This was a really good issue. The last couple of two-parters really only felt serviceable, but this one not only gives some much needed back story to a character that’s long needed it, but has introduced some shades of gray that Sonic comics have been lacking in. In any case, the issue is now out in comic specialty shops this week, and will released on newsstand come next week.

This comic also sees the debut of new artist Ben Bates as the main story artist.

Here’s the preview pages and solicitation.

“Thicker than Water” Part One:
Sonic and Bunnie head out into the Great Desert to aid Freedom Fighters in need, but they get caught up an whirl-wind ruckus! Who is friend and who is foe? Sonic comes face-to-face with enemies of the past while Bunnie is reunited with someone of her mysterious past! Then, in “Welcome Back, Chao!” Amy Rose runs into a few familiar faces – and a few new ones, too!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Ben Bates, Tracy Yardley!, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/22/2010
Newsstands: 10/5/2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 US
To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com

Penders and Flynn (and Bollers and Sega) could write a bad romance.

In Sonic’s long history of cartoons, comics and games, he’s had quite a few ladies. Hell, in the comics he’s had enough women to make Captain Kirk envious. However, many of these relationships did not work out so well or were just a horrible HORRIBLE idea in the first place. Sometimes, love stinks. Read on to find out who made the list.  Also, when you have to us Google image search to find images of Sonic’s old GF’s for an article, PLEASE USE SAFE SEARCH!! I learned the hard way.

#5 Bunnie Rabbot/Decollete

I put this one high on the list because at the time that it happened, it actually made sense and was fairly realistic. Shortly before the infamous slap, Bunnie and Antione had a breaking up. The main reason was because this Antione was actually Patch, the evil Antione from another dimension (it’s a comic book folks, this stuff happens) who has his eyes on Sally and the crown. Shortly after Sally had broken up with Sonic (in which said slap happened), Sonic had rescued Bunnie from the evil computer A.D.A.M. and the two got into a relationship. Like I said, with both of them being hurt and rejected by their fellow lovers, it kinda makes sense that they came together for a short time.

It's like he's kissing his sister.

So what’s the problem?

Since the SATAM days, the Freedom Fighters have been together like a family. As such, most readers did’t really see Sonic and Bunnie getting together as they seemed like just close friends. There’s a lot of shippers out there, but Sonic/Bunnie shippers don’t seem very high on the list. It’s like seeing Luke kiss Lea AFTER seeing what happened in Jedi. Even if there’s nothing wrong here, it just…feels wrong. Y’know? In the end, Antoine came back and Sonic and Bunnie broke up their romance without it hurting their friendship. They just stopped talking about it like it never happened.

Shiny eyes are shiny.

#4 Mina Mongoose

Mina Mongoose is a bubbly teenager with a SegaSonic look to her who was madly in love with Sonic and played as a romantic rival to Sally. So basically, she’s Amy Rose. That’s why she felt so unnecessary. She was played as a rival to Sally for a good two years in the book but that never really went anywhere so she became a pop idol and is now an extra character we don’t need. Her new boyfriend became even more of a waste.

Even his T-Shirt doesn't like Sonic.

Meet Ash, who’s sole purpose of existence is to be Sonic’s ****blocker. He has a likability quotient of zero. Even die-hard Archie fans I’ve talked to can’t find any redeeming qualities about him. Now that Sonic’s over Mina and has gone back to Sally his purpose of existence is even more diminished. Heck, in future stories like “Mobius: 30 years later” Mina ended up married with children to Tails. I hope this means a “death of Ash” issue sometime in the near future.

#3 Fiona Fox

 Let’s explore the many reasons why this relationship was so wrong. Waaaaayy back in the early issues of the Sonic comic, Tails came across a deserted island where he met a young fox girl named Fiona and the two fell in love…or so it seemed. Ends up, it was a robot designed by Dr. Robotnik to kill Tails. After a few bad puns (this was the Mike Galliger era), Tails destroyed the robot and left broken hearted.

A year or so later, we find out that the Fiona Robot was based off a real little girl from a decade earlier who was imprisoned by Robotnik, but finally broke out and led a life of danger. Often siding with other criminals, she later became one of the good guys and joined the Freedom Fighters. She had the personality of carboard and I didn’t see any reason for her being there other than the fact that Tails crush on her. (You’d think the gal you loved nearly killing you then showing up again about ten years your elder would turn you off.) Sonic did not want to see his little buddy heartbroken, so anytime Tails was about to muster the courage to ask her out, Sonic would quickly interrupt him and change the subject. So how does Sonic solve the solution of keeping Tails from being heartborken? Why, he starts dating Fiona and the two become steady. Surely Tails would mature and see the errors of his ways making his friendship with Sonic all the more stronger right?

