Sonic the Hedgehog, Vol. 4: Infection by Ian Flynn

Sonic the Hedgehog, Vol. 4: Infection Reviews

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  m ♡

  i had a lot of fun reading this novel. the art style was great as always and the character dynamics were very entertaining. i’m looking forward to reading the next novel in this series
  
  3.5/5 stars
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  Chris Lemmerman

  With Neo Metal Sonic far behind him, Sonic's due for some rest and relaxation, right? Wrong! With Doctor Eggman restored to his original self by Doctor Starline, there's a new threat facing the planet - an awful Metal Virus that infects everyone and everything and warps their mind into terrible Zombots - including Sonic himself!
  
  Infection's a pretty bold storyline, especially after the first year built up to that epic conclusion. This one starts off a little slow, with two confrontations with Rough and Tumble before things really get moving, but there's definitely a sense of creeping dread in the earlier issues as Doctors Eggman and Starline begin testing the Metal Virus as a subplot before it becomes more of a problem in the final issue of the trade, ending on a cliffhanger that's going to lead right into volume 5.
  
  The art is the continually rotating team that we've come to expect, with issues pencilled by Adam Bryce Thomas, Tracey Yardley, and Jack Lawrence. Sonic may not have a consistent art team, but the styles between the artists on rotation are pretty similar, so it's never too jarring. I think Sonic's world is pretty 'simple' in essence, which makes it easier to keep up the consistency.
  
  Infection's the calm before the storm, most definitely, but it lays sufficient groundwork for what's likely going to a huge problem for Sonic and friends.
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  Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah*

  I'm getting tired of Rough and Tumble. 🙄 They were interesting baddies at first, but got old really fast!
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  Ashley

  The metal virus is just robotizing to me...but that's the previous freedom fighter in me. Decent volume, I'm still enjoying them a lot.
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  Kate

  I know this was arc was written in 2019 and was meant to be a zombie story, but the whole "metal virus epidemic spreading rapidly through any contact" sure hits different when read in 2021.
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  Rach

  Infectious robotics is not new, but it’s definitely interesting as Sonic becomes more of a liability!
  
  “Do you ever shut up?!”
  “Nah. It’s part of my charm.”
  
  One side note that I’ve noticed not just in this volume but it was super apparent here for some reason: I’m so glad the relationship between Amy and Sonic has progressed to where it is. I really disliked how her crush on him was used as a reason for him to put her down or avoid her in the past. Now they’re more friends who genuinely care for each other, and Sonic isn’t weird about the fact that she likes him. Idk. It’s just very nice! His respect and admiration for her taking on so much is lovely to see.
  
  In terms of the plot, as usual Eggman is never up to any good and now he’s created a virus to make living things into robots. Aka robotizing, but it’s still a neat idea and it’s being implemented in an interesting way!
  
  I’m intrigued by what will happen with Doctor Starline… I have a sneaking suspicion his idolization of Eggman will backfire at some point. I’m really loving this IDW run!
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  Jordan Reynolds

  Continuing my run through the IDW comics has been an absolute blast for me! These four issues are really just setup for the Metal Virus Saga, especially #13 and #14, but it was great to see the character development that we got for the villains like Tumble's need for a new tail and loathing Tails for it, and Dr. Starline nearly killing Sonic(in a very clever way, might I add) and having to suffer because of it was interesting. #15 and #16 are where the real setup starts though. Sonic gets infected with the Metal Virus and is forced to run to keep it at bay. It was interesting in #16 when he seemed to have beat it, and it came back suddenly. I am enjoying the new direction the series is going in with the Metal Virus and cannot wait to read Crisis City.
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  Ash

  Metal Zombies. First of all, I like the post final battle depicitons of the world. You see the seeds of future character development and a new and interesting plot device. Yes, the main villain from before has been defeated, but with the return of Robotnik and his new metalizing zombifying virus, Sonic actually has something of a new threat. Not just something that can potentially spread to the whole world, but also an ideological concept of robotniks world view. He doesn't just want control, he thinks that his rulership would make the world perfect. Yikes. Anyway good follow up and new story arc.
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  Will Brown

  This volume starts what's being called "The Metal Virus Saga". The saga has a slow start, but there's fun banter with Rough & Tumble and we get to see more of Dr. Starline's personality on display with him interacting with a revived Eggman and taking his own stab at beating Sonic. It's fun to see Starline's logical, strategy driven mind clash with Eggman's zany, egotistical genius. This volume is ok by itself, but more enjoyable when paired with the next volume.
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  Matisse

  You know, I really like how the comics reboot tied itself to the games' continuity.
  
