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Maybe if Sonic thinks about it, he may be able to actually go Super-WITHOUT a catalyst now. I don't see why not. Though that would be a bit DBZ-ish...and so could Knux and Tails.
I could only see that if he handled the emeralds for quite a long time...like months so he might be able to absorb some of their power (akin to a piece of metal and rubbing a magnet against it). And power rings have a limit so they'd wear off fast.
I kind of thought Sonic would have sped around the world, found 7 emeralds...etc and THEN slammed into Robotnik but I'm glad he didn't. Like we need Super Sonic saving the day...
Hey, it's rarely done in the comics so I don't see why not.
**bows before Darkest Light's analytical skills**
Nice theory on the catalyst stuff. As for why those 4 are "special," most definitely agree. I'm still waiting/hoping for the day that Amy gets to go "super." 😉
As for the story itself, I'm going to be one of those voices of dissent in terms of not being all that impressed. Sonic/Robotnik dialogue/fight went on for far too long for my taste. At least Espio got to actually do something in #174. Other than Mighty (which was pretty much the only thing I really liked other than our "standard" Julie/Rouge moment), I got bored with the story because no one else did anything and I'm not concerned with Sonic/Robotnik enough to care about their "epic struggles." I do have to give props for the "limit" line by Sonic though. THAT partially salvaged the whole Sonic/Robotnik-thing for me.
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I'm not concerned with Sonic/Robotnik enough to care about their "epic struggles."
You may be reading the wrong comic! 
If it weren't for Knux & co and to some extent Sally, I probably wouldn't be reading at all right now. That is true. 🙂
I had my Archie STH interest killed before Ian took over. While my interest is much higher than it was when I practically severed ties with the series, it's nowhere near high enough that I can take a lack of characters I really care about doing anything and still be interested in the story. In fact, if that day ever comes again, that's when I know that I'm truly back into it. It's actually one of the reasons I don't have as many "favorites" since #162 (when I started giving the comic a shot again--and that was my jumping on point b/c of Knux) as most others. All of my favorites from then are either Angel Island-centered, Knux, Chaotix, Rouge, Sally, or Amy related stuff.
Personally, I don't even touch the games unless there's high enough "more than Sonic involved" quota for me so this isn't some standard I just apply to this comic. I'm much less lenient with the games than I am with the comic on that front actually.
I've read a whole lot worse (The Good, The Bad, and The Unknown for one), but I'm not going to say that I actually was into it when I wasn't either.
I will agree the fight lasted a bit long, it was actually kind of meh for me. While the epic Sonic vs. Robotnik fights are few and far, they never picque the interest as much as one where he teams up with someone (Like in Spiderman 3) to beat down a foe.
Super Amy? Someone should come up with a concept drawing...o_O
I have not really cared about the "epic struggle" between Sonic and Robotnik for awhile in the comic. It is difficult to when the focus has often been on relationship drama in recent years, so that has been the focus of my concern(kind of worrying about my favorite couples). Ian does seem to be trying, and suceeding for the most part, to bring more balance to the comic. I agree with True Read, if it wasn't for certain characters (mostly the FF's in my case) I wouldn't be interested in the comic one bit. As for this issue, I said before it sounds ok so far, though maybe not great. I am not giving my final judgement on this story until next issue.
AHHHHHH.
This story was great. I liked Egg's battle suit. Am I the only one who noticed that it looked like a mixture of previous bosses?
-Sonic 1 wrecking ball
-Sonic 2 color design
-Sonic CD shield and structure (those chicken legs :P)
-Sonic 3 fire-power
I have a question. From 175, where do all the important characters stand?
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy: Free to plot a counter attack
Chaotix, FF's, Rouge: Captured
Jules, Bernie, Unc. Chuck, chao, and Knothole citizens: Captured
The monarches: how many were captured?
Mogul, Ixis Naugus, Nack, Bean, Bark: Imprisoned
Scourge, Fiona, The Destructix: Dr. Finitivus's Army
Shadow: New Megapolis?
Locke: Still searching? for the Brotherhood (and Charm's colony?) from 171's story arc
Rob o', Mari-an, Downundan FF's, Monkey Khan, Forty Fathom FF's, Gefforey and Hersh., and Blaze: ???
Anybody else I miss?
Wait a sec...everyone who is imprisoned...where would they be if Knothole is destroyed? I can't imagine Robotnik would just skip it, though that would be a funny subplot.
NACK: *Looking around at all the damage, still stuck behind bars* Well, this sucks.