Yeeea no. Tails supposedly got over it, but really he just kept it inside until it exploded later and they had a huge fight. But hey, at least Sonic still got the girl and got to keep his friend right? Well……

Ends up she liked her “bad girl” ways and decided to go back to being a villain. In fact, she was messing around with Scourge, the evil version of Sonic for a good portion of the time Sonic and her were dating. This is actually a bit of a good thing since evil Fiona became a much more interesting character than good Fiona. So in the end, Sonic had to fight his best friend and his girlfriend stabbed him in the back and went with his evil counterpart. Great job Sonic!

#2

The opinions in this article are that of Jason berry and may not reflect those of the staff here at Sonic Stadium. If you feel angry or outraged by his choices, get over yourself, it’s just a stupid article. There are better things to worry about in life.

ME?! But I'm so perfect!

Sally Acorn

Y’see, back in the beginning during the SATAM days, Robotnik had basically taken over. Sonic, Sally and the other FF’s were struggling to get by so we enjoyed their little flirtations. We wanted to see them together just to have some enjoyment in their miserable lives. Now go forward years later. Everyone and their parents are back and living their lives happily in Mobotropolis outside of a few gigantic attacks and overthrows. Sonic has been with about a dozen different gals and with so many other heroes around to defend the kingdom, you’d think he’d take Tails and travel the world seeking adventure and stopping Eggman’s villanous plots wherever they sprout right?

Like a praying mantis,the Sally Acorn devours it's mate's head after a romance.

Wrong. Because then, this “will they? Won’t they?” romance wouldn’t keep sludging on for issues and issues on end long after it was interesting. The fact of the matter is the writing had to constantly be changed in illogical ways to keep this romance up. King Max is too sick to rule? Better get Sally’s long lost wimpy brother to do it, because she’s too busy having to lead Sonic and the crew on adventures than rule the land. When she’s not too busy NOT ruling, she’s ruining other characters like Monkey Khan who went from a hot-head to a total wuss when Sally started dating him. Then there’s Amy who will take a hammer to any girl even giving a glance to Sonic in the games, but here, he just want’s him to be happy and is perfectly okay with him dating Sally. Yea right. Then there’s also a fact that due to the relationship with Sally, Sonic’s tied down to one place. In the games and most of the cartoons, he travels constantly around the world. Here, his ball and chain has him constantly grounded to mobotropolis. The infamous slap scene defines that. She’d rather have Sonic stay with her than save the world from Robotnik. It’s the highlight of selfishness but at least it finally shows her having a flaw instead of being little miss perfect. Mobius is Sally’s world and sonic’s just living in it.

Elegant, classy and no longer allowed in any petting zoos.

 #1 Elise

Don’t act like you didn’t see this one coming. Elise is a character who easily belongs in Final Fantasy more than she does a Sonic game. Hell, the whole story plotline of Sonic ’06 was like that. The game was bad and broken enough as it was, but then to add this creepy romance between 5 foot cartoon hedgehog and a human was creepy and disturbing beyond any levels imaginable. Every scene together where they tried to display romance just came off the opposite and made the Anakin/Padme scenes in Star Wars: Episode 2 look like romeo and Juliet. Then, there was the god awful ending which has a one-two combo of necrophilia combined with bestiality. Sonic and Elise, a romance so bad that even the worst fanfic writers could do better.

"The article's over! I guess this means I'm sonic's perfect girlfriend, right?"

You were #6 little miss sexual harassment and jail-bait.

"WHAAAAT?!"

Remember our good ol’ pal Elson “Darkspeeds” Wong? How about that animated adaptation of Archie Comics’ Sonic Universe – The Silver Saga he put together?

To those unfamiliar, the Sonic Comic Dramas aren’t mere scans of the actual comics themselves! Far from it, in fact: voice acting, sound effects, special effects, camera pans, original art, and music all contribute to the Dramas, and I’m not kidding when I say it’s high quality work right there! Reading the comics suddenly feels a whole lot more cinematic now!

All I’m missing is the popcorn, but that can easily be rectified.

So, whether or not you follow the Archie comics, get a load of the latest entry in the series! Adapting select scenes from issues #217 and #218, we take a look at some of Bunnie Rabbot’s backstory in A Rabbot Reunion! Featuring Kovabomb as Sonic and Evan Stanley as Bunnie!

