"Sonic The Hedgehog" Comic Book Series Talkback (Spoilers)

[dth1971]

Just got Sonic the Hedgehog issue #258 recently. But who in the world is a new character named PROFESSOR PICKLE??

 

[PC!]

The thing I hate is how Archie is touting this as a great jumping-on point for new readers. With all the talk about two timelines and sets of memories, I can't imagine new readers not being totally confused over what's happening.

I've been reading the comics since issue 6 over 20 years ago, and even I would've preferred a hard reboot. As it is, I find the whole "soft reboot" to be really, really sloppily done and explained.

Just got Sonic the Hedgehog issue #258 recently. But who in the world is a new character named PROFESSOR PICKLE??

He's from the video game Sonic Unleashed.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

I've been reading the comics since issue 6 over 20 years ago, and even I would've preferred a hard reboot. As it is, I find the whole "soft reboot" to be really, really sloppily done and explained.

Well that's what happens when you aren't really allowed to explain much of the original reality because of legal reasons. Heck they can't even talk much about what caused the reboot either as that happened in the Megaman crossover and from what I heard they can't directly reference that IN the comics specficially besides just vague mentions or special editorial notes that just say "Read Worlds Collide." And again as I pointed out, I do feel that a soft reboot works better then just a whole sale one. And besides the reasons I gave, remember this is an Archie Comic. And though Archie in it's main series feels very loose and wonky with their continuity, there is still some sort of established order they aren't directly messing with. Thus why the main Archie book still sells and there are so many various reprints of older material they have every month. Personally I do agree this wasn't handled the best but I can't honestly seeing it being handled any better with all the restrictions placed on it and again better they still have what came before it still matter in some form then just disregarding it entirely. Especially since when DC did that how many of it's characters and concepts and the like we're thrown in the gutter just to go in a "new direction" a lot of people didn't care for. Wouldn't want the same to happen to Sonic.

 

[Gatomon41]

Considering the time restraints, the Comic did transit better than I thought it would. Would a Hard Reboot would have been better? Well... I don't think so. As was pointed out, the series has gone on so long with it's own plot threads. Just stopping in the middle of that would be far more jarring, if not considered insulting to those following the story.

I'm sure the writers would had perfered a proper ending, but the limitations prevent that from happening. They did what they could do.

In any case, despite the confusion, the arc did provide a sense that things were changing, and it affected the characters. It wasn't just confusing for the readers - the whole events created chaos for the characters too. But overall, readers new and old no longer have to worry about over a decade of stories to deal with.

 

[PC!]

Would a Hard Reboot would have been better? Well... I don't think so. As was pointed out, the series has gone on so long with it's own plot threads. Just stopping in the middle of that would be far more jarring, if not considered insulting to those following the story.

They pretty much DID stop in the middle of everything, though. No plot threads were resolved, and they went out of their way to remind us via "old memories" that nothing was resolved. Everything is just "different" now. I understand why it had to happen, but I see no reason not to simply reboot the series hard if none of the plot threads from pre-Worlds Collide will ever be referenced again.

 

[Gatomon41]

They pretty much DID stop in the middle of everything, though. No plot threads were resolved, and they went out of their way to remind us via "old memories" that nothing was resolved. Everything is just "different" now. I understand why it had to happen, but I see no reason not to simply reboot the series hard if none of the plot threads from pre-Worlds Collide will ever be referenced again.

There is plot potential from having old memories but a different reality. There would be identity issues, metaphysical questions, worries about loved ones who are now "gone", and fears about a brave new world. By exploring these things, the characters can explore themselves.

 

[Alonso Torrejon]

Well, it's September and this month, 264 will be out this Wednesday. Don't know why it was moved from last Wednesday.

Anyway, I look forward to Sonic the Werehog's second comic debut (if you include the adaptation).

Problem is, James Fry is included. Never liked his art.

 

[Frontier]

Looking forward to the official debut of both the Werehog in the main continuity and the new Egg Boss .

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Guess whose joining forces.... again?

Worlds Unite in new Mega Man, Sonic crossover series | Polygon

You know, though the Mega Man world seems to be going along fine, I don't think the Sonic World has still totally refit after the last reboot. Which granted was more the fault of Ken Penders then anyone else but this does kind of seem pretty excessive. Granted I did wish there was another crossover if only because of said reboot the first one didn't really have an ending, but I didn't want one literally like not even two years later. That seems a bit much and honestly seems like it's being done because the first one was such a big hit and the executive staff wants some of that cash going once more. Really couldn't they have waited some for this, really? Hmmm maybe it will be good if you know this time around Sega and Capcom are like "screw it. You can use whoever you want for this" and they don't exclude the non-game characters. Seriously let mega man's extended cast and the freedom fighters meet. That'd be different. They better not be out of the loop again especially if it's being done so soon.

 

[Frontier]

Yeah, as much as I loved World's Collide, and still think it's one of the best and most enjoyable event comic to come out in the last several years, it still feels a little too soon to be having another crossover that'll interuppt the main boks. Especially when Mega Man is just getting into the Mega Man 3 adaption and Sonic's books are slowly inching into an Unleashed adaption while exploring the post-reboot world. Having that be interupted by an event, though I think MM3 will be finished by then, just feels too... Marvel to me .

I mean, I have every confidence in the creators at Archie, especially Ian Flynn, far more than I do anybody at Marvel, but as it stands I think we could've waited a little longer to launch this event. It seems more like a grab for more money after the success of World's Collide, which from a business standpoint would make sense at least.

All that said... it'll probably still be a very enjoyable event, and it seems like it'll be building off the first so that'll be interesting to see. I'm happy to see Mega Man and Sonic coming together again, and I'm sure Ian won't retread any of the ground he covered in World's Collide and do even better this time around after writing the first act. It would also be cool to see the comics cast get more focus this time around .

 

[Gatomon41]

Well, now they got about four comics to work with, hopefully this crossover is just going to be two months worth. It does seem a bit soon for something like this to happen.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Uh I don't think that's going to help Gatomon41. Remember the Sonic Boom comics take place in an entirely different continuity then the main Sonic Comics. Just like how the Sonic X comics took place in an entirely different dimension. So I really even doubt we're going to see the Sonic Boom characters involved (since that'd be like TWO set of Sonic characters running around then) so it will still be likely the three books. Plus if they're serious about this being "bigger" then it will probably be bigger then even the 12 issues we got before.

 

[Alonso Torrejon]

It seems the new story arc called "Champions" has just begun and with Breezie making her debut in the comics, you can be certain things will not get pretty from here on, especially if the Blue Blur has been used to her advantage.

Concerns aside, I have yet to see how it'll go down.

Also, I can hardly wait till the 275th issue comes out. It ought to be loaded with epic win.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Also just to point this out because of my previous point yes I know that contrary to what I thought before, Sonic Boom IS going to be involved with this upcoming "Worlds Unite" crossover along with the Mega Man X characters (even though at best Mega Man X has only gotten back up stories and one concurrent story in the comics) so yeah, that's going to be FOUR comics running it. Honestly I don't know how that works as reading the Sonic Boom comics it's not only a different interrpretation of the characters but a different tone as well (as honestly Ian does a way better job nailing down the whole "this is suppose to be a goofy farce" then either the game or show do) so how will that work? I do hope if we are getting that we'll see the main cast interact with the Boom cast and maybe be disgusted by some of their personalities changes (I want Knuckles to especially be annoyed by Boom Knuckles and keep pointing out "I was NEVER THAT STUPID!"). Also again if this is going to involved Xander Payne aka someone made up for the Mega Man comics this better involve all the other original/not just from the game characters for either Sonic or Megaman. They really have no excuse this time around.

 

[Dudley]

If they're going to do a crossover featuring both versions of Sonic, wouldn't it be best for that to be its own event and leave Mega Man out of it? Is both the original and X version of Mega Man going to be in this too?

 

[Frontier]

If they're going to do a crossover featuring both versions of Sonic, wouldn't it be best for that to be its own event and leave Mega Man out of it? Is both the original and X version of Mega Man going to be in this too?

Well, the last big crossover was between Sonic and Mega man so they're just building off that here. And with one more book out compared to the last time it happened (Sonic Boom), Archie is now incorporating that series into the crossover.

So the original Mega Man is definitely going to be in it, and I think I've read that X will be showing up as well .

I have to wonder how many books X has to appear in before they finally give him his own series ?

 

[ShadowGUN]

Sega and Capcom universes join Mega man and Sonic World United event.



Today Billy Hatcher, Alex Kidd, Nina and Viewtiful Joe have join the crossover.

 

[Frontier]

Holy crud, and here I thought we'd just be seeing the Boom cast and Mega Man X joining in for this new crossover !!!

Viewtiful Joe !

Billy Hatcher .

I think I can make out Nights as one of the silhouettes, and considering how much Ian Flynn loves Skies of Arcadia I'd be shocked if no one from there popped up .

Man would it be awesome if the outcome of this, and the fan reception, leads to Archie releasing more licensed game comics of the same level of quality as Sonic and Mega Man .

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Check out the reveals today

Yeah we're not only getting NIghts (oh man I would love a reference to the old Nights comic that Archie use to run. And hey to be fair Ian made a reference to a youtube poop music video so he's referenced less obscure things) but Golden Axe, Okami and even Ghosts and Goblins. So yeah looks like we're getting a total of 12 new worlds and I'm guessing one of the others will be Street Fighter and.. well Skies of Arcadia could be a good choice as well but guess we'll see tomorrow about that.

 

[ShadowGUN]

Nice. Surprise to see Tyrus Flare. Normally it Gilius Thunderhead who does most of the Golden Axe representation. The creature above Red Arremer (Ghosts 'n Goblins) could be either from Monster Hunter or Panzer Dragoon.