| Title | : | Sonic the Hedgehog, Vol. 6: The Last Minute |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1684056721 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781684056729 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 96 |
| Publication | : | Published June 9, 2020 |
The world has fallen to the Metal Virus, a manufactured plague that transforms all it infects into robotic zombies at Dr. Eggman's command. Even Sonic the Hedgehog has been infected, though his speed has allowed him to keep the virus at bay. Now, with the population more infected than not and the virus constantly spreading, Sonic and his friends in the Restoration launch a desperate plan to cure the world: Tails will synthesize an antidote, Amy will coordinate rescue operations, and Sonic will provide valuable data on how to combat the disease... but when things go awry, it all comes down to the last minute!
Collects issues #21-24 of the ongoing Sonic The Hedgehog series.
Sonic the Hedgehog, Vol. 6: The Last Minute Reviews
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The Metal Virus is spreading fast, and there's not a lot left that Sonic and the Resistance can do to stop it, except evacuate. But even that seems like it's going to be a problem, as everything comes down to...The Last Minute.
If you're looking for plot progression, you're in the wrong book. This volume is mostly devoted to the same day, covered from different perspectives in each issue so that you get the complete picture by the end and have to try and piece it together as you go. Character work isn't something I'd call synonymous with Sonic The Hedgehog, but this volume definitely dials that up to eleven with the focus clearly on the characters and their plight. Despair is also a new feeling for a Sonic book, but this one pulls it off. The stakes are undeniably high, and it doesn't look like there's any good way out of this one for anyone.
Surprisingly deep and emotionally powerful, if a little short on actual movement. -
Review: Continuing the "Metal Virus" saga (oddly and discomfiting-ly coincidental to read during a pandemic), this volume is good, but a bit of a mixed bag. You don't feel that the story is going forward, since three of the four issues occur concurrently. This is why, previously in the Archie run, there were two series: Sonic, and Sonic Universe, to allow for multiple concurrent stories. So, while good, it is a bit annoying. However, this split narrative does allow for characters besides Sonic to shine, and some good character moments. The first arc in these series was decidedly Sonic-centric (as it should be, really), but the writer is doing a good job of trying to remind you that other people live and contribute to this world as well.
At the same time, things are getting darker, and since I know it won't last, I love the drama of it all. Sonic is pushed to doubt himself and what he believes, and ponder if he made a mistake in believing in the good of other people. Friends and companions blame him, or at least, he blames himself when he sees the bad shape they are in. It's a great question and blow to throw at our hero, and it's cool to see it play out.
Issue-by-Issue Synopsis:
#21- Tails is close to uncovering the cure for the metal virus. Unfortunately, his city is under attack from a new batch of zombots. Tangle and Whisper work to evacuate the city get into position for a rescue shuttle from Amy at Restoration HQ. Meanwhile, Dr. Starline goes behind Robotnik's back to hire the Deadly Six, alien/monster things with their own agenda. Tails is able to get the data he needs for the cure, but at that moment, his lab is attacked by zombots, destroying the data. He rendezvouses with the rescue shuttle, only to find out that Restoration HQ itself has fallen, with only one shuttle escaping.
#22- This story occurs concurrently with 21. Amy is channeling her best Sally Acorn as she tries to keep the Restoration organized. however, the place is overcrowded with refugees. The Chaotix arrive with a contained but infected Charmy, and then a refugee who was infected but hiding it begins attacking the others. Charmy breaks out, and soon everyone is in full-scale evacuation and panic mode. Due to the close quarters, few are able to escape, and most are turned into zombots, including Vanilla and Vector. Amy meets up with Tangle, Whisper, and Tails as shown in the previous issue.
