#sth252

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We get our first look at the new King Acorn! His design is a lot less “fluffy” and more streamlined, and his outfits is definitely a little less regal-looking, but in terms of personality I think this king is a way better character than his previous self. His dialogue and mannerisms are much more akin to the kindly old chap from the SatAM cartoon.

I love how this dude has pretty much the same speech patterns and even a similar moustache to Nigel Thornberry. Its a little on the nose (heh), but its a charming homage nonetheless. His official name is even “King Nigel Acorn!”

Also this version of the character gets points for actually caring about the wellbeing of his freedom-fighting daughter, quite unlike the uncaring douche that the writers made King Max for most of the comic’s run.

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I think the thing I most-liked about the post-reboot Sonic comics is that its history is accentually a mix of the SatAM cartoon and the mainline games. It was not always explored as much as it could have been, but I like that it was there!

(Prays that Ken Penders stops being a dick so that we can see more from Lost Hedgehog Tails already ;v;)

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Tails finds NICOLE’s screen laying on the floor outside Castle Acorn, and for some reason NICOLE has the passive ability to restore the memory of whoever touches her handheld form? Its a plot-centric ability that, as far as I know, goes entirely unexplained. But at least we see cool flashbacks, almost tauntingly reminding us of previous character moments.

Apparently, these issues were originally gonna start without any mention at all of the pre-reboot Mobius and just have Sonic land in a universe where he could just jump back in and fight robots. I might be wrong, but lead writer Ian Flynn had wanted a clean slate, but editor Paul Kaminski suggested that they include pages of the characters remembering events from years long past, so as to make it an easier transition for fans. It didn’t mean much, as the characters’ memories would fade away by the time this story finishes, but its a nice touch nonetheless. (Thank you guys for correcting me on that.)

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I’m glad that while the heroes are thrust into this rain-drenched universe, they at least have time to have a little fun after beating Tails Doll’s ass.

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Ixis Naugus is also here; or rather, “Walter Naugus”. He’s inexplicably holed up in Castle Acorn with NICOLE, trying to force her to make a way for his magic to come back. I already see a minor change in his characterization in this new Mobius, as he no longer makes long monologues and talks only a little bit in “ye olde English” speak. He also has a name that he’s ashamed of, because I guess ever since he lost the title “Ixis”, he’s felt insecurely like there’s something missing?

Also, NICOLE being in her computer form projecting her popular holo-Lynx is a nice tough, I’m surprised this visual characterization wasn’t done before then.

[robotnikholmescomicblog]

Meanwhile, in a scene reminiscent of the ending of Sonic Unleashed, Eggman and his lackeys recover in the middle of a desert area. He’s still blaming Wily for everything, and he and his bots just roll his flying pod across the desert. These pages are just here to remind us where Eggman is so that the assistance he gets later won’t just come out of nowhere.

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Continuing off from last time, Sonic’s ended up in a Mobius rather different from the one we’re used to. Sonic’s still got lingering memories of the old world, and its all shown in a splendid first page showcasing memories from the last six years of comic history (along with events from some of the games).

Its so dramatic and well-drawn too. I find it neat that the issue’s story is “At All Costs: Part 2”...continuing from what the last story was called before Worlds Collide crossover kind of came out of nowhere.

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Meanwhile, Sally is still alive and no longer Roboticized! And she’s out doing cool Freedom Fighter stuff that she always does!

Heck yea, I’m already excited for the next issue. Countdown to Chaos can’t come sooner, but we’ll have to wait until next week for that!