New Sonic IDW Analysis SPOILER WARNING
After reading the recent comic, I got some thoughts. Want to have a casual read?
These are just opinions, I’m not trying to shout aloud stuff, but if you’re interested in how someone else thinks--for pure curiosity and not to gain anything--then as a fan, I’ve got some words! :Db
First off, they’re really targeting all the canonically proclaimed (but never really touched upon) flaws and weaknesses Sonic has been “stated” to have. At first, I thought these were well done! Great ideas can sometimes not come into fruition right, however, and I’m afraid I’m seeing a lot of “liberties” and “Opinions” taking place in the script. These could be outside forces, but there seems to be a growing ‘anxiety’ for the script to ‘keep targeting’ certain things/issues.
This isn’t necessarily a bad desire! It’s wonderful that IDW are looking so into character! However, this is one of the first times I’ve seen a blatant misconception and/or mislabeled writing. What I mean is, someone is trying very hard to get a point across, to where the original idea seems saturated by personal agendas. This is littered throughout the new issue, though I applaud those who knew that Sonic and his universes needed these things addressed, but the way they went about them seemed a little off-brand to me, so much so, that it messed with the recent ‘good flow’ the comic had going.
The Hero’s Delima is a complexed algorithm, so to speak, and trying to cram that into a short comic shows the anxiety of the writer. Which I sympathize with. Even as a fanfiction writer, being limited to a certain amount of pages?! How dare you limit the story and my art! -table flip- but I appreciate how accurate to the original Sonic’s ‘struggles’ it is, but it’s definitely not in the spirit of the Japanese Sonic, at least, its trailed off into something of its own.
It’s true that Sonic is listed as “Being a hot-head” or “impulsive” but we really don’t see these too much in the canon. It’s the same with Eggman,
He’s known for not thinking things through in his whimsical but diabolical planning. It goes hand-in-hand with his “I’m gonna do this! What? It has consequences to the environment? Oh well! Who cares about nature anyway!? Hahaha!” character trait, but Eggman has never contemplated good. It’s interesting to note that Eggman likes to be praised when doing something, but that something is usually evil disguised as good. So I’m a little confused why they’re trying to ‘redeem’ Eggman because this script implies a ‘redemption’ arc for Eggman’s incidents regarding Sonic Forces... But... It doesn’t add up to what--at least--I know of his character and demeanor.
Sonic is also acting strange, leading me to believe that if not a redemption arc, a Hero’s Fall arc. Which... also doesn’t make sense? I’m confused by the writing.
Dr. Starline also makes me wonder. He’s such a fun character! But in this issue, he seems literally created to point out Eggman’s flaws which he won’t do himself... Yes, as the reader, we want to be aware of his character development, but this is... somewhat too on the nose and odd placing? If that makes sense?
Sonic’s hints of loneliness, usefulness, heroic idealism, common good, etc. place a very interesting dynamic on him. He’s got a lack of sleep, which is a physical weakness recorded by the officials themselves (so I’m told) and as a fan of Sonic and Amy’s antics (lol) I loved the part where he reached out for her. The usual cheery, optimistic friend is now worry-stricken and full of responsibility. This is replacing Sally’s usual station, which I think Amy could easily substitute, but why? This isn’t Archie anymore, we don’t need these ‘war’ themes and ‘heroic odds’ like this. It’s just not coming off as good as it once was, because it’s become something more and also something less in many different areas. Either someone is pushing themselves too hard, or something is pushing the team at IDW too much... either way, it’s not looking good. Even the art department seems to be struggling with a quiet stress that isn’t being stated.
And if it is, oh boy, is no one listening to them. (A common theme really...)
He is described as downloading Eggman’s data first. FALSE. *At least, from what I know, anyway.* He was originally uploaded and ‘turned to life’ from Sonic’s data. Hence why he rebelled against Eggman, was likely rebuilt or another one created. He has an ego problem, but I wonder how they’re justifying this..? Yes, you did your homework, but how is that going to help revive and re-foundation the characters? They need solid ground, and some things are coming off ‘opinions’ and ‘filling in the blanks’ which is creative but you can do that with the facts given to you.
Honestly, it’s like someone handed these people slips of paper and said, “That’s it. That’s all they made-up. That’s all you get.” and the rest isn’t translated from Japanese or something like??? I’m just a fan, and I’ve found things out the old fashion way. I’m grateful they got so much right, but Eggman isn’t meant to be a good guy... He can do good things, but only when the situation also benefits himself. (Like in Sonic 06, Lost World, etc. Which... aren’t the best examples but that’s what I’ll put down to make this quick, haha.)
Don’t ever meet your heroes... or in this case, your villains. I’m excited to see how Starline pans out. I see an arc forming... a very tragic and sinister arc, but I can’t tell where it will lead just yet... I’m liking the foreboding but also scared of how I’ll take it...
Sonic’s portraying too many ‘traditional hero’ forms common in media, (Like Japan) but its disturbing to see most of his character cut out to replace them with these common themes. Sonic is not common! He’s the rebel hero! He’s unconventional but good! That’s what made him the ‘cool hedgehog’ back in the 90′s.
This whole turn for Sonic is weird to me. I will, of course, keep reading, but it’s very... very odd for the genre that Sonic embodies. At least, to me. This just doesn’t fit into “Sonic” or the formulas that should be in place for him.
At least, the formulas I’ve tried to find, anyway.
The deadly six were alright. I thought they were handled decently.
I also like how Starline is smart. A good contrast to Eggman’s makeshift ways, but I do think Eggman is a bit more ‘intelligent’ than what they’re playing at. Yes, he plays like a man-child, but not to this extent...
What makes me the expert? Please don’t say that,... I’m not trying to be the ‘voice of all-knowing’ness, but rather, a practical reasoning that might hint at what is to come.
There was a lot to dissect, but that’s what I’ll end with now. Thanks for reading and I hope you were intrigued at what I pointed out :)b