SONIC X #32 BAT-REVIEW! (AKA: WHY SONIC IS A SELFISH JERK.)

"Title Mismatch"

Written by: Ian "Ol' Chum" Flynn

Art by: Tracy "The Boy Blunder" Yardley

Cover by: Patrick "The Youthful Ward" Spazniete

STORY:As we saw in the last issue, "El Gran Gordo" needed Sonic's help. It appears that Bokkun is still playing Eggman, and has kept his own master from returning to his own base. Deccoe and Bocoe are happy to oblige the new Eggman, as it means they get a vacation from the boss.

With his own bots turning against him Eggman comes to Sonic for help. Sonic will agree to get him back to his base if he agrees to no longer be "El Gran Gordo". Gordo kisses Ella's hand, (she's starting to get a crush on him) and he and Sonic head out to the base.

But, not without a costume change. Eggman has Sonic put on his own Wrestling costume as "El Rapido Azule". They manage to infiltrate the base, where Deccoe and Bocoe declare that they never knew Bokkun was Eggman and stroke his ego a bit to save their own skins. Now Eggman and "El Rapido Azule" Have to deal with Egg-Bokkun in one of Eggman's giant machines. Eggman reluctantly tells Sonic the machines weakness. Sonic then gets the drop on Bokkun. Bokkun apologizes up and down. Telling the Doctor that he told him to be Eggman, but he never said when to stop. Eggman forgives him, and Sonic tells Eggman that a deals a deal. So, Eggman once again gives up being Gran Gordo.

Sonic comes home to a sleepy Chris. He tells him that he and "El Gran Gordo" accomplished their mission, but Gordo had some other adventures to go on.

Meanwhile, Eggman is punishing the bots by making them work extra hard to earn their "Vacation". Eggman then retires to his room, where he stares at his Gran Gordo costume. "I do enjoy being an evil genius. I really do. But sometimes, it's fun to escape."

REVIEW:
THE GOOD: There's some fun aspects to the issue. I love the fact that the bots use this opportunity to turn against Eggman, just so they can have a break. Eggman shows a bit more of his good natured side. He's pretty forgiving of the bots. But, he's especially forgiving of Bokkun. I feel this is due to Eggman treating Bokkun like a surrogate child. He's like a little son to him, so he's more forgiving. The Eggman/Sonic team up was fun. From Sonic tripping over his wrestling outfit, to Eggman shouting "WHEEEEEE!" When Sonic is running him up the side of the building. He is such a man-child.

I also like the bit of Eggman & Ella flirting that happened in the mansion. (I wonder if Ian did that just for me?)

Tracy did an excellent job on expressions in this issue. He seems to get better and better on his penciling in each issue. Also, Terry inks were better as well. The outlines were very thin, and it worked better that way for me.

Now, it's time for me to go all Dan Drazen on you guys.

THE BAD: In these last two issues, Sonic has been much more of a villain than Eggman was. Sonic has been extremely jealous of anyone who Chris deems as his hero other than him. Eggman's only major crime was having Bokkun dress as him and go steal some sweets. Sonic willingly helped his arch nemesis get back into his own base where he could come up with more diabolical plans to take over the world or destroy Station Square, rather than letting him run around in tights and be Chris's new hero.

Why? Why let your biggest enemy go back to his old ways, when he's more than happy to play as a wrestling hero where he wasn't doing any harm? Cause Sonic wants only Sonic to be the big hero. He can't stand having anyone else in the spotlight. I bet Sonic could have stopped Eggman a long time ago, but instead lets him run rampant so he can save the day at the end. Just look at the series. How many episodes had Sonic running off to smell some flowers or whatnot while Chris, Tails, and Amy got into huge trouble with Eggman, only to have Sonic come in at the last second to save the day? He sets himself up so he can be the big hero. In these last two issues, Ian has shown Sonic to be petty, selfish, egotistical, and jealous. Fortuneatly, most kids reading this book won't see it as they are too young to notice, so the issue still get's a high score. But it didn't get past me. Then again, maybe I'm just going a little too deep into this.

OVERALL: 7.5/10 A pretty fun issue. But it shows what a jerk Sonic can be if you look deep enough.