The 25 Recap - 7th Era
The 7th era includes….
- Sonic the Hedgehog 151-175
- Sonic Free Comic Book Day 2007
- Sonic X 1-20 (not actually covered in the retrospective, but it’s there)
A lot of changes happen during this era, both behind the scenes and on the page. A lot of long running plot points come to fruition, a lot of fundamental alterations to the world happen, and a lot of character deaths occur. Nearly every issue is important setting up these big and bold transitions. In fact “transition” is perhaps the best word to describe this era, as we make switch from Penders/Bollers to Ian Flynn.
Major events of the era are….
(There’s probably too many to name but let’s give it a try)
- Nicole constructs her mobian form for the first time - StH 151
- The nanites are introduced and Snively joins the FFs - StH 152
- Armand and Max get sick - StH 153
- Tommy Turtle is infected by the Nanites - StH 154
- Patch is outed and Antoine is returned home - StH 155 & 156
- Elias becomes king - StH 156
- The nanites infect other citizens of Knothole - StH 159
- Sonic’s birthday - StH 160 & 161
- Bean and Bark are introduced - StH 160
- Scourge gets an upgrade - StH 160 & 161
- Blaze shows up - StH 160 & StH 161
- Snively betrays the FFs and tricks Hope into leaving Knothole - StH 162
- The Babylon Rogues appear - StH 163
- The Sword and Crown of Acorns is destroyed for good, Sir Connrey dies, the Ancient Walkers die, Eggman’s “daughter” Mecha dies, and Natagus returns - StH 162 - 164
- Mobius 25YL comes back - StH 166 & 167
- Flashback to another birthday - StH 167
- Armand dies - StH 168
- A.D.A.M. uses the infected nanites to try in conquer the universe, merges all the chaos emeralds into seven super emeralds, and Tommy Turtle dies to stop him StH 168 - 169
- The seven super emeralds wind up in the zone of silence transforming it into the special zone and Tails’ parents return - StH 170
- Fiona pulls a face heel turn - StH 172
- Chao are introduced - StH 172
- Bunnie and Ant get engaged - StH 173
- Bunnie and Antoine get married - StH 174
- Knothole is destroyed - StH 175
- Rotor brakes his back - StH 175
Favorite thing about the era: Closure
Not only do we wrap up a whole lot of lingering sub-plots and villain schemes, but we also get a lot of character resolvement as well. Bunnie and Ant are reunited and move forward in their relationship. Elias accepts the responsibly he’s denied for so long. Antoine finds closure in his father’s passing. Shadow makes peace with his past. Snively shows some humanity and comes to care for his sister. Fiona gives into temptation. Tails is reunited with his family. Sally admits that she’s was acting out and takes steps to mend her relationships and take control of her life more. Even Eggman loses his “children”, making him even colder and harder then he was before. There’s just a lot of satisfying character beats that hold everything together.
Least favorite thing about the era: Stories aren’t allowed to breathe
So much happens in this era at such a break neck pace. No less then five characters die in story arc that spans only two issues, and those parts don’t even take up the whole book. Major plot revelations are sometimes compressed into a handful of exposition heavy panels. Pages are wasted on nothing “stories” like extended off-panel parodies or unnecessary backstories on irrelevant secondary characters. Frankly it’s a minor miracle that we get any meaningful character reflection or insight at all.
Favorite Antoine Story: “Courage and Honor” - StH 168 by Ian Flynn
This is the accumulation of Antoine’s character arc thus far. The point where he comes to terms with himself and who he is and what he once was. It’s beautiful.
Favorite Bunnie Story: “Sonic’s Angels” - StH 152 by Ken Penders
Wait! Here me out.
Are there better stories in this era featuring Bunnie? Yes, absolutely. But merely featuring isn’t the same thing as focusing. Every other story this era that brings Bunnie to the fore doesn’t give her any individualist focus. She is presented either as a background supporting character or as half of greater whole, with equal if not more focus given to Antoine. “Sonic’s Angels” is the only story that gives Bunnie a unique personal dilemma to overcome and puts focus on it. Now it could have better handled and nothing of worth came from it but I’ll still give credit where it’s due. Bunnie versus the nanaties plot is her story, not Antoine’s, not hers and Ant’s together, not Sonic’s (though the comic tries to make it that) but hers alone.
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Favorite Buntwan Story or Moment: Their engagement and wedding in both “Round-Up” and “Union” - StH 173 & 174 by Ian Flynn
Both these stories are equally important and so interconnect that there isn’t any reason not to include both. The ultimate Buntwan moments.
Favorite Single Story: “Union” - StH 174 by Ian Flynn
Yeah, I know I don’t like to repeat stories when handing out these “awards” but honestly it’s “Union”. This isn’t just my favorite story for the era it’s my favorite single story out of the entire comic period. Not just because my OTP gets married either. This is the best of the those slow down and focus on the characters stories that love so much. Everyone gets a moment and it’s perfect.
Favorite Story Arc:Line of Succession - StH 155 & 156
Look this is a favorite list not a best of. I’ll be the first to concede that this is the most flawed arc during the 7th era. I won’t deny that it has problems or that numerous other arcs are technically better written. But they’re not as fun to read. Not to me at least. Patch is a delight to through out. Seeing Sonic take him other down is a punch the air moment.The thrill of seeing Buns and Ant united is only out matched by their engagement and wedding. And all of the romantic melodrama is actually more memorable then most of A.D.A.M.’s Machiavellian’s scheme’s that all start to blend together after a time.
But if it makes you feel better Birthday Bash was a close second.
Favorite Artist: Tracy Yardley
Fan favorite Tracy Yardley makes his debut during this era and he knocks it right out of the park. Now given that he’s replacing the likes of Ron Lim there’s not a whole lot of competition right now but with Yardley comes a turning point in the art direction of the book. One that’s more consistent and of higher quality then what’s came before. And I honestly think we have him to thank for that.
Next week we start in on what is quite possibly my favorite era.
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