In the meantime, why not check out the previous entries of Elson’s animated adaptations as well? Links are available after the jump!

• Sonic Universe Act 1 – The Silver Saga 
• Sonic Universe Act 2 – Scourge: LOCK-DOWN
• Sonic Universe Act 3 – Treasure Team Tango; Part 1/? - Part 2/?
• Sonic Universe Act 4 – Jinx Roulette
• [Preview] StH#233 – Trial of the Traitor

I hate you Google Image. I put two Sonic characters in your search bar and you provide me with these horrifying images of Sonic couples. The safe search, it does nothing! Why are they inflated?! Why are they centaurs?! Why are those things a fetish?! GAAAAAH!

Anyway, it’s Valentine’s day, love (or some other foul stench) is in the air and it’s the perfect time to talk about everyone’s favorite Sonic relationships. While I’m sure there are many of you who like to ship their own fictional Sonic couples be it straight, gay or “call the police”, I wanted to focus on the ones that have been made official or even semi-official through the games, comics or cartoons be they full blown couples or just one-sided love interests. I’m not much of a shipper myself, but I wanted to look at them from a writer’s perspective to see what works about them. So in no particular order, here’s my list of what I personally think are the best couples in the Sonic Universe.

“I just wanna borrow it for a short time for…reasons.”

Knuckles and Rouge

From the Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack…

Yeah Rouge, she’s sexy and smooth.

A double-crossing thief that’s out for my jewel.

I feel for her in mysterious ways.

That’s why I stay on point like, every single day.

Knuckles is the guardian of the Master Emerald. A task handed down to him by his family that he honors greatly because he is the last of his kind. He’ll protect the Master Emerald with his life. Then comes in Rouge, while being a spy for G.U.N., her other hobbies include being a treasure hunter and a jewel thief. One of those jewels she has an eye on is the Master Emerald itself. This makes for a VERY interesting relationship as they are both enemies that are attracted to one another giving a Batman/Catwoman vibe. Knuckles finds her attractive, but can never fully trust her while Rouge will flirt with him any chance she can get if it gets her closer to her prize. Does Rouge actually have feeling for him or is he just an obstacle to overcome? Will Knuckles give in to temptation? Can they ever get together or will the Master Emerald keep them apart? Who knows?

With Sonic drugged, the shapeshifter opened it’s maw widely to consume his face.

Sonic and Sally (SATAM Only)

At one point in time, Sonic and Sally’s relationship was well written and warranted. Dr. Robotnik had completely taken over the world and the Freedom Fighters could only manage small victories for the most part. Even then, there would be times where they may shut down the power at Robotniks’ plant only to have his backup generators come online. They needed each other just to help cope with this post-apocalyptic world. They and the other Freedom Fighters were like family. She would help him try to be less impulsive and he would help her loosen up. You wanted them to find happiness in each other because there was so little happiness in their world.

Nowadays, it’s just not the same. In the comic, the full game cast is around, Eggman is usually on the losing end, Sally’s father has come back and their kingdom returned as well. In my eyes, there is no real need for this relationship as there once was and when it does come up, it tends to drag the book down horribly.  “Oh no! What will Sally wear on her first date with Sonic in over a year?!” Who the hell cares? Plus if she wasn’t a……..I’m gonna say it, Mary-Sue before, she sure is now. Always perfect, always self-sacrificing. When she feels bad and sobs, everyone has to feel sorry for her and pat her on the shoulder. It makes for a boring character. Sonic’s arrogant, Knuckles is gullible, Amy’s immature, where’s her flaws? Being too perfect?

I know there are many of you that are still fans of Sonic and Sally’s relationship in the comics and that’s fine, that’s great but I wonder just how much of that is holding on to what you loved in the cartoon rather than what’s in the book now? If you feel I’m wrong, let me know in the comments. I’d like to hear your side of this issue.

Love is “Gran”

Eggman and Ella (Sonic X Comic)

Awww yeah! Make way for some B&B (big and beautiful) lovin’! One is near 300lbs of cellulite sexiness and the other is…Ella the maid. In Sonic X #34, after bribing his way into winning a contest for a pool party at the Thorndike’s home (the same Thorndikes he kidnapped a few issues before), Eggman was looking for Grandpa Chucks’ latest powerful engine he was keeping in his garage at the residence. This plan came to an abrupt end for him when he spotted the Thorndike’s maid Ella in a one piece bikini. He immediately became love struck, but his affections were not met in return. However, Ella did have a crush on Eggman’s luchador persona “El Gran Gordo” (NOTE: The Sonic X comics were really silly) making for a Superman/Lois-type love triangle. Unfortunately, this came at the end of the series, so it went no further. A shame since this kind of romantic situation could have proven most humorous, especially if it had happened in the cartoon as both characters were voiced by Mike Pollock.

