Review: Sonic #3

I was excited to find out a while back that Sonic was getting a new comic book series. I’m not what you would call a Sonic nerd, but I’ve enjoyedÂ the games, and have a general understanding of the characters. I liked Sonic enough to look forward to the series. I had a friend who read Sonic comics whenÂ he was younger, and I was eager to read the new series.

Imagine my disappointmentÂ after finally getting to read an issue, just to find it was dull and cliched. I always figured that a Sonic series would be for all ages, but what I found was a children’s’ book. Honestly, most Sonic fans probably aren’t little kids. I expected a book targeted at a larger audience. Truthfully I don’t know if this book was aimed at kids on purpose or not.

The story was boring and the art was plain. It was super cliched and corny. I’m not a Sonic hater, but this issue was rough. There isn’t anything to be a part of. It’s hard to be fully invested in the story. The issue is stuffed with regular dialog and jokes we’ve heard thousands of times. The heroes said generic hero things, and the villains said generic villain things.Â Sonic and Knuckles were never in a struggle. They were never really in a jam, and they always seemed to have the upper hand. At no point in time were the heroes in peril. They were always winning. It’s like if the Falcons had never lost that 28-3 lead, and had won 40-6. The actual Super Bowl was far more interesting because impossible odds were destroyed. Blowouts often aren’t as fun. Stepping away from football analogies, and Falcons jabs, stories need conflict. I imagine it’s one of the first things learned as a writer or even a consumer. Everyone knows that nothing is supposed to come easily. This issue did not have any real problems for the heroes to struggle with. TheÂ comic was just twenty pages of Sonic and Knuckles being cocky, and arrogant without anything stopping them.

I don’t like being negative, and this issue wasn’t all bad. I liked the ending and how it baits the audience. The ending presents some potential drama, and possibly even hope for the series. My positive paragraph may not be too long, but at least it’s existent. I mean at the end of the day the story is still about a blue hedgehog with super speed. I’m sorry to the creative team of this comic, but I have to give myÂ honest opinion here. An honest review is better for professionals than dishonest fluffy praise pieces. I don’t want to be a discourager to comic creators. Afterall, they’ve made it farther than me. Maybe an apology is also due to the Atlanta Falcons, but none will be given since I’m a Panthers fan (Keep Pounding).

I will be honest, I am by no means an expertÂ on Sonic. I’m really more of a casual fan. If this is what Sonic stories usually provide, then make the established fanbase happy. But I have a sneaking suspicion that this is not the case. If any Sonic experts out there know the characters well and find the entertainment in the story, then fantastic. I’m even open to some enlightenment by a true fan. However, my opinion on this book stands. I did not find it very entertaining and was disappointed. If Sonic fans are happy then awesome, but I am not pleased with this issue.Â

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

(W) Ian Flynn (A/CA) Jen Hernandez