  I'm sure they'll diverge when the next game comes out! I just remember being a kid, playing Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, then going to the Archie comics and not knowing what in the heck was going on. (And not having enough allowance to buy back issues.)
  
  Today's kids don't have that issue at all. Did you like Sonic Forces? Did you want to read some comics? Pick up volume 1 and it's smooth sailing from there.
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  Lauren

  short series review: The 2017 IGN reboot reunites the Archie Comics team of artists and writers, breathing much-needed new life into the Sonic franchise after the events of the Sonic Forces video game. Some new elements and characters were hit or miss, but overall, it's a joy to see the gang back together. Series review to come!
  
  ★★★★ ½ | 4.25 stars | SRTC
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  Noctis

  I will admit that Rough and Tumble can be annoying at some times but I also have o soft spot for them. Especially in this volume when Eggman tricked them and gave them the Metal Virus without them knowing :(
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  Sol

  I didn’t want it to end tbh!
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  Hannah Thaggard

  Not as delicious as the last volume, but still quite delectable
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  Dustin

  Promising start to the arc
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  B!!!

  I am sad
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  brianna

  Dr. Eggman creates an infection that easily spreads.
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  Michael Galdamez

  I felt like this had a good balance of real stakes for the heroes while still retaining its kid-friendly tone. IDW seems to be making its stride with these Sonic comics.
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  Emmy

  Somewhat sickening. Things are getting interesting, though.
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  Eskana

  The IDW Sonic series, issues 13-16
  
  Plot Overview: And so season 2 begins... Robotnik plans to unleash his new "metal virus" on the world, while Sonic etc. try to track him down.
  
  Issue-by-Issue Breakdown:
  #13- Sonic is alerted to the disappearance of "Mr. Tinker," and rushes with Tails to find the town under attack by a now weaponized Rough and Tumble. Meanwhile, Eggman and Starline work on the "metal virus" and successfully manage to make it transfer from plants to animals. Starline wants to do more tests, but Robotnik is ready to put it into play. Sonic and Tails beat Rough and Tumble, but before they are able to question them, the brothers are transported away to the heroes' consternation. Still puzzled and wondering at the role of "Tinker" in all this, Sonic leaves while Tails helps the villagers make repairs.
  #14- Responding to an anonymous tip, Silver and Sonic go to the Arctic and run in with Starline and Metal Sonic. They face off, but ultimately Starline does pretty well. He gets away, and the two hedgehogs go back to base (Silver held off an explosion and needs to recover.) In an attempt to track down Robotnik's location, Sonic and Amy take off for a new base. Meanwhile, Robotnik figures out how to accelerate the metal virus and gives it to Rough and Tumble.
  #15- As they investigate the abandoned base, Amy and Sonic run into Rough and Tumble. The two are a small challenge, but when the metal virus takes effect, they become soulless, invincible "zombots," as Sonic calls them. Sonic also becomes infected, since he was fighting them. Robotnik decides to unleash the virus on the world.
  #16- [takes place after the annual, idk where that is collected] Sonic has found that he can temporarily beat back the infection by running. Tangle comes to visit. The bulk of the story focuses on Robotnik, though. He infects the town that sheltered him with the metal virus, and they become "zombots." Since it spreads through touch, it is very infectious. A drop falls on a person, they touch a tree, the tree has a bird living in it- they all become zombots. Sonic sets off to see if he can beat the infection on his own to keep his friend safe.
  
  
  Review: This is the start of a new storyline... maybe I just don't like beginnings. This was fine, and the metal virus is interesting. I can't really see how they'll best it yet. A solid read.
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  Madeleine Gedney

  This is probably a good starting point if you can't find the first volume. This one is the start of a threat so big it could take ages for our heros to stop this from continuing.
  
  The METAL VIRUS is extremely, (And awfully,) the best, (Worst) thing to ever work. Made to turn all living things into zombie robot slaves.
  
  It is very, very, intense. I wouldn't suggest this to little readers, even if they like sonic.
  
  You are asking why I rated five stars.
  
  Although the metal virus is bad, it was still a great read, in lots of ways. For instance, if you didn't read this, you would miss a lot. This is an important peice of the story, and you wouldn't want to miss it. Its a high-speed, extra-fun, super-intense comic!