Sonic the Oz-Hog Act 4/12: Knux Readux!

Knuckles the Echidna Volume 2 issue 1 AU Publication Date: 14th April 1997 Price: $2.70

Spinoffs. No self-respecting media can live with them. No self-aggrandising media can live without them. And for those of us who lived through the space year that was 1997, corporations were chomping at the bit for a slice of those sweet spinoff dollarydoos.

Best place to start and witness such influence would be, arguably, the cinema. After Baz Luhrmann's blockbuster remake Romeo + Juliet spent weeks atop the box office, the majority of March was a bitter struggle between Wes Craven's thriller Scream and Cameron Crowe's football drama Jerry Maguire. A fascinating if ultimately pointless grudge match between two distinct genres. For all their efforts, neither claimed victory when by month's end, a film 20 years their senior blasted both off the map. The Star Wars Special Editions had arrived.

The promotion (and merchandise deals) was huge. A New Hope proved an instant hit, swiftly followed on 10th April by The Empire Strikes Back. Everything old was new again, and the re-hits just kept coming. Audiences pounded the pavements, eager to revisit Jurassic Park when its sequel The Lost World saw release on 29th May (only a week after its US premiere, a then-impressive feat). Superhero buffs ignored the winter freeze to watch Batman and Robin on 26th June, a film often lauded yet pulled respectable numbers and local reviews at the time.

Speaking of space, following a successful campaign through latter 1996, the Oddbodz were back. Smith's Chips and Glow Zone launched their second series of 61 collectable glow-in-the-dark cards featuring a myriad of wacky, wicked and occasionally controversial space-themed characters. If gross-out humour wasn't your speed, ripping into packs of Thins, Ruffles, Cheetos or Doritos chips instead offered adventures in a galaxy far far away with official Star Wars 3D Magic Motion and Techno Tazos.

After the toyline's initial launch in January, Beast Wars had successfully put Transformers back on the map, though kids would have to wait at least three more months to see their favourite characters in animated action. To Channel 7's credit, they at least gave the program a decent timeslot. More than can be said for Channel 9's decision that April to broadcast the all-new Star Trek: Voyager season 2 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4 at the ghastly time of 11pm weeknights.

In spite of the former losing 30 minutes off its timeslot, the rivalry between weekday morning children's entertainment continued between Agro's Cartoon Connection and Cheez TV. Both were banking on the spinoff craze, and viewers waking up 14th April could choose between the premiere of Power Rangers Zeo episode 'Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise', or the premiere of Earthworm Jim episode 'Darwin's Nightmare'. For the musically inclined, American rockers No Doubt had enjoyed 8 weeks atop the music charts with the third single on their third album, 'Don't Speak'. At least until April saw them bumped off by Aussie pop prodigy Savage Garden and their third single 'Truly Madly Deeply'.

But of all the spinoffs to arise and bedazzle locals, after three years of development and an exclusive preview party the night prior, SEGA World Sydney opened its doors at 4pm on Saturday 22nd March 1997. Touted in print and on TV as "Australia's Largest Indoor Theme Park!", it offered hours of unrivalled entertainment and programs for Sydneysiders and visitors alike. Anyone who could afford its hefty entry fee lost themselves in all the games and rides they could handle (except Mortal Kombat, which was pulled last-minute). An escape into pixilated fantasy guaranteed to forget their real-world troubles for several hours. Mundane adult things like Victoria and Western Australia's brief yet brutal summer bushfire seasons where 3 lives and some 59 homes were lost. Or how after one year into the top job, captain conservative John Howard faced international anger over comments at the United Nations General Assembly, and local anger over casual dismissing threats by extreme right-wing rival Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.

Be it stage shows, costumed cameos and all types of merchandise featuring their antics, fans of Sonic, Tails, Sally and Robotnik were in paradise. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for a fifth member of the cast. For someone who enjoyed strong popularity and a species originating right there, SEGA World put the bare minimum effort into giving Knuckles the Echidna his own time to shine. A remarkable oversight undoubtedly leaving young fans wondering where that embattled echidna was hiding. As luck would soon have it, they needn't look far.

