#justin gabrie

[paulagnewart]

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 >

[sonicpanels]

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

[fyeahsonicthehedgehog]

[ramblingsonic]

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.

[shadowwingtronix]

"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

[my-chaos-radio-2020-list]

Sad Happy - Circa Waves

Sandman - Tei Verdes

Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do - Sabrina Carpenter

Satellite - Bebe Rexha & Snoop Dogg

Save Your Tears - The Weeknd

Secrets - Regard, RAYE

Seventeen Going Under - Sam Fender

She’s All I Wanna Be - Tate McRae

She's Gone, Dance On - Disclosure

Shivers - Ed Sheeran

SICKO - Felix Jeahn feat. GASHI, FAANGS

Single Soon - Selena Gomez

Small Town Friday Nights - Kaylee Bell

Smile - Martin Garrix feat. Carolina Liar

Smooth Talk (Seduction Pt.1) - Le Flex

So Am I - Ava Max

Somebody - Dagny

Space In My Heart - Enrique Iglesias, Miranda Lambert

Stars - PNAU, Bebe Rexha, Ozuna

Stay - The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber

Stay With Me - Calvin Harris feat. J. Timberlake, Halsey & Pharrell

Stayed A Summer - Erin Kinsey

Stick Season - Noah Kahan

Summer Rain - Victoria Nadine

SUPERMODEL - Måneskin

Supernova - aespa

Supersad - Suki Waterhouse

Survive - Lindsey Stirling feat. Walk Off The Earth

Survivin’ - Bastille

Sweet But Psycho - Ava Max

Sweeter - Cannons

-

Take You Dancing - Jason Derulo

Talk About Love - Kate Hudson

Talk That Talk - Twice

Taste - Sabrina Carpenter

Tears - Perrie

Tennessee Orange - Megan Moroney

TEXAS HOLD'EM - Beyoncé

That's Not How This Works - Charlie Puth feat. Dan+ Shay

The boy is mine - Ariana Grande

The Business - Tiesto

The Door - Teddy Swims

The Hardest Part - Olivia Dean

The Lost Ones - Florrie

The Motto - Tiesto & Ava Max

The Passenger (Lalala) - LUM!X, MOCABI & D.T.E., Gabry Ponte

The Show - Niall Horan

These Walls - Dua Lipa

Thinking 'Bout Us - Danii Minogue & Autone

This Is Why - Paramore

Tomboy - (G)I-DLE

Training Season - Dua Lipa

Trustfall - P!nk

Truth - Godsmack

two thousand songs - spookybands

-

Unconditional - Molly Burch

Underdog - Alicia Keys

Unhealthy - Anne-Marie, Shania Twain

Unsure - Alan Walker, Kylie Cantrall

Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez

Use Me (Brutal Hearts) - Diplo ft. Johnny Blue Skies & Dove Cameron

Used To Know Me - Charli XCX

-

vampire - Olivia Rodrigo

Von dutch - Charlie xcx

-

Waffle House - Jonas Brothers

We're Good - Dua Lipa

Wellerman - Sea Shanty - Nathan Evans

What A View - Girl Named Tom

What Was I Made For? - Billie Eilish

What Would You Do? - Tate McRae

When We Were Young (The Logical Song) - David Guetta, Kim Petras

Where Am I - Cha Eun-Woo

Where Are You Now - Lost Frequencies feat. Calum Scott

Where Did You Go - Jax Jones feat. MNEK

Wherever You Are - Martin Garrix & Dub Vision

Whisper - Adina Butar

Whoops - Meghan Trainor

Wild Things - LAUREL

With You - Oliver Tree

WITHOUT YOU - The Kid LAROI

WOMAN'S WORLD - Katy Perry

Words - Alesso feat. Zara Larsson

WORK - ATEEZ

Worth It - Colbie Caillat

-

Yes, and? - Ariana Grande

You broke me first - Tate McRae

You For Me - Sigala, Rita Ora

You Know What I Need - PNAU, Troye Sivan

you look like you love me - Ella Langley feat. Riley Green

Your Love (9PM) - ATB, Topic, A7S

[sounds-right]

21/6 La prima e più grande festa anni 2000 d'Italia fa scatenare il TOP Club Show Dinner

Il TOP Club Show Dinner è entusiasta di annunciare l'arrivo di una grande serata: il "We Love 2000 Party". Per la prima volta a Rimini, questa straordinaria celebrazione degli anni 2000 promette di essere un evento che farà rivivere i momenti più belli degli inizi del nuovo millennio. La data da mettere in agenda è il 21 giugno.

