This week we’re focusing a batch of reviews on the people over at Archie Comics. Americana with a twang of AmeriManga here and there.

For the past few years, Archie Comics has been slowly but surely reinventing itself from the ground up in several interesting ways. Manga style Sabrina, a new 21st look for Betty & Veronica, a 2nd Sonic title. Still not quite enough innovation (more is always welcome) but a good start of things if I do say so myself.
These are the reviews for a new month of titles.

Eggman (aka Doctor Robotnik) is once again on the move. Yes, in this original universe Sonic he’s actually more of a threat (and thus more aggressive) than he is in Sonic X. Anyway after last issue’s rescue of the citizens of what used to be Knothole (the sanctuary city they hid in for so long before this moment) Sonic and company have moved into their new home only to find it’s outer shields being buffered by Eggman’s Egg Fleet… oh, and a few criminals they saved from Eggman is inside the city, but since it only takes a page to deal with them we won’t spend as many words to speak of them.

As Eggman continues to bombard the city from outside the cast takes sometime to gather their wits, tend to their wounded, find their new homes and reflect on the situation. Much soul searching is done, and the cast takes a deep breath as if waiting for the next shoe to drop. Even amongst the fleet of Eggman there is a human drama going on between two of Eggman’s kin, each on the opposite side of the war connected by blood but torn apart by their allegiances in the conflict.

But eventually the gang will exit their city to once again face Eggman, which shows another side of him not seen in Sonic X… mainly his suicidal side. Seemingly beaten and surrounded by Sonic and company, Eggman orders his fleet to unload on the gang even if he’s right next to them at ground zero of the coming attack. Apparently he’s quite willing to die as long as he takes out Sonic and company… now why he has such a bitter hatred of the furry animorphic characters in this world is not entirely known (except to die hard Sonic readers) but… well… he’s so bent it’s scary.

They do chase Eggman off, and peace once again reigns.
That is until next issue when the stress of what has been going on gets to Sonic and Tails, sending the former friends at each other’s throats.

Otherwise I don’t think I need to say more about this title.
A stronger title than I ever anticipated, Sonic the Hedgehog is actually a nice read if you don’t mind it being still abit soft (but still quite readable). Sonic the Hedgehog #177 picks up four rings out of 5.