Nestled comfortably among the shelves between Sonic issues 45 and 46 came Knuckles: The Dark Legion. Sales had proven strong enough (or at least stronger than Tails and Sally's comics) to warrant the development of a second miniseries. Exciting in its own right, only amplified when exclusively announced through AOL in January 1997 it would evolve to a fully-fledged ongoing spinoff. No longer was trotting off to the newsagents exclusively a Friday end-of-month treat. Knuckles' arrival meant a mandatory Monday mid-month booster for us deprived of Mobian adventures.

Over the course of its 32 issue run, Knuckles the Echidna was, much like Endgame two months later, once praised as a pinnacle of Archie Sonic. Fans adored the series, giving ol' Rad Red his own unique mythos and adventures. While Sonic naffed around aimlessly in a post-Robotnik world, we saw Knuckles as the cool, 'mature' comic. He had stakes. He had drama. Quite a turnaround after the heavy criticism its writer took in late 1996 over Sally's leaked demise. Within months he was described as "a kewl writer!", or "one of the ONLY "good" and "balanced" writers Archie has", or how they're "so much better then sonic comics now its not funny." with "all the good villains and family members." Fans swarmed en mass to his WWWBoard, creating their own stories, characters and entire websites tied to the Brotherhood and Dark Legion. Not everyone agreed on the book's mission statement "Why does everybody liek it so much? All it is really is a bunch of Penders' characters running around with slight appearacnes by Chaotix and occasionally knuckles himself.", but it made a lot of other people happy. Enough for both The Dark Legion and Lost Paradise reissued as 'back catalogue' orders to selected comic book stores in late 2004.

And just like Endgame, those nostalgic memories have since dissipated when adults reflected on his tales with matured, scrutinous eyes. We grow. We learn. We reevaluate on what was once adored as adolescents, realising perhaps those good times weren't all that good. Maybe the series and characters were fine in concept but lacked competent execution. Maybe our childish expectations meant they were never good to begin with and the critics were right all along.

The youthful, creative glory days from the late-90's to mid-2000's of Knuckles of an Echidna, Kragok Comics, Echidna Gals, Dark Legion HQ, Echidnapolis, Knux Redux, Tisha-Li's Dark Legion Camp, Kensuke Aida's Julie-Su Shrine, Echidnoyle, Shattered Moonlight, Knuckles 9000, Kiri Megami's Chaotix Hideout, Darkest Mysteries, and of course True Red's mighty Knuckles Haven have long passed.

It's from learning said past our futures are forged, but do any of these characters have a future? Do they even deserve a future?

Or maybe it's just best they're all forever banished to the Twilight Zone of cultural irrelevance.

Next Time: For years I said it wouldn't be done. Yet promises, like the hearts and cheekbones of fictitious rodents, were made to be broken. Will May's hedgie rectrospect-y truly be worthy of such hate? Or have revisionists painted a far worse picture over the past two decades?

< Previous \ Index / Next >

Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Ongoing) #80: "Big the Cat in: Swallowing Trouble"

Writer(/potential uncredted Layouts)/Inks: Ken Penders Pencils: Jim Valentino Colors: Frank Gagliardo Letters: Vickie Williams

Editor/Art Director/Outline Writer: Justin Gabrie Managing Editor: Victor Gorelick

So, if I understand correctly, Knux's outburst just undid everything that just happened- meaning, canonically, it was all erased by time travel nonsense. That's fine, perfectly alright excuse for a crossover issue.

"Yesterday's" Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #16

BW's "Yesterday's" Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #16

“Welcome to tonight’s meeting of Peeping Toms Anonymous.” Knuckles The Echidna #16 Archie Comics Publications (September, 1998) “Reunions” WRITER: Ken Penders PENICLER: Manny Galan INKER: Andrew Pepoy COLORIST: Barry Grossman LETTERER:  Vickie Williams EDITOR: Justin Gabrie Continue reading “Yesterday’s” Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #16

View On WordPress

Week 9 of the off-season winter sports fandom challenge, and the subject is:

postcards from you ✉️📬

Inspired by Dave Ryding's wedding.

