Scrapnik Island | Sonic Speed Reading

[@tyforestreacts]

As someone who grew up watching Super Mario Bros Z, seeing Mecha Sonic canonically say “I’LL CRUSH YOU!!!” was a surreal experience.

[@haarismahmood944]

21:00 Tails be snake from Metal Gear Solid

[@lynxfresh5214]

Three necessary things to have in order to experience the Sonic "fanon" childhood: *Watching SMBZ and/or Nazo Unleashed. *Playing Sonic flash, Sonic RPG or Sonic X Final Fantasy. *Creating your own OC.

[@jmtthepixelmon16]

Yep

[@goalhornstudios8426]

​@@lynxfresh5214 I've checked that list and more

[@knines6279]

I literally jumped out of my seat when that happened

[@octooo.]

The fact that SEGA even let this happen is insane. Also, mecha sonic canonically saying "ILL CRUSH YOU!!" is so fucking awesome

[@jacknite625]

i sware sega loves there fans

[@ryanrevell6475]

​@@jacknite625 oh yes. Sega had everything to do with this

[@BloppTheIraeBlob]

​@@ryanrevell6475 Better than Nintendo taking away the affection fans have for it lmao

[@ryanrevell6475]

@@BloppTheIraeBlob Fair point

[@psyxypher3881]

@@jacknite625 Unlike Nintendo, SEGA actually has to care about their customers.

[@Kinzokugia]

"Sonic can't cry" 'Fine, I'm gonna make Mecha Sonic cry through Sonic. That's totally not the same thing.'

[@blueinsomniac]

Just now realizing that an E-Series robot being the one leading the Skrapniks makes total sense, as they seemed to get the poorest programming when it came to y'know, actually following Eggman. Love that!

[@hinether]

and of course, this E-Series was a Sigma

[@yocapo32]

It's also worth noting that Eggman abandoned all of the Adventure E-Series robots for their failure to get Froggy, and they just kept doing their thing without any input from him, so of course Sigma would do something similar.

[@hyperon_ion9423]

It is often considered that the entire point behind Eggman’s original creation of the E-series robots was to make smarter and more versatile robots, and that it seemed to have resulted in the robots being a lot more “independent” than Eggman would have preferred.

[@tylerherr4288]

@@hinether not gonna lie after the first issue i was REALLY worried they were going to go the boring right of it being sigma all along lol i mean you have an island full of robots and a couple individuals are going rogue and the leader of the robots is named sigma

[@FailedUltimatelifeForm7-10]

​@@tylerherr4288reminds me of mega man x

[@CrimsonMoonM]

I really like how Barnes plays into the contrast between Mecha and Metal even more. They were already strikingly different from an aesthetic perspective, with one being large and bulky while the other is small and streamlined, so it makes sense to keep the dichotomy going by evolving Mecha into a gentle giant who is actively resisting the urge to give in to his original directives as opposed to Metal, who willingly embraces his. It's a pretty ingenious way to essentially explore what a reformed Metal would be like without betraying who that character is. I especially like how he plays with the fatherly bond that Eggman has with Metal in IDW by showing the resentment of the Sonic bot that was left behind.

[@lynxfresh5214]

Mecha Sonic in IDW is essentially the Shard from Archie. It's a intresting a contrast to be sure with Mecha joining the likes of Gemerl, Omega, Gamma and others in turning they backs on Eggman while Metal willingly chooses to stick with the not so good doctor even enjoying his company. If Eggman Nega and Metal Sonic 3.0 return it might provide another interesting perspective on the situation.

[@Umbra_Ursus]

I think it's a bit more than that with Metal. I think I've heard the idea for Iron Giant was "What if a gun didn't want to be a gun?", and well Omega also falls under this idea, Metal is a far sadder case: He's so utterly consumed by his sole purpose in existence, specifically being the "Better Sonic", that he doesn't seem able to think beyond that. Even in Heroes, that "Robot kingdom" idea of his would still require besting Sonic first. Odds are, if Metal ever actually beat Sonic, he'd devolve into an existential breakdown as he literally has nothing outside being a gun. Mecha is basically a gun that slips back into his old nature, but comes to embrace being more than that. It's something Metal could never have because he actively refuses to have anything else. Even Robotnik's care for him is a seeming one-way street, as Metal just follows him, and doesn't seem to actually like his "father" in the slightest.

[@matthewmitchell3871]

So basically, Metal Sonic is like a Chihuahua

[@alexisislas-gonzalez5991]

@@Umbra_Ursusyou really use “what if a gun didn’t want to be a gun” for omega, a robot with extreme prejudice against eggman and uses bullets, rockets, literally anything to annihilate anything related to eggman

[@Umbra_Ursus]

@@alexisislas-gonzalez5991 Omega is a gun that *loves* being a gun, but that's not where he ends; He has friends, and even had a crush on Blaze in the older comics. With Omega, he's embraced what he is, but doesn't refuse to be more than it. Metal... I mean, look at his track record; No friends, no interests, no goals outside what he was made for. At least in the older comics, he was robbed of being more, but in these ones he actively choses to be nothing but Robotnik's attack dog.

