Return of the DEADLY SIX! | Sonic Speed Reading

#sonic #idw #metalvirus
Just when you things couldn't get worse, the Deadly Six show up into the zombot apocalypse to bring their own brand of destruction, and this time they have a chaotic power boost. Meanwhile, enemies unite to come up with a final, desperate plan to take down the virus once and for all. Can Sonic succeed? Where's Knuckles been this whole time? Can the Deadly Six actually prove to be a compelling set of villains?! Let's find out as we speed into the final act of the Metal Virus saga!!!
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[@GameApologist]

Take a drink every time someone lists off the names of the Deadly Six in the comments.

[@TheKorenji]

Do you want me to die?

[@flyingbattery6330]

They all start with Z right?

[@alexisislas-gonzalez5991]

3:39 you sure about that buddy? Considering sonic generations, the reused bandinks during lost world, and the first eggman boss fight in forces, and eggman land

[@nd_4726]

@@alexisislas-gonzalez5991 huh?

[@donovanhancock6137]

Did you not already list them? Are they not Zavok, Purple, Yellow, Green, Emo, and Old?

[@wheresmybooty007]

Metal yeeted Starline so hard, he got launched into his own spin-off comic lol

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

Metal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emmuqZeOeqeentk

[@Mysticgamer]

And a side story.

[@richili2500]

Holy crap, you're right

[@zoff.]

Lmfao broooo😂😭😭😫

[@the-point-bearer6689]

I prefer getting chucked.

[@raikaria3090]

I like how Cream brought Omega's head along. The murderous head and the peaceful bunny. Also; Zavok answers why he dosen't control Orbot/Cuebot. He says without the emeralds they could only control a few Zombots; but with them they can control thousands. Even with the emeralds; their power is still limited at a few thousand. They have limits. So they wouldn't want to waste it on *obedient* robots.

[@jaythewolf7216]

this is true

[@Umbra_Ursus]

He actually knows his limits? I like that in a villain, we need more of it.

[@Sovlstrr]

@@Umbra_Ursus ya fr

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

Funny how if that's reversed it's literally doom eternal

[@mistersp3753]

And here Knuckes was, minding his own business, wondering what the old gang was up to. I bet he was actually getting a bit lonely. Then Sonic shows up and reminds him that he's better off alone. Why don't they ever just stop by to hang out for a while? Angel Island has a carnival AND a water park.

[@psyxypher3881]

And the remnants of a Launch Base.

[@jadendafinger]

and a desert that has a bunch of sandslides

[@mistersp3753]

@@jadendafinger A sand slide actually sounds kind of painful, but at least you'd be safe from a certain Sith Lord.

@Hooty HOOT HOOT Echidna?

[@TheFrantic5]

I can't believe Eggman built Knuckles an entire theme park just to get him on his side.

[@sylver_sonic7726]

They made the deadly Six a true menace and interesting characters. This saga is the best content of the IDW comics

[@Da_Boeh7312]

That's too true. The comics have always been known to flash out more obscure, unpopular and just poorly written characters (unfortunately the same can't be said for ol Shadow...) Love your edits of the issues btw :)

[@Lazypackmule]

I wouldn't go as far as to call them interesting characters, but a few of them definitely were intimidating

[@zedokaiba6047]

@@Lazypackmule well its interesting compared to how they were in lost world

[@TheKorenji]

@@Da_Boeh7312 Shadow doesn't even do all that much anymore, not ever since the storytelling became just _weak._

[@Da_Boeh7312]

@@TheKorenji When referencing story, if you're referring to the games I agree 100% However, Sega themselves are responsible for the way Shadow behaves in the comics as well, which sucks because the character had seen so much growth during the Archie comics run. Now he's back to square one 😔

[@karenbonds264]

The D6: *Exists* Everyone and Super Kami Guru: "Why are you still *HEEERE?!* "

[@blazingfury057]

Nailllllllll Do not take their coats

[@CyanicCore]

Eh, they did alright though

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

...NAIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLL!!!

[@IronTrickster]

This is without a doubt the best Sonic story we've gotten in the last decade

[@leonardoalvarenga7572]

Understatement.