Il party inizierà alle ore 21.00 con una cena servita che offrirà al cliente la possibilità di scegliere tra un menù di carne o di pesce, entrambi rinnovati con nuove prelibatezze culinarie. In alternativa, sarà possibile optare per un ricco buffet che soddisferà anche i palati più esigenti. Durante lo show dinner, il pubblico sarà incantato da straordinarie esibizioni che includeranno ballerini di alto livello, show emozionanti e la musica coinvolgente di Giò Brunetti. Le scenografie variegate creeranno un'atmosfera magica, il tutto accompagnato dalla voce straordinaria di Alex F.

Dalle ore 23.30, la serata disco prenderà vita con il dj set di "We Love 2000", che farà ballare tutti i presenti sulle note dei più grandi successi degli anni 2000. La selezione musicale comprenderà un mix irresistibile di: cartoni animati ( le sigle dei cartoni che hanno segnato la nostra infanzia), italo dance (il ritmo inconfondibile che ha fatto ballare l'Italia), Gabry Ponte (uno dei dj più celebri del periodo), Miley Cyrus (dai successi Disney agli hit internazionali), Alcaraz (con le sue melodie travolgenti), Tiga (per un tocco di elettronica pura), Justin Bieber (le canzoni che hanno fatto impazzire milioni di fan), Articolo 31 (il duo che ha rivoluzionato il rap italiano), Benny Benassi (il re della dance), Lady Gaga (la popstar che ha definito una generazione), Rihanna (dai suoi esordi ai grandi successi), Gigi D'Agostino (con i suoi classici indimenticabili)

+39 0541478542

www.frontemarerimini.com info@ristorantefrontemare.com

Frontemare, il Regno del Divertimento a Rimini, offre un'esperienza unica. Situato in posizione privilegiata di fronte al mare della Riviera, il locale si presta perfettamente per dinner party, serate a tema, concerti live e dj set. Aperto ogni venerdì, sabato e domenica, Frontemare ha ideato tre serate per accontentare gli appassionati di ogni genere musicale. Dal TOP Club del venerdì, lo Show Dinner più elegante della Riviera, ai coinvolgenti concerti live delle migliori band il sabato, fino ad arrivare all'atmosfera vibrante dell'Apericena Latina della domenica sera. Il locale è poi predisposto all'organizzazione di cene aziendali, compleanni ed eventi privati.

[djs-party-edm-italia]

21/6 La prima e più grande festa anni 2000 d'Italia fa scatenare il TOP Club Show Dinner

Il TOP Club Show Dinner è entusiasta di annunciare l'arrivo di una grande serata: il "We Love 2000 Party". Per la prima volta a Rimini, questa straordinaria celebrazione degli anni 2000 promette di essere un evento che farà rivivere i momenti più belli degli inizi del nuovo millennio. La data da mettere in agenda è il 21 giugno.

Il party inizierà alle ore 21.00 con una cena servita che offrirà al cliente la possibilità di scegliere tra un menù di carne o di pesce, entrambi rinnovati con nuove prelibatezze culinarie. In alternativa, sarà possibile optare per un ricco buffet che soddisferà anche i palati più esigenti. Durante lo show dinner, il pubblico sarà incantato da straordinarie esibizioni che includeranno ballerini di alto livello, show emozionanti e la musica coinvolgente di Giò Brunetti. Le scenografie variegate creeranno un'atmosfera magica, il tutto accompagnato dalla voce straordinaria di Alex F.