[@smoogieboogie1694]

I think it's interesting that this was the first IDW story with classic characters in a modern setting. Ian Flynn said he was blown away that Sega let Barnes do that. I'm hoping there's more to come.

[@lynxfresh5214]

Perhaps next time we can see Metal Knuckles and Tails Doll as Scrapniks? Since they already exist in the past of IDW Sonic.

[@panthekirb7561]

Stories like these from IDW Sonic are single handedly carrying the mainstream American comicbook industry.

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

...man... this got extremely heavy. I honestly kinda want to see a sequel story, one where they finally tell sonic telepathically they're leaving the island and mecha _finally_ confronts his old creator to tell him off. I'd probably go through the robotasization just to see that

[@yocapo32]

I'm pretty sure Sega has Ian and the main crew in a short leash because they came from Archie, so people who are independent of that are given more freedom, since Sega isn't worried they're gonna go all King Shadow on our asses.

[@returnedtomonkey8886]

@@yocapo32 It was all on Penders tbh.

[@J-Fox-of-Chaos]

It took hearing 'Scrambled Egg Carrier' 3 times before the pun set in for me. Amazing naming choice by the writers.

[@Zero-ontheleft]

it took me reading this comment to get the pun, thanks

[@thevenomspino]

Oh, you think that pun was good. All of Sigma's Eggrobo helpers are named after egg based dishes.

[@megalampada2372]

As a _punny_ guy, I got it first try.

[@autistic-dan455]

My Dad had passed away during this stories run. He was my inspiration, my motivation, my best friend. I was surprised how much I resonated with Mecha's monologue in that last issue. It would be no exaggeration to say the loss of my Dad left me purposeless.

[@Friendlyaminals]

I had this exact same experience when I lost my father a year ago. It reminds me how strong a person must be to overcome hardships such as losing an important figure in your life, leaving a hole behind. Stay strong brother, for you still have much in store going forward in life.

[@HEMPHILL23]

Ken penders lost his dad once...

[@foquitajeej2399]

​@@HEMPHILL23?

[@cherricake1796]

​​​@@HEMPHILL23don't you dare bring that (word KZbin won't think is offensive) into this

[@Liquidcrayons87]

I’m sorry for you loss man. May your dad rest in peace.

[@mistersp3753]

I shouldn't be surprised that Mecha Sonic survived the wrath of Knuckles. Mecha has proven to be the toughest of the robot doppelgangers, further proving his dominance by beating down Mecha Knuckles.

[@wolfofdiscord7092]

he didnt really survive knuckles tho, he was left in like 5 pieces and sigma was barely able to rebuiild him, since most of him is scrap parts now

[@mistersp3753]

@WolfOfDiscord Yet they DID rebuild him. They didn't have the technology, and they were dead broke, so they couldn't make him better, stronger or faster. Still alive, though.

[@Saxton_Hoovy]

@WolfOfDiscord I mean he lost two limbs with one taking a shot to the weak point being the joint. Considering how pissed knuckles Considering mecha sonic directly stole the master emerald and was using it, He also survived the collapse of sky senturary. He durability is nothing to sneeze at.

[@mobgabriel1767]

​@@wolfofdiscord7092i mean the colapse of the sky sanctuary probably didn't help, its a looong fall even without the debris

[@GamerTowerDX]

God i still remember the day Mecha said the line we are all thinking of, "HE SAID THE THING" was trending on Twitter that day.

[@yocapo32]

I love how Sigma uses super advanced technical jargon to describe basic things like an alternator, and that Tails understands him perfectly regardless.

[@firerulezz116]

I really appreciate how Mecha was saved in the end, how he accepted Sonic's help. Not only is there the OVA Metal comparisons, but much more recently, the scene with Surge in issue 50, where she refuses Sonic's "10 second truce" and decides she'd rather die and get the last hit in instead of surviving by Sonic's help.

[@jetfoxhound3432]

“Say the line Mecha” Mecha Sonic: “I’LL CRUSH YOU!!!” “YAAAAAAY!!!”

[@anoriginalusername1088]

Three things non-game elements the fandom will forever accosiate with Mecha Sonic 1. I'LL CRUCH YOU!!! 2. Doomsday Zone OST 3. Machine gun

[@axell15thewispmaster79]

When did that happen!? WHEN!?!?

[@robertoneill589]

he is the Cooler metal sonic

[@axell15thewispmaster79]

@@robertoneill589 did Sans teach you that?

[@robertoneill589]

@@axell15thewispmaster79 yeah bro i get classes every second wednesday

[@ShockInazuma]

Mecha Sonic looks so cool with the cloak tbh. Also, A STORY THAT DOESN'T KILL THE "ANTAGONIST" OFF FOR HIS WRONG DOINGS. That in itself is great, especially since Mecha redeemed himself. I was ready for the moment where Mecha sacrificed himself to save Sonic and I could not be more happier that it did not happen.