NAUGUS: Hisssss...
....Naugus is in the grapes, believe he's been that way since the early 170's.
That huge gap in my collection...I think I want that three parter with the unicover now lol.
But I TOTALLY forgot about Shadow-ANOTHER Chaos-infused being. Bet you Nicole's gonna tell Sonic to get Shadow to help out with this plan.
{Side note: What's this about Chaos Control being a bloodline trait?}
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....Naugus is in the grapes, believe he's been that way since the early 170's.
165-Rouge said that Dr. Finitivus freed "what was left of the Destructix."
173-After freeing himself and Ixis, Mogul said that A.D.A.M. showed up at tried to take his Chaos Emerald. Mogul used Naugus as a sheild to try and prevent it from happening; but A.D.A.M. was still able to take it, along with Naugus losing his 'magicks' power and the ability to talk in the prosses.
I believe that this is what happened. If I am wrong, please correct me.
^Naugus freed in #173. But you may have a point about Shadow since he recently learned of Maria's wishes (with help from Nicole), it's certainly possibly he'd be willing to follow her plan as a kind of payback. It could work, but I'd rather they not bring in helpers to wrap everything up in a neat little package(ala Elias in Line Of Succession). The Gang of Four oughtta be enough to do something heroic. Eggman labeled them the biggest threats in #145, maybe now they can live up to the hype.
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173-After freeing himself and Ixis, Mogul said that A.D.A.M. showed up at tried to take his Chaos Emerald. Mogul used Naugus as a sheild to try and prevent it from happening; but A.D.A.M. was still able to take it, along with Naugus losing his 'magicks' power and the ability to talk in the prosses.
164 - Mogul, Naugus, Destructix, Spider Kids are captured and sent to the Egg Grapes. Mogul uses his power to protect himself, Naugus, and the Destructix - in that order - from the effects of the Egg Grapes.
165 - Finitevus rescues Destructix from Egg Grapes.
After 165/Before 168 - Mogul's power diminishes and he resorts to exclusively shielding himself from the effects of the Egg Grapes. Mogul and Naugus escape from Egg Grapes, Spider Kids "die" (off-screen). Naugus is left insane as a result of exposure to the Egg Grapes. Mogul's emerald is absorbed along with all the others in ADAM's plan, Mogul is left with extremely limited power as a result.
173 - Mogul and Naugus imprisoned.
Nah, I don't think Shadow is going to factor into #176. I think #176 is going to throwback to exactly what Miss Puar mentioned. That was the vibe I got when we learned through the spoilers that only Sonic, Tails, Knuckles & Amy were going to be left.
As for what Eggman did with those captured in #173, it depends on where they were in Knothole. He could've captured them OR during the commotion the prisoners could've escaped on their own. I think that's purposely vague.
I don't remember anything about chaos control, but as I've only skimmed every story concerning Shadow (other than M:25YL) I'd probably missed it if it were mentioned.
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Wait a sec...everyone who is imprisoned...where would they be if Knothole is destroyed? I can't imagine Robotnik would just skip it, though that would be a funny subplot.
NACK: *Looking around at all the damage, still stuck behind bars* Well, this sucks.
NAUGUS: Hisssss...
From the prieviews in #177
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To make matters worse, a group of escaped convicts is on the loose on the inside!
Sounds like B&B, Nagus, Mogul, and Nack get out.
Ahh yes, now I remember...hadn't seen the preview for that in a while. Thanks for the refresher! b^-^
Whoa Mogul having no power...Naugus a Mute..Hrm, MAYBE I shoulda read those...
He's not completely powerless, DL. He's got some magic powers and Naugus has stolen your "shadow" abilities. Actually, I did think of your MF char when Mogul described Naugus' powers in #173. 😉
I'm just glad we didn't lose a villain of Mogul's caliber during the crazy stuff that's been going on. 🙂
Ian's been hanging around these boards too much ....
Thanks for the lookout TR. Copyrights'... right here! ::Waves paper::
Mogul has back alley Magician tricks now. ;_; That makes me cry. Now I'll seek these issues to watch this unfold.
I finally got my hands on this issue, so I've just got to share my thoughts.
Firstly, I'm not too sure what I think of the story. To demonstrate why, let's break the story down:
4 pages of setup
6 pages of everything/one being destroyed
11 pages of Sonic vs. Eggman fight with focus on monologue
1 page of setup for next issue
The destruction is over quick and the focus is on the monologue. I suppose I had expected more focus on the attack itself. However, the monologue was incredibly dramatic.
