Sonic the Comic Issue 116


 * Editor: Deborah Tate
 * Designer: Gary Knight
 * Production: Sarah Colley
 * Marketing manager: Douglas Pocock

Sonic the Hedgehog - "Best of Enemies, Part 1"

 * Script: Nigel Kitching
 * Art: Richard Elson
 * Lettering: Tom Frame

Synopsis
On the home planet of the Drakon Empire, Emperor Ko-Dorr (leader of the House of War) and Master Scholar (leader of the House of Knowledge) have been summoned by Sister Haggra (leader of the House of Magic). Haggra has seen an image of a blue hedgehog figure (actually Sonic the Hedgehog) in the Vapours of Destiny, and has learned that he knows the answer to the ancient mystery: he knows the secret of the Chaos Emeralds! Not knowing who Sonic was herself, she reluctantly summoned Ko-Dorr and Master Scholar. When asked, they both claim not to know the individual - although Haggra knows that Ko-Dorr recently put an off-worlder on trial, Ko-Dorr claims that he was "taller, much taller and... and he was much more of a purple colour!" Nevertheless, Sister Haggra insists that, whoever and wherever this person is, "we shall have him!"

In the Emerald Hill Zone on Mobius, Sonic and and Tails and fighting badniks, releasing the Flickies trapped inside. When there is only one left, Sonic and Tails realise that it is a Camera Badnik, and that Robotnik is watching them. Sonic destroys the Camera Badnik.

Meanwhile, in Doctor Robotnik's base on Flickies' Island, Grimer reports that their badnik raid has failed. Robotnik retorts that Grimer is snivelling imbecile: he never expected to beat Sonic, he just wanted to remind him that Robotnik is still here and will someday take back control of Mobius. Robotnik knows that no ordinary badnik can defeat Sonic, which is why he is constructing more Knuckles Metallixes (made more powerful than ever with the technical support of Emperor Ko-Dorr).

Suddenly, a Mobius Ring materialises in the base, and Emperor Ko-Dorr steps through flanked by two Sentinels. Ko-Dorr says it is time for Robotnik to live up to his end of their bargain and get the Chaos Emerald for the Ko-Dorr. Ko-Dorr has become concerned now that Sister Haggra knows about Sonic - Ko-Dorr had to pretend not to know him. Ko-Dorr plans to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to rule the House of Magic and the House of Knowledge himself. Robotnik demurs, saying that the plan was that he would use his Metallixes to get the Emeralds secretly, without the other rulers of Drakon finding out. But Ko-Dorr's patience is at an end, and he demands to know where the Emeralds are now!

In the Emerald Hill Zone, Sonic and Tails watch the Flickies fly back to Flickies' Island. Tails hopes Robotnik won't catch them again. Just then, they spot the Floating Island behind some clouds. Tails is impressed that a few Emeralds can keep an island so large floating in the air, but Sonic points out that the Chaos Emeralds are probably the greatest power source in the galaxy... Suddenly, Sonic gets a sudden chill, as if something terrible is about to happen. But as soon as it comes, he brushes it off - after all, Robotnik has been deposed and Mobius is free again. From now on, things can only get better!

Appearances

 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Doctor Ivo Robotnik
 * Emperor Ko-Dorr
 * Grimer
 * Sister Haggra
 * Master Scholar
 * Witch of the House of Magic
 * Two scholars from the House of Knowledge
 * Sentinels
 * Bat Brain badniks
 * Flickies (two purple, one yellow, one blue)
 * Camera Badnik
 * Four Knuckles Metallixes

Continuity

 * Sister Haggra mentions that the House of War recently put an off-worlder on trial, but Ko-Dorr denies that it was Sonic. In fact, it was Sonic, and the trial took place in Sonic the Comic #110 and #111, "The Evil Empire, Parts 3 and 4".
 * It is revealed that the Drakon Empire know about the Chaos Emeralds. In Sonic the Comic #123, "Order & Chaos, Part 1", a Prosecutor claims that the Chaos Emeralds originally belonged to the Drakon Empire but were stolen from them many thousands of years ago. In Sonic the Comic #180, "Prisoner of War", it is revealed that they were stolen from the Drakons by the ancient Echidnas, led by Pochacamac.
 * Doctor Robotnik has had a base on Flickies' Island since a short time prior to Sonic the Comic #104, "Flickies' Island, Part 1".
 * Robotnik is building new Knuckles Metallixes. A single Knuckles Metallix previously beat Sonic in Sonic the Comic #108, "The Evil Empire, Part 1", and nearly killed him in Sonic's trial from Sonic the Comic #110 and #111, "The Evil Empire, Parts 3 and 4".
 * When the Mobius Ring appears, Robotnik tells Grimer that he knows what it is. Robotnik was experimenting on the Mobius Ring in Sonic the Comic #105, "Flickies' Island, Part 2", and was forcibly pulled through one by a Prosecutor in Sonic the Comic #106, "Flickies' Island, Part 3". Robotnik later operated a Mobius Ring himself, using Drakon technology, in Sonic the Comic #108, "The Evil Empire, Part 1".
 * We finally learn Robotnik's side of the deal he struck with Emperor Ko-Dorr. The deal was first alluded to in Sonic the Comic #108, "The Evil Empire, Part 1", and in Sonic the Comic #110, "The Evil Empire, Part 3", it was explained that Emperor Ko-Dorr was giving Robotnik support in his attempts to re-conquer Mobius.
 * The Chaos Emeralds have been kept on the Floating Island since Sonic the Comic #36, "Power of the Chaos Emeralds, Part 2".
 * Sonic mentions that they have not seen Knuckles in a while. Knuckles hasn't appeared in the comic since Sonic the Comic #104, "Flickies' Island, Part 1", and has not starred in his own story since Sonic the Comic #101, "Loose Ends". Knuckles will next appear in Sonic the Comic #120, "New Year Twister".

Super Sonic - "Hunter & The Hunted, Part 1"

 * Script: Nigel Kitching
 * Art: Nigel Dobbyn
 * Lettering: Tom Frame

Synopsis
Ebony runs a famous coffee bar, The Groovy Train, in a part of the Metropolis Zone known as 'The Neighbourhood'. Inside, psychic Pyjamas has a terrifying vision of a being with incredible power... enough to destroy the entire world. Ebony tells her to lower her voice or she'll scare away the customers, but Pyjamas' vision is too strong. And, just then, he arrives... but the person who walks through the door is an amnesiac Super Sonic.

In a dingy area of the city, three homeless Mobians complain about the state of the world today. They would of thought things would have got better with the removal of Doctor Robotnik, but apparently not for them. Their moanings are suddenly cut short as they are blasted aside by the appearance of Bio-Hazard, who has been teleported from the Special Zone to Mobius.

Back in the Special Zone, Lightmare reports the successful use of the dimensional teleporter to Lord Sidewinder. Sidewinder sent Bio-Hazard to Mobius with a special tracker that will allow him to find Super Sonic, who should be easy to capture in his weakened state. He plans to harness Super Sonic's power and become invincible. Mr Fry is unsure about staying in New Tek City, since they've only just escaped from prison, but Sidewinder lashes out, saying that obtaining Super Sonic's power is worth any risk.

Back in the Groovy Train, Super explains to Ebony and Pyjamas that he has lost his memory. He's been wandering around the city for weeks and has now used up the last of his money, so he came in to ask for a job. Pyjamas is set against this, as she senses great evil in him, but Ebony tells her to be quiet. The conservation is cut short when a customer flies across the room and smashes into their table. In fact, the entire bar is being destroyed... by a newly arrived Bio-Hazard! He's causing such a commotion that Ebony can't hear what he's yelling over the din: "Super Sonic, I've come for you!"

Appearances

 * Super Sonic
 * Ebony
 * Pyjamas
 * Bio-Hazard
 * Lord Sidewinder
 * Lightmare
 * Mr Fry
 * Groovy Train patrons
 * Metropolis Zone homeless (donkey, bird chipmunk)

Continuity

 * Ebony and Pyjamas previously appeared in the Knuckles story "Roots", from Sonic the Comic #94 to #96.
 * Super Sonic lost his memory (and his powers) after breaking free of the Black Asteroid in Sonic the Comic #100, "The Final Victory", in which he was taken in by Arthur and Madge. He has been wandering the streets of the Metropolis Zone seeking his identity since Sonic the Comic #102, "What Ever Happened to Super Sonic?".
 * Lord Sidewinder's fanatical obsession with obtaining Super Sonic's power was previously mentioned in Sonic the Comic #98, "Doomsday, Part 2". He and his gang were captured in Sonic the Comic #99, "Doomsday, Part 3".

Trivia

 * This story was reprinted in Sonic the Comic #220.

Decap Attack - "Return of the Pumpkins"

 * Script: Nigel Kitching & Richard Raynor
 * Art: Nigel Kitching
 * Lettering: Elitta Fell

On Halloween at Castle Frank N Stein, a vast horde of pumpkins gathers in the shadows as Prof, Chuck, Head and Igor watch TV. Suddenly, the pumpkins attack with their cutting sarcasm! Fortunately, Kevin from Transylvanian Pest Control swings in through the window and the pumpkins scatter. However, Kevin says they're not gone, but rather planning something cunning.

Kevin explains that, even though he got rid of the castle's pumpkin infestation last year, they've escaped from their cells. Even worse, they are South Patagonian Red pumpkins, which are homing pumpkins, leading them right back to the castle! (The Northumbrian Gold, on the other hand, are nomadic and very polite.) Luckily, Kevin has a crazy plan to beat them, because fruit is the natural enemy of the vegetable.

Kevin paints Head green and puts a stalk on his head so he looks like an apple, then sends him off to find the pumpkins. When he does, they chase him up to the battlements, where a giant banana (Prof), pineapple (Chuck) and pear (Igor) are waiting. Rather than fight the whole fruit salad, the vegetables bounce over the battlements, and land in Kevin's truck far below.

Igor thinks Chuck makes a magnificent pineapple.

Sonic's World: Amy & Tekno - "Spooked"

 * Script: Lew Stringer
 * B & W Art: Andy Pritchett
 * Colour: John M Burns
 * Lettering: Ellie de'Ville

Synopsis
In the Old Hill Zone, the locals have been hearing a terrible wailing noise from an empty house. They believe there are ghosts in the house, and the Zone has been referred to lately as the "Haunted House Zone". When Amy and Tekno learn about this, they decide to investigate.

It's a creepy looking Gothic building, and as soon as they enter they hear the terrible moan like somebody in pain. A stone gargoyle nearly lands on Tekno, but Amy pushes her out of the way in time. They follow the source of the sound upstairs, and to their sheer horror they discover that it is coming from... Fabian Vane, world's worst pop star. He's been rehearsing for a comeback gig, and his singing apparently scared off the locals.

Suddenly, a block of masonry falls from the ceiling and crushes his speaker. Tekno says that his singing has weakened the foundations and the three of them rush out of the building moments before it collapses. Fabian has lost his new demo tapes, scotching plans for his comeback (much to the relief of the girls). But as Amy points out, "At least you can say you brought down the house!"

Appearances

 * Amy Rose
 * Tekno the Canary
 * Fabian Vane
 * Old House Zone citizens:
 * Badger in a purple shirt
 * Cat in a Sonic hat
 * Pig
 * Chicken
 * Dog girl
 * Duck couple

Continuity

 * Amy and Tekno first met Fabian Vane in Sonic the Comic #109, "Star Struck, Part 1", and his pop career was ruined in #110, "Star Struck, Part 2".

Trivia

 * The young cat boy in this story wears a baseball cap with a picture of Sonic on it.
 * In this story, Amy wears blue combat trousers and an orange-and-black T-shirt with the number 23 on it.
 * An old duck couple decide to hang carrots over their door to keep away vampires. When Tekno points out that it should be garlic, the ducks say that at today's prices that's too expensive.
 * This story was reprinted in Sonic the Comic #214.

Other features

 * Control Zone
 * Spellbound Zone (Graphic Zone)
 * Speedlines