Honeymoon

rating: G pairing: Daniel Yule/Justin Murisier characters: Daniel Yule, Justin Murisier, Loïc Meillard, Zoé Chastan, Luca Aerni, Tanguy Nef, Dave Ryding, Mandy Ryding, Gino Caviezel, Marco Odermatt length: 700 words

The coffee machine coughed and sputtered filling Zoé's cup as Loïc returned from his morning run. The sun was just climbing over the steep mountainsides that caged Hérémence and it was still comfortably cool. The sound of chirping birds and the bells of the cows grazing in the meadows sounded through the open windows and heralded the promise of a wonderful summer day.

"Daniel and Justin sent a postcard from their holidays," Loïc announced, and read the few lines a second time.

"How nice," Zoé said, and grabbed her coffee before walking over to the table. She held out her hand but Loïc made not sign of handing it over. "Can I read it too?"

He grinned at her. "You better sit down."

"I know," Tanguy said as he picked up the phone. "You don't have to gloat."

Luca's grin was clearly audible. "I don't have to but I want to."

Tanguy rolled his eyes and slammed the postcard on the kitchen table. "You know, actually it shouldn't count. Him knowing about the bet fudged all my assumptions"

"Loser!" Luca sang. "Of course it counts."

Tanguy sighed, and woke the coffee machine up with a flip of the switch. "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"No," Tanguy agreed. "Want to come surf in the afternoon?"

Luca held his phone away from his ear for a second and checked his calendar. "Montreux?"

"I can be there after lunch," Tanguy added.

"Okay, sounds good." Luca hesitated for a second. "Do you think we should give them something? For their wedding?"

"I'm about to drop a fortune on half a wine cellar!" Tanguy exclaimed. "If anyone should give them something, it's you!"

"Oh, yeah," Luca laughed. "I forgot."

"I told you," Dave said, shaking his head as he fondly reread the postcard.

"You told me," Mandy smiled. They had shoved the dirty dishes on the table aside, and read through the newspaper and the letters that had arrived. Mandy still nibbled on a piece of bread while Dave was on his second cup of coffee.

"You should have seen those two saps when the DJ switched to that slow dance," he continued. "You could have detonated a bomb outside they wouldn't have looked away from each other."

"I was there," Mandy reminded him with the same smile. She lifted the paper, and glanced over the remains of the breakfast underneath. "I like their choice of honeymoon. Maybe we could go there too once…" She didn't have to end the sentence. Dave smiled at her over the table, though it faltered and turned into a panicked expression when Mandy extended her hand, and contorted her face.

"What is it? Is it a contraction?"

Mandy dropped her arm, and frowned at her husband. "What? No! I'm trying to reach the butter but my stomach's in the way."

"Oh," Dave sighed in relief, and shoved the butter dish over the table.

"There's a postcard of Justin and Daniel from the Grand Canyon in here," Marco announced, and dropped the rest of the mail, ads and bills, on the table. A stiff breeze flew through the open window, the first harbinger of the rain that was supposed to come later in the day. Still they had decked the small table on the balcony for their breakfast, undeterred by the forecast.

Gino stood at the stove in nothing but boxer shorts and an apron, watching over the eggs in the pan. "What does it say?" he asked without taking his eyes off them.

Marco walked over, and hugged him from behind. He was barefoot, and wore barely more than Gino.

"He calls you a coward," he answered, and buried his nose in Gino's hair. Before Gino could ask, he raised the postcard over the pan. Gino blinked, and read the few lines.

"I wonder what yours says," he chuckled. Marco put the card down, and grabbed the spatula from Gino.

"I'll ask Gabriel to send me a photo," he answered. "And?"

Gino turned his head until he could kiss Marco on the cheek. "And what?"

"What are you going to say to him?"

Tenderly, Gino grabbed the spatula from Marco, lifted the pan from the stove, and distributed the eggs evenly on two plates.

"All in due time," he said, and handed one plate to Marco. "First we have breakfast."

A great retrospective, though I have some disagreements.

- He doesn't feel there's any one person to blame for the "Endgame era" (which is actually the end of the Classic Era: #41 - 50 + Sonic Quest: The Death Egg Saga #1 - 3 + Sonic Super Special #1) when, in fact, there is: Justin F. Gabrie. He was the editor the comic swapped to once it became clear it might not last much longer and needed to wrap up, and he's the one who sided with Ken Penders in forcing this sudden pretentious, self-important, "it's about the WAR!" tone onto it, even when writers such as Michael Gallagher were clearly uncomfortable working with it. Scott Fulop really should have stayed editor during this time.

