The onl thing I truly lament about the cancellation of the Archie comic from years ago is that it happened during the 4-part Megadrive story arc that was part of Sonic's 25th anniversary celebration... and which only saw two issues, half the story, published.
I really enjoyed seeing the entire gang be reunited in a story that took place within the classic era, essentially being what the 20th anniversary comics should had been (not that crap that focused on the FF's and left both Amy and Knuckles out. The fucking nerve those people had back then). Better yet, it was penciled by Tyson Hesse, who is pretty much my favorite artist when it comes to official media.
Obviously as an Amy fan, the first issue was my favorite since it did what in the games they still don't have the guts to do: show that classic Amy can kick ass. Her characterization was also wonderful because she was funny, still had her crush and wasn't afraid nor ashamed of expressing it, but also ot wasn't exaggerated nor "in your face". Just the right amount mixed with her being as capable as the others. All the things I ever wanted for Amy.
The second issue though is something I'm a bit mixed. On the good stuff, we get to see Sonic being selfish and wanting to hog all the adventure for himself by going solo, only to later find out that it's not as fun as when the gang is with him (You hear that main console games?). Then there is Tails, Amy and Knuckles having to deal with baddies without Sonic's help and surprise, surprise... Amy displays leadership, and coordinates Tails and Knuckles so they can better use their talents and working as a team, win their battle. This made me happy because:
a) It shows that the gang can survive without Sonic and that they are not as useless as some of the Sonic-only games (*cough*Generations*cough*LostWorld*cough*Forces*cough*) want us to believe.
b) Amy as leader! I always knew that had Sonic not be present for whatever reason, it would be Amy, and not Tails like everyone often assumes, who takes charge and rallies the others to work towards getting things done. This is no random attribute like it happened in Forces with Commander Knuckles (seriously Sonic Team... Why?). Amy is a natural because she lacks the ego of Sonic or the desire for attention/recognition since doing what benefits everyone has always been a higher priority, just like in Heroes where the only reason her adventure starts is because of Cream and Big's lost friends, with Sonic being only a secondary/side objective.
On the bad stuff, and frankly, not really "bad" since the story flowed nicely... It's more of a thing that to this day bothers me and is more of a pet-peeve of mine: Amy taken out of the picture so that the classic trio of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles can shine. I know Sega/ST has a hard-on for this group, especially for it's promotional appeal, but really? Amy was already established to be competent... in fact, Tails was the weakest link of the group (especially in the first issue) yet it's Amy who as usual has to take a dive and get kidnapped so that the rest of the issue can show the boys doing all the cool stuff against Metal Sonic.
Personally, I would not had been bothered had Amy at least had gone down putting a fight against the robot that once kidnapped her in CD, but come on? It's as if they were like "OK Amy, you had you fun, but now is time for the REAL (Sanic) heroes from the MAIN Genesis trilogy of games to shine." I dunno, but it's just something I never liked and why I continue to detest the trio concept (not the characters themselves mind you) since it's always Amy who gets the crap and kept from having her potential fully used.
The bitter part is that the story was never concluded and most likely never will, since there were two more issues to go and chance to make it up to Amy for pulling off the whole kidnapping thing... again.
What makes me mad is that you will never see this shit happen to Tails or Knuckles since they are essentially untouchable, while Amy is seen as fair game. I sometimes wonder if it has ever occurred to Sega/ST that Amy shining isn't going to take away from either Tails or Knuckles, since Amy is the kind of character that can shine on her very own merit and potential and doesn't need to rely on cheap tricks nor undermining others to look good... unlike what sometimes has been done to her to benefit other more popular characters.
Ok, got that rant out of my chest. XP
