L. T.’s Top Five Ten!

Editor Hume Michael asked us to put together our top five STC stories of the online era. But, maybe it’s because I’m a writer and not a mathematician, maybe it’s because I’m a hack, I couldn’t narrow it down below ten. And I still cheated with one of them. That’s just my problem, you see, I love all of STC! Anyway, here’s my top ten:

10. Drowned

This is obviously special to the entire team because it’s the very first STC story since the comic became an online publication. The move couldn’t have started in better fashion: the action gets underway right from the off, the plot progresses smoothly, naturally and keeps you guessing and there’s a great gag right at the very end that reassured readers that while the team was all-new, STC was still going to have the same blend of action and comedy that has made it so good over the years. This one is more than a strip- it’s a moment.

9. Unleashed

I’ll admit the first two parts of this one caused a little scepticism in me, hitting as it did so many familiar story beats that we’d seen before, most notably in Nigel Kitching’s excellent Running Wild. But part three is where the real genius of the story lies: you were supposed to think it’s familiar territory because so does Super Sonic, leading to him falling for the heroes’ brilliant trap that sees him defeated. It certainly doesn’t hurt that so many talented artists came together to create this awesome story.

8. The Tale of Cream the Rabbit

Oddly enough, Sonic doesn’t appear in this story despite it being under his banner. But that’s the point: Cream joins the Sky Pirates, thinking she’ll meet her hero, but he’s nowhere to be found. This story gives us a neat little twist on an established Sega character, with plenty of brilliant background gags and gorgeous art by the wonderful Adamis.

7. Rage inside the Machine

This story is one I fondly remember for two reasons. Firstly, the use of colour is nothing short of genius, with the beautiful watercolours of the real world clashing with the garish, bright digital palette of the cyberworld, reflected in Espio’s inability to control his camouflage. Secondly, the end of part one represents one of very few times STC has left my jaw agape in surprise- the return of Shadow was completely unexpected and left me on tenterhooks for the next issue!

6. Amy vs. Tekno

This story is partly about showing us exactly how Tekno came to be arrested for “crimes” against Robotnik way back when, as an unwilling underling, but it’s also much more than that. It shows the readers in no uncertain terms what kind of a hero Tekno is. The story’s climax comes as Tekno decides to make a very difficult decision, throwing herself on Robotnik’s (lack of) mercy to spare Amy’s life in the hopes that one day the Freedom Fighters will defeat the dictator. Of course, we all know how things turned out!

5. How Big the Cat Saved Christmas

Everyone on the team absolutely loves the spiritual predecessor to this one Big the Cat Hits the Road! (and rightly so, it’s great!) but this one gave me probably the biggest laughs of STC’s online run thusfar. Big managing to inadvertently defeat Doctor Robotnik by lobbing a lump of coal at him is a great moment, but it’s the much more subtle interaction between Big and Sonic that really makes this one for me- Big’s unquestioning assertion that Sonic is “a good guy” says a lot about both characters. That the story takes place while Sonic is considered an enemy of the public makes the ending all the more sweet, with it all being helped by some truly adorable art courtesy of our very own art Panda.

4. The Strange Case of Silver the Hedgehog

There are times working on STC you just know a story is going to be a success. When I saw the first pages of art from Reggie Graham on this one, I knew we had one of those stories on our hands. We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful art team- I genuinely believe it’s never been stronger since the move online- and Reggie is one of the very best we have. The story is excellent too, with some great laughs but mostly a sincere, heartfelt focus on Silver trying to find his place in the world and trying to come to terms with his impending removal from existence. It’s a story where the good guys triumph not because they hit the hardest but because they simply deserved to win. Also, it’s got a Back to the Future reference in it and I love that film so this gets a bonus point.

