Ava Arctic

Alright first, some context.

Who is Scourge

Scourge the Hedgehog is an evil version of Sonic the Hedgehog from the Archie Sonic comics

Most credit Ian Flynn for his creation, but Tracy Yardly and Patrick Spaziante also contributed.

After the his lawsuit with Archie Comics, Ken Penders claimed ownership of Scourge, since Scourge was formally known as just evil Sonic, which Pender introduced back in the day.

This point by Penders is stupid for a lot of reason but we don't have time to get into that, and this post will be long enough as it is.

Right now, let's move on to...

What is "Scourge the Speed Demon"?

For a more in depth answer, I recommend this post from the ThanksKenPenders blog

But for a TLDR - "Scourge the Speed Demon" was a 4 issues spanning comic set to be made by "Rush! Comics" who licensed Scourge from Penders.

The company only made 2 comics before this and no comics since it seems. This is most likely a good thing, since those two comics before involved, a speedster who stripped villainess cause he thought they were hot, and a teenage girl worried about not being hot enough.

Gross.

Controversy began as soon as the Scourge comic was announced. It was very quickly discovered that the guy who wrote those aforementioned two issues was also writing this. Plus it was discovered that the artist for the comic was a far-right, MAGA, White Supremist.

Fun.

Due to these factor's, plus the fact it was controversial to be associated with Penders in the first place, the comic was canceled.

But hey, we still have the script. So let's take a look at it, shall we?

The Review

The script calls this first issue "Ignite". Well it will ignite something alright. Anyway first page.

Yes, the town really is called Shiv town....

This first page sets the tone for the entire comic. Edgy for the shake of being edgy with allusions to sex, showing blood, violence, swearing, and """commentary""" all with the subtly of a brick to the face.

But before we continue, let's address how this script is presented.

See, with normal comic scripts the page and panels are clearly labeled, with description to the artist on what is going on/what to draw.

Some random examples

Meanwhile the Scourge script uses this weird mix of Screenplay and novel format, with some mentions of panels randomly in the text and just one instance of using proper panel numbering. No page numbers are included. It's sloppy and amateur. Heck, even when I was just starting out I knew how to format it better

The Screenplay aspect are very notable with lines like...

.... What voice? This is a comic!

Anyway, Scourge runs away from the cops and hides under a dead tree.

So ya, Scourge is a drug runner who just wants to be an asshole. I would like to remind you that this is a Evil Sonic Recolor we are following right now.

Anyway as Scourge sits under the tree, an aircraft flies over the city. We cut to inside it and...

Some Egyptian themed villain is inside. She's here to "continue her holy crusade". This crusade?

BURN BABY BUUUURN!

So ya, she burns down the town. Scourge, meanwhile, tries to out run the flames

"Oh seems we still had one explosive. Okay, now we're done."

Nah it was actually Scourge, now getting his super speed.

Eternity decides to not bother with him.

And I hoped you enjoyed her, because eternity is gone for the rest of the issue. She probably would've played a bigger in the latter issues, but as is, she's just some asshole who burned down a town and gave Scourge his powers.

Speaking of Scourge, now that's he's escaped the flames, how's he feeling about all this?

I'd make a joke about Scourge having his Joker moment, but now I'm just reminded of that random ScreenRant article that tried to say Scourge was Sonic's Joker. What the heck was that about?

Anyway, now with his new found speed, Scourge decides to form a gang. And we get a montage showing how Scourges meets them.

"Ha, ha! F*ck this place! I'm glad everyone's dead! ..... but also I can't leave this kid here, that would be messed up."

I wonder if she also considered the name Lemon Sundrop Dandelion.

Yes this was thing in Knuckles. Thanks Ken!

This Lizard guy is an old medical doctor. Remember this.

And lastly the crazy one. Sure, why not?

Now you're probably wondering what these characters look like. Good question, the script doesn't describe them. It barely says anything outside of their spices. We only learn Puma is wearing a dress on page 17, and the reason why we learn is eye rolling.

There was some concept art I was able to track down on the internet archive.

The one on the left is Spark and I think the one on the right is Abyss, but can't be certain.

There is one more character who has concept art, but we'll get to them soon.

Anyway 4 months past by and the gang arrives to Opera City

Ya, they're called "The Hellfire Gang". Eh, 5/10 name. Also Abyss is described as "too old for this sh*t". Remember this.

Scourge then explains the plan

God this description is so bad. Are there supposed tobe "prr" sound effects surrounding Puma? Why not just bold the text Scourge is supposed to say in the text?!

Anyway Scourge and the gang spilt up, Scourge going off to distract the heroes of the city.

Kola? Wow how desperate do you have to be to put a plant seed on your team?

Ya it's a typo that a friend of mine pointed out. They meant koala.

But we also get introduced to Bouncer here. A rabbit character. And while searching for art work, I did find artwork for the comic that featured Scourge and a Rabbit lady.

She looks neat, right? Ya! ..... she's also someone else's Sonic oc.

This is Connie Cottontail created by Nico-Neko. Now I have not reached out to Nico about this, nor do I plan to. I do not know whether or not they know about this, or whether or not they gave permission. But still, it's blatant how they look practically the same.

Anyway, I've hit the picture limit on tumblr, and we still have so much to go over, so I'll have to make this a two parter.