Megathread Archie Sonic Main Discussion

[-Mark-]

Yeah, the actual triangle itself was relatively tolerable. It was the literal Sonic-whoring aftermath that really irked me. It's like the comic had Sonic go on the biggest rebound bender ever and it didn't suit him one bit.

And yeah, I found the comic really awkward to read or be seen reading around the time. Certainly not all-ages appropriate by any means since it practically bordered on softcore porn at times with the way some artists drew Sally. Seriously, she already wears a flimsy open top. It reeeally doesn't help when you draw her with massively human proportions and giant boobs. Whilst he's one of Archie's more decent artists at times, Steven Butler was massively guilty of this.

That said, I think since Yardley, Peppers and Bates have come along, Butler's art is starting to look a little weaker in comparison. I thought he was one of their better artists back when I originally read the series, but when Ron Lim was his main competition, that's not hard to see why. I like how the characters are drawn much more on-model and truer to their actual Sonic-character proportions these days. Some of the artists would basically just draw humans with skinny arms and legs and slap a Sonic character head on them.

EDIT: Been poking around with the Sonic comic app on my iPhone. I really wish it supported retina display when held horizontally. They look all pixellated as is, even though the full pages look superb when held vertically. They're just bordering on too small to read practically then.

Edited February 12, 2012 by -Mark-

[Neon Zephyr]

Yeah, when I was a kid reading, Butler and Spaz were my favorite artists on the book. Yardley, Peppers, and Bates have since joined them, and often surpass them, in my opinion.

I like seeing Butler's work every so often as a bit of a break from the more SEGA-model art from the other three, but I do agree that he tends to make the girls a bit too top-heavy. Some of them (like the mothers and such, who can justify being more developed), it's not too bad, but characters like Sally.... It does bug me. I'm all for giving Sonic characters solid anatomy, just make it still feel like Sonic. I think part of the problem is that artists like Butler put a little too much of a straight-up anthro feel to them, which can be really jarring in comparison to the SEGA models.

But, at least he clearly puts effort into his work. Some of the artists that used to draw for the book... well, some of them clearly either didn't understand how to draw Sonic and company, or they just went "Oh, it's just a Sonic book for kids" and didn't care. Issue #113 broke my heart as a kid. Many Hands....

[PC the Hedgehog]

Also lemme brag I found copies of Sonic #11, 35, 49, 53, 54, and 55 at a local comic shop I didn't know existed. The place was huge and the man had no prices on the comics so he sold them to me for $3 each. Which I'm sure is way under regular value. I've seen some places sell pre-Endgame issues at $7, post-Endgame issues at $5. But issue #11 which is in the comic's first year (first appearance of Evil Sonic aka Scourge) and #49 which is part of Endgame itself are more valuable no? What do you guys think of these prices? You think most of them are bullshit anyways?

I could barely sell my older issues for $3 a piece. Sounds about right.

[Badnik Zero]

Hm, just from prices I've seen I assumed them to be more sought after.

Ebay prices are ridiculous for older Sonic comics, and $5-7 is what I see in most comic shops.

Also to Zephyr and Mark, Butler did a pretty good job in #233.

His main issue is drawing Mobians with human proportions. He fixes it this issue and it shows.

[Neon Zephyr]

I didn't say that? *rereads*

Darn it.

Yes, Butler is doing massively better now, in 233. I was thinking of the Wolf Pack arc. But, that's a while ago now, isn't it. Wow, how time has flown. In fact, the art in 233 generally fills me with glee. Then, there was only about two panels of organic Sally this issue, so it slipped my mind that he's gotten the female Mobians down.

EDIT: Butler is still one of my favorite artists on the book. I just like Yardley, Bates, and Peppers better right now.

As for the ebay thing, well, I've seen some issues being massively overcharged. I saw a copy of #13 with a starting bid of $100 dollars. A hundred dollars. For an issue of SONIC. Not even the first one. (I mean, I've seen rarer issues of more popular series go for less) Why? Well... I have suspicions....

Edited February 13, 2012 by Neon Zephyr

[Mangoaxe5]

More information about the Archie vs Penders case.

A Who’s Who of Sonic Comic Past Planned for Penders’s Defense

Should Archie v. Penders ever actually reach a trial, the more than forty page proposed pre-trial order filed in December and obtained recently by TSSZ afford, even in short excerpts, a good roadmap as to what both sides will argue in supporting their case to a jury.