[@yocapo32]

The fact that they managed to take the lyrics from Waking Up, the ending credits song from Shadow the Hedgehog's stupid-ass Neutral ending, and turned them into an _actual_ motivational speech says a lot about the writers of this miniseries.

[@skibot9974]

Wait seriously?! The speech comes from a Shadow song

[@ixaldorran7867]

I like how sigma's cape looks like Eggman's mustache from certain angles. It's a nice touch as the machine is acting like a mini good eggman.

[@mobgabriel1767]

Mr tinker would be proud

[@Maxx-shorts]

Sigma!?

[@Ariel-f2p]

The par that's tied?

[@Ariel-f2p]

Built like a fren

[@orangewithtehdrip]

@@Maxx-shortsyep thats a character its brainrot before brainrot

[@Mazerwolf]

I hope one day there’s a surprise reveal of the old Egg carrier flying onto the scene when Sonic and the gang are in trouble or something and the Scrapniks help

[@the_don_00]

That'd be amazing! And imagine Knuckles surprise to see Mecha again!

[@RideFlight]

i omor

[@missmillion3864]

imagine mecha taking the opportunity to skydive right into and then absolutely floor eggman, who then just gets repeatedly kicked by mecha and omega it’d be dumb but it makes some sense and would be pretty funny

[@Solesteam]

It would be funnier if it takes place on Angel Island Zone, Imagine the look of horror Knuckles would have as a bunch of Frankensteined together "Badniks" lead by Mecha Sonic land on his island, only for Sonic and Tails catch him up on the Scrapniks and how they're good guys now, including Mecha Sonic, who formerly abused the Master Emerald back in the day...

[@Solesteam]

@@missmillion3864 Mecha's older (and shorter) brother wouldn't stand for that, and unfortunately for Mecha Sonic, Metal Sonic has been constantly upgraded and polished (in both ways) since his first defeat...

[@chrismaystar3014]

I love it when Sonic's "Nature vs. Machine" theme rears its head up and presents a nuanced examination of concepts in the real world. I can see the idea of Scrapnik Island being loosely based on the real Trash Island, a spot where the waves intersected with floating trash and lost belongings. Turning that into a story of finding value in a life made of definitive garbage is touching, and it helps make the black and white nature of "Nature vs Machine" feel more gray.

[@parnash]

I literally cried at the OVA reference there towards the end.

[@kieranm2774]

*And here I thought that only I noticed it*

[@twistedwolf7163]

Fr. Got me crying a bit

[@infiniteoctopaw]

After so many years, we got the good ending!!! 😭😭😭😭

[@galaxycamerata]

I like the implication that up until the trauma-induced regression, Mecha Sonic could've spoken through the Miles Electric at any time, he just didn't know what to say to Sonic or Tails because this was an INCREDIBLY awkward reunions and like, what would YOU say to the guys whose last meeting involved you trying to kill them?

[@tastethepainbow]

He didn't even seem to need the Miles Electric, since he was far from it when fighting with Sonic and he could speak then.

[@AstroTom]

​@@tastethepainbow At that point their minds were connected. That's how Sonic heard him

[@abbyelectric]

I absolutely adore this characterisation of Mecha. I just wanna protect him :(

[@GamerTowerDX]

I think he can protect himself.

[@DooDooWater9732-n5z]

He would protect you more than anything lol

[@Myoriaki]

​@@GamerTowerDXdidn't have to cook them that hard

[@sideways_chip_eater6420]

@@GamerTowerDX protect emotionally

[@JtothePrez]

@@sideways_chip_eater6420 Moecha Sonic

[@mistersp3753]

This might be the best Sonic story we've had since the Metal Virus Saga. It has me wanting so much more from the Scrapniks.

[@smurdd]

I’ve had a hard time with depression and other things for a long time. Life having no purpose has always been a hard concept for me. A few days before the 4th issue came out I had a really good conversation with my best friend and was starting to really feel like I’m moving forward. Then I read those last few pages and they felt so targeted and relevant to what I needed to hear. I really want to print them as posters. I haven’t had myself feel anywhere near as bad since then and have been feeling better overall.

[@rllycldg_3633]

Thats wonderful❤

[@DigiCube4]

One foot in front of the other

[@shellknight1323]

I'm glad they gave Mecha a voice and distinct personality from the usual robot imposter

[@tastethepainbow]

I don't know what almighty power Barnes had to convince SEGA to accept this pitch (with using characters and designs once thought off-limits and them having lived through the whole thing and even having the potential to be fully good, proving Sonic's philosophy for once has merit, which could be a massive status quo change if, y'know, SEGA lets them fucking STICK to it), but I really hope he does it more. Every story from this miniseries to his story in the annual was pure gold, some of the best storytelling we got not just in IDW, but in Sonic comics in general. I hope we see the Scrapniks again and get a true happy ending for all of them.