Dalle ore 23.30, la serata disco prenderà vita con il dj set di "We Love 2000", che farà ballare tutti i presenti sulle note dei più grandi successi degli anni 2000. La selezione musicale comprenderà un mix irresistibile di: cartoni animati ( le sigle dei cartoni che hanno segnato la nostra infanzia), italo dance (il ritmo inconfondibile che ha fatto ballare l'Italia), Gabry Ponte (uno dei dj più celebri del periodo), Miley Cyrus (dai successi Disney agli hit internazionali), Alcaraz (con le sue melodie travolgenti), Tiga (per un tocco di elettronica pura), Justin Bieber (le canzoni che hanno fatto impazzire milioni di fan), Articolo 31 (il duo che ha rivoluzionato il rap italiano), Benny Benassi (il re della dance), Lady Gaga (la popstar che ha definito una generazione), Rihanna (dai suoi esordi ai grandi successi), Gigi D'Agostino (con i suoi classici indimenticabili)

+39 0541478542

www.frontemarerimini.com info@ristorantefrontemare.com

Frontemare, il Regno del Divertimento a Rimini, offre un'esperienza unica. Situato in posizione privilegiata di fronte al mare della Riviera, il locale si presta perfettamente per dinner party, serate a tema, concerti live e dj set. Aperto ogni venerdì, sabato e domenica, Frontemare ha ideato tre serate per accontentare gli appassionati di ogni genere musicale. Dal TOP Club del venerdì, lo Show Dinner più elegante della Riviera, ai coinvolgenti concerti live delle migliori band il sabato, fino ad arrivare all'atmosfera vibrante dell'Apericena Latina della domenica sera. Il locale è poi predisposto all'organizzazione di cene aziendali, compleanni ed eventi privati.

[tarditardi]

21/6 La prima e più grande festa anni 2000 d'Italia fa scatenare il TOP Club Show Dinner

Il TOP Club Show Dinner è entusiasta di annunciare l'arrivo di una grande serata: il "We Love 2000 Party". Per la prima volta a Rimini, questa straordinaria celebrazione degli anni 2000 promette di essere un evento che farà rivivere i momenti più belli degli inizi del nuovo millennio. La data da mettere in agenda è il 21 giugno.

Il party inizierà alle ore 21.00 con una cena servita che offrirà al cliente la possibilità di scegliere tra un menù di carne o di pesce, entrambi rinnovati con nuove prelibatezze culinarie. In alternativa, sarà possibile optare per un ricco buffet che soddisferà anche i palati più esigenti. Durante lo show dinner, il pubblico sarà incantato da straordinarie esibizioni che includeranno ballerini di alto livello, show emozionanti e la musica coinvolgente di Giò Brunetti. Le scenografie variegate creeranno un'atmosfera magica, il tutto accompagnato dalla voce straordinaria di Alex F.

Dalle ore 23.30, la serata disco prenderà vita con il dj set di "We Love 2000", che farà ballare tutti i presenti sulle note dei più grandi successi degli anni 2000. La selezione musicale comprenderà un mix irresistibile di: cartoni animati ( le sigle dei cartoni che hanno segnato la nostra infanzia), italo dance (il ritmo inconfondibile che ha fatto ballare l'Italia), Gabry Ponte (uno dei dj più celebri del periodo), Miley Cyrus (dai successi Disney agli hit internazionali), Alcaraz (con le sue melodie travolgenti), Tiga (per un tocco di elettronica pura), Justin Bieber (le canzoni che hanno fatto impazzire milioni di fan), Articolo 31 (il duo che ha rivoluzionato il rap italiano), Benny Benassi (il re della dance), Lady Gaga (la popstar che ha definito una generazione), Rihanna (dai suoi esordi ai grandi successi), Gigi D'Agostino (con i suoi classici indimenticabili)

+39 0541478542

www.frontemarerimini.com info@ristorantefrontemare.com

Frontemare, il Regno del Divertimento a Rimini, offre un'esperienza unica. Situato in posizione privilegiata di fronte al mare della Riviera, il locale si presta perfettamente per dinner party, serate a tema, concerti live e dj set. Aperto ogni venerdì, sabato e domenica, Frontemare ha ideato tre serate per accontentare gli appassionati di ogni genere musicale. Dal TOP Club del venerdì, lo Show Dinner più elegante della Riviera, ai coinvolgenti concerti live delle migliori band il sabato, fino ad arrivare all'atmosfera vibrante dell'Apericena Latina della domenica sera. Il locale è poi predisposto all'organizzazione di cene aziendali, compleanni ed eventi privati.