Sonic's sudden frenzy reminds me of a moment during Endgame... I wonder if that was conscious on Ian's part?
In any case, I wasn't terribly excited about the issue itself but I think it bodes well for the future of the book.
Robotnik was downright awesome, but I would've cared for more focus on Sonic's friends getting zapped away and Knothole being destroyed. I didn't care so much because it happened too fast. Perhaps the destruction of the castle and Eggy walking out from the flames would've made a good ending spot after focusing on Snively's attack.
Yardley's art is killer, as always. I'd like to see someone else once in a while, though. Too much of a good thing, you know?
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Robotnik was downright awesome, but I would've cared for more focus on Sonic's friends getting zapped away and Knothole being destroyed
i don't see why everyone has been saying that. it was done well enough, they get zapped, they're gone, that's like... one of the points of the attack, it happened so fast that no one really knew what was going on.
i mean, come on. you're sitting there with your friends then BOOOOOOM ZAAAAAP friends gone. from your point of view it looks like they are dead. so yeah the focus was mostly on Sonic VS Robotnik like it should be.
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Super Amy? Someone should come up with a concept drawing...o_O
Actually,I remembered seeing a drawing of Super Amy in the fan art section of the HQ awhile back but forgot who drew it. So, I just now hunted for it and found it; it was drawn by Jamie Swiftrunner.
Also, there are Super Amy sprites floating around the internets.
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i don't see why everyone has been saying that.
It's not everyone, but obviously those who have been saying it care about the "other characters." That's why it would be mentioned.
The fact that it was so quick in the way it was presented is why it was so uninteresting. Obviously the reason it was done that way was because the goal of the issue was to highlight Sonic/Eggman fight, otherwise it would've been handled differently because it could've been in many different ways. Though I think the focus could've been kept and still given a few more some props. The same way Mighty (along with Bunnie and Sally to a minor degree) got to do something others could have as well and still have the "it happened quickly"-effect. To do that would've required taking something away from the Sonic/Eggman stuff. The same way #174 had a split story, so could've #175 at the beginning. The way this story was though I'm sure some wouldn't totally believe me, I would've gotten bored with it if it had been Knuckles/[Enerjak or something]. I like action, but I'm not personally into extensive solo acts unless I have something to divert my attention so that it doesn't make me feel like it's just a one-on-one fight.
As Dirk mentioned, it's good as a setup--which this story most definitely was. It just wasn't something that would rank as "the most awesome" for some people, particularly those that aren't that interested in seeing Sonic/Eggman fight/talk for half the issue.
I had a dream last night where this entire set up got resolved in 7 pages. In the dream, Robotnik was using the captured Freedom Fighter's life energies to power himself up in lieu of Chaos Emeralds, but Tails, Knuckles, and Amy cut the switch and Sonic trashed everything and freed everyone before Robotnik could plug the grapes back in. It was awful.
I kinda like the whole using their energy bit, though.
this was a very good comic
book I hate how Mighty ended up getting
Egg Graped but in all I truly enjoyed every bit of it.
I think it's an interesting point of view on the entire Sonic/Robotnik war concept. I mean: where is the interest (out of making money) in an infinited, never resolved conflict ? Archie tries to give an answer.
I agree with the ones saying that Eggman enjoys challenging and being challenged by Sonic. Its like the two of them are playing a great game of chess... however all sonic has left in this one is one King, one Knight, one Rook, and one Bishop.
Or if you will maybe somewhere up above mobius, supernal beings are playing a giant board game. A beautifull lady that cannot have her name said lest she leave them right now have 2 hedgehogs, an echidna, and a fox. While an old man with eyes that are dark voids has a Fat Man, a Small skinny nephew, and hudreds of robots. The old man made his move, now its the ladies turn. ((props if you know where this is from)) If you agree all we need is a living chest and a mage that doesn't know any spells but one in his head. ((another hint for people)).
Sidenote: The only thing that would make "insane" sonic better if he was laughing like a maniac while he went speeding at Robotnik.
Yeah, I'm new. I have been watching several sonic forums for quite a while, but have only just been able to convince my privacy-policy crazy dad to let me post. I'm using his account, so please don't call me spinzo.
