SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #204
"Heavy is the Head Part Two": It's Sonic vs. Monkey Khan yet again! But it's more than hot-headedness this time as Sonic fights not just for his city, but to save the very cybernetic-simian he's forced to fight! Even if Sonic can save his friend, will Khan's dark secret destroy him anyway? Its monkey mayhem as only Archie can deliver!
PLUS: "Friend in Deed Part 2": Knuckles' melee against a surprise traitor continues... and as the brawl rages on, so do the emotions within, as Knuckles realizes that he can win the battle but lose so much more!
SCRIPTS: Ian Flynn
ART: Steven Butler
GOING APE COVER BY KING Patrick "Spaz!" Spaziante
Shipping Date: September 2nd, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: September 9th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: September 22nd, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US
"MREE-HEE-HEE-HEE"?
Sally... sounds a lot more concerned about Khan than I would imagine her to be. Did I miss something?
Maybe she was moved by his impassioned stand from last issue. Or perhaps she just feels sorry for him based on what seemed to happen to him in the Dragon Kingdom. Maybe she likes broken heroes...
Man, this preview has me hyped!! I can't wait to get it it looks awesome!!!
Regina's real personality is so bright and cheerful it's hard to hate her. Even when she's leveling your city she'll do it with a bubbly smile.
Sally... sounds a lot more concerned about Khan than I would imagine her to be. Did I miss something?
You missed all the off screen character development that'll likely explain this ... and the summary for #207. (Short Version: She's hot for him.)
Guessing someone will eventually wise up and break Regina's staff.
The art is much better than last issue. I'm still not that much of a fan of post issue 75 Butler, though. At least he's getting the hang of proportions a little more.
Guessing someone will eventually wise up and break Regina's staff.
Despite that working last time, in her origin story she was able to manipulate robotics with just her own hands. D: I don't see how the staff is all that necessary, unless Khan is more difficult to manipulate and the staff isn't just to go with her wardrobe.
Despite that working last time, in her origin story she was able to manipulate robotics with just her own hands. D: I don't see how the staff is all that necessary, unless Khan is more difficult to manipulate and the staff isn't just to go with her wardrobe.
It seems like it's just amplifying her power. Regina had to push a lot to get control of Khan this time even with the staff.
I am hoping Sally's concern for Kahn is just out of friendship and being kind hearted, and nothing more. I don't want Sally and Kahn together. Also, I don't like how people seem to be jumping the gun on this and behaving like they are a couple, Sally and Kahn are not offically a couple yet(hopfully they never will be). These preview pages, and the reaction, are enough for me to decide not to buy this issue. The way some people have been making a big deal out of it has turned me off to the issue.
Don't you think we're getting into dangerous territory here?
I don't like how people seem to be jumping the gun.
The way some people have been making a big deal out of it has turned me off to the issue.
Ah, I missed the other part of your post because of the big hulking Advertisement split it in half:
The art is much better than last issue. I'm still not that much of a fan of post issue 75 Butler, though. At least he's getting the hang of proportions a little more.
Almost spoke too soon. I was going to say that he didn't use the pose that sticks out like a sore thumb to me in this preview but he did on the third page ... just from a distance. I don't know why but I always notice that he has a habit of drawing a character with one hand on their hip for no other reason except that he felt like putting it there. It's always bothered me. Besides that he seems to be trying out different gestures with the hands to convey emotion. I do think Steven Butler is one of the better pencilers they have. His work his pretty consistent even if there is room for improvement, but that's true for any artist. 
Herm's coloring also helps the pencils. He's a much better colorist then a penciler. Guy could make Ron Lim at his worst look decent.
One thing, though. Sonic's picture in the Role Call on Page 1 looks familiar doesn't it? Could've sworn it was used in Sonic X.
It's not so much the way he draws his characters, but I do have a few grievances with that: all his women appear extremely stiff and just look off, arms and legs don't go well with the way the head and bodies are shaped (when Sonic is ducking Khan as an example), and once again, the proportions were never consistent. What threw me off from the issue was rather panel layout, which just felt like it was all over the place and I could not get involved with the story at all.
