No one else got this yet?
I won't summarize the entire issue cause I can't be bothered, but basically it's Sonic, Tails, Knux, and Amy on TV showing off their abilities on an obstacle course (with some neat old school game references - loops, springs, bumpers, etc). Robotnik's taping their performances then downloads them into his Super Bot o' Doom, which wipes the floor with Sonic and co. until they realize the only way to beat it is to use THE REAL SUPERPOWER OF TEAMWORK!!!
Also, Bokkun scarfs an entire bowl of popcorn and then freaks realizing that Eggman wanted it. Seriously, Bokkun miniseries kthxbi.
I haven't got my issue yet, but this doesn't seem very good. Why?
A.) The story is basically the same as Emryl's.
B.) The teamwork moral was done to death just three issues ago.
Well, better late than never, but time for my monthly Sonic X review!
Sonic X #24 "Camera Hog" (AKA It's all been "fun" before.)
Written and drawn and cover by Tracy "copycat" Yardley (Hope you got triple pay for that!)
Plot Synopsis: Sonic, Chris and friends are on Scarlet Garcia's talk show "Station Square Today" talking about thier new found fame, and showing off thier abilities. Sonic brags a ton about himself. All the while, Dr. Eggman and a very hungry Bokkun are watching on cameras as Eggman directs Deccoe and Bocoe to record the action as cameramen.
You see, Eggman has found out that Sonic, and co. are going to be showing off thier abilites, and Eggman wants to record them into a robot that will go and fight them. (Sound familiar?) Chris notices that the cameramen look like robots, but everyone else acts stupid. (Why is it even neccesary for those two to be down there? Does he have some kind of software in the camera that wouldn't be able to be used by the regular camera crew?)
Sure enough, Eggman's plan goes fairly well the heroes show off thier abilities for the camera. They get recorded into the robot. Bokkun eats all of Eggmans food. Eggman sends the robot after the heroes.
When the robot attacks, Sonic decides to steal the spotlight and try to fight it off himself. The others try to help, but the robot keeps switching modes to throw them off. Sonic only gets one attack in when the robot switches to Amy mode and falls in love with him. (A broken heart symbol shows up after.) Sonic keeps trying to handle it himself, but is constantly defeated. Finally he gives in and they come up with a plan to defeat the robot. It works. Sonic apologizes for being a gloryhog, and Bokkun ends up with a stomachache.
REVIEW: First, to get the negatives out of the way. I was quite worried when I read early reports on how the story copies Emerl's so closely and that's very true. Plus, the "teamwork" moral was just done to death 3 issues ago!! Plus, Sonic's jerk mode is a little too OOC.
That being said, it was a very fun read and very funny. Bokkun steals the show eating all of Eggmans snacks. Plus, Tracy's art told the story much better than any of the dialouge could. It's funny though, that he went back to his more cartoony, STH art, after his more anime style last ish, but it is more appropriate for this issue anyway. The battle with the robot was both action-packed and humerous. The panel where the robot hits all four of them in Amy mode which accidentally causes Amy to hit Tails on the head with her hammer is by far my favorite. I may buy that page if Tracy puts it up for sale.
Overall: The most important elements for a kids comic is that the story is light-hearted, fun, comical, and action-packed. (Well, not always action-packed. Jughead isn't going to be doing kung-fu anytime soon.)
Tracy succeeds in all four. If the story and morale had not been so unoriginal, this would have been a great issue. That being said, I can't wait to see what he does with the next issue he writes. He may become my second favorite Sonic X writer after Joe Edkin.
SCORE: 7
Where Tracy fails in originality, he succeeds everywhere else. Good job!