#23- Concurrent with the previous two issues. Sonic is running, trying to generate the data for Tails' cure, when he runs into Robotnik and Dr. Starline. The two evil doctors are arguing, as it seems that the zombots are evolving out of Robotnik's control. Sonic demands Robotnik stop the virus, but Robotnik rebuts, saying he couldn't even if he wanted to. The two fight, and Starline realizes he's become disillusioned with his hero, Robotnik. sonic struggles with overcoming the virus, and realizes that, if he had simply not believed in the good in everyone, including Robotnik as Mr. Tinker and Metal Sonic, much of this wouldn't have happened. After escaping, Starline returns to summon the Deadly Six, who can control machines telepathically. Starline realizes they are probably planning to double-cross him, so he gathers some insurance. Sonic heads for Tangle's home village, now under attack.
#24- Things are getting darker for our heroes. Sonic meets up with the other heroes, evacuating Tangle's village, but there are few. Besides Sonic's own doubts, he realizes that many people hold him responsible for not stopping Robotnik when he had the chance, and therefore allowing this to happen. Gemerl realizes that Sonic's speed is becoming less effective at holding back the virus. Tangle has also been infected, but she consoles Sonic, stating clearly she doesn't think it's his fault. She heroically stays behind until no longer able to fight, letting everyone else escape. -
Seeing how dark this is getting makes me wonder if they actually eased up on the emotion restrictions they placed on Sonic in the past… because it’s getting brutal as more and more Resistance members succumb to the virus.
Those bonds that were so positive and fun in the beginning are ripping my heart to shreds. But I like the angst so it’s fine.
I’m definitely wondering how this will all be resolved, because the image looks very bleak at the moment!! -
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 -
Who would have guessed a Sonic the Hedgehog zombie --er, I mean 'zombot'-- story would be so compelling? I certainly didn't see it coming!
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HOLY SHIT THIS IS GETTING DARK. THERES LIKE 6 PEOPLE UNINFECTED. TAIL’S LABS ARE BROKEN SO HE CANT MAKE A CURE. SONIC CANT SLOW DOWN HIS INFECTION ANYMORE. CREAM IS NOT HAPPY OR OPTIMISIC SHES COMPLETELY UPSET AND COLD AND HOLLOW. SHADOW IS GONE. LIKE IF THIS VIRUS GETS BLAZE OR SILVER THE RESTORATION IS MORE FUCKED THAN IT ALREADY IS. THEY CANT FIND A CURE ANYWAYS SO LIKE FISKSJHDJFJAJDJDJFB I HATE IT HERE
WHY IS THIS KIDS COMIC GETTING SO DARK AND HOPELESS AND STRESSING ME OUT SO MUCH -
flynn didnt need to go this hard making the rawest sonic comic
(spoiler)'s sacrifice and the pages where (spoiler) found out (spoiler) left behind make this a 10/10 honestly
and having 3 issues all take place at the same time as everything goes wrong for 3 different groups, its fantastic -
Don’t really care that things get better later, I’m sad NOW! 😭
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Dang feels bad bro :(
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That got dark
Well this is getting dark. There are two moments specifically that really got me in the feels like dam. They really nail the emotional moments. -
Issue 24 was phenomenal and absolutely heartbreaking. The story has been great and I love how it's been building up
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Looks great and has an interesting story. Though I’m unfamiliar with several of the newer characters and story aspects, I still enjoyed this on its own
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walking dead part two
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Why am I tearing up over a Sonic the Hedgehog comic?
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This is getting increasingly hard to read... Heavy volume 😥
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I love how dark this is getting! The story is gripping and the emotional moments hit you right when you need them.
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Twists... turns... the gut feeling this "metal virus" isn't going to end...
I absolutely love these books...read em practically every day.
I never expected something so intense in the sonic comics! Everything is always that hopeless feeling... thats what I liked about this book. This book is the ultimate deep feelings book when the restoration doesn't seem to be winning anymore. It is DEEP STUFF. You have this feeling... how to describe it... I don't know. It's like you love it, but it is stressful, too. Totally a five star book. I just don't like the last issue in the volume, artist makes the metal goo look white... other than that, amazing book. Bravo! 👏
