#mega mack

         As mentioned earlier, we take a look at this continuity’s version of Metropolis, and might I say it’s very different from what I expected.

         Unfortunately, this is the only panel throughout the entirety of the issue that shows the streets of Metropolis since a lot of the story takes place in different areas, but a good bit can be learned from this page alone. Unlike its game counterpart, Metropolis looks more like a city than a factory. What I think strikes me the most interesting is the fact that Mobians live there. While it’s true that western version of Sonic 2 described Metropolis zone as Robotnik’s capital, StC crew may have taken it literally in a sense that it’s an actual city.

         And what about the people in the back? Unlike those at Emerald Hill that were immediately put to work in Robotnik’s factories when Sonic and co. took a six month time skip (refer to #10 and #9 respectively), they don’t look nearly as enslaved. They rather look like they’re doing quite well for themselves. Are they the exception or the norm in Metropolis? Are they perhaps bribing Robotnik? Does Robotnik even value money?? World building will probably be covered the more issues that are read, but all this still has me curious...          Also, it’s nice to see Beaky again! A very convincing disguise, however the coat may be a bit much for a place like the city now that I think about it (surely it can’t be that cold), but it doesn’t matter all that much.

         Well, back to the story! Sonic has brought Tails along to this award show since the hedgehog is apparently in the final three (really makes one wonder who are the other two that were nominated). Tails immediately sees the award show for what it is and warns Sonic that it’s clearly a trap for him. The hedgehog pays no mind to it, saying how he “...never lets down his public!”          It’s apparent that he knows this is a trap, but he still entertains the idea of going head first into it, even though he’s in the heart of Robotnik’s empire. Maybe he’s doing this for fun, or perhaps he’s just that confident in his abilities...

         The two sneak in just in time to witness the announcement of the winner, and to no ones’ surprise, it’s Sonic. The announcer (who unfortunately isn’t given a name in this issue) is interrupted by Sonic when he says how the hedgehog couldn’t be there this evening. The coyote (?) doesn’t seem surprised by this and offers the award to Sonic, but said hero asks for a bit more than that. He demands the microphone and we finally see why he decided to attend this obvious set-up...

        If seeing the media and the journalist in the first panel says anything about the publicity of this event, it’s likely that the whole thing was televised for all of Metropolis to see (and perhaps even beyond Metropolis). Yeah Sonic might have snuck in for fun, and knowing him he is insanely confident in his abilities, but the purpose of attending was to send a message; one to the people (a message of hope and to spread the fighting spirit), and one to Robotnik (a warning for his impending doom). However, the very next panel shows the inevitable trap has been sprung. Sonic is encased in glass while the announcer shows his true colors...

         It takes only a few moments for the Mega Mack to fill up the container, and much of the audience thinks Sonic is done for. However, the gunk swirls around for a while before Sonic comes out, shattering his confinement. Although the Mack is too thick to see through, it’s implied that all Sonic did was run in circles really fast. A bit of a lame trap since it was so easy to escape from, but can’t complain. Sonic and Tails scoot out of there without a second thought.

         Within moments the duo are at Emerald hill, however they have a couple guests trailing hot on their tracks.

         I gotta say, it’s really neat to see original badniks instead of ones found only in the games. It feels like every other issue has a new badnik, and although most a fairly beaten quite easily, it’s neat to see different ideas on what badniks could look like.

         Well, the badniks and the announcer don’t provide much of a challenge for Sonic and Tails, so the coyote (?) retreats and the issue is over, right? No, not yet. Even though the critters are free from the badniks and the danger appears to be long gone, Sonic is still waiting around and Tails hasn’t a clue as too why. Sonic finally reveals the reason after smashing open the trophy he got from the awards. Inside are gears and wires, showing there was more to the shiny thing that meets the eye. It was a tracker all along, and Sonic figured this out since both the trap and ambush were rather weak. Sure enough, the coyote guy comes back with more of the same badniks... and that’s how the issue ends. The next issue probably won’t pick up where this one left off, so it’s safe to say that the threat was easily dealt with.