Sonic the Comic Issue 52


 * Managing Editor: Richard Burton
 * Editor: Deborah Tate
 * Designers: Gary Knight
 * Assistant Editor: Audrey Wong
 * Publisher: Rob McMenemy

Sonic the Hedgehog - "Disaster! Part 2"

 * Script: Nigel Kitching
 * Art: Richard Elson
 * Lettering: Elitta Fell

Synopsis
Robotnik has launched his ultimate weapon, the Death Egg, powered by the stolen Master Emerald. Sonic has been brought before Robotnik by the Spikebonkers security forces, but Sonic insists he just lost his way and let the badniks lead him to Robotnik. Nevertheless, Robotnik is glad Sonic's there - he intends to exact his ultimate revenge by obliterating the entire Emerald Hill Zone! Grimer primes the disintegrator ray. Sonic has to stop it, but he can't destroy the badniks and get to the controls in time!

Suddenly, a blast rocks the entire Death Egg! Looking out of the windows, they see the entire Floating Island is moving towards them, and firing enormous energy bursts at them! It's Knuckles to the rescue! Sonic is impressed. Robotnik is angry. He has Grimer re-aim the disintegrator rays and fire on the Floating Island. Knuckles feels the blast from his control room. Without the Master Emerald, he'll need time to build enough power for another attack. He just hopes to live that long!

On the Death Egg, Sonic takes advantage of the distraction to steal the Master Emerald from the power core. Robotnik orders the EggRobos to get it back! Without it, the Death Egg has no power source! Suddenly, they are hit again by the Floating Island's weapons! Sonic and the Emerald fall out of a shattered window, followed by the EggRobos. From outside, Sonic can see the damage. It's too late for the Death Egg now.

Unfortunately, Sonic has other problems. The EggRobos are still firing at him and, if that wasn't bad enough, he is free-falling back down to Mobius! It's a long way down, and there won't be a soft landing!

Appearances

 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Knuckles the Echidna
 * Doctor Ivo Robotnik
 * Grimer
 * Spikebonkers
 * EggRobos

Continuity

 * The Death Egg has finally been launched, and an editorial comment assures boomers (readers) that it's "for real this time", a reference to the events of Sonic the Comic #45, "Day of the Death Egg".
 * The Master Emerald was stolen by Metallix in Sonic the Comic #49, "Count Down to Disaster, Part 1", and delivered to Robotnik in Sonic the Comic #50, "Count Down to Disaster, Part 2".
 * Robotnik has attempted to destroy the Emerald Hill Zone with an orbital laser cannon once before, in Sonic the Comic #11, "Time Racer".
 * Knuckles activated the Floating Island's motion controls in the previous issue.
 * The Death Egg loses its power source and is crippled by the Floating Island's energy blasts. It'll crash in the next issue.

Shinobi - "Power Of The Elements, Part 6"
Joe Musashi and the Roofworlders battle the Four Elements. Musashi faces Air, who gloats as she outmatches him. With her magic powers, she blows him to the edge of the roof, and flies above him until he falls. At the last moment, he pulls himself up and grabs onto her waist. She calls him a fool - she cannot carry them both and they will surely die! Musashi is prepared for it, twisting her ninja mask so that she can't see, but she is not. She crashes into a wall, knocking herself out, while Musashi steps away unharmed.
 * Script: Alan McKenzie
 * Art: Jon Haward
 * Lettering: Tom Frame

Meanwhile, Kotomi-sensei fights Fire with his own magic. Kotomi-sensei is the stronger fighter, but Fire only needs a single opening to strike home with the Poison Hand Technqiue, leaving a flaming imprint on Kotomi-sensei's chest. The old man will be dead within the hour.

Knuckles - "Knuckles versus the Cybernik"

 * Script: Lew Stringer
 * Art: John Moore
 * Lettering: Elitta Fell

Synopsis
Shortfuse the Cybernik continues his one-squirrel war against Doctor Robotnik's evil. As he destroys a group of Balkiry badniks, one tries to escape, leading him to the Floating Island. Shortfuse has never been there, but he's heard the legends about it.

As he chases the Balkiry, it is suddenly destroyed by a punch from Knuckles the Echidna, who doesn't like badniks on his island... and that includes Shortfuse! Shortfuse tries to explain that he doesn't work for Robotnik, that he's a good guy, but Knuckles believes it's just another of Robotnik's tricks. He isn't being fooled again! The two fight, exchanging a few blows until Shortfuse decides to just go back to Mobius.

However, as he leaves, he sees a gang of Coconuts badniks preparing to ambush Knuckles. He destroys them with his lasers, and Knuckles finally realises that Shortfuse was telling the truth. Knuckles apologises, saying that it is difficult for him to trust outsiders. The two shake hands and part as friends.

As Shortfuse returns to Mobius, Knuckles ponders. Shortfuse is a powerful ally in the fight against Robotnik... but if Robotnik ever found a way to control him, he could become the deadliest force on Mobius!

Appearances

 * Knuckles the Echidna
 * Shortfuse the Cybernik
 * Balkiry badniks
 * Coconuts

Continuity

 * Knuckles believes Shortfuse is a servant of Robotnik, despite Shortfuse's attempts to convince him otherwise. In Sonic the Comic #54, "Total Chaotix, Part 2", Chaotix believe Knuckles is a servant of Robotnik, despite Knuckles' attempts to convince them otherwise.

Sonic's World - "Face from the Past, Part 2"

 * Script: Lew Stringer
 * Art: Gary Andrews
 * Lettering: Elitta Fell

Synopsis
Amy Rose is angry at Sonic for making Tonic upset, but Sonic insists that Tonic isn't really his brother. Sonic realises that Tonic must be a shape-shifter, and he only knows one person with powers like that: Metamorphia!

Just then, Metamorphia has dropped her Tonic disguise and intends to crush Tails, having turned her hand into a giant hammer. He is saved at the last moment by Sonic, who runs to the rescue. Discovered, Metamorphia transforms into a monster, a dinosaur and then a mound of sticky goo in order to defeat the Freedom Fighters. However, Sonic is able to defeat her with his super speed, leaving her disoriented, and then she falls over the edge of a waterfall. Sonic suspects she jumped, having the escape route all planned out.

Indeed so, because she soon returns to the Death Egg. Grimer praises her escape as "resourceful", but Robotnik is still furious that she failed. He allowed Grimer to create her, but she has already failed three times in destroying Sonic. She apologises for failing, saying she wanted to succeed, because she adores Robotnik. Robotnik finds the monster's crush amusing - anyone who does not adore him is doomed. Metamorphia is despondent that he called her a "monster".

Back in her room, Metamorphia has pictures of Robotnik on her wall, with the words 'My hero!' written underneath. She is sure Robotnik will admire her one day... the day she destroys Sonic!

Appearances

 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Amy Rose
 * Johnny Lightfoot
 * Porker Lewis
 * Metamorphia
 * Doctor Ivo Robotnik
 * Grimer

Continuity

 * Grimer's lab is mentioned as being on the Death Egg, which means this story takes place some time prior to Sonic the Comic #47, "Mystery of the Sandopolis Zone, Part 1".
 * Grimer mentions Metamorphia's home, the Grim Zone, which appeared in Sonic the Comic #30, "Metamorphia".

Other features

 * Control Zone
 * Review Zone
 * Sonic Drift Racing Pin-Up
 * Graphic Zone
 * Q Zone
 * Speedlines