“Enerjak Reborn: Rising Evil!”
Writer: Ian Flynn
Artist(s): Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash (i), Jason Jensen (c), John Workman (l)
Publisher: Archie Comics
As Sonic and Tails are blinded by the light emanating from a menacing figure who looks like he’s come from Ancient Egypt, the cover of Sonic the Hedgehog #181 demands “Who Is Enerjak!” It’s dramatic and attention-getting, exactly what a cover should be. The yellow and blue color scheme should immediately catch the eye and interest.
Faithful readers of Sonic should have already guessed Enerjak’s identity without even opening the book. Ian Flynn’s been laying the groundwork for this particular arc for several issues now. But then again, the story isn’t really about guessing who Enerjak is. It’s about what he’s capable of and if the Freedom Fighters can stop him. Even without the conflicted feelings Sonic and the gang are going to have to deal with, Enerjak’s a tough cookie. In seventeen pages he destroys the Dingo city, sending its occupants into the desert, takes down the Frost Legion, sends all of Angel Island’s Echidnas to Albion, and makes his move on New Mobotropolis – all without breaking a sweat.
Flynn does a good job of making this issue reader friendly for those who aren’t familiar with Enerjak, though some dialog would probably make more sense and have more impact if readers had already read the ‘90s era Knuckles mini-series.
The fast paced plot is never so tight that it precludes characterization. Two scenes in particular stand out. In the first, Sonic is making one of his trademark cracks when Tails suggest they joke less, hurry more. Sonic’s response? “Erm…Yeah! Let’s do that.” This brief exchange shows just how much Sonic and Tails’ relationship has changed lately. Before, Sonic would have made another crack. Now he’s trying to treat Tails as his equal, not just his “little buddy.” It’s good that Flynn takes the time to acknowledge that.
The second scene focuses on two of New Mobotropolis’s toughest ladies, Sally and Julie-Su, as they prepare for Enerjak’s imminent arrival. Sally is the forceful, yet calm battle commander. It’s a role she’s had for a long time, yet she’s fulfilling it more capably than ever before under Flynn’s expert guidance. Julie-Su, believing Knuckles died at the hands of Enerjak, is a soldier and lover looking for revenge. The contrast between the two women is vivid. It’s also one of the rare occasions readers have seen Julie-Su give vent to her emotions.
Also keep in mind that who these two women are and how they feel comes completely from this story – in fact, comes from basically three panels. You don’t have to have read three years or even three other issues to know who they are. This is basic storytelling at its finest.
“Undone” is a five page back-up story detailing the creation of Enerjak from Archimedes’ point of view. Steven Butler’s pencils give the familiar characters a longer and leaner look than Yardley!’s and Josh Ray’s palate is heavy on the browns, reds, and black. In fact the whole thing looks like it’s been filtered through a black lens. It’s a nightmare effect that perfectly suits the material.
Seeing these two stories side by side gives readers a chance to compare storytelling styles. “Rising Evil” is what most non-comic book fans would think of as a typical comic book – colorful characters saving the world from a costumed menace. Yes, there’s danger, but there’s a feeling of optimism about the whole thing, a sense that the good guys will win. “Undone” on the other hand is of the “grim and gritty” school, without the decompression. It’s a clever way of meeting the wants of two disparate audiences while not shortchanging Sonic game fans.
Once again team Sonic provides readers with a satisfying experience.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!