“Call me in about 6 years”

Sonic and Amy Rose

Ah, the eternal chase! If there’s one thing Amy’s never kept secret, it’s her love for Sonic. If there’s one thing Sonic hasn’t kept secret, it’s that he’s just not interested in her like that….at least for now. Sonic is a free spirit who does not want to be tied down by anyone and Amy wants him to marry her….at the ripe old age of twelve. So what makes this One-sided relationship work? Their friendship in part. Sonic doesn’t hate Amy or push her away (unless she’s glomping onto him), he just sees her as a close (if a bit scary at times) friend. Amy keeps trying to get Sonic to be closer to her, but in the meantime, she has become a bit more independent and has become an adventurer in her own right. It’s as if she’s trying to make herself more desirable through self-improvement.

There’s some symbiosis here. Sonic keeping Amy at a distance makes her try harder to be more mature while Amy’s love for Sonic helps feed his ego. It’d be interesting to see what would happen if she actually ignored him for a while. Would that sudden lack of worship make him come after her? You kinda want them to get together and yet you don’t because it would ruin the dynamic they have. Yet if there’s one thing Amy has, it’s time. Sure, she’s too young and immature for Sonic now, but that will probably change over time even if we, the audience never get to see it. Sonic and Amy, keeping it platonic whether she wants it to or not.

“Lemme think. Girlfriend or dinner? Girlfriend or dinner? I can’t decide!”

Vector and Vanilla (Sonic X Japanese Cut)

If you have only seen the 4Kids cut of Sonic X, you have missed this interesting dynamic to Vector’s character. In the original cut, Vector and the Chaotix went out into space to deliver some supplies to Sonic’s ship and to check up on Cream as a favor to Vanilla just because Vector’s a nice guy. In the Japanese cut, Vector does this favor because of a deep crush he has for Cream’s mom, going so far as to kidnap Cream in an attempt to bring her back to her mother. In the final episode, Vanilla rewards the Chaotix for their efforts with a large amount of pastries she made that they happily wolf down. Later, Vanilla and Vector go walking off together side by side.

I’ll be honest, this is my personal favorite Sonic couple. There’s a very interesting “opposites attract” romantic angle here that could make for some fun stories. Vanilla appears to be fairly wealthy and is very cultured and mannerly whereas Vector is a poor, uncouth slob. Not only that, they’re on opposite ends of the food chain (although I doubt Mobians eat each other in that world. Maybe the Flickies). It makes me like Vector’s character even more. He’s a guy who really reaches for the stars in spite of his own shortcomings. He became a fledgling detective despite not being very bright and he fell in love with a woman that’s high above his own class. It’s a shame this pairing came along at the very end of the series and only in Japan because I would have loved to see where they would have gone with it.

All I can think of is “That is a super large skate ramp in the distance”.

Antoine and Bunnie (Rabbot) Decollete

I think if there’s one pairing out of all the Sonic couples that no one has an objection to, it’s this one. In the SATAM cartoon, Antoine was a cowardly coyote who was played up as a romantic rival to Sonic for Sally’s affections. However, he was also the comic relief and was made so very annoyingly cowardly and inept that it became obvious he had no chance with Sally at all. This became very apparent in the second season when he became so annoying you just wanted to punch him in the face.

In the comic’s though, his character slowly matured into a brave soldier that would willingly sacrifice himself for the greater good. This was in large part due to his relationship with Bunnie Rabbot.  Before Antoine finally gave up on Sally and turned his attention on Bunnie, he was just poor comic relief that was starting to become an irritating character. Bunnie helped mature him into a soldier and he showed her a very strong love despite half her body being mechanical. Both characters matured and evolved in the comics because of their strong love for one another through good times and bad. It’s rare that a relationship can be so well done that characters are much improved together than apart, but this is one of those rare occasions. I doubt there’s many that disagree that Antoine and Bunnie are one of if not the best Sonic couple.

So which couple is your favorite? Lets us know in the comments below.

Seriously though, what’s with the characters as centaurs? Why is that a thing?!