Issue 138

Review by Chronos

Editor-in-chief: Richard Goldwater; Managing editor: Victor Gorelick; Editor & swimsuit model: Mike Pellerito

Mike P.’s in the editor’s seat, Ron Lim ain’t penciling, and all’s right with Mobius (or would be if it weren’t for Eggman…)

Cover

By Patrick Spaziante

Sonic, Saffron, a Chao, and the Chaotix, in front of Angel Island. Captures the lighthearted feel a kid-friendly furry book ought to have. Also, wonderful coloring on the background.

Frontis

Drawn by J. Axer, colored by Jason Jensen

Locke and the extended Chaotix team stare at the reader in shock. Below them, some introductory text fills things in for new readers, and is much more readable than the introductory texts during Freddy’s reign…

"Return to Angel Island: Part One- The Message"

Written by Karl Bollers, penciled by Jon "WB" Gray, lettered and inked by Michael Higgins, colored by Jason Jensen.

As we begin our tale, Sally is getting chewed out by the King for her recklessness in going on the mission in the previous issue. (Sonic tries to cover for her by suggesting he kidnapped her, but nobody’s buying it. Lol)

Soon after, Sonic and Sally have another fight, along the lines of the one in 134, though not quite as intense. If anything, though, the two’s more rational state serves to increase the punch of their disagreement…

And now, back to our originally scheduled programming, as the King, Queen, Uncle Chuck, and Antoine take off on their world tour.

We then head over to "Uncle Chuck’s Diner" (currently run by Jules and Bernie), where Sonic is discussing his Sally troubles with Knuckles and Julie-Su. Julie-Su tries to explain to Sonic Sally’s point of view, but before he can really get it, they’re interrupted by the arrival of Charmy and Saffron.

As it turns out, Eggman recently attacked Goldenhive Colony… and destroyed everything. Charmy and Saffron are the only ones left—and Charmy’s itchin’ for revenge.

But first, the kingdom receives a message from Angel Island. It’s gabled, but it seems to say that Locke’s been taken prisoner. Knuckles decides to go, and Charmy, Saffron, Vector, Espio, Mighty, Ray, Julie-Su, and Sonic all decide to go with him.

Soon, the attack party arrives at the island, and quickly discovers an Eggman prison camp, run by "Teched-Out Dingoes".

The Chaotix-Plus beat the dingoes, and the echidnas begin chanting praise to Knuckles… "the Avatar"?!

A worse-for-wear Remington tells about how the Dingoes sold them out, then Julie-Su tells Knux about the prophesy of the "Avatar". It seems the Ancient Walkers once told that one would come who would return from the dead and deliver the world from it’s suffering… Why Julie-Su knew about it when Knux didn’t, I don’t know.

Meanwhile, we cut to Echidnaopolis, know known as Dingo City, where a cybernetic dingo by the name of General Kage is interrogating Locke. (It seems Eggman still can’t find the new Chaos Chamber.)

(I wonder what happened to General Stryker?)

We now cut over to the Lava Reef Zone, where the Chaotix-Plus, Remington, and a couple other Echidnas are searching for the source of the transmission Knothole received. Just then, the Dark Legion appears!

…

Story: Very interesting, good characterization, and excellent job of acknowledging the Tommy Trilogy while getting us back to what we were doing beforehand. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Art: The return to WB’s art also helps reestablish the mood of 134, and it’s versatile enough to capture both the goofy moments and the serious ones perfectly. It’s also amazing all the stuff he packs into the background. Not just "Easter Eggs", but little stuff showing what the other characters are doing, even when the "camera" isn’t focused on them. Makes for a story with a ton of "re-read" value. I give it an 8.9.

"Mobius 25 Years Later: My Dinner With Sonic"

Written by Ken Penders, penciled by Steven Butler, inked by Jim Amash, lettered by John E. Workman, colored by Jason Jensen.

Sally and Julie-Su are lounging out by the pool, in floral one-piece bathing-suits. (Julie I understand, but Sally? I guess all those years of wearing dresses have given her a sense of modesty.) Meanwhile, Sonic and the kids play water-volleyball.

In a flashback scene, we see future Tails for the first time as he heads off to Downunda with his son… and Mina and her daughter…?! (Is this supposed to mean that in the end, Tails and Mina get together?! Weird!)

Knuckles finally shows up, and the adults head off for dinner, leaving the kids to their own devices. (Well, Lara-Su is an older teen, after all. Guess she’s babysitting…)

We get our first good look at Sonia—she wears a purple vest and boots (both more embellished than her mother wore); a lighter colored one-piece item (I’m not quite sure what to call it…) over her torso; and numerous bracelets and such. Interestingly, she seems taller and more mature than Manik. Maybe they’re not twins, after all…

Switching back to the adults, they chatter a bit, then finally get down to discussing the End of the World. Knux tells them the planet is making to explode (just like the planet Krypton), and if they can’t stop it, they’ll need to come up with a way to evacuate the entire planet!

Story: Well written, but continues in the tradition of having next-to-nothing happen. A 6.8, I guess…

Art: Butler does a great job, as usual. Not so impressed with Jensen, though--the characters are just a bit too shiny. Also, the mis-communication (or lack of communication) between the penciler and the colorist continues… Lara-Su is colored black from her neck-ring to her belt, then red the rest of the way down. This would be fine, except the belt’s higher on one hip than the other! …And I still think it’s silly that Sally can go topless but Echidnas can’t. …I give the art a 7.

Sonic-Grams

"Start:"

Mike warns us there’s more Tommy on the way, but says to give it a chance.

"Off-Panel"

Written by Mike Gallagher, drawn by Dave Manak, colored by the Art Department.

Mike P. and Sonic discuss Tails’ spikey hairdo.

"Letters:"

William "Miles-Per-Hour" Myles corrects the record regarding his previous letter (incorrectly attributed to his mother, Jasmine Dixon), and Mike warns us not to let this happen to us. (How, he doesn’t say.)

Also, letters from Nick Schlueter, Candice Macdonald, and Ulrik Narcisse; and a "Find your name in Print" section.

Sonic Fan Art

An envelope featuring an old-school Sonic and Tails, by Michael Stearns; Sonic Vs Metal Sonic, with others in the background, by Ryan Lennox; Shadow, by Jamal Morrison; Super Sonic and Super Shadow by Ralph Creer; and Knux and J-Su by Julie Siervo.

Final Thoughts:

It’s certainly not the old, pre-"Adventure" Sonic comic I loved so much, but I liked it. * shrug *