[themattress]

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.

[kinopioa]

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

[paulagnewart]

Sonic the Oz-Hog Act 6/12: Four Score and Three Games Ago!

Sonic Super Special Magazine issue 3 AU Publication Date: 4th June 2012 Price: $16.95

As our ancient Mayan forebearers gazed upon unspoiled lands from atop majestic pyramids, one can only imagine how they'd react to modern interpretations of their culture. How despite the transformations and advancements of western civilization, glyphs methodically chiseled to immense stone slabs continued to fascinate. How translations suggested the conclusion of their 13th b'ak'tun (or whichever term they preferred at the time) would unleash a time of speculation, panic and turmoil on a society often proclaiming itself as peak humanity.

Chances are they'd pause, stare at one-another, and share a good chuckle.

Such was the feeling of living through 2012. While the months slowly clicked down, prophecy morphed into profit seeking. Books, documentaries and movies sought to captivate audiences with doomsday diatribes. Local frugal publications printed tales of an impending destructive December. Murdoch's finest conservative newspaper covers heralded hastily photoshopped images of a drained Darling Harbour. Yet above all this doom and gloom, the impending extinction of all life on Earth meant something far more sinister; a grand total of zero new Sonic the Hedgehog media beyond that terrifying date.

Obviously the resultant cosmic shift would impact all of SEGA's output, but that didn't stop fans logging on to voice their outrage. "It's bad enough having to contemplate the crushing futility of a mortal universe…" wrote Shawn Nickeltenn, a youth volunteer at Marble Gardens Retirement Village who often posted under the alias of 'MightyPrower93' on the now-defunct Radio Free Robotropolis message board. "…But now there's not even the comfort of knowing that Sonic will continue with new games and comics under a new creative team in an entirely new universe for fans to complain about!"

Humour aside, the fandom didn't need rely on ancient Mayan calendars to spruike dark times for the blue boy, when financial and critical woes already plagued the House of Hedgehog. Sonic Generations started strong, as SEGA proudly boasted their 2011 offering broke all previous pre-order records in Sonic history. Critics loved it. Audiences loved it. Until sales tanked within a month against a flurry of other high profile games.

2012 marched on. Fans across the world were poised, primed, ready to celebrate their favourite masot's impending 21st birthday. Good timing too, for the rodent would undoubtedly need a stiff drink after future IGN subsidiary GameTrailers declared in early March that Sonic won the "well-deserved perch" in their Worst Blockbusters list. The beastial undertones of Sonic '06 proved horrifying enough, while Unleashed, Adventure 2 and the Olympic tie-ins "Do not deserve the cash they generated".

Between intense layoffs in their US and European divisions, and reports of SEGA suffering a predicted loss of upward 85 million dollars, rumours soon abounded of a potential series reboot coming 2014. Some hoped Nintendo or Archie would buy out SEGA, or try a new game in the style of then-hot Skylanders. Other commentators, optimistic as ever, declared "I don't see SEGA being around ten years from now. So the reboot idea seems pointless to me". It wasn't all bad however. US viewers got to see Sonic back on TV in January 2012 spruiking $380 automotive insurance. Probably the only "Progressive" media that hardcore conservative Sonic fans might enjoy.