- There are points where he gives way too much leeway to things such as the Knuckles spin-off series or the Declining Era of the comic. Yes, I understand getting ironic enjoyment out of them, but that in of itself isn't an excuse for them. Treating the Mobius World Tour arc more harshly than those over what amounts to nitpicking feels incredibly disingenuous of him.

- Above all, his fanboyism for Ian Flynn as the "savior of the comic" means there is little to no objectivity when analyzing his works. He evidently thinks Scourge is a good character, that there's nothing wrong with the sudden derailment Fiona received, and is totally on board with the mentality that because you can reintroduce and spotlight some obscure character or element of the comics' past means that you should...a mentality that I don't agree with at all.

Just about everything else is spot-on, though. I am totally with his affection for most of the Classic Era, his love for Dr. Robotnik / Eggman as a villain, his praise of the Robotnik's Return arc and how brilliant it is, his defense of the Sonic Adventure adaptation and noting what it did right, his hyping of the Xordia Invasion arc which really does live up to that hype, the respectful acknowledgments of every good contribution that each creative on the comic's staff made - yes, even Ken Penders (ex: Julie Su!), and his recognition of the world itself as the comic's true "main character"; love it or hate it, there isn't anything like it in the franchise.

Mina weirds me out because in so many ways she feels like, basically Amy? Like a way to have an Amy without having to use the actual Amy. And more mary sueish, as was part the course with whatever female character Archie wanted to push as the new hot thing, what with her being fast like sonic for no real reason. I mean, all the anime aesthetics, cutesy design, the crush on Sonic? I can see her appeal. But in so many ways she just feels like a lite version of Amy. Now I did heard that Bollers was into anime, and had a more favorable view of Amy that the other writers, even considering giving her a more lead role or having her get with Sonic at some point. I don't now how true any of that is, but the stories he wrote with her are much softer on her that the others, like the school story. Now Bollers had a hand in creating Mina, could it be he wanted to do more stuff with Amy but couldn't, and Mina was sort of his way around getting a character like that without any restrictions? Just wild speculation at this point but I found it interesting.

Mina was literally created for a romance triangle/square of Sally - Sonic - Mina - later Ash. They wanted someone that could have something Sally doesn't like a personality (hence the super speed). Archie's editor at the time (Justin Gabrie) requested it.

They didn't use Amy since this was planned before Adventure's arc, being in the backburner before she was introduced issue 76. Even then, her powers weren't seen until much later, issue 98

It's a shame cuz Boller's romance stories definitely suffered, and despite Mina being designed by Spaz, was misdrawn by him and others frequently

The reason for her existence is depressing, and the angle of her being a singer is seriously underused. Ian for the most part forgot her existence as well, the only noteworthy thing was her marrying Tails in 25yrs Future, and maybe FF support post Reboot

Even worse, Mina got a controlling cruddy boyfriend in Ash, while Sonic, Sally, and Amy got more focus from Bollers and others. It honestly seems like Bollers came to regret her character, especially as Amy got more important. So in a way, she was just Amy lite

Her design when drawn correctly is pretty nice though. Only wish she had a longer muzzle like Fang/old Tails, but her character...I really wish it wasn't tied to romance editor requests

WQBY

Top 30 for the week ending December 4, 2022

I'm Not Dead Yet---Mike Posner -2<> ''at peak'' [6week-10/30] **2weeks @#1

What A Life---John Summit, Guz, Stevie Appleton -1> ''peak1'' [18weeks-8/7] ****4weeks @#1

Koo Koo Fun---Major Lazer, Major League Djz, Tiwa Savage, DJ Maphorisa, Diplo -3<> ''peak3'' [8weeks-10/15]

Yeah The Girls---Fisher, Meryll -4<> ''peak2'' [12weeks 9/11]

Weekend On A Tuesday---R3HAB, Laidback Luke -8> ''peak1'' [14weeks-9/3] ***3weeks @#1

****Freeze---Kygo-(new)^ ''at peak'' [1st week} ****4 star top 10 debut****

Drifting Away---Audien, Joe Jury -17^ ''at peak'' [3week-11/20]

One More Time---Armin Van Buuren -5> ''peak2'' [14weeks-9/4]

These Nights---Loud Luxury, Kiddo -6> ''peak1'' [20weeks-6/24]

Loop---Martin Garrix, Dallas K, Sasha Alex Sloan -24<> ''at peak'' [4thweek-11/18]

Dr. Phil---Seaforth -9> ''peak6'' [13weeks-9/11]

I'm Good (Blue)---David Guetta, Bebe Rexha -10<> ''peak5'' [12weeks-9/18]

Blood Upon The Snow---Hozier, Bear McCreary -20^ ''at peak'' {3weeks-11/20]

Rely On Me---Sigala, Gabry Pointe, Alex Gaudino -12^ ''peak10'' [3week-11/20]

Feel Alive---TELYKast, Sky Blu -11^ ''peak7''<>

***Shut Up---Alan Walker, UPSAHL -(new)^ ''at peak'' [1stweek]

No Love For You---Regard, Drop G-15^ ''peak15'' [4th week-11/13]

Secrets---Ross Copperman-13 ''peak3'' [8th week 10/15]

10:35---Tiesto, Tate McRae -16^ ''peak16'' [3rd week-11/30]

Bad Memories---MEDUZA, James Carter, Elley Duhe, FAST BOY -14> ''peak4'' [19 weeks-7/31]

Don't Cry---LODATO, Ally Ahern -7^ <> ''peak7'' [3rd week-11/30]

***Infinity---Dubdogz, Bhaskar -(new) ''at peak'' [1st week]

Don't I Make It Look Easy---Meghan Trainor -22> ''peak4'' [11 weeks=10/18]

Satellite---Khalid -19> ''peak9'' [9th week-10/8]

***It's Quiet Now---Honey Dijon, Dope Earth Alien -(new) ''at peak'' [1st week]

***Pieces---VASSY, Bingo Players, Disco Fries -(new) ''at peak'' [1st week]

Wake Up Dreaming---Shania Twain -25> ''peak11'' [7th week-10/16]

***Caught Up---Gryffin, Olivia O'Brien -(new) ''at peak'' [1stweek]

***Miss You---Oliver Tree, Robin Schultz -(new) ''at peak'' [1st week]

Not Alone---Joe Jonas, Khalid -18^<> ''peak18'' [2nd week-11/27]

Gone this week; 6off 6new -Dip It Low---Ofenbach, Fabich ''peak21'' [2weeks] -Down In Atlanta---Pharrell Williams, Travis Scott ''peak26'' [1week] -Stay With Me---Calvin Harris, Justin Timberlake, Halsey, Pharrell Williams ''peak3'' [19weeks] -Gone (Da da Da)---Imanbek, Jay Sean ''peak28'' [1week] -The Plan---Teddy Swims ''peak21'' [2weeks] -Need Ya---Bonnie & Clyde, FOMO ''peak30'' {1week]

What symbols means; -last weeks position, ^still considered new, <> could go either way, > peak reached, '' "at peak or peaked position, [ ] weeks on chart and date charted, ***new on chart, ****top 10 debut

POST NUMBER 500

german and french forenames + norwegian fjords BUT excluding "fjord" and similar to "Alaska"

Adicka Adidse Adinado Adine Agandrina Agaéta Albeante Aldalen Alfrandan Algjea Aloïc Alphie Amelind Amillrice Andalien Andik Andtgunne Angen Angothel Ankarg Annic Antiam Arcelph Arcus Arden Argitia Arosl Ascast Astelte Audria Aulen Auridt Barick Bassimst Bassinrie Baste Bathélène Beimic Beine Bellein Bellien Berie Berne Berry Bervia Bette Bjøssas Briegaph Brikolda Briona Calfrentz Calieu Camne Carielien Catterta Chaete Cheid Cheniamut Chilieb Chistia Chricie Chris Claulique Claus Cober Colia Coliaste Colice Dagord Dalin Dalteille Dandrig Didlene Dietherna Dikse Dolip Donne Duste Dylairès Eiddenée Eimorde Ellette Elphel Emald Emanz Emarc Emarik Emart Emine Emirkda Emmaxis Erith Erndalmue Ernstra Ersaure Erøya Etcharob Ethole Ewalierre Ewalwin Fabel Faben Faninne Fanne Felle Ferth Finharden Fisloé Florden Floïc Fogne Fossa Framic Frana Frand Frandine Franic Frard Fratruden Freang Frete Frich Friegandt Frien Friername Frédrin Frøya Fustia Førgulles Gabine Gabrinn Gabris Gante Garfjorno Garines Geide Gencilien Genne Gentiant Gentz Gerden Gerna Gerne Gerreth Ghiddan Gildo Gilinèse Giste Gistéph Gotth Grart Grean Grettempe Grine Grionden Grélaete Guliaste Gulien Gullen Gundre Hadeni Hadenia Haele Halémilie Hanasve Hanikaria Hanpauren Harandald Hariane Heidle Heine Heinger Heinnice Heirchie Helien Helister Hellen Helles Hermarich Hernell Hervérick Hilie Hilte Homarl Huben Hugnès Hugulari Hugulia Hunoît Hylar Hélinne Ilden Illen Imeden Inaline Isefjoël Islof Istfjorna Istomred Jached Jachel Jachrie Jachriete Jacque Jamefjona Jamélo Jançois Jeance Jeand Jeandrie Jeane Jeank Jeatn Jeatriden Jeatrie Jelik Jorden Jordene Jorette Julaureda Julfga Julip Justaden Justines Jérine Jörgervé Jøssaksen Jürga Jürgabren Kalie Kargeord Karta Keharden Kerhanne Kevickas Kilbert Kilippe Klaudomat Klete Koben Konah Kuromstie Kveline Kvesteidt Kvine Kvågfra Kvåself Laine Laingese Lanne Lantin Larden Lauda Laudin Laudinas Lauren Laurs Laust Laustines Lefjoste Levine Leximo Livikt Loisla Lorden Louidse Louidt Luciammer Lucina Ludines Ludrika Lukeu Lydin Lütois Malaus Malgervé Malinia Malip Maliquel Malsan Mandana Manna Manne Mannest Maraine Maramunne Marden Margisen Marianic Maricka Marines Marlhe Marmilie Marna Marond Marster Maximelle Meliona Michiert Miermild Mileve Mille Milleno Milte Minden Minel Minfrin Minieran Miraustia Mondald Moria Myrissine Mélia Mélotte Nadrig Nandt Nianka Nianne Nifelein Nisebken Nissic Nordenna Nordernd Odine Olemillen Oliether Olippas Olter Orden Osanich Ostimo Otharden Othiette Otnelydi Pastina Pathilles Paudia Paudwil Pauka Paula Pette Phance Pharah Pheris Philhuber Porde Ramalle Ramne Ramurt Ranette Raurid Rausten Reclancie Reiline Rette Roben Rolen Rollaurée Rolle Rolte Romand Romarc Roniamira Rudenne Rédériel Régister Saber Sanden Sanne Sanueste Sançois Selmarie Sephia Sicelf Similie Sjorey Sjory Skjené Skjord Skjorden Snfjoël Snique Sogeid Sogne Soldam Soniquele Stord Sunne Sykke Syland Sylvantz Sylvian Sørdel Talistert Thillen Tianis Timone Tjorden Tophanne Trarden Tyanne Vaine Valind Valtonia Valvine Vandale Vanlord Varich Vatris Velie Verns Vette Viellrinz Vikaromre Vikfjola Vitsther Volphim Vonien Værah Værangen Vérès Walouel Werdenel Werger Wield Wigild Wigista Wigisteid Wigman Wigsfjoce Wiloïc Yrichria Yvden Yvolin Åfjose Åkronane Éliand Éliebker Éliquel Élivicola Élène Émirc Éries Érômen

(If you’re wondering who’s speaking from off-camera in those first two panels, it’s Nack)

So here’s a HUGE retcon that I actually had no idea about! Wow, this is actually really cool!

