box, Tails goes "undercover".
Written by Mike Kanterovich and Ken Penders, penciled by Dave Manak, inked by Art Mawhinney, lettered by Bill Yoshida, colored and produced by Barry Grossman.
Sonic is busy fighting Scratch and Grounder, when he gets a call from the other FF, who need his help to destroy one of Robotnik�s factories.
Unfortunately, Sonic is practically on the other side of Mobius at the moment. Not wanting to make the others wait, he decides to take a shortcut through a Secret Zone onto the "Cosmic Interstate". This interdimensional highway apparently has several connections to Mobius, but it isn�t the easiest road to navigate.
Finding himself hopelessly lost, he stops to ask directions, only to find himself back on Mobius. But something�s not quite right�. Sonic can�t put his finger on it, but there�s something� different� about it�
The difference becomes glaringly obvious when Sonic discovers a veterinary hospital in the middle of the Great Forest, run by Dr. Robotnik!
The cute little forest animals at the clinic attack Sonic, leaving him no choice but to run away� right into his doppelganger!
Dark shades� black leather boots and jacket� his outfit says classic "bad boy", and he has an attitude to match. His name�s Sonic the Hedgehog, but his enemies know him as "Evil Sonic"!
Evil has apparently had a bit more experience with the Cosmic Interstate, because when Sonic mentions having taken a wrong turn on it, Evil is able to easily explain that the Interstate allows one to visit other realities�including ones such as this, where good and evil are reversed from the world Sonic is familiar with.
Sonic has inadvertently entered� The Reverse Universe! In this twisted reality, the Freedom Fighters are the oppressors, and Robotnik the only thing standing between them and total world domination. As Evil explains this, we get a glimpse of the reverse FF. Ant wears black leather, just like Sonic, uses a chain as a weapon, and is missing his right eye. Sally is pink at the moment, just like her good counterpart, but she wears black boots and a red jacket, and wields a whip. Rotor wears a black vest and uses a spiked club; while Tails wears gray and has a wooden staff.
Sonic and Evil Sonic have a race, which good Sonic wins by leading Evil into Doc �Botnik�s clinic. The forest animals capture Evil, and Good is able to convince Robotnik of his peace-loving nature. Good Robo gives Sonic a device to deal with evil �Botnik�s pollution, and sends Good Sonic on his way.
Sonic soon arrives back on his version of Mobius, near the offending factory, and uses the anti-pollution device to destroy the factory.
�Well, another historic story�the introduction of the Reverse Universe, and the debut of the longest-running Sonic writer, the great Ken Penders! Although, I must say, this story wasn�t all that special. It was very much in the same tradition as the other stories of this era. But, well, you have to start somewhere�
Sonic and Tails by Evan Browning, Sonic by Matthew Burke, Tails by Jessica Coe, and Bunnie trashing a Swatbot by Ryan White.
Credits not given. According to issue 13: Written by "Marvelous" Mike Kanterovich and "Creative" Ken Penders, penciled by "Daring" Dave Manak, inked by "Artful" Art Mawhinney.
Sally, Tails, Rotor, and Antoine have been captured by Coconuts. (How the heck �d he manage that?!) Coconuts tells us about Robotnik�s top ten list, and his ambition to become �Butnik�s favorite �bot. Inspired by this, the three guys ask Sally how they rank with her, but she tells them she�s all about Sonic.
Meanwhile, our star is faced with a maze, which only the readers can help him through.
The readers get him through in the nick of time, he rescues his friends, and Coconuts� bomb blows up in his own face.
�What can I say?
Another two pages of letters. Jeff Grisso likes issue 3 because it introduced Bunnie. J.T. Foster loved "Sonic�s Christmas Carol" in issue 6, but thinks it was based on the movie "Scrooged". (The editors set him straight.)
�Bryan Novak asks if there�ll be a Sonic 4, to which they reply "yes". (Too bad they were wrong�plenty of sequels, but none named "Sonic the Hedgehog 4", to my knowledge.)
Kristopher Magers asks for a time-travel story, and the Ed�s let it be known that his wish will be fulfilled next issue� A huge one-paragraph letter by Mike Ziri; and Micah Guy asks a few questions. The first one the Ed�s answer wrong. Micah asks, "Does Sonic ever take his shoes off?" The Ed�s say it hasn�t been seen, but it could happen�which shows how well they remember the previous issues. Sonic took his shoes off to go swimming back in issue 5�s "Olympic Trials and Errors". (Yes, I have many of the early issues memorized. Comes from having a couple of years with too much time on my hands�)
Also, letters from Alan Rooney, Becky Wilkins, Joey Rozas, Matt Etsenson, David Germano, Brent Witmer, Flynn Lewis, and Andrew Price.
Written by Mike Kanterovich and Ken Penders, penciled and inked by Art Mawhinney.
It�s early morning on Sonic�s birthday (presumably his 15th, as we see his 16th in 72). Sonic fixes some chilidogs as a midnight snack, but eats a few too many, and when he gets back to bed, he has a nightmare. �A nightmare that he is� "Sonic the Chili-dog!"
Princess Sally Ice-cream-cone shows Sonic a video just received from Chef Ivo Robot-burger, threatening the life of his hostage, Tails the Order-of-French-fries.
Sonic races to the rescue, but slips on a banana peel left by Coconuts, and is caught. Just as he is about to be fried, the real Sonic wakes up.
Sally and Tails then start his birthday celebration by offering him more chili-dogs.
In one corner, a super-speedy blue Hedgehog� in the other, a fat, mustachioed man in red� No, not Robotnik, Mario! Who shall win the battle of the systems?
Suddenly, a new player enters the ring� No, not Playstation, it�s Evil Sonic! Alongside Evil Mario, he has kidnapped the pink Princess Sally, and the Princess in pink, "Toadstool"!
Can our heroes save the day? No! In the end it is Good Bowser and Good Robotnik who rescue Sonic, Sally, Mario and Toadstool!
�What was that, you ask? Oh, just a summary of my first Sonic fan-fic, inspired by this issue� :D
Editor in Chief: Richard Goldwater; Managing Editor: Victor Gorelick; and, introducing: Editor: Scott Fulop!
Cover
Pencils by Dave Manak, inks by Henry Scarpelli.
Sonic plays the piano at record speeds.
"A Timely Arrival!"
Written by Michael Gallagher, penciled and inked by Art Mawhinney, lettered by Bill Yoshida, colored by Barry Grossman.
Robotnik constructs a time machine, which he uses to send Sonic back in time to the Stone Age. In the past, Sonic meets up with Sonugh the Boghog, and the other prehistoric Freedom Fighters. Back in the present, the Freedom Fighters retrieve the time machine, and use it to bring back Sonic.
There are several problems with this story. First of all, why didn�t Robotnik use the time machine to go back in time and change history? He could have eliminated the Freedom Fighters before they were even a threat.
Second, the world of Sonugh parallels the present day Mobius a little too much for my taste�I�d classify it as an alternate Zone/Universe, rather than an alternate time.
Finally, and I suppose this is nit picking, Sonic is said to have traveled "400,000" years into the past. By the timeline established in issue 125, that would place it around the year 395,000 BC�long after the real-life age of the dinosaurs, and long before Mobo-sapiens evolved. Using the timeline suggested in Knuckles 8 (the Day of Fury occurring a thousand years before 3236, in the year AD 2036) or hypothesizing that events on Mobius take place in the present day still produce similar results (397,000 BC, and 398,000, respectively). I certainly don�t expect an early story like this to be consistent with a timeline devised eight years later, but still, I have to wonder, did they have any timeline at all in mind, or did they just pick the number out of a hat?
"The Bold-Headed Eagle"
Written by Angelo DeCesare, but credited to Mike Kanterovich and Ken Penders; penciled by Art Mawhinney, inked by Rich Koslowski.
Sonic meets Cyril, an old eagle who hasn�t seen his family for years, and assumes them to be roboticized. Sonic helps him get out of his depression, and before you know it, Cyril finds his family again, safe and sound.
Robotnik and Snively attack Sonic, but Cyril returns and saves Sonic.
Sonic Art
Joseph and Steve Alleva experiment with alternate quill-styles for Sonic, Lee Roberts gives us Sonic with a guitar, while Rachel Norburg copies a generic Sonic picture, but does it quite well. Also, the solution to the maze from issue 11.
"The Lynx is a Jinx!"
Written by Angelo DeCesare, pencilled by Art Mawhinney, inked by Rich Koslowski.
Sonic meets Larry Lynx, Super Jinx, and teaches him how to use his "bad luck" in good ways.
Sonic-Grams
Here begins The Adventures of Scott and Paul!
In "ASP" episode one, Paul passes the torch (and a huge stack of fan letters) to Scott.
Scott introduces himself, then gets down to the letters.
Letters from Chris Chidester, Michael Wohlberg, Rachel Norberg, Daniel Ellis, "The Cool" Timmy Zyla, and Jason Mosley.
Interesting to note that Rachel also got a picture published this issue, and that her nickname is "Sonic".
Final Thoughts
Yet another historic episode of the comic� gee, there sure are a lot of them around this point, aren�t there? : )
Suppliment: How do they make those covers?
A step-by-step explanation of the creation of the cover to this Archive. At the end is an early sketch for the cover of issue 9.
Suppliment: Who's Who
Brief profiles of Psudo-Sonic and Evil Sonic.
Compiliation Notes
As with Archive 1 (and 2, I presume), we get some nice extra shading. There's still no credit for it, but on the back they do sort of mention that it's there - they call the stories "digitally enhanced".
Unfortunately, the compilation repeats the mistakes caused by the editorial switch from Paul to Scott - the lack of credit on "Beat the Clock", and the crediting mistake on "Bold-Headed Eagle". It also doesn't have the solution to the maze in "Beat the Clock".
As a fan of "The Adventures of Scott and Paul"/"Off-Panel", I'm somewhat disappointed they don't reproduce the strip from issue 12 here - but considering that it isn't part of the Sonic story and doesn't even take up a page, I'm not surprised.
Final Thoughts
Back when I got issue 11, I was growing tired of missing issues of TMNT Adventures, so I cut out an order form from Sonic 11 and subscribed. This order form happened to be on the back side of the final page of "Food For Thought", but I wasn't a Sonic fan at that point and it wasn't the greatest of stories. A couple of years later, when I became a Sonic fan, I started to regret not having bothered to photocopy the subscription form instead of cutting it out. This old decision of mine became especially annoying when they failed to offer the issue in their back-issue-order-form, and I continually failed to find it in comic shops.
Getting that missing page was my excuse for getting Sonic Archives #3. I must admit that after all the hype I'd built up in my head, the page was a bit of a let-down when I finally read it again. On the other hand, the cover art and revised coloring in the Archive are nice, and having that page does complete my collection of early Sonic comics, so I don't regret my purchase.