[@VantasticJackson]

I met Mecha Sonic through Mario Bros Z. So seeing this Badnik who completely dominated every scene he was in now in his present state. Seeing his mindset and what has happened to him since his last in game appearance is. What the defeat by Sonic and Knuckles did to him. Its super interesting

[@FireForged_Music]

I really hope Tails comes back to the scrapniks. Helping them out could be a great solo adventure for him and would be right up his alley

[@agentomecha634]

This is one of my new favorite comics from IDW so far. It’s so cool to not only see Mecha Sonic in official media again, but to finally have official 2D artwork of him. I’m so used to how he’s portrayed in the fan community as a huge threat, that I wasn’t expecting him to be a victim himself in this story. The fact he felt forgotten and abandoned by Dr. Eggman and the world is honestly very sad. No one, not even him, should ever feel that low about themselves. If only he knew that in our world, he is a anything but forgotten. But, like what Mecha learns in the end, what matters is having the courage to keep moving forward. I’m so glad to see Mecha ultimately get redeemed and have a happy ending. As well as looking as cool as always. He’s personally my favorite of the Robot Sonic copies. I really hope to see him again along with SIGMA and the other Scrapniks in the main comics going forward. Definitely going to pick this up when the volume drops. Edit: I can’t ignore E117 SIGMA either, he was a great new character to introduce in this story. Plus, he’s British which is just charming.

[@carnage0685]

No, Mecha Sonic was 100% forgotten by the real world. If 98% of everyone only remembers you from a fanmade animation that wasn't even actually you, and only 2% of everyone remembers the REAL you from your SOLE game appearance, even though you were the final boss, that's pretty fucking forgotten and disgraced.

[@tjwizzy]

Seeing the I'll crush you, that brought me with laughter and tears of joy and nostalgia. I also love how they cheat the Sega mandate, with Sonic crying, but not crying since he feels Mecha Sonic emotion. I love it and it was nice to see.

[@parttimelazy4593]

Can you imagine that for Mecha's return, Sonic just heard a voice in his head and excitedly runs off without explaining anything? Just happily sprints in a direction to greet one of his robot counterparts with a smile.

[@mobgabriel1767]

Knucles:Vietnam flashbacks

[@K2niarDneK]

It's also neat that the first issue quickly answers a question a lot of people had about the first Death Egg. That being: what exactly was it supposed to be? The Death Egg in Battle had a massive planet busting laser on it. Death Egg Mk.II from S4 was obviously just a battlestation, mass manufacturing platform and staging ground. The Death Egg from Forces was being used mostly as a prison. But we never really knew what the original Death Egg was supposed to be. Was it just a battlestation or staging ground? Did it have some kind of superlaser a-la Death Star? Was it just a massive Disco Ball? Well, Scrapnik answers that. The Death Egg had a climate disruptor. It can manipulate the weather to create massive nigh-impenetrable storms. Not a major issue for Eggman in the original games, the majority of his forces were grounded badniks and he would've stayed aboard the Death Egg unless necessary. But a huge issue for any organics that may be looking to stop or resist him. Someone sending in the Airforce? Make a tornado and force them to land or risk crashing. Navy or sea-based headquarters? Hurricane and sink them all. Hiding in a forest? Burn it down with a precision lightning strike. It's actually a really smart tool given Eggman's old badniks.

[@mazkeraid4039]

If the external media answers that, why don’t the games ever do its thing?

[@K2niarDneK]

@@mazkeraid4039 Because it was a 1992 game on the Genesis?

[@mazkeraid4039]

@@K2niarDneK Then it’s not doing its job.

[@K2niarDneK]

@@mazkeraid4039 Mascot Platformer. 1992. 16bit console. I don't know if you're aware, but video game stories in the early 90s were not that good. They were like stories in porn. It's expected to be there to give context to the action, but nobody really cared all too much. The entirety of the story we were given was a brief synopsis in the manual. Evil Turtle Dragon has kidnapped the princess and turned the mushroom people into stone bricks, stop him; Evil Space Pirates are using bioweapons to take over the galaxy, stop them; Evil Scientist has kidnapped woodland creatures and is turning them into robots, stop him; Evil vampire is being a vampire, kill him. That was the extent of 'storytelling' in platformers back then. It didn't matter _what_ the Death Egg was back then, it was just the setting for the final battles. It only matters to people now because it was a loose end that was never resolved in external media like seemingly everything else.

[@mazkeraid4039]

@@K2niarDneK I’m talking about that in the manual, not in game which I already knew is limited in pixels.

[@armoredbluejay9364]

"I'm done being controlled by yesterday. I'm going to live for tomorrow." that's an amazing line to end on

[@shellknight1323]

Seeing Mecha Sonic say *"I'LL CRUSH YOU!!!"* Had me gushing and when they started the fighting all I could here was his theme "SMBZ BLASTING"

[@wakeangel2001]

Part 3 reminded me of an episode of Dexter's Laboratory, the one where he accidentally flew into the oldest part of his lab and got confronted by his abandoned creations. I also like the basic retelling of the OVA when they're linked, "you might know what I'm going to do, but it won't help you because I know what YOU'RE going to do, STRANGE isn't it?" and "There is only one Sonic..." but then the comic outright REJECTS the tragic ending and says "NO! It doesn't end this way, just this one Rose, EVERYONE LIVES!" I feel like it's inevitable that Belle the Tinkerer will eventually meet the Scrapniks, especially since she told Eggman that she would make it her mission to care for the robots that he abandoned, of which this island pretty much the definition of what she said.

[@owenquillion3241]

I giggled with glee when I saw the motion tracker in Issue 3 and realized we were going to actually do an Alien scene. I'd also initially assumed that the furnace bit at the end was an oblique reference to Toy Story 3, but I didn't have the context of Mecha in the OVA.

[@leritykay8911]

The only thing I wish for is that they'd include Tails Doll in there somewhere, hah. I mean if there WAS an opportunity to reference it, it would be now. I could just imagine a gag that Tails Doll is like a creepy kid just standing on the side, expressionless, staring, not saying a word. But then at the end, Tails Doll would be helping everyone pull Mecha out. His plushy limbs just hanging around, not really helping but doing his best heheh

[@GamerTowerDX]

I would've loved that if Tails Doll would've been here, they decide to not talk by choice. Tails: Uh you can talk you know? Tails Doll: *Nods* Tails: ...Ok.

[@yummersans8426]

It would also pretty cool for the crystal we see on its head to be a phantom ruby, making it have a reason to be so creepy

[@Umbra_Ursus]

Considering it was practically just a drone carrying a target practice dummy, it'd be cute if it was more like Maggie Simpson: Just quiet, struggling to stay upright, being the baby of the scrapniks.

[@nothinginteresting7558]

Tails Doll is now exclusively a part of the "Classic Sonic" universe, just like Fang, Bark and Bean.

[@cherricake1796]

​@@nothinginteresting7558NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT.

[@DragonStar524]

The fact that Sonic tried to reach out to a metal version of himself in a burning furnace has a nice nod to the 1996 OVA. Except Mecha took the chance where as metal didnt.

[@Em-ig1ri]

I absolutely adored this miniseries. Now I don't know what IDW has planned for the future, but I really hope we get to see the Scrapniks again, & given that Belle made a promise back in issue 50 to help all of the robots that Eggman abandons/has abandoned, I really hope that we'll get to see a story where Belle meets, befriends and grows close to the Scrapniks and helps them out in whatever way she can!

[@greensoda123]

A like 3D first person Egg Robo game would be sick as hell. Like imagine being able to customize your Egg Robo with different paints and stuff.

[@jadendafinger]

And maybe the Heavies could be special characters.

[@greensoda123]

@@jadendafinger ya! They could like have different abilities and stuff. Maybe like every round one Egg Robo has a chance to turn into one of them. Like the phantom ruby will randomly appear on the map.

[@mariomaster4568]

God I love IDW man. So many emotions come out when reading these comics. So refreshing to see good writers now a days writing for sonic.

[@DooDooWater9732-n5z]

*nowadays

[@ReverseCone-du3rc]

“I’ll crush you” Is the Sonic fandom’s “FIRE IN THE HOLE”

[@Brucifer2]

That was an awesome callback and redemption of the Metal Sonic death in the OVA. Damn those feels.

[@penprp]

I was never a Sonic & Knuckles fan, but this story still was wonderful, so it definitely isn't all nostalgia. I love how Mecha basically has a PTSD flashback, even if it's couched in the language of programming and computers. I like how Sonic IS willing to trust Mecha, even if he's a little wary, and his trust isn't actually misplaced. Visually, the story is incredible as well, with the art direction, and of course, everything you said about the color palettes. And I love Tails standing up to Mecha Sonic... and was that a reference to the Spartans at Thermopylae? "Come and take them." Just beautiful.

[@WAFFENFABRIK]

This story convinced me to begin collecting physical comic books lol

[@thevenomspino]

Imagine if they make an annual story or an entire annual for Scrapnik Island that explores more of the island, including maybe the history of it.

[@IgnatiusBlaze4]

29:43... damn the 1 time he's been able to save a Sonic copy, not just in general but... FROM A FIERY DOOM. After watching the Archie review of Shard, being a mecha/metal Sonic going the same way as OVA Metal Sonic, and then well the very same OVA Metal Sonic smacking Sonic's hand away saying there is only one... this is cathartic, cool, nice to see one of these situations, one of Sonic's (especially despite his failed attempts in these comics to convert Metal and Mr Tinker to their side) trust in people or machines... actually pay off. Edit: Holy crap glad you covered that, and yeah I super love this story, I like Metal Sonic more too, but as I said in the shard video you want more... but without them deviating too much from Metal himself, and these other robot douples are a perfect way to do this. To show growth in character, to veer away from the trope of AI becoming evil taking over our fleshy world ruling over us making us into slaves, blah blah Terminator etc sci fi movies. I love this, and it does give us a chance to see... mmaaaaaybe Metal vs Mecha Sonic? Be super hype. Be cooler in a game but doubt Sega would ever do that, the IDW though, I feel like it is inevitable, and can't wait for it. Heck not just the Sonic robots, what about Metal Knuckles vs Mecha Knuckles? Shadow Androids? Let's go crazy AND WILD WITH THESE!!!

[@HeroTen10]

I loved this story, partly because it finally gave Sonic a win. Sonic has not been having a good time with giving villains mercy lately, but finally his way of life has reached someone and a robot copy of himself no less! I also loved this story for the character they gave Mecha, now that he's good I got some really strong mature older brother vibes from him and it would be amazing to have him show up sometime in the main story. A Metal vs Mecha fight would be amazing!

[@daniel_barnes]

Great video, man! Glad you liked the comic!

[@KingToshin]

Scrapnik Island was absolutely amazing! I loved the themes and characterizations of the characters featured throughout the entire arch and just wanted to say, excellent work Daniel! 👏

[@antwonpace5175]

I know I’m behind the curve a bit, but thank you for an incredible story!

[@tastethepainbow]

Please cook more for this comic, you have a bunch of potential.

[@Simon_Electric]

This really needs to get pitched to Sega " Tails in Scrapnik Island" the fox hasn't had his own spin -off game since the 90s. It would be a great follow-up to Sonic Frontiers. Tails said it himself, he's going off on his own adventure. It would make perfect sense.

[@savingthrows719]

I've only just noticed this now, but one of the three egg robos looks like they're wearing Sonic's favourite hat from the ova.

[@anonbefallen4807]

Oh my God, I loved this comic! I especially love all the attention they give to the OVAs! Everything from Mecha Knuckles hat to the mirrored climax with the OVA and the comics. I'm not the only one who got that, right? Mecha slowly slides into fire with Sonic, trying to save him just how in the OVA metal slides into lava, and Sonic tries to save him? My God, seeing that scene again gave me tingles! And they topped it off by actually rescuing him! Sonic Ova is love, Sonic Ova is life!

[@BlueJack222]

28:25 I think this quote from Sonic Boom really puts it in perspective. "I guess when you get tired you can just recharge, that's the difference between you and me metal I don't get tired"

[@magmarxiogaming6717]

38:50 that's actually a really good thing to bring up since because of that mind link that also opens up opportunities to bring him back, I think it's incredibly likely that the scrapniks will be able to get off the island and they can use that link to help sonic and his team when they have a situation on the scale of something like the metal virus or some other world destroying force. i think it would be awesome to see scrapnik mecha sonic in the sonic forces mobile game like what we got with tangle and whisper, honestly kind of surprised we haven't gotten surge and kit in that yet

[@ashuraomega7113]

It got removed I think

[@carnage0685]

@@ashuraomega7113 What got removed??? Can you be more specific? Lol

[@ashuraomega7113]

@@carnage0685 what do you mean be more specific? The mind link between sonic and mecha was removed at the end of the story

[@carnage0685]

@@ashuraomega7113 Oh, the mind link. Okay, thank you. I just wasn't sure what you were referring to since their comment was pretty long and yours was so brief.

[@dishierbongo2757]

Mecha Sonic That's just it. Just celebrate his return in glory

[@TealFirefox4387]

I love how Mecha Sonic is simultaneously IDW Metal's bad ending and his good ending. I really hope the Scrapnicks come back if they ever get the Egg Carrier working I mean just imagine a bout between the 2 robo hogs. (Although I think Metal would win).

[@ataucei]

The artwork of this comic it´s so good! I love the colors

[@PixelGlitch64]

A nice contrast I saw was in the final moments of the last issue during the battle in the furnace between Mecha and Sonic. Unlike Metal Sonic who needed upgrades to contest and was constantly upgraded to be LIKE sonic due to his combat data, Mecha Sonic was running on parts of scrap and EQUALED Sonic's entire movement to a T! Mecha Sonic was actually seen FIGHTING trauma within the issues and seeing him essentially gain the motive of protecting the Scrapniks while being abandoned makes me think that Mecha's gone farther than Metal ever could...He became Sonic. No matter what was inhibiting him or dragging him down, he continued to proceed with what he wanted to do with life and protect those under his wing. Mecha was constantly having PTSD and heard voices in his head telling him he was useless but he continued on anyway! Mecha felt anger when his friends ruined his work, sadness when he realized what he did to them, and happiness when he discovered he could still be the guardian they needed. He protected Sonic NOT by command but BY INSTINCT! He REFUSED Sonic's help so he could have Sonic live his life! This robot has spindashed, ran around, and did everything Metal was designed to do BY HIMSELF. During the final scene and it's callback to the OVA when Metal was discovered to have emotions and rejected Sonic's help, Metal did it without an explanation and didn't try to save Sonic in the slightest...yet Mecha explained himself and his reasoning behind trying to give up. Metal gave up...and Mecha listened. This might only be limited to the comics but just by reading Scrapnik Island and rediscovering Mecha Sonic once more... *This will always show that Mecha's a better copy than the copy bot himself.*

[@YoshiONE2ONE]

I had the absolute dumbest smile on my face when I first saw that SMBZ reference come up. The little flash animation series that could has directly been referenced in official media. That is beyond awesome.

[@dabatninjah64]

While I hope that they bring the scrapnick guys back for a mainline story of some kind, I'm glad to see my boy back in action and still alive to tell the tale

[@eNCy.]

24:00 "Lock on" is likely a reference to the lock on technology of Sonic and Knuckles, as that is the game where Mecha Sonic originated from.

[@heroicgangster9981]

I love this comic for making me go woobifying baby boy over Mecha Sonic. Redemption Mecha Sonic is a very cool idea that is executed well by this comic, and it makes for a very neat distinction between him and Metal Sonic. It makes Mecha Sonic look like a distant and reflective family member that wants to establish his own free life like Sonic.

[@aliiravani198]

12:55 as an avid Heavy & Bomb fan, it brings me much joy that the middle Eggrobo's legs reference Heavy's silly springy metal slab feet

[@ThisJordo]

I can deny it no longer. I think Scrapnik Mecha might be my favorite Sonic character. Thanks for your killer video essays as always Nick😎👍

[@FresasAgrias]

YESSS i love this comic so much i was waiting for a video on it. it baffles me so much it's really cool seeing all these classic elements in a modern era setting, being all broken down and abandoned. it communicates really well all the time that's passed and how much things have changed in the series but still fitting so well with sonic UGH i love everything about it. the characterization is great too of course, sonic and tails are top notch as always i need to fangirl over how precious they are while also getting to be their best, badass selfs ever. jack lawrence's art is so so cute which might be a weird fit for a story that's supposed to be creepy, but i think the "cuter" style for the characters really helps bring out how vulnerable sonic is in this situation (he's so small ajsjajbdsjdkdj), and natalie is my favorite ever in the entire idw run her colors are stunning and complement the art and tone of the story so well i just AAAH (i haven't finished the video yet sorry i needed to scream a little)

[@randominternetman8177]

you know shit's going down when mecha sonic shouts *"I'LL CRUSH YOU!"*

[@EdgyRoseBoi]

So far, best series in IDW, it had many references, nostalgia, character development, and even character redemption, best story, can't tell me otherwise

[@ghostshrimp5006]

This is why i appreciate the team behind these comics sticking with the games and the media surrounding them, there’s so much potential with any of them that trying to make a whole world from scratch just makes it bloated which was my issue with the Archie comics, and even when they did, it felt very hand fisted, just shoved in for the sake of it without any consideration of what this means in story.

[@mazkeraid4039]

Bloated in Archie Comics in some areas, but at least there are underlying themes in the cracks. While I can’t buy the whole separate world nonsense, there is a possibility for unification.

[@ghostshrimp5006]

@@mazkeraid4039 I just think there’s enough in main line sonic to make interesting stories

[@MrSkysenGames]

Wouldn't mind seeing later short stories or at least a mention of Tails returning there to help rebuild/clean up the scrapniks. Like a vacation/entertainment thing for him.

[@mobgabriel1767]

Remenber:all miniseries were referenced in the next main comics Arc(with exception being whiper and tangle who is referenced at the end of infection instead of Crisis city)

[@bread_the_god6737]

The last few pages of the comic broke me. I don't think I have ever necessarily cried or resonated with such a story like this before. I had been struggling with depression and self worth, and Mecha's whole talk about how life wasn't determined by successions and failures was something I needed to hear. 💜 Thank you for reviewing this story, it's so beautiful.

[@oceanman7336]

I love how the broken Death Egg @ 7:12 looks like a cracked egg with the yolk running out the visual egg pun kills me

[@cjs_v.j.6350]

Nick never disappoints, Happy Mecha March Madness!

[@cherricake1796]

THE SONIC CRYING RULE HAS BEEN BROKEN BY TECHNICALITY THE BEST KIND OF ALITY

[@LuceoX30]

I know someone who does modelling of different robots relating to the early 2000s period of the sonic series, and he's absolutely livid we don't get a back reference for Mecha Sonic so he can create a model for its jet engine.

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

Honestly with the last image of Mecha Knuckles having him standing off to the side away from all the other Scrapniks, it feels like his story isn’t over, like he doesn’t feel like he should be a part of their group hug. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him again in a future comic

[@centralplaystation]

The sonic OVA metal sonic reference brought a tear to my eye, the original scene was so beautiful

[@Vellosia]

This is hands down my favorite Sonic story of all time. Well placed nostalgia, my favorite Sonic robot back after almost 3 decades, and I never expected to relate that much to my own favorite Sonic robot, struggling with self worth. All three had such a major impact that I don’t think any other story could top this for me.

[@smashers6971]

36:13 I just noticed this, but the middle Egg Robo’s legs resemble heavy’s, mostly because of the springy legs he usually has in other sonic media.

[@khalewren2734]

Man this miniseries was so good. Sigma is a top 5 sonic character for me honestly

[@ShazotoTouge]

I remember when the last issue came out for this story, and Twitter lost it because of the SMBZ meme becoming a reality. It was a good day to be a sonic fan, and this whole mini series is simply fantastic. We need more Mecha Sonic now that this has happened.

[@DooDooWater9732-n5z]

Why Twitter?

[@NightFuryLover31]

When I found out both Mechas Sonic and Mecha Knuckles were appearing in this story, I REALLY wanted to see them fight! It was a perfect way to reference Mecha Madness! The Aliens reference with Tails and the Egg Robot was great too. And the OVA stuff! This is definitely one of my favorite Sonic stories too! I really hope we get to see the Scrapniks again!

[@milleniumonion7223]

I feel like the best fan service is the kind that still forwards and explores the narrative. It's not callbacks for the sake of it, its purposeful. Its also nice if its not super in your face in some ways. Yes, the fact it was the death egg and old badniks was obvious, but their story wasnt, 'we are the robots from insert game'. Their story was that they were a group of broken people that despite all odds decided to keep moving forward together onward to tomorrow. Ive only recently gotten into Sonic, so i dont have all the nostalgia, but with every drawing and every sentence- every single moment, I can see the love from the creators for their creation. They arent just giving what the audience wants to see, they are giving the world they themselves wants to see, and that, to get back on track, is the best kind of fan service you can find.

[@TheSpog]

I'd love to see mecha get fully repaired and the interaction between him and Omega lol

[@Iwuznothere]

You have to wonder if outside of general sonic heroism, he didn't wanna find out what happens if something he is telepathically linked to melts to death in an incinerator. Mentally feeling something else's death probably is an extremely unpleasant thing.

[@Neyebureturns]

I love all the little touchs, like making Sigma cape looks like Eggman moustache or the homenage to the end of the Sonic OVA

[@mixymaxox]

Mecha Sonic’s story Arc is amazing, they made a ROBOT go through past stress about being called trash, almost destroy everybody before almost letting himself die, then be saved and go on a redemption arc

[@emred4653]

Honestly i loved this story. It was really well done, both character designs and colouring was fantastic

[@DDavidD4A]

ohhh boyyy i almost really cried with that final battle the Sonic OVA Vibes man, they make me go full-on emotional

[@415-k1ub]

I can finally die in peace, knowing that Knuckles' hat existed in IDW, and it's sitting on top of one of the most adorable robots in the series.

[@Solesteam]

39:05 Mecha Sonic by a failed plan became a full and complete Sonic Doppelganger, ascending beyond the one part where Eggman with every single version fell short: Sonic's thought process and feelings.

[@TerravancerYoh]

I guess IDW Mecha Sonic will be getting its own video this March based on your comment. Fun fact: all the Scrapniks have names according to the concept art sheets - like the little one that relays the news to Tails is called Ben. Also the scouter on Tails’ face reminds me of that scouter scope from the second episode of Sonic X.

[@thacobell4700]

This mini-series just gives and keeps on giving. All the OVA references, Tails in an Aliens reference, a greater than 0 chance of a Mecha vs. Metal Sonic fight. I really hope we get some quality interactions between Belle and the Scrapniks in the near future.

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Much love and respect to you, Nick, especially with you paying respect to all who made this Sonic miniseries possible at the start of the video. Kudos!

[@obanwashere]

My favorite story from the IDW run, so far. That scene with Sonic and Mecha in the furnace has gone down as one of my favorite scenes from the franchise. The moral of the story is that you must live for yourself. To live for yourself, means to take care of yourself. Mecha has lived in regret for years. And here comes the very being he was built to destroy, to knock sense into him, to remind him that there’s no point in living for yesterday, if you can live for tomorrow. I love this story, because it reminds me of a quality I love in Sonic’s character. He wants you to be free. Good? Evil? None of that matters to him. At the end of the day, he’s someone who simply wants the best for you

[@dextra_24703]

I like how Spindashes have always been cought by enemies in this series like

[@motivatedguy3699]

Wow....no.. really...the best sonic comic ever...the crying from mecha sonic was just "chef's kiss"

[@dragonblast417]

"I'm done being controlled by yesterday, I'm going to live for tomorrow" Dang what an ending line

[@denality1671]

My favorite part about the brief confrontation between mecha sonic and tails, was that tails was fully prepared to devise a counter to Sonics speed. Like a Batman contingency plan

[@seirramoon388]

A lovely arc for "mecha march madness" X3

[@HateSonneillon]

I'm not crying at all! I just have a mental link with a sentient robot version of myself and he's the one crying. :' ) That scene hit really hard.

[@Red_Ryry]

I love how during the sunflower watering scene sigma talks about how they no longer wish to live in eggmans shadow and wish to be fully free from eggman with almost no ties to him, immediately being juxtaposed by sigma revealing the most eggman style naming convention for the scrambled egg carrier, which is exactly what eggman would have called an egg carrier he made out of scavanged parts. I hope the irony is not lost on sigma.

[@GodittoC]

Truly one the best idw sonic story yet