Australian media meanwhile was enjoying Julia Gillard (and how refreshing it is to discuss a different Prime Minister for once), sadly for all the wrong reasons. By this point she was two years into top job, having successfully retained national leadership after a second spill motion from vindictive predecessor Kevin Rudd. This would not be the last time they went to loggerheads as she continued battling the vengeful former leader, entitled internal party members, and low polling brought on by a complicit conservative mainstream media. Elsewhere in June 2012, cunning linguist Flo Rida managed to whistle his way to number one on the local music charts, blowing away Carly Rae Jepsen. Men in Black 3's time travel antics weren't enough to stop Ridley Scott's Promethius bursting the box office. And in less than two months, Channel 9 would captivate audiences with their coverage of the London 2012 Olympics. Ultimately the home team reaped in a paltry 35 medals, with the swimmers having to pick up the slack by scoring ten.

A disappointing result. As would be fan reaction to Archie's third installment of their Sonic Super Special Magazine series.

Making its way to local newsagents over a week before Sonic the Hedgehog issue 235 and less than a week after Sonic Universe issue 39, the existence of this premium packaged product was already contentious among fans, with its often hedgehog hodgepodge of reprinted stories. Reviews this time around saw little improvement.

What should've been a turning point for the book with its "Exclusive story inside!" was anything but. "Oh boy, I can say I was disappointed with SSSM. The Sonic 4 plot? Tiny. To put it in a nutshell "Sonic, beats Death Egg robo, talks to Tails on Little Planet, fly off, hey look its metal." That's it. Bit of a shame really." or "Someone please tell me that the Sonic 4 ep 2 story will be more than five pages? That's all we usually get for game adaptations lately, and it's usually ridiculous.". Reader reactions ranged from "Oh geez, that sucks. You'd think for a 130-page magazine we'd get something a bit more substantial." and "Pretty much is a cas(sic) grab putting something slightly new in there to get people to buy it.", to "Yardley accidently drew Green Hill instead of Splash Hill..".

Setting aside the game adaptation, the special's remaining stories raised further eyebrows. Issue 176's 'Cracking the Empire' made the cut because... reasons, while Michael Gallagher and Patrick Spaziante's acclaimed 'Go Ahead, Mecha My Day!' ensured Archie literally gave complaining fans the finger. As opposed to 2008's Sonic Archive Volume 7, this version of issue 25's blockbuster story saw a further edit on the penultimate page, whiting out a finger used to represent the reader pressing a button. Resources such as the Archie Sonic Wiki may suggest the reason for such a change is unknown, but it's clear they did it to disguise the Caucasian pantone, making the insert feel more inclusive. Archie Sonic pulled quite a global readership for its time, thus fans could imagine themselves regardless of race in Sonic's shoe-erm, gloves, pressing the button to bring our loathed Big Round Guy crashing down.

For Aussie readers, and fans of Sally Acorn in bondage (a sentence this author never thought they'd unironically type), the inclusion of 'Reigning Cats and Dogs' was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. The two-part reprint specifically chosen to hype upcoming stories featuring Lupe and her Wolfpack proved a happy coincidence, as the latter installment completed a nearly 2-year long 'lost' Sonic story. More on that contentious matter in a later post.

As history has come to show, the world did not end right before Christmas 2012, and Sonic's adventures both in and out of comics would continue for many years to come. Much to the conviviality (or was that consternation?) of fans everywhere.

[sonicpanels]

Sonic Super Special #15: "Naugus Games"

Writer/Breakdowns: Ken Penders Pencils/Inks: "Many Hands" Letters/Colors: Josh & Aimee Ray

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

[fyeahsonicthehedgehog]

[ramblingsonic]

The hell?

...

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

[shadowwingtronix]

"Yesterday's" Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #19

BW's "Yesterday's" Comic> Knuckles The Echidna #19

I’d make a weatherman joke but this isn’t normal weather for them at this time. Knuckles The Echidna #19 Archie Comic Publications (December, 1998) “The Forbidden Zone” part 1″: “Whatever Happened To Queen Alicia?” WRITER: Ken Penders PENCILER: Manny Galan INKER: Andrew Pepoy COLORIST: Barry Grossman LETTERER: Vickie Williams EDITOR: Justin Gabrie Continue reading “Yesterday’s” Comic> Knuckles…