3. The Complete Vichama

I told you I cheated with one of these. This is an entire issue that actually contains three stories that make up a whole epic. For months we’d been wondering who exactly the enigmatic Vichama was. This storyline delivered in droves with art that’s nothing short of gorgeous on every single page, a solid answer to one of the biggest questions left since the print days and a quiet, contemplative conclusion in which Knuckles came to terms with some pretty heavy-duty stuff. Another plus point, as far as I’m concerned, is the prominent role Tikal plays in the story- as one of STC’s more underdeveloped characters, it’s lovely to see her in the spotlight for a change.

2. Genesis

The entire Syndicate storyline is one of STC’s very best, and I include the print run of the comic in that too. Ed Reynolds’ tightly-crafted story arc is one many of us on the team aspire to reach the heady heights of. But it’s not the explosions or Super Sonic transformation that stuck with me the most, it’s the quiet conversation between Shadow and Sonic, two hedgehogs totally at odds but not, it transpires, very different. You’re left feeling Shadow isn’t necessarily bad at heart and is, in a skewed sort of way, acting out of love. Perhaps, if things were different, Shadow and Sonic could have been friends. He may come across as cold and ruthless, but Shadow’s motives for helping Doctor Zachary seem ultimately logical, which makes his sacrifice all the more sad when it happens.

1. Skeletons in the Closet

There are a small handful of stories created by the STC Online team that I truly believe could stand side-by-side with those in the print run. A number of them appear in this list! Skeletons, however, is not just one of my favourite STC stories of the online era, it’s one of my favourite STC stories ever. The art is great, the story is cleverly told with an immediate mystery for the readers to unravel and the cliff-hangers are easily some of the best STC has ever seen, leaving you clamouring for their conclusions. It’s exactly the kind of story I aspire to when I write anything for STC. If it seems like I’m laying it on a bit thick then don’t worry, I get a bizarre kick out of doing this because writer/artist Seumidh MacDonald gets embarrassed at how much I adore this story. But, adore it I do and I’m very happy and proud to say I’m the owner of the original pencils for this one. If ever I find myself writing a cliff-hanger, I always have to ask: is it as good as Skeletons’ and does it make you want to read the next issue as badly?

Honourable Mention Personal Moment of Pride

An Unconventional Convention!

This story first appeared in a printed issue given to those who backed Sonic the Comic Con on Kickstarter. It went through a format change and page number change until we arrived at the finished script, with wonderful art supplied by four excellent artists, people and friends, Adamis, Pete Murphy, Seumidh MacDonald and Matt Dittmer. I was honoured to be chosen to write this one and humbled at the positive reaction it received on the day. Perhaps the most mind-blowing moment of all, though, was Richard Elson himself grabbing a copy of the comic to read it. I know the rest of the team feel the same way about their hard work on that issue- and, make no mistake, it was really hard work! It was all worth it in the end, to see a building full of people enjoying something you’ve worked on is an experience like no other. That’s the joy of STC for me- reading feedback and finding what people liked (and what they didn’t like so you can improve!). Knowing I’ve put a smile on someone’s face really makes me feel like I’ve done something right. Anyway, Megadroid keeps tutting and mentioning something about a “word limit”, whatever one of those is, so I’ll cut it short now (That’d be a first! -Megadroid). 50 issues of STC online, what an accomplishment! I hope you lot are ready for the next 50- we definitely are!

Chris G’s personal STCO Top 10

These are my personal picks from my experiences on the comic as a hume!

Evil Team Up (The Syndicate #228-229)

This was actually the story that first drew me into the wonderful world of STCO, so it holds a particularly fond place for me! Seeing the pages for this being coloured first hand was a real pleasure for me and I knew right there and then that I had to get involved with this amazing project!

Shortfuse Flies Again (Return of the Cybernik #232)

This makes my list as it was my first opportunity to draw one of my absolute favourite characters from the original comic – having the opportunity to define Shortfuse’s new comic look for all the adventures that followed was a huge honour and a great challenge to update a design classic!

Shadow Attacks! (Vendettas – #237)

This marks my first time colouring someone else’s comic panels for STC and I couldn’t have asked for more spectacular lineart than the amazing work of Zak Simmonds-Hurn in an already epic story!