We also learn some details about the case that weren’t necessarily clear before; among them, Penders allegedly began filing for copyright protection regarding many of the works he created while working as an independent contractor for Archie in 2009. (We should note that Ian Flynn took over Ken’s writing duties beginning with issues published in 2006.) It also turns out Penders allegedly filed more than the 135 copyright registrations we first found when this first came to light; Archie claims “at least one-hundred-seventy-one” copyrights were filed between 2009 and 2010.

When those registrations were made final in 2010, Penders’s counsel allegedly sent notice to Archie several days before Penders made it public via his website, and alleged the company was infringing on his copyright.

“After written correspondence was exchanged for several months, Penders continued his charge of infringement and threats of filing a lawsuit,” said partial remarks in the report supporting the plaintiff’s claims. “It became clear that unless ACP acquiesced to Penders demands, that he would file suit against ACP. ACP feared they would be unfairly sued for copyright infringement.”

We also learn in the report that a claim against Penders was dropped by Archie, in light of Sega renewing its deal with the company to continue publishing the comics. Archie had previously alleged “intentional interference with contractual relations” on Penders’s part, but has withdrawn that claim due to the successful renewal. Two counts seeking relief for breach of contract remain. One claim seeking a declaratory judgment that the contracts in question “are valid and enforceable, and that ACP does not infringe the Works or registrations asserted by Penders in his threats of suit” also remains. A second claim seeking a second declaratory judgment also remains. This claim seeks a court order for all copyright registrations in question to be canceled.

“Penders’ acts and conduct were in derogation of the contractual terms of the ACP-Penders Agreements, and he made false statements in the applications, claiming to have written transfer agreements with co-authors, when in fact he did not,” says the plaintiff’s claim in part, perhaps referring to several co-authorships made on several of those copyright registrations.

The defense has claims of its own, however. Penders is seeking a declaratory judgment that says the works he copyright do not infringe on the rights Archie may have, and that Archie’s use of them in of itself constitute copyright infringement. From there, the second claim asks for relief on “direct infringement” of those rights, assuming they hold up. The third are fourth claim are the interesting ones, as they appear to factor in Archie’s republication of classic issues to newsstands and digital media. They seek relief for both “vicarious” and “contributory” infringement by Archie as it relates to alleged direct infringement by several companies that have their hand in the Sonic comics, one way or the other. Those companies include Apple, Sony, Archie Comic app maker iVerse Media, and in the case of the “vicarious” claim, Toys ‘R’ Us, Barnes and Noble, Jazwares, and Kablenews, among others.

Though Archie claims to have documents on the record that show Penders signed work-for-hire agreement, with an alleged signature in tow, the defense still argues among several other legal intricacies that those documents are not authentic–and plans to call several witnesses to prove it:

Despite ACP’s current argument and the language of the proffered documents, it was not common practice at ACP during this time to require Penders nor any other of the SONIC Freelancers to sign such documents. In fact, several of Penders’ witnesses are similarly situated freelance employees who worked on SONIC, and will state, like Penders, that they all worked as freelancers without contracts for many years, and overlapping with the time that Penders worked on Sonic.

Those freelancers are familiar names to longtime Sonic comic fans. Past Sonic editors Scott Fulop, Justin Gabrie, and Daryl Edelman plan to testify for the defense that either Archie did not send contracts out to freelancers like Penders when it came to the Sonic series, and/or they themselves as freelancers were not asked to sign a work-for-hire agreement while they worked on the comic. Other names, like former artists Scott Shaw and Jim Valentino, and former writers Mike Kanterovich and Karl Bollers are also on the defense’s witness list, as they too are expected to testify they never signed a work-for-hire agreement with Archie. In the case of Shaw, the report notes, he was allegedly not under a contract from 1993 through 1996. Former Archie VP of Finance Ed Spallone was scheduled to be a defense witness, but as we reported last week, a surprise affidavit from Spallone was included in Archie’s motion for summary judgment.

Another planned defense witness, Elliot S. Maggin, will be challenged by Archie over rules governing expert testimony. A representative from the US Copyright office, William Briganti, is also expected to testify for the defense; he is expected to, according to the report, “offer evidence which refutes Plaintiff’s allegations of Defendant’s fraud.”