[@blitz4506]

That isn't a high bar

[@Mepphy99]

Compared to game yeah Compared to comics? Man Sonic universe had some very cool arcs

[@IronTrickster]

@@Mepphy99 i was mostly comparing it to the games since i haven't read other Sonic comics besides the IDW ones

[@Mepphy99]

@@IronTrickster Should take time to read the other 2 comics universes Even tho Sonic Universe doesn't finish and Archie ... Yeah They are pretty enjoyable

[@SilverHyozanryu]

Can we take a moment to appreciate what a genius move bringing the deadly six is for this plot. Like yeah they're super lame and the game they're from was boring, but from a story perspective it makes TOTAL SENSE that they would control the zombots. It's a great example of using characters in this universe to they're fullest and making the world larger and more cohesive.

[@369destroyer]

Plus so far this is probably the least lame interpretation of these characters I have seen yet.

[@castform7]

@@369destroyer Granted the bar was pretty low but still, they are very threatening here and have the means of controling an entire horde of mindless, seemingly invincible Zombots.

[@gamerling2547]

Ngl, I'm surprised that Eggman didn't use the chaos emeralds to control the Zombots before the deadly six did.

[@ToaArcan]

@@gamerling2547 Eggman being a fucking idiot is nothing new. Even his constant handies from Ian since 2007ish haven't meant he stopped being a dumbass.

[@warioskapelli3100]

Yeah I was surprised Sega didn't play on their technokinesis in Sonic Forces. Thought that was the whole reason "Zavok" was placed on the Death Egg

[@XavierZara]

> Eggman doesn't revisit plans > Cue eggman sicking Metal Sonic on Sonic to buy time for himself for his "grand scheme" of the day

[@WeeAddy]

Perhaps creations and plans are different. He revisited the Death Egg and Death Egg Robots multiple times too, and if you wanna talk gameplay-wise, the Colours boss battle being reused in Lost World & Forces is maybe a reused machine. So the actual plans themselves remain unique, but some of the equipment is seen often.

[@copilots3159]

@@WeeAddy It would make sense, why spend the time to build something from the ground up when you already have things built that could be repurposed?

[@sauvagess]

I wouldn't call that a plan; that's a concept, an option of attack. After all, you said it yourself: for his "grand scheme" of the day.

[@psyxypher3881]

Actual hardware being reused is justifiable, since there's only so many ways you can make a sword or a shield, so to speka.

[@mrbutt4eva625]

Metal Sonic is one of the few villains to almost take out sonic so it makes sense using Metal to at least buy time

[@ReReCoil]

Tails after Starline gets yeeted into the portal: "Are we okay with this?" Sonic: "The guy brought Eggman back to his old self and tried to blow me and Silver up. Yeah. We're okay with this." After all of the shit he went through, like losing a lot of his close friends (and a rival) to a virus that turns the victim evil, almost dying multiple times across the entire franchise except when he kinda did die in Forces but not really, Labyrinth Zone, Metropolis Zone, Sandopolis Act 2, The fiasco that was Sonic '06, Lost World, the Sonic Boom games, and all of the crap that has currently happened in the previous comic arcs? Yeah, I think he's ok with that.

[@mfirdanhb]

@Alec Jackman 58 (STUDENT) oh please it's just a sitcom big budget don't get a big deal with it the sequel makes me sick no offense

[@Blazieth]

In short, Sonic is _exhausted_ after going days on end with minimal sleep, having to run full tilt near-constantly to avoid infection... all because of this shithead platypus who not only introduced himself by trying to blow him and Silver up, but also effectively murdered the genuinely nice and friendly Mr. Tinker by turning him back into Eggman. Sonic _liked_ Mr. Tinker. He genuinely hoped that it would last, and that the man who once was Eggman would become a friendly, helpful member of society. Starline ripped that all away, and paved the way for the very crisis currently consuming the world and threatening to turn Sonic himself into a monster. Sonic likely has more hatred for Starline in this moment than he does for Eggman himself.

[@afrothunda9059]

I'm sorry. Yeah, the story's a bit cheesey at times. The plot elements might have been better used in the Archie story. Some of the characters might be a bit off at times. BUT COME ON, this is literally the best story for the blue blur we've had in YEARS. Especially when they're using elements fron the recent games that had NO real impactful stakes and making the best out of them by combining them. That takes heart and actual appreciation for the series. IDW is doing a bang up job for the most part: YOU CAN'T change my mind!