The Fans Strike Back! (The Fandom Menace – #244)

This is the first published script I did for the comic, inspired in part by the riots over the depictions of the prophet that were causing a stir at the time – the story touches on just how far the most loyal followers are prepared to go for their idol – Who knew you could go so deep in a comic about a talking hedgehog and still have space left for a Harry Hill cameo?

What Happens on Solstice… (Sunrise – #245)

I think I’d choose this as probably my favorite artwork that I’ve done on the comic – the page with Shorty and Tekno arguing about being stuck on the technology free world of Solstice was a particular highlight for me! Seeing those two have a tender moment together before everything goes wrong was something I really worked hard to get right!

Farewell Sonic? (Goodbye Mobius – 248)

I’m highlighting this one both for its gorgeous art and also the EPIC twist lurking in it’s closing pages – It’s a stepping stone to a bigger storyline sure, but it does an amazing job in its own right and is not to be missed!

The War of Mobius Begins! (The Battle for Mobius – #250)

I mean, how could this NOT be included in a list like this? The most audacious story we as a team have attempted (so far!), AND an excuse for me to draw Fabian Vane’s first appearance in the online comic? What’s not to like! Plus of course It was a spectacular way to celebrate the 250 issue milestone with a talented team who worked so hard to bring it to fruition!

A Tall Tale or Two! (Stories – #266)

This was a really cute idea, taken to even greater heights by the wonderful art team! It also features sneaky first glimpses of Tekno the Cybernik and the gun totting Bob the Plax, months before their full debuts!

Never Forgotten (The Elephant in the Room – 15th Anniversary Special)

We’ve been lucky to have celebrated quite a few Sonic related milestones over the years, and this one is my favorite I think – a clever conceit to take a trip down memory lane, and beautifully executed too!

Rampage of the “Iblis” (Unleashed #266-268)

I think this story is one of the online team’s most popular stories, and with STC’s Super Sonic front and centre it’s easy to see why! I personally feel very proud to have been able to contribute lettering duties for it, and was really pleased to see fans reactions to it!

Pete’s top 5 STC-O stories!

1: Super Sonic Unleashed (Parts 1-3)

This, without a doubt, is what I would call a fitting follow up to Running Wild, the seminal Super Sonic piece from the original comics. Spydaman provided a story that had me gripped, even in script format, and I knew it would provide the thrills and spills that readers would want. I’m very fortunate to have provided colours for all five wonderful artists who worked on this (as well as a number of other stories for STC-O), and I can’t wait to see what else is in store! Featuring nearly very single major character teaming up to stop a raging Super Sonic, with plot twists aplenty… ooh, I might just have to go and read it again!

2. Sonic’s World: Big the Cat Hits The Road

Ordinarily, I would have said a story of Big the Cat being a delivery person (cat?) for the mob would never have worked, yet Seumidh provided a script that was so funny, and Adamis throwing in so many little visual gags made me crease with laughter! Seriously, how hard is it to deliver a pizza?! It’s a short, ultimately silly script, but that what makes Sonic the Comic so perfect- something for everyone!

3. Sonic: Dicing with Death

This story is one that even the staff never seem to talk about, but it’s definitely worth the re-read. Featuring a cockroach called “The Dice”, Tails has to deliberately lose a game of cards, whilst Sonic finds a bomb. Trouble is, Tails’ luck is just too good! The really interesting thing about this story is the way it’s presented, in that a rather biased narrator tells it. The art, once again by Adamis, is wonderful, with the pithy script from Jamie J!

4. Knuckles: Skeletons in the Closet (Parts 1-3)

Featuring a story in all aspects from Seumidh MacDonald, this three parter brings action, intrigue and some brilliantly executed world building to the Floating Island. Featuring an ancient robot that can mimic certain abilities (including a certain water monster!), Knuckles and Porker have to uncover the mysteries of the “Gizoid”.