Archie has witnesses they expect to testify as well, and strange as it may sound, it includes Penders himself. Given what, according to the report, plaintiff’s attorneys intend to grill him on–and in particular the pieces we’ve bolded–it may be a rough go:

Mr. Penders is expected to testify about, among other things, allegations and issues raised by Plaintiff in the Complaint; allegations and issued raised by Defendant in the Amended Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaims, and purported copyright registrations and alleged infringement thereof; Defendant’s work for ACP;

his bankruptcy

; his execution of the ACP-Penders Agreements; his work for ACP;

his request for royalties in 1997 which was refused by ACP

; his silence while working for ACP and never placing ACP on notice of his claim to any rights in the work commissioned by ACP; ACP’s payment for all work provided to it by Penders; the purported registrations at issue; his communications with the Copyright Office;

his statements under oath that he had a written transfer agreement from co-authors named in applications, when in fact he did not

; his work as compared to the published product; and his silence about his claim to own rights in the works he provided to ACP for more than 15 years,

and his admission to receipt of documents from ACP and signing a work made for hire agreement in an email from December 2008

.

With any document as voluminous as this, many of the finer details, and the opinions that may come from them, are hard to hammer down without a good read of your own. However, because personally identifying details are included in the report, TSSZ has elected not to publish the report cited in full. Of course, all of this may be for naught if the matter never makes it to trial. Archie filed its motion for summary judgment last week and if granted, it would in effect end the case with the comic giant prevailing. Penders and his legal team have until early March to respond.

[Mike]

More information about the Archie vs Penders case.

They should hand the case over to Judge Judy.

Then again it might end up being an extremely short episode.

[Cyrus]

I honestly think the newer Archie Sonic Comics suck. They keep adding OOCs, and they keep making Sonic fall in love with almost all of the female OOCs, and I think Sonic and Sally being together is fine, and it should STAY THAT WAY. Which brings me to my next topic: the Modern Sally Acorn. Well, I have a LOT to say about her, but here's one thing on that list:

"You want to save the world from a power hungry evil scientist with a powerful army instead of marrying me? Your so selfish!"

Translation: "You want to be a hero instead of shaking the bed with me? SELFISH!"

The logic is just mind-boggling.

[Your Vest Friend]

I honestly think the newer Archie Sonic Comics suck.

Okay. Still going to analyse each reason you gave.

They keep adding OOCs,

The last one was Lord Hood, yes, but it's been sporadic over Ian's run.

and they keep making Sonic fall in love with almost all of the female OOCs,

Oh believe me, that's stopped.

and I think Sonic and Sally being together is fine, and it should STAY THAT WAY.

A bit hard now, considering that Sally's currently a killer robot with no free will.

Which brings me to my next topic: the Modern Sally Acorn. Well, I have a LOT to say about her, but here's one thing on that list:

"You want to save the world from a power hungry evil scientist with a powerful army instead of marrying me? Your so selfish!"

Translation: "You want to be a hero instead of shaking the bed with me? SELFISH!"

The logic is just mind-boggling.

It'll have been 100 issues since #134 as of the next issue released. I found it just as stupid as you, but I wouldn't call 2002/2003 modern, nowadays.

[goku262002]

I honestly think the newer Archie Sonic Comics suck. They keep adding OOCs, and they keep making Sonic fall in love with almost all of the female OOCs, and I think Sonic and Sally being together is fine, and it should STAY THAT WAY. Which brings me to my next topic: the Modern Sally Acorn. Well, I have a LOT to say about her, but here's one thing on that list:

"You want to save the world from a power hungry evil scientist with a powerful army instead of marrying me? Your so selfish!"

Translation: "You want to be a hero instead of shaking the bed with me? SELFISH!"

The logic is just mind-boggling.

[Marcello]

The newer comics do suck. I mean what was up with killing the only black guy, Nate Morgan.

[-Mark-]

They killed Cobar too, didn't they? Archie clearly hate blacks, gays, etc etc.

Watch your backside, Rotor.

But yeah, the new issues really suck. I can't believe Sally was just in a coma this time, I seriously thought she was gonna die, y'know?

Edited February 13, 2012 by -Mark-

[Your Vest Friend]

And God, why did Robotnik even go after that one bunny? For all we know, she's just a normal girl picking carrots who had dreams of being a royal hairdresser. I know it's supposed to be the same one that appeared in the series that aired a couple of months ago, but still.

[The future]

The newer comics do suck. I mean what was up with killing the only black guy, Nate Morgan.

I was mad when that happened. It happened before Ian got a hold of the comic though.

[Badnik Zero]

Yeah I remember when Morgan Freeman crossed over into the book for a few years too.

[SchemingMinor]

I guess it will be my honor to post the first Robotnik issue previews:

Finally thrilled to see an arc based around the big bad scientist.

Edited February 14, 2012 by Kintobor

[Arcade Racer CC14]

It's summary time!

1.The issue begins with Eggman at a computer console being shocked as he's warned by his systems of a full station lock-down.

2."What in blazes--?! Who put us on high alert?!"

3.He tries to access the network to find the problem, but he's locked out.

4."I'm going to need some assistance!"

5.He hits a button on the wall and a metal sphere and cube bounce out of a chute next to it.

6.The sphere unfolds into Orbot.

7."Good afternoon, sir! Orbot and Cubot, emergency lackeys, activated and reporting for duty!"

8.Cubot reveals himself, rubbing his head and sparking.

9."Hoo-boy...I reckon that bounce threw somethin' outta whack..."

10."Dear me, it appears your vocal processor is damaged."

11.Eggman gets their attention.

12."I'll worry about that later. Right now, you're to hack into the system and get me back in control of my network!"

13.Elsewhere, Snively runs down a corridor and steps into an elevator, using override codes to access the door and activate it.

14.He snickers to himself about his plot to win Hope over, then leave for the Dragon Kingdom to get a piece of old world technology to liberate Regina so that they can take the Empire for themselves.

15."We've been doing this dance for over ten years, Doctor. I know how you tick, I know your mental blind spots, and now, I'll finally beat you at your own game!"

16.Back to Eggy, he asks Orbot and Cubot if they've had any luck hacking into the system.

17."Little by little, o patient one. Security logs suggest this is Snively's work."

18."I could've told you that! Although why he'd choose to move so boldly and so suddenly is strange. It's not like him."

19.Cubot reveals that Snively sent a broadcast to every Dark Egg Legion Grandmaster where he claimed that Sonic had taken Eggman down and ordered that all DEL chapters disband.

20.Eggman is not happy about this.

21.Cubot and Orbot talk amongst themselves.

22."Well, I figured he'd want to know eventually!"

23."I REALLY think you should be quiet now."

24."Get me control of the Egg-Swats! Search every inch of this place and bring Snively to me!"

25.Elsewhere, at Eggman's mech hangar, Snively looks for the right one to escape in.

26.Suddenly, he's attacked by a couple of Egg-Swat robots that drop their current construction objectives because of Eggman's newest order.

27.Back to Eggman, Orbot informs him that the Egg-Swats have made a successful capture.

28."Heh, heh, heh. All too easy. Bring him up on the screen."

29.Orbot does so.

30."Oh, Snively, Snively, Snively. You've really done it this time. What do you have to say for yourself?"

31."I'm sorry, sir! It will never happen again!"

32.Snively gives a craze expression and suddenly explodes, taking the Egg-Swats with him.

33."GAH! What just happened?!"

34."It appears he exploded, sir!"

35.Cubot alerts Eggman that they also have captures in four more areas.

36."How is he..?!"

37.Eggman realizes what's up.

38."I see...he resurrected my infiltrator series. They're perfect robot copies. He set them loose to throw me off his trail..."

39.A ship is shown leaving the Death Egg while the pilot laughs to himself.

40."...and is probably long gone by now. Well played, little man. Well played."

41.Orbot tells Eggman that all of the infiltrators have self-destructed and the system in once again under his control.

42.Cubot then tells him that he isn't getting anything from the Grandmasters.

43"Oh, they'll answer me. Fire up the teleporters and lock onto their locator beacons! I want them in the conference room NOW!"

44."Uh, I don't reckon that's the best idea right now, seein'as we're running on reserve power!"

45."And what if they're in the middle of Empire business?"

46."I DON'T CARE! Their lives belong to ME! When I say "Jump," they ask "how high" on the way up!!"

47.Eggman leaves the control room.

