138 replies to this topic

[GamemasterAnthony]

I agree with you, Gojira. The lightness or darkness of the story isn't what matters...as long as the story is actually decent.

I kinda wonder about this one though. Are they trying to get all the Sega-Sonic females involved in one story arc? If so...where's Marine? Heck...they could blow a few minds and add Tiara and Honey!

[LaserX5]

You really can't blame people for wanting more dark themes in the comic.

Blame them? I suppose not. Be annoyed by their willingness to act as if this arbitrary idea of "Dark" storytelling is the end-all be-all of whether or not a story's any good? Absolutely, I can.

After all, Sonic Satam, which this comic was based off, was very dark, as well as epic.

But, see, the mere fact that SatAM was "dark" (and, as Kef said, it really wasn't that "dark" in sum when you really look it over) only has so much to do with why it was a good series. You could have every last "dark" idea in SatAM kept intact, but if stripped of the elements of execution that made them work, like good writing, solid characterization, good plotlines, etc. etc., they would be utterly worthless.

Heck, look at Sonic the Hedgehog 2006; it's full of "dark" ideas, like Death, emotional repression, dystopian futures, etc. etc. It is also a completely and utterly dreadful story. Why? Because the execution was a convoluted, poorly acted, poorly written mess. By contrast, look at Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, which was pretty much nothing but "light" ideas. Hardly a perfect show, I grant you, but it could be highly enjoyable because it had good vocals, some clever writing, and a creative sense of humor.

That's not to say Ideas are meaningless to a story. Of course they aren't. But they only count as much as the people bringing them to life, and I think you deny yourself potentially rewarding or enjoyable stories by hinging your judgment of them on the "darkness" or "lightness" of the ideas behind it. Just my opinion, mind.

EDIT: Or, to put it more simply? I think we ought to be less concerned with whether or not we're getting "dark" or "light" stories, and more concerned about whether we're getting good stories.

No argument there. Good stories are indeed one of the main cores to a successful series.

As for Sonic 2006, yea, it was a bad game with a poor storyline. However, I think the main thing that made that game such an eyesore was the fact they had Princess Elise have strong romantic feelings for Sonic, which is downright revolting. What was Sega thinking? Did they not think people would call this bestiality?

Anyway, I think most would agree Ian's stories are getting worse and worse with every issue.

Who wants to see 4 Sonic gals treasure hunting? This has gotten Sonic X written all over it.

I sure miss Robotnik Prime. He was the best villain the comic ever had.

[Chaosmaster8753]

Who wants to see 4 Sonic gals treasure hunting?

If it were SatAM/Archie characters instead, you'd probably be all over it.

[Shadow]

I hope this ends with an orgy.

[Masterge77]

Smooth move, Ian! What's next? A universe series of when Sonic and his pals days in preschool?

Been there, done that.

Wait, Archie did SPINOFF BABIES!?

[Morgan]

Oh I remember that one. That was like... in the 90s I think. Forgot which year.

[Gojira007]

Wait, Archie did SPINOFF BABIES!?

Not quite. "Sonic Kids" was simply a themed collection of stories that ran as issue five of the larger "Sonic Super Specials" series rather than an actual attempt at making a spin-off regular series, at least as far as I know. It did prove popular enough to warrant a sequel, though:

[Morgan]

What number is that one, Gojira? Image a bit too small to tell what the number is and I've never had that one.

[Gojira007]

A straight answer would be boring. Let's let the Beatles answer your question instead.

[henryiii]

Is it just me or is Sonic Kids a blatant rip off of Drazen's much much much more superior Sonic Kids series of fan fics?

[LaserX5]

Who wants to see 4 Sonic gals treasure hunting?

If it were Satam/Archie characters instead, you'd probably be all over it.

No, I still wouldn't like it even if it starred Sally, Bunnie, Julie-Su and Mina Mongoose.

I may like them better than the 4 gals on the latest Sonic Universe cover, but treasure hunting is a dumb idea for a comic story.

Ian is turning the Sonic the hedgehog comic into the Sonic X comic Ver 2.0 before our very eyes.

He's already brought in Cream. It probably won't be too much longer now before Vanilla, Chris and Chuck Thorndyke make an appearance as well.

[henryiii]

but treasure hunting is a dumb idea for a comic story.

Indy would like a word with you for saying that.

But serious I agree with you that the comic is becoming to SegaSonic. Not just because the bright color job, but because by including these characters, do you really think they'll have a point in being there and will have any signifacant devolpment at all?

But knowing Ian their just there to be there and that my friends is one of the hallmarks of SegaSonic.

[John Roberts]

but treasure hunting is a dumb idea for a comic story.

My Firefly comics would also like a strong word with you.

Is it just me or is Sonic Kids a blatant rip off of Drazen's much much much more superior Sonic Kids series of fan fics?

Nope. Drazen based his Sonic Kids story from the comic.

[henryiii]

No, actually Drazen's first Sonic Kid's fic Capture the Flag was released in 1995, while Archie's Sonic Kids was released in 1998.

[chief]

I think a good treasure hunt comic would pull off rather well. I'm saying a good one. Not a "omg lets go treasure hunting on the beach!!!! SUNSCREEN!!!"

[John Roberts]

No, actually Drazen's first Sonic Kid's fic Capture the Flag was released in 1995, while Archie's Sonic Kids was released in 1998.

Hm. I stand corrected then. I never actually read any of Drazen's fics until about 2001-ish, so that would have screwed with my timeline of the whole thing.

That's my excuse for being wrong anyway, and I'm sticking with it!

[Cheezmatt]

Sonic Kids didn't rip off Drazen's fics in the slightest. They also happened to be good - especially "Eve of Destruction" which is pretty much an essential read for featuring, among other things, the birth of Tails.

Speaking of specials, anyone remember Girls Rule? Pretty much the only other time girls were front and center? Let's compare it to this latest thing. Girls Rule starred (I think) Sally, Bunnie, Hershey, Lupe and Julie-Su in their own seperate individual stories. They were fairly light on action but heavy on character development/insight, and surprisingly, the stories were either bittersweet or downright depressing, dealing with what was basically their biggest fears at the time. All in all, it was pretty amazing what they accomplished and the issue was definitely a keeper.

This "Treasure Team Tango" arc... probably isn't going to live up to that. To put it lightly.

Girls Rule also felt more important overall; unlike the upcoming Segathon, it focused on Sonic girls that didn't feature in numerous video games or have a toy on the shelf. They were Archie's girls - yes, including Sal and the rest. The comic was their only source of exposure, so it was gratifying to see them in the spotlight, developing not only their own character arcs but the overarching plot. The Sega girls, on the other hand? Yeah, they only got this arc because of their popularity outside the comic. Amy's the only one of them who's very existence doesn't feel contrived; Rouge and Blaze were introduced in cheap-and-dirty videogame tie-in stories with literally no resolution, just "Play game X to find out what happens!", never giving a thought for how badly the game in question may clash with established continuity. It's just another case of jamming a square peg into a round hole, something that plagues the comic in general.

And it culminates in stuff like this arc, where half-baked characters get preferential treatment because it's Sega. Joy!

[GamemasterAnthony]

That being said, Cheezmatt...they really SHOULD add Tiara and Honey to blow a few minds as well as give something special to the more seasoned (read: old) Sonic fans. Might be the only thing to spark any interest in this arc.

As for the Sonic Kids specials, I have only one thing to say: I didn't think it was possible for Archie to make Tails look any MORE cute!

[Masterge77]

Sega just wants to pretend that they don't exist

[LaserX5]

Indy would like a word with you for saying that.

My Firefly comics would also like a strong word with you.

I meant with the Sonic comic. It makes sense in Indiana Jones since he's a legendary treasure hunter. I don't know hardly anything about firefly, but I'll take your word for it that it works for them.

Treasure hunting to me, unless they're looking for a power source to defeat Robotnik seems completely pointless.