5. Hog Hunt (Parts 1-2)

Pure action! This story is nothing if not pure action! With Sonic’s Bob Beaky disguise blown, Sonic is forced on the run, as both the Babylon Rogues and the Chaotix Crew chase after him. This has some of the best art from editor Stiv and long-time artist Adamis I’ve seen in the comic, and features some excellent one-liners from our blue hedgehog.

The Least Likely

The reveal of the fake Shorty with his terribly cheap armour, in The Least Likely – After a two-issue buildup to just who is framing Shortfuse for thefts and abductions, after keeping the villain shadowy and mysterious, we turn the page and… it’s just some loser with torches stuck to his arms.

Vane Hopes

Amy’s table descending and taking Chrysalis’ lunch with it, in Vane Hopes – cheating here because I wrote the script but the visual gag was all Adamis, turning “table descends into a base like in Thunderbirds” and making slapstick hay out of it. The food flying out of its bowl makes me giggle every time.

The Strange Case of Silver the Hedgehog

Silver fading away, in The Strange Case of Silver The Hedgehog 1 – up until this story, nobody had brought up (or thought) that under the previously established time travel rules from The Sonic Terminator, Silver should cease to exist after his mission. But Seumidh thought of it, and knew how to hit us in the feels with it.

The Fate of the Special Zone

The destruction of the Special Zone, in The Fate Of The Special Zone – while the consequences never got properly handled, the event itself is a stunner. Sonic loses, and harder than before, and characters we know are erased or left appalled. The stakes never were this high before and there are no rules about what could happen next.

In Cold Blood

How can Tails stop a foe that can take out any warm-blooded Mobian at a distance? Tails has to out-think a foe he can’t out-fight and one that’s quite a creepy one, someone the other Freedom Fighters are also helpless against; you can see why, a few issues later, he’s the Hero of Mobius.

In Memory

Seeing a dead friend once again, Sonic’s anger at his own youthful callowness, the knowledge Johnny knew for years he was going to die in battle: this is heavy stuff without being overly grim, turning the inevitable death of Johnny Lightfoot into something optimistic and hopeful.

Robotnik Forever

One of the sadder STC-O strips, as we see exactly what Grimer’s been doing since he walked out on Robotnik: pretending he never did. Quiet and tragic.

The Inside Story

How to make Sonic look like a sinister, seedy so-and-so in seven satirical pages that jab at media power, our willingness to believe bad things, and Sonic himself (KBC isn’t wrong about the lack of oversight!). There’s also some great laughs: “We asked Porker if he’s weak and easily manipulated”, in Sonic: The Inside Story – the whole scene, starting with the very question (and Porker’s reaction) up to the spin of questions about Sonic making him cry. There’s a lot of good gags in Ed’s story but this one sticks out (with “Charmy Bee: Idiot” as the runner-up

5. The Sky is Falling – issue 238

The climax to the Syndicate arc, the epicness of a battle between Super Sonic and Shadow, Zak’s amazing artwork, and that bittersweet ending.

4. Goodbye, Mobius – Issue 248

The story may sound simple, but the repercussions are huge. Sonic’s reputation is destroyed and Grimer has his revenge on the blue hedgehog. What an ending! And the battle between Sonic and Metallix is fantastic. Did I already say that I love Zak’s art?

3. The World’s Worst Villain – Issue 262

We need light-hearted stories once in a while and this one does a great job in making the readers laugh. It’s a slice-of-life story about a kid meeting Sonic and getting a bad note because of it. Great script, and charming art!

2. The Battle for Mobius – Issue 250

What’s not to like about this story? It has action, it changes the status-quo, it’s epic, and it was the occasion to see most of our artists shine in the same story.

1. Unleashed – Issues 266-268

Another story that feels fantastic and epic. We have everyone against Super Sonic, who’s more powerful than ever, and the art (once again shared with multiple artists) is just the best! A special one for me is “Journey to the Crossroads“, as it was the first story I illustrated for Sonic the Comic Online back in 2003. I’ll always be thankful to Ed and Michael for accepting me in the staff and giving me this wonderful story to test my skills.