48."That's one scary fella, I tell you whut!"

49."Yes, but on the bright side, we're employed now."

50.Cut to the Dark Egg Legion base in the Great Desert, Matilda approaches Beau's desk.

51."You seem to be in good spirits, sir."

52."Just got some VERY good news, Matilda. I'm busy preppin' a speech for the rest of the chapter. Things are finally lookin' up for us."

53.Suddenly, Beau vanishes, leaving Matilda confused.

54.Elsewhere, in the Shazamazon DEL base, Drago is trying to command a felidae Legion member, but Razorclaw steps in and says that with Eggman gone, HE commands the former felidae while Drago has command of the wolves. However, before they can settle their dispute, they both vanish.

55.Meanwhile, in Snottingham Castle in Mercia, Lord Hood, the cobra Mercian Grandmaster, is giving his aide orders to fulfill now that Eggman's gone, but he suddenly vanishes before he can finish giving them.

56.Cut to the Efrika Plains where Diesel, a biker bear Grandmaster, rallies his fellow biker legionnaires and tells them that there's nobody to rein them in anymore so they can attack Mazuri. However, he's cut short by a sudden teleportation.

57.Meanwhile, in Downunda, Bill is preparing a similar speech to Beau's and breathes a sigh of relief that he can finally drop the whole legionnaire charade. He's soon teleported before he can finish his speech, however.

58.Elsewhere, at the Iron Fortress in the Dragon Kingdom, Conquering Storm captures a Yagyu spy, but is teleported away before she can finish unsheathing her sword.

59.Cut to the depths of the Northern Sea, Akhlut, the Orca Grandmaster from a year or two ago, is informing his fellow Orca bretheren that they no longer serve the Eggman Empire when he's teleported away.

60.Meanwhile, in a hidden outpost in Eurish, Hugo Brash, a brainwashed Grandmaster, suddenly vanishes.

61.Elswhere, deep underground, The Foreman, the Nerb Grandmaster, orders his numerous Nerb legionnaires to continue working, but suddenly vanishes.

62.Back at the Death Egg, all of the teleported Grandmasters (As well as Lien-Da) appear in Eggman's conference room. (There's even a giant aquarium at the back of the room for Akhlut!)

63.Eggman steps into the room.

64.Drago loses his temper.

65."Is this some kind of joke? First you're dead and now you're here? You think you can just drag us up here whenever you want?! I already gave you my arms and allegiance! You ought to show me some respect! ESPECIALLY now that I've got these killer cybernetics!"

66.Eggman draws a huge grin.

67."You mean the ones that will EXPLODE if I give a simple voice command?"

68."Yeah! Those...I...er...What?"

69."SIT. DOWN."

70.Drago does so.

71."Drago isn't special, my dear Grandmasters. You're ALL one command prompt away from being PERMANENTLY retired."

72.Orbot and Cubot come in with trays of tea and biscuits for the Grandmasters.

73."I sent out a signal for you all to reply. Nobody did. Is there a REASON you've chosen to disobey me?"

74.Beau tells him that Snively told them that he was gone.

75."AND YOU BELIEVED HIM?! You thought I'd grant any of you FREEDOM in my demise?! I legionized you! I sponsored and empowered you! I OWN you! You will serve the Dark Egg Legion and the Eggman Empire until the day you die! Or I grow tired of you. Same thing in the end."

76.Akhlut asks why Snively would trick them and Eggman replies that he doesn't know yet.

77."Pah! You cannot control your chief underling! You are not fit to command any of us!"

78."Would you prefer I open the hatch and let you FLY back to the ocean? No? I didn't THINK so! I know that you all hate me, and I don't care! What matters is you hold your positions of power, and I control that power! Do as I say, and only as I say! You serve my needs well...but you are all replaceable."

79.He puts his hand on Bill's shoulder, which makes him nervous.

80."All that said, I also reward loyalty! Take Lien-Da for example!"

81."Me?"

82."She could've seized control during the...technical difficulties...earlier today. But she did not!"

83.Cubot offers some biscuits to Conquering Storm, but she declines.

84."Y'sure? They're right tasty!"

85."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

86."Just bein' good hosts to your guests!"

87."Oh, fine! Carry on! *Ahem!* Lien-Da will recieve her choice of location for her chapter's reassignment! Now that we're clear on who's in command here, I have an additional task for you. You will continue to terrorize any unconquered territory and legionize new recruits as before..."

88.He snaps his fingers, which makes a hologram of a blue Chaos Emerald appear.

89."...but you will also be looking for THIS! This Chaos Emerald disappeared during an unforseen...glitch. The chapter to find and deliver the gem to me will be GREATLY rewarded! The quicker it's found, the greater my generosity will be. Try to keep it, and your punishment shall be LEGENDARY."

90.Conquering Storm interrupts him.

91."You have set MANY tasks before us. If you continue to summon us all so abruptly in the future like this, it would make it difficult to fulfill your wishes."

92."I'm well aware. Today's demonstration was to make an impression. I have OTHER means of keeping tabs on your actions as well."

93.He snaps his fingers again, which causes four dark figures to emerge from a room behind him.

94.The four figures are revealed to be Metal Sonic, a redesigned Mecha Sally, and fresh off the assembly line, Metal Knuckles and Metal Tails.

95."My latest Badniks--the Metal series--will be enforcing my will directly and "assisting" you when needed."

96.Beau is shocked by what he sees.

97."Oh mah stars...is that PRINCESS SALLY?!"

98.Drago, however, is yucking it up over this revelation.

99."Indeed it IS! Roboticized and weaponized by me personally! As you can see, quite contrary to Snively's little fib, I'm winning this war! Now then, you have your orders..."

100.He presses a button, which causes all of the summoned Grandmasters save for Lien-Da to disappear.

101."...get back to work."

102.Eggman gets up from his chair.

103."Ahhh! That went well! Lien-Da, you have command until I return!"

104."Yessir! But return from where?"

105."A little hunting expedition. Mecha Sally, come with me. Orbot, Cubot--ready the Egg 'Stache Flyer."

106.Later on the bridge of said Flyer, Eggman orders Orbot and Cubot to lock on to the tracker in Snively's Egg Jet and set course.

107."Pardon me, boss, but given all he went through to escape, don't you think it's odd he didn't disable the tracker?"

108."Either it was an oversight or he's baiting me. Either way, it makes no sense. It doesn't fit his usual pattern. But, I'm sure I'll find out the answers once I've dragged him back, kicking and screaming!"

109.The issue ends with the Egg 'Stache Flyer, a giant ship shaped like Eggy's trademark facial feature, taking off to find Snively.

110.There's also a very amusing Off-Panel strip where you meet Orbot and Cubot's long lost third brother, Conebot!

Enjoy!

[goku262002]

Theres some digital only valentines issue going about. Look into it will ya guys?

Sonic shares the same damned feeling i have for this stupid day.

[Blackbell]

Synopsis for the Issue:

"In honor of Valentine’s Day, Archie Comics’ resident blue hedgehog is feeling the love in his first digital exclusive featuring the best romantic Sonic stories - “Sonic the Hedgehog: Love Stinks!” Collected for the first time, these tales are brought to you from a wealth of talented Sonic creators, past and present, and include the first appearance of Fiona the Fox, the breakup of Sonic and Amy, plus a brand new cover from Sonic superstar artist Tracy Yardley!"

Anyone notice the typing error

[ChaoChao]

"a brand new cover"? Looks pretty recycled to me! Sally and Amy are already from two other issue covers. One of them being Sonic Universe. Now that I think about it, Sonic's recycled as well!

Edited February 15, 2012 by NeutralChao

[Voyant]

We might be getting a new artist for the comics.

http://trunks24.deviantart.com/

check the journal

[Marcello]

Egg-SWATS? As in new SWATbot models?

[Your Vest Friend]

"a brand new cover"? Looks pretty recycled to me! Sally and Amy are already from two other issue covers. One of them being Sonic Universe. Now that I think about it, Sonic's recycled as well!

That Fiona/Scourge art is recycled, as well.

[Chopper025]

Trunks24 was sent a script? Might be drawing for the comics? Ahhhhhhh yeaaaaaaa! I really enjoy this guy's art.

[Rally the Cheetah]

Orbot and Cubot making and appearance? Heck yeah! Eggman's own arc? Oh, yeah!

Thanks for the summary Chaoscontrol14, sounds like an awesome issue indeed. I look forward to seeing how this arc plays out.