Sonic the Comic Issue 173

Issue 173 is the one hundred and seventy-third edition of Sonic the Comic. Released on the 26th January 2000 at the price of £1.35, the issue contains one new, original story and three reprints, as well as several features and a pin-up.

Contents

 * Sonic the Hedgehog - Game Over: Part 1
 * Knuckles the Echidna - Carnival Night Conspiracy: Part 2 (from Issue 40)
 * Speedlines
 * Tails - The Land Beyond: Part 3 (from Issue 20)
 * Graphic Zone
 * Sonic the Hedgehog - Badniks Bridge: Part 2 (from Issue 44)
 * Next Issue

Strips
Game Over is a 2-part story by Lew Stringer, Richard Elson and Ellie de Ville. The Plax are assisting Doctor Robotnik in his attempt to destroy Mobius but Grimer isn't happy. When the Freedom Fighters arrive in one of the New Zones through the Ring of Eternity, Grimer warns him before they fight the Plax. They prove a tough foe and not even mixing them up stops them. Grimer reveals the truth and the Plax head to destroy Robotnik but are eradicated themselves. Sonic rushes to tackle his enemy, but is powerless to stop a godlike Robotnik.

Features
Sonic is in charge of Speedlines this issue (supposedly giving Megadroid a holiday, despite him leaving the comic 33 issues ago). Letters from Boomers include questions about the return of Speedlines, the ugliness of Knuckles, the origins of Tails, new villain "Steelclaw", a petition for Super Sonic's return, a kidnapping of Knuckles, a poem about STC and confusion about Knuckles' colour.

The theme of this issue's Graphic Zone is "Millenium Moments", with the STC cast celebrating the arrival of the new millenium. One picture features many characters from STC's history, including the Death Egg, Miracle Planet and the Chaotix Crew's Charmy Bee ship, with so many characters meaning that the image had to be cropped. All printed pictures earned the artists a Sonic the Hedgehog watch.

Staff

 * Richard Elson - cover art
 * Andy Diggle - editor
 * Gary Knight - designer
 * Steve MacManus - managing editor
 * Sarah Colley - production
 * Douglas Pocock - marketing manager
 * Michelle Brown - promotions buyer
 * Rob McMenemy - marketing director
 * Julie Goldsmith - managing director
 * Steve Goldsmith - advertising