Sonic Universe (Comic Series)

[Danny Felixe 330]

It occurs to me that I have not given my review

Shadow and Knuckles fighting at last. Woohoo! They seemed pretty fairly matched to me so no quick battle here for you Shadow

Oh yeah. And the black arms are definitely wisps now. Okay... They certainly don't seem to be the ultimate weapon against Shadow without Eclipse around. Part of me is now curious as to how Shadow would look if he fused with some of the wisps now

Anyway... issue was okay. Can't wait for next one

[Shinomi-chan 294]

Sonic Universe comics... just.. awesome.. too bad they don't sell them here in Finland. though I'm able to read them here xD problem solved.

[HyperMetal50 17]

Now that #70 is uploaded, I can now say

Total Eclipse goes down as one of my favourite SU arcs and this finale just seals the deal. Nice little nod towards Naugus with the mention of a Troll civilisation and Snively's involvement in Sonic 3 were perfectly welcome. Then there's the characters. Rouge was quite simply on top of her game here. It's a gigantic change from her pre-reboot jerk days and I'm just fine with that. Relic was also a little star here. She didn't have too much of a role, but she was definitely a welcome addition. As for Shadow and Knuckles, I'd say this conflict between them has the potential to turn into a friendship. I might be overstepping it with the word 'friendship', but it's very possible the two would be on better terms if they ever meet again.

As for the story, I can say it was predictable which is probably TE's biggest shortcoming. Aside from Eclipse's escape to the swamp (though I always had a gut feeling he'd get away) there was nothing that really made me feel "I was not expecting that". Everything played out as I expected to, not that it detracts from the fun I had with this story though. Eclipse (to me anyway) has become a character I've come to pay a lot of interest in. I know it'll be a while when he returns, but when he does I'll be excited what sort of road they'll take him down. Makes me wonder why people wanted him dead at the end of this. After all, he is the closest thing the comic's got to having their own Mega Man :P

So, yes, Total Eclipse was an excellent read. As for the Dark Trilogy in entirety, the best analogy I can think of for it are the gears in a car. First gear (Shadow Fall) starts slow and somewhat boringly. Nothing particularly amazing, then you reach second gear (Chaos Caper) which picks up a bit, but is still lagging. Then you reach third gear (Total Eclipse) and the speed burst arrives at last. Probably not the best analogy, but it's all I've got :P

[Crossharemega 0]

(W) Aleah Baker (A) Jim Amash & Various (CA) Tracy Yardley

It starts with a spark! 'Spark of Life,' Part 3. Shocking truths are exposed as Dr. Ellidy reveals the tragic origin of the beloved A.I., Nicole! Meanwhile, Phage erupts from the shadows of the Digital World to sew chaos on the island! Can our heroes rally to save Nicole and drive off this new threat? Night is falling, and terrible monsters are closing in! Don't miss this exciting next chapter in the latest Sonic Universe epic, featuring all-new cover art from Sonic artist supreme Tracy Yardley, and a special new 'EXTREME BFFs' variant cover from My Little Pony artist Agnes Garbowska!

On a related note, Ian Flynn said that

the origin of Nicole will not be based off of the late Ben Hurst's notes. Judging by part of the cover, it may go along the 'Astro Boy' route based on guesses from other posters from various forums.

Edited 21 Nov 2014 by Crossharemega

[Danny Felixe 330]

So we get to see where Nicole comes from in the new timeline? SWEET! I can't wait for this one!

And again, covers are cool! Main one especially!

[Shadow the Hedgehog 5]

The next arc should be very interesting. I've always assumed she was just an AI so that'd be a somewhat mundane creation, but I'm now genuinely intrigued as to what her origin is.

As for the end of Total Eclipse.

It was a good issue. I enjoyed Relic's role here, it was small but I liked how she was getting carried away when she found the ancient terminal, it certainly suits her character. Rouge's outburst did make me chuckle as she was absolutely right, if Shadow and Knuckles had thought for a momemt this whole problem could've been avoided: but that'd be too easy. Eclipse is an interesting villain and I like him because he does seem to whine when things go wrong which is certainly relatable, but I don't see him or the Dark Arms as a particularly looming threat partially because of that. Like HyperMetal I'd say the biggest downside was the overall predictability, you have Shadow and Knuckles teaming up in the end and Eclipse living to complain another day. That being side it doesn't mean this arc has been bad, it's been a very enjoyable one to read, it just wasn't anything out of the box. On a side note, I'm surprised no one at GUN has caught on to Snively's scheme yet, you'd think they'd keep tabs on him.

[Blue Comet 11]

What took them so long to do an arc base on Nicole it see was important to it's always shadow and knuckles I know their good characters but how many stories do we need about shadow and knuckles what about sonic its' called "Sonic" Universe for a reason.

[Skye Prower 386]

Sonic is unlikely to ever show up as a main character in Sonic Universe. Why? Because he has the main comic, and Sonic Universe is meant focus on stories about other the characters, especially those who don't get much screen time in the main series. The exception being Journey to the East, but that was to expand the Arc in the main series. And even then Sonic was part of a group, not solo.

Knux and Shadow, they get the prime slot in SU because they are major franchise characters, but tend not to get much screen time in the main comic as others. So they are prominent in SU.

As for Nicole, yeah, it would have been nice to have had an arc about her before now. But 1) her origins in the comic pre-reboot were already covered. And 2) until the reboot, she was stuck running the city.

[Blue Comet 11]

True but after a while people are gonna get tried of a new arc then back to shadow then a new arc then back to knuckles and the cycle repeats.

[Skye Prower 386]

Er... it's never been like that. This was a special case due to the whole Universe rebooting thing. The last Shadow arc was the First one of SU, and Knux was 3rd.

And Even if they do as you say, that's still only one Shadow and Knux story per year!

[Danny Felixe 330]

If this was the third arc with Shadow and Knuckles (the latest one not counting because it's a follow on from the previous two), I'd be willing to consider. But it's not so... yeah... And as Skye said, it's a reboot so we haven't met many new characters yet. Therefore we have an excuse

[MetalSkulkBane_PL 18]

If I may suggest? Rouge also screwed up. She's suppose to be team leader or at least voice or reason. She should expect that Eclipse might come back and try to stop the fight earlier. But no, lets just wait until they tire themselves out. Good leader takes responsibility for their teammates. When Sonic screws up, at least we know that Sally was to slow to stop him. Rouge on the other hand could yell into that ear-piece anytime she wanted to.

[Blue Comet 11]

It would be easier that was but giving rouge track record with knuckles and shadow "I'll do anything I feel will help with my mission" attitude rouge couldn't stop them even of she wanted to.

[Danny Felixe 330]

That's right guys, there's more covers!

The final showdown for the fate of the digital realm is HERE! “Spark of Life” Part Four: It’s pandemonium aplenty in this conclusion to the stunning “Spark of Life” story arc! Who, or what, is Phage? Introductions aren’t necessary—she’s creating havoc for our heroes anyway! Tails and Big—menaced by badniks and Dark Gaia Monsters alike! A Chaos Emerald—about to fall into enemy hands! Nicole—on the brink of deletion! Will Sally sacrifice it all to save her friends and the world? Only the dramatic conclusion to SPARK OF LIFE can tell! Featuring cover art from Sonic comic artist extraordinaire Tracy Yardley, and a special SEGA-art TAILS variant cover!

Edit: So the world isn't fixed yet? This is taking it's time. Oh well... more time for werehog...

So NICOLE is close to being deleted... uh... wait... so an AI is unable to stop herself getting deleted? That's... interesting... Okay... and Sally.. yeah of course she'd sacrifice it all to save the day. She's done it before

That's all I have... opinions?

[Blue Comet 11]

So if Nicole an AI Program is unable to save herself from deletion won't that make her the weakest AI in history or in the sonic series.

[Skye Prower 386]

Er, no. If someone else has access to her programing. AI's at risk of being deleted (or hacked or edited etc) is often a flaw they have.

[Blue Comet 11]

Er, no. If someone else has access to her programing. AI's at risk of being deleted (or hacked or edited etc) is often a flaw they have.

Tell that to metal sonic he got an overpower AI he turn on dr.eggman twice one in sonic heroes and the other in sonic free riders.

[Skye Prower 386]

Metal Sonic is an armored killing robot.

Nicole is just a glorified smartphone (Assuming no power ring)

Getting close enough to hack metal Sonic is so hard it'll be fast to smash him. Nicole on the other hand...

[Vampfox 0]

Just got Sonic Universe Issue 71. Here are my thoughts.

Off to a promising start though I'm still a little disappointed that Ben Hurst idea for Nicole's origin will continue to go unused, but at least Nicole is no longer a time paradox.

I love the beginning of the issue. I love "Rotor's Expresso Express" machine. It's nice to see the characters interacting with each other when they are not on a mission. I really hope that we get to see more moments like this in the future.

It's cool seeing Nicole in the digital world.

Seems like Dr. Ellidy is this realitys Nate Morgan.

Am I the only one who finds it weird seeing young Sally wearing gloves in the flashbacks?

Probably my favorite issue since the reboot so far.

[Blue Comet 11]

Spark of life I got to say it starting off with showing us who's Nicole creator the whole Nicole came from the future thing really came off as she should know how things go.

 

Dr.Ellidy he remind of another old man in the comic I don't know where just when I was about to lay able Nicole as the last of the lynx since the super genesis wave wipe them out.

 

I like how dr.eggman's old badniks are use for something more then sitting on an island trying to get a long over due revenge or be waiter at a casino.

 

My only questionable moment here is why is sally wearing cloves in the past if it's going off of SatAM she didn't wear gloves in blast to the past either.

 

I'm happy someone else besides blaze, knuckles, and shadow getting some time to shine.

[Crossharemega 0]

Before the second Sonic/Megaman crossover begins, the SU spin-off series will celebrate its 75th issue with not one, not two, not even three, but "7.5" variant covers!!!

 

 

You can check out the covers here!

 

 

Sonic Universe has reached 75 thrilling issues—and we're celebrating in style!

"Fury": The race is on as Sonic chases down Metal Sonic for one of the sought–after Chaos Emeralds!  But when their chase takes them to a very unexpected place, Sonic’s worth as a hero may be put to the test!  Can Sonic win the day, secure the emerald and retain his sense of self by the end? As our journey to WORLDS UNITE crashes to a close, join us in celebrating the longest-running Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off comic in history with 7.5 variant covers from your favorite Sonic artists! Featuring cover art from Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, Tracy Yardley, Ben Bates, Tyson Hesse, EGA Studios, Patrick Thomas Parnell, Lamar Wells, Evan Stanley and Jonathan H. Gray! To name a few!

Edited 14 Jan 2015 by Crossharemega

[Blue Comet 11]

They all look pretty cool to me.

[Danny Felixe 330]

(I actually have a thing about clicking links on my phone and I assume there are others who do too so I'm just going to put the covers here for those people... even though there are 9 covers...)

 

 

Okay... now... I like cover number 4 best. But I like number 8 too. And with 9 covers, they really are hyping the upcoming World's collide

[Device 6]

That's a lot of different covers....

 

They all are pretty awesome looking though!

[NegaMetallix 27]

The amount of covers here is staggering! Though I'll probably just end up getting whatever one they have in the shop. I find it kinda funny that this issue has Metal Sonic as the main enemy, just like Issue #50. And just like that issue, this is just before the crossover. Coincidence? ...Maybe. Anyway, I'm intrigued to learn just what on earth this issue is about. I mean, the solicit doesn't really reveal anything at all, just that Sonic and Metal fight for a Chaos Emerald, and they end up somewhere else, where Sonic has difficulty with something. My only real guess right now is that the Werehog might be involved (hence the title: 'Fury') and/or they end up in another world. (Maybe Earth 20XX?) Though I believe someone suggested that they might find a Gaia Temple, with areas where Sonic is forced to go Werehog (if you've played the PS2/Wii version of 'Unleashed', then this should be familiar to you). But then, how would that affect "Sonic's worth as a hero"?

 

Oh well, I guess we'll just have to wait 'till April to find out...

 

...Is it April yet?