Many of you have probably forgotten this, but Mina’s initial story was about how she randomly discovered that she had super speed like Sonic’s, which led to her training with him as a new Freedom Fighter. This speed, of course, was only ever used for evil--not by Mina, but by former editor Justin Gabrie, who came up with the idea for Mina and decided she should have super speed so that she’d be a threat to Sally in that awful, awful love triangle he cooked up. And then later Mina’s powers were just kind of... dropped? She stopped being a Freedom Fighter and became a singer, so her powers became irrelevant

Now, though, Ian is doing something with them: he’s declaring that Mogul scouted her out as a potential future minion (a thing he apparently does a lot) and gave her those powers! And now Mogul is following up on that by mind controlling her. Wow! What a cool, sinister way to expand upon a long-dropped subplot

Sonic the Oz-Hog Act 3/12: Maximum Khanage!

Sonic the Hedgehog issue 92 AU Publication Date: 9th March 2001 Price: $4.98

No self-deprecating musings or long-winded prologues this month. There's quite a bit to cover, so let's just dive into round three of this rodent-related rabbling retrospect.

Much can change in the space of three years. Australia had come far since the release of January 1998's Sonic Firsts, and unfortunately not all of it positive. After half a decade of insistently proclaiming the policy was dead, then-Fearless Leader John Howard pulled a spectacular electoral backflip and, by the skin of its teeth, legislated the GST. From 1st July 2000, goods and services across the land were hit with a 10% price hike. The policy was marketed to voters as a means of easing tax collection by procuring money during production, as opposed to a US-style system of adding percentages at checkout. It didn't quite work out smoothly as they hoped, and the policy remains as decisive today as it was over 20 years ago.

Barely any products were spared from the increase, including publications produced locally and imported. MAD Magazine took the government to task with their infamous "GST Free" issue 377, jumping from $3.95 (cheap!) to $4.35 (not so cheap!). Comic books equally suffered; X-Men might've stopped Onslaught, but they couldn't stop the rise from $4.25 to $4.68, and for anyone not quick enough to buy issue 84 immediately, Sonic the Hedgehog spun up $4.50 to hover around the $5 mark before eventually settling at $4.95. A far cry from the glory days of 1993's piggy bank busting $2.25.

From a cynical standpoint, the GST's timely implementation felt like an attempt to monopolize on the impending tourist trade. Within two months, Australia would take global limelight with the Sydney Olympic Games, or as the late Juan Antonio Samaranch infamously declared "Syddernee!". Thousands travelled from overseas to watch the two week event, while millions tuned into Channel Seven to cheer on our teams bringing home 58 medals, an unprecedented tally which remains unbeaten to this day. Unfortunately the government's price hike failed to aid the flailing SEGA World Sydney, which closed its doors one final time a month after the closing ceremony.

Beyond a hectic few days in South Australia, the 2000-01 summer bushfire season was...n't that bad. A very surprising and much-needed reprieve before the catastrophic events come year's end. Eminem and Dido's collaboration Stan was just about to knock LeAnn Rimes off musical pole position. Steven Soderbergh's Traffic usurped Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe's thrilling Proof of Life as the countries number one film, but only one week before losing to the month-long reign of Miss Congeniality. DVD's and Wi-Fi were still foreign objects, thus Hollow Man was Video Ezy's top VHS release.

When it came to media domination however, a new king stood proud. Having won hearts and wallets throughout 1999, former children's champion Pikachu and pals were overthrown by the arrival of Goku and his crew. Initially launched on 31st January 2000, it wouldn't be until a heavy promotional push come July that Aussies fell head over heels into the world of Dragon Ball Z.

By 9th March 2001, the series was unstoppable; toys, magazines, bedspreads, videotapes, cards, Crazy Bones and virtually everything in between. Dragon Ball Z came, saw and conquered, and on that particular day, Aussies tuned into Cheez TV at 8am to lap up the premiere of Last Ditch Effort. Having suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Androids 17 and 18, the Z Warriors are left arguing among themselves as Piccolo sets out to make a life-changing decision. Meanwhile there's little Chi-Chi and Yamcha can do to assist the ailing Goku, having been struck down by the insidious Heart Virus. A situation only compounded with the ruthless Androids slowly closing in on their hideout.

It's a level of public praise Archie Comics could only envy.

The comic industry had been reeling for years. Sales were down all over the board, distributors barely getting books to shelves, and smaller retail chains dropping titles left and right. Archie had a solid track record, but columnists predicted the company would be lucky to reach 2006, sooner depending on how the Dan DeCarlo litigations went. Money was tight, and had it not been for the injection of revenue and public interest from the live-action Sabrina the Teenage Witch, even their top-selling speeder came perilously close to cancellation.

In an attempt to keep Sonic alive, editor Justin Gabrie was given the unenviable order of trimming the fat, which in true comic book fashion meant abruptly dropping all their freelancers. For several months no new stories were purchased, instead running whatever material was left on file. Unfortunately most of said freelancers had moved on by the time Archie's embargo was lifted, resulting in a 'skeleton crew' of two writers, two artists and two inkers. It didn't last, as by 2001, one artist had departed for the House of Mouse and the other publicly fired.

Issue 92's double billing of The Wrath of Khan and Sonic Shuffle: Premonition perfectly encapsulated the turbulent turmoil behind closed doors. With nobody available to draw the main story, Marvel stalwart Michael Higgins was rushed in. What should've been a happy reunion with former co-conspirator Karl Bollers was anything but, as he was given only the script and several back issues for reference. The finished product proved hardly his finest work, being unfamiliar with the franchise he resorted to tracing panels from said back issues just to meet the incredibly tight deadline. All while SEGA demanded at the last minute 8 pages be dedicated to promoting their latest game.

For all Archie's efforts getting the book out on time and into fan hands, said audience were furious once it arrived. Already incited after an impromptu interview with artist James Fry revealed newcomer Mina Mongoose was set up as Sonic's new love interest, they let it be known under no uncertain terms that 2001's first offering was a sign of the apocalypse. "Cancelled!" they hollered, with "If it makes it into next year, I'll be very impressed" and "They bury themselves in plot holes, and the artists try WAY too hard to make it look more of an anime instead of a comic book" between bitter breaths. Karl Bollers and James Fry were routinely harassed on Usenet and AIM for doing their jobs, and after spending years as everyone's favourite punching bag, Nate Morgan was temporarily sidelined to make space for Mina.

The sheer vitriol aimed towards the teen mongoose was staggering. Pointless for a comic book character, but staggering. Her design was ridiculed, her name (rumoured to be a Sailor Venus homage at the time) gutted, her super speed lauded, and her connection to Sonic (feeble as it was) lambasted. Fans labelled her as "pure fan character crap there to drive the nail into SatAM's coffin". Witnessing hate spiels on message boards became par the course, while enterprising fans littered Sonic HQ and teamARTAIL with art of Mina scribbled or outright slaughtered.

It's ironic. 2001 kicked off with fans jumping online to complain about the comic's writing, Geoffrey St. John being an underhanded jerk, and Mina Mongoose' existence heavily resented. And while the entire creative team changed between them, 2011 kicked off with... fans jumping online to complain about the comic's writing, Geoffrey St. John being an underhanded jerk, and Mina Mongoose' existence heavily resented. The more things change.

A pity life turned out the way they did. Somewhere is an alternate universe where Archie Sonic was never rebooted, a universe where I can only begin to imagine what Mina did to cheese off readers in early 2021.

Next Time: The mayhem continues in April with the revisitation of a spinoff comic equally popular as it was polarising. Until then, have a reconstruction of March 2001's personal survival kit. Life was fairly turbulent back then, but certainly could've been far worse compared to travesties going on in the world then and as now. Never forget to be grateful for what we already have and give even a minute of our times for those without. Even just lending an ear to someone worse off can make all the difference.

&lt; Previous \ Index / Next >

Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Ongoing) #110: "One For All: A Tale of Princess Sally"

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils: J. Axer Inks: Andrew Pepoy or Pam Eklund Letters: Jeff Powell Colors: Josh & Aimee Ray

Editor/Art Director: Justin Gabrie Managing Editor: Victor Gorelick

The hell?

...

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that big things would happen with Knux while Penders is on the writing crew.

"Yesterday's" Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #18

BW's "Yesterday's" Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #18

Knuckles is not good at making friends. Knuckles The Echidna #18 Archie Comics Publications (November, 1998) “Deep Cover” finale WRITER: Ken Penders PENCILER: Manny Galan INKER: Andrew Pepoy COLORIST: Barry Grossman LETTERER: Vicke Williams EDITOR: Justin Gabrie Continue reading “Yesterday’s” Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #18

View On WordPress