THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 3 - Week 35 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, May 04, 2009

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #199: “Knocking On Eggman's Door” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Jim Amash (i); Matt Herms (c); Teresa Davidson (l); cover by Yardley! & Jensen

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of Sonic and pals, based on the hit video game.

In this issue : Sonic leads the combined might of the Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix in a final push against Dr. Robotnik and his Eggman Empire! In this climactic battle, old friendships and rivalries are revisited, family confronts family, and a treacherous plot is revealed that you won't believe! You simply cannot afford to miss this pulse-pounding lead-in to the mega-milestone Sonic #200! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: Sonic and pals wake up, check in with their home city, and then get down to business. And man, do the sparks start flying. Flynn and Yardley keep this lead-in to issue #200 moving at a rapid pace, and it's enormously entertaining. It's great to see the Freedom Fighters and Chaotix really come together here; each team member seems to have a real sense of confidence and camaraderie, more so than before. It's a great, action-packed build-up to a major milestone, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.

SONIC UNIVERSE #2: “Time & Again” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Jim Amash (i); Jason Jensen (c); Teresa Davidson (l); cover by Yardley! & Jensen

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: A thrilling new Sonic series that raises the stakes and expands the comic book world of Sonic!

In this issue: The second issue of the new, ever-expanding, all-encompassing series revolving around Sonic's many friends and foes, with continuity aligning with the regular monthly Sonic comic. It is the eve of Sonic's big confrontation with Dr. Robotnik, but Shadow and Rouge have other plans. As the three of them embark on a crucial midnight raid, readers will have the opportunity to simultaneously look back on a time when Sonic and Shadow weren't so friendly as they witness the lost tale of their battle for the ARK ! It's déjà vu all over again as the present and past run parallel in this high-action tale!

Review: This issue is a perfect example of the series' claim to align itself with the regular series continuity. We just saw Sonic and friends setting up camp on the eve of their battle with Robotnik in SONIC #199, and now we find Sonic, Shadow and Rogue on a surgical strike that same night. This tale also serves as a look at Sonic and Shadow's relationship, as Flynn cuts between their present situation and a similar situation they were in a year ago, and shows that though neither will admit it, their respect for each other has grown. It's a nice character study wrapped up in an action-packed story.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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