This was an amazing issue. Probably the second best I've ever read. Everything came at me so fast as I read it that my brain hardly had time to comprehend that nearly everyone was dead before it learned that they were actually transported to the egg-grapes, so a lot of sob potential was replaced by total shock. However, that was one of the things I liked about it- Sonic's world changing in a split second. Besides, if I had really thought about it for a long time, it would have struck me that Archie wouldn't have knocked off everybody that quickly. The only time they tried to kill off a major character that a lot of people cared about (no disrespect meant to Tommy or Sir Connery) was with Princess Sally, and that was handled much slower. Kudos to Sega for demanding her back, even though it was for commercial purposes.
So, let me know if I can post here or if I'm going to get run out by an angry mob for being an uber-nerd.
Now why would we run you out, uh, what are we to all you if we don't call you spinzo? Anyway, welcome, and of course you can post here,that's what's it for. Hope you have fun and happy posting! *bows*
I got it. Was it the marvelous masterpiece it was made out to be? Well, I'll give it that it was better than M25YL. But in general? A bit overrated.
You can call me Kerrin.
And how was it overrated?
Everyone's saying that it's the best thing since sliced bread.
No way, definately not the very best comic I've ever read, but right up there. But you've gotta' think, it's pretty refreshing after the Tommy stories and all that junk. It was a good issue, but next to the stories preceeding it, it is understandable how it became inflated. Also, it's not just the story, but the possibilities of what might come after, especially since we can rule out a gravitation towards the Sega storyline.
Met:This is slightly off-topic, but I think it's amazing that they've kept the original Robotnik dead for 125 issues now...
I think the writers originally planned to have the first Robotnik be Anonymous, his shadow was seen twice in part 3 of Darkest Storm. But for some reason they changed it, dunno why.
But yeah, this was a pretty good story, and I'm looking forward to part 2 in a couple weeks.
IIRC, Romy intended for Anonymous to be Robotnik, and Penders intended for it to be Kintobor from the bomb shelter. Gotta say I much prefer Ian's version.
I think that the people complaining about not enough focus being put upon the attack on Knothole Village are missing one of the major points of the issue: Robotnik is a villian again. Not just a villian, but the main nemesis of Sonic. The Last time I felt like Robotnik was an actual threat to Sonic and friends was during the Home Arc, around issue #131 or so. During that Robotnik seemed like he was in control...But afterwords he became non-threatening and often wouldn't appear at all in issues, except in one page in the shadows.
Seriously. Inbetween the Home Arc and #175, Robotnink has been...unambitious. During that time frame Mammoth Mogul nearly destroyed the entire Multiverse (See issues %149 and #150), and a Computer Program managed to collect all of the universe's Chaos Emeralds. Ixis Naguas managed to make a comeback and Scourge and Fiona even managed to get some spotlights as villiangs. But What did Robotnik do? Well, there was the time he came to Sonic begging him to protect him from the Evil Metal Sonics. And there was that one story where he was walking around in his pajamas mumblinb about his human body needing to sleep...
He hasn't done squat. But with this issue, Robotnik has been restored to being the main threat. He managed to destroy Knothole and capture it's citizens -- and he claims that the only reason why they managed to fight him for so long because he was playing with them and that he owns the world. I don't know if that's the truth or if that's sort of his dimentia getting the best of him...But after reading this issue it doesn't seem completely impossible.
Also, I thought Robotnink's Evil Monologue was one of the best "Evil Monologues" I've ever heard/read.
Quoth Robotnik...
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"I'm surprised you retian your confidance after so many failures. Or did you forget what happened to Tommy Turtle and Sir Connery? You never deroboticized your friends and family. And your father is Still a robot! Or how about your love-life, eh? Sally, Mina, even Fiona! So...How come you're all alone?"
I actually felt a little shiver down my spine when I read the last part of that quote. Taking a shot at somebody's private romantic relationships as you're battling on the fiery remains of their former home...That's cold; even the coloring of that last panel was done in cold shades of blue. I actually had a violent reaction to that panel -- my mind went "You have NO right to talk about that subject."
I was satisifyed with seeing the Freedom Fighters torn apart and the Chaotix...About the only other characters I'm deeply emotional attached to are Uncle Chuck and maybe the rest of Sonic's family + Muttski. And shoot, the comic could still be dealing with the results of this plotline for a year or two -- and since we're down to one writer we might actually see the plotlines followed through...Exciting stuff.
I can still respect everyone's opinion, but mine is a very positive one. Go Sonic!
To say Robotnik's done nothing until #175 is totally ignoring the TDS arc in particular. ;p
Besides, I've never felt at any point that Robotnik wasn't the main villain. I still don't understand 95% of the complaints about Robotnik not being evil enough at any point during the series run. Based on the "wow Robotnik is now evil because he took out Knothole" means that he pretty much can't do anything that'll top it--and means that people will go back to their usual "Robotnik doesn't do anything evil" complaints again. Robotnik has always been silly at times (I don't care whether it's the "original" or the "current" one), but never not evil.
Ugh, the "girlfriend" comment is the one that made me have to mention that story wasn't anywhere near as good as I had been hearing (as there are issues I've not enjoyed as much as most here but I refrained from commenting b/c I hadn't been annoyed). I found that line to be so stupid and unnecessary to me.
That was actually the main problem I've had with the comic recently. The Kingdom of Acorn was supposed to be at war with Eggman, but we haven't really got much. That was hit on the mark with him not being much a villian since home.
I was reading some back issues before. Did they ever solve the mystery of the E-101 Gamma look alike from the Good, the Bad, and the Unknown, or was that supposed to be Anonymous/ADAM?
I wouldn't say that Robotnik has been doing nothing lately. I think he has been planning this attack carefully, and letting the kingdom feel at ease while waiting for his moment to strike.
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I was reading some back issues before. Did they ever solve the mystery of the E-101 Gamma look alike from the Good, the Bad, and the Unknown, or was that supposed to be Anonymous/ADAM?
ian summed it up in a weird and pretty stupid way, he said that isaac was crazy and that the dude who was originally anonymous was actually dead. he had Rouge explain it in one line of the comic "it was guarding a frozen corpse, can a robot go insane?" and he hasn't outright said it, but he basically wants to retcon the whole chaos emerald= irradiated beryl thing.
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but he basically wants to retcon the whole chaos emerald= irradiated beryl thing.
And you think that's stupid? The whole idea in general about the Chaos Emeralds being some kind of science accident while some Gamma clone gaurds yet ANOTHER Robotnik clone was one of the stupidest things Kenders Surprise had ever written, and I for one, am glad that the crap was thrown out the window.
i never said i liked the idea, i don't like the fact that ian just kind of wrote off whatever was going to happen though.
i don't really like retconning, but if it's gotta be done, do it ala crisis on infinite earths style. not on some message board that not ALL fans read.
I'm still foggy when it comes to Issac. Can someone sum it up a bit better?
I mean how many times do we have to end upe getting stories like this that sound too much like one's we've read before, even if they are two parters, I mean with the ending we get in 175, it's too easy to guess what will happen in 176, Sonic and Co. will save everyone from the Egg Grapes and Robotnik will be defeated again, just like before.
I mean come on, remeber ENDGAME , HOME and others like them, they all sounded like this, so what's not to guess, espiecally if you have perviews for 177 stating that Sonic has again saved the day and ....can't a Hedgehog have a Happy Ending., it sounds waaayyyy to obvious.
It seems Ian has alot more studing to do before he really gives something totally out of the blue.
But with this one exception, I've really complained once so far, it's just Ian needs to do something that will shock fans of all Sonic Media, but then again last time someone tried, SEGA got all over that person and what really gives away the fact that everyone will be saved is that Eggman puts Rouge and Team Chaotix in the Egg grapes and everyone knows you can't kill those characters in the comic or else SEGA will be on you like a pck of wolves.
I suppose that you have a point, True Red. I've thought about it some and I've come to realize that Good villianry is hard to come for. If they don't do enough, they're weak; if they do too much, they can't keep it up. They have to be strong enough to almost the defeat the heroes, but not strong enough to actually do it; Weird stuff like that. At least in a monthly comic, anyway. The next time I see a villian walking down the street I'm going to salute them because it's not easy work.
But I think Robotnik's next move is dependant on Sonic's next move. It looks like he'll at least be able to rescue a portion of his freinds and family -- but Knothole is pretty much destroyed. They'll either have to move back to the same patch of land and re-built or find another area and start over. I imagine that Ian has enough continunity integrity to make the rebuilding last a while.
And to BW, who's post is right above me, I think that there's there's a better chance of Ian following through with the storyline than Ken Penders. I forget how long Ian has been reading the series but he was probably on board for some of the big disappointments.
Geek moment. When does 176 come out...
I'm...
friggin' ANXIOUS...for this comic. This is so weird. 9_9 Haven't felt this way in years...
mainly cause I think after 176, I'm not gonna read the comic until like 190 to see the buildup to 200.
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