In 202, he pretty much just copyed Yardley!'s style to a T. Probably for people to get acquainted with his art as not appear as like something foreign. It just somehow looked like a slightly less cartoony, and more background pleasing, and yet somewhat not as great a version of it. The difference was very small, though. But while looking at issue 203 and seeing just how much better his art was just an issue ago, I somewhat felt ripped off. He pretty much did his own style, which I thought was for the worse. I don't know, but after nearly four years on nothing but Yardley!, I don't know why any other artist came back at all and it almost felt blasphemous. XP 203 left a pretty bad impression on me because of that; but despite this, the preview pages alone for this issue just blends much better than last issue.
This post appears more negative that it is, but I assure you it's not. XD
In 202, he pretty much just copyed Yardley!'s style to a T.
Yardley may have done the layout for the issue. He did in 197 where Herms Penciled and managed to make Herms' Work look similar to his own.
I looked real quick at the Preview Pages and they don't list him for layout, but ...
I don't know why any other artist came back at all and it almost felt blasphemous. XP
Probably because Yardley doing Pencils and Covers for two Books (possibly three counting the Encyclopedia) can be strenuous to an artist working under a deadline. They brought in other Pencilers for Sonic to lighten the load for Yardley who'll mainly be penciling Sonic Universe if the Spoiler Info they released earlier this year holds.
I wouldn't mind if they gave Jamal (the new Penciler who's doing Backstories) a shot at doing the main feature eventually. His style's similar to Yardley's with one notable exception. He can draw women! 
What happened to the girl who pencilled #198? I wouldn't mind seeing some more of her work.
Didn't care for her art style, but that's just me.
I still need to get used to how she does some of the character's eyes but otherwise it was fine to me.
That ending bit with Eggman was awesome. Some insights into his mind, some callbacks, accidentally releasing himself. Awesome.
Also enjoyed Sonic's back-and-forth with Antione. Rest of the issue was okay. Butler's art has seen better days, though.
I've been a bit busy (And Labor Day kind of threw things into wack) but I'll have a review/whatever you wish to call it tomorrow.
It's not so much the way he draws his characters, but I do have a few grievances with that: all his women appear extremely stiff and just look off, arms and legs don't go well with the way the head and bodies are shaped (when Sonic is ducking Khan as an example)
I think thats just called squash and stretch.
I haven't had the chance to see this issue yet (my comic shop no longer carries Sonic, it seems ;__; ). I just barely saw #203, and while I don't have anything really to say on the Monkey Khan issue (just recently returning to the comic fold and all), I am upset and saddened by Espio seemingly turning against his friends. I understand he doesn't want to, and that he has a strong sense of duty to his clan, but man, he needs to make a decision on what's more important and fast! And I hope it won't be in favor of the Iron Queen's order....
If anyone here has seen #204 yet, I'm up for knowing if he makes said decision. Though from the brief summary above, I know it doesn't sound like he does.... **but hopes at least he decides he can't hurt Knuckles and leaves without making the choice yet.**
Because I'm lazy (among other things) here is the cliff notes version for 204:
Sonic figures out a plan to stop MK thanks to Regina talking too much
This plan involves fetching another Power Ring and slapping it on him
Antoine, Mighty and Vec hold off MK while Sonic goes for the Ring
Due to nuclear fallout (among other things) it takes time for the Ring to show.
It shows eventually and Sonic slaps it on MK, causing him to return to normal
Those three little brats (sorry) show up and give motivational speech causing MK to cheer up
Day is saved, the Queen and Sir Nose fly off
Snively gloats to Eggman again, who is out of his mind still BUT after Snively leaves, Eggman spouts random stuff that actually makes sense, along with an overload code for his cell...uh oh.
Side story:
Espio doesn't give in and explains that in order for him to return, Knux would have to stop Regina and then the bride of his clan...also spouts some nonsense about his orders from the bride of his clan conflicting with Regina's orders. In short a lot of dancing around the issue but at least Knux has a clue and knows Espio isn't totally committed.
The cover and pages make it sound like Khan is some Sonic buddy and we're supposed to be shocked they're fighting.
I like issues with lots of fighting. The more fighting the bettah!