[@sodamustdie4372]

Totally agree

[@VelvetAura]

Don't be sorry, you're right

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Archie Comic Covered Characters from Games and TV

[@the_solomon_sage8431]

well, IDW was the group to make the Transformers more than a war between two political factions. they managed to end the war, bring in many, MANY random characters that were maybe on one panel of older comics or had one specific release in that one toyline, start exploring more about the religion, world view, relationships, and even the consequences of the transformers bringing there war to so many planets. so if anyone can build a good story out of a collection of loosely related media, it's definitely IDW.

[@Blu_Moon_VA]

10:21 _"Snipin's a good job, mate!"_

[@BComet]

It's challenging work. Outta doors...

[@urdeadnotbigsuprise7439]

@@BComet "I guarantee, you won't go hungry"

[@vivalaglavii6736]

@@urdeadnotbigsuprise7439 Because at the end of the day, someone's gonna want Eggman dead

[@esteban8471]

This saga really made the Deadly Six feel like genuine threats, more so than any of the games. I can't wait until he covers the Bad Guys mini series so he can talk about the killer character development Starline and Zavok got.

[@whatshappeninganymore2473]

While the comic hasn't made the Deadly Six more interesting as characters (sans Zavok, but that's more for his role in Bad Guys), it has made them more threatening. Sometimes all a villain needs to be is an utter piece of trash that causes trouble for everybody, and that's fine.

[@rainpooper7088]

I still think Zavok is a bore, but I found Zor‘s reaction to being zombified kind of interesting. Like, he’s genuinely into that shit rather than just being bored by everything like in Lost World.

[@KavinCatastrophe]

@@rainpooper7088 He loves Despair. Zor would make a Great member for The Despair Bears from Dangarampa.

[@Hazel_TheOne]

⁵

[@Selena19973]

@@KavinCatastrophe BOI- DON'T NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STOP PLS STOP.

[@Morbius-Tension]

I think they were a threat In that sonic and MegaMan crossover comic

[@brandonpierce2539]

For those of you who actually want to know the Zeti's names for the sake of this comic: Red Leader: Zavok (We're already familiar with him) Blue old dude: Master Zik Green Bitch: Zeena Yellow Bizzaro Kirby: Zomom Chaotic Pink String Bean: Zazz *LITERAL* Emo: Zor

[@castform7]

I wish I could say I needed this but for some reason, the Zeti's names live rent free in my head. I'm pretty sure even their debut game of Lost World didn't care. Look back at every major cutscene and I think only Zazz's name is said.

[@edwardrobinson5470]

Yep.

[@NeonLightsYT1]

Accurate

[@ShadowThe771]

Also, for anyone who’s interested, in Lost World, their voice actors are Travis Willingham, Kirk Thronton, Stephanie Sheh, Patrick Seitz, Liam O’Brien, and Sam Seigel respectively.

[@KavinCatastrophe]

Love the idea that Whisper was about to Snipe Eggman. She was willing to go Dark for Her revenge. It Why she My favorite Character. She and Shadow could be Best Friends....Oh Wait the Shadow Androids. Nevermind.

[@esteban8471]

That would make for a good side story. Whisper being unnaturally hostile with Shadow but he, not liking to be left in the dark, politely demands to know what she has against him. Though perhaps someone like Tangle should be there since neither Shadow or Whisper are much for conversation.

[@KavinCatastrophe]

@@esteban8471 I know Shadow and Whisper has so Much In Common. O can see it now. Shadow: Hey You Use Guns......That Cool. We Should be Friends.

[@LudicrousTorpedo]

She and Shadow were more like on the level of John Wick, there's nothing left for them but only vengeance.

[@iananderson4754]

She could relate with infinite because he too lost his squad to shadow.

[@viruschris3160]

I think the comic later address and Shadow is aware and Whisper knows it’s not Shadow’s fault, but is simply wary of him due to the PSTD. They keep their distance, but acknowledge each other. I think?

[@tntsonic7482]

I like how they actually made the deadly six alright characters. Especially zavok later in the comic.

[@esteban8471]

His little speech in Bad Guys about how living soldiers are better than machines was such an interesting take on his character. It simultaneously fleshes him out and gives context as to how much he cares for the rest of the Deadly Six.

[@tntsonic7482]

@@esteban8471 Yeah. I like his "pack" mentality with the deadly six as well.

[@dorkork]

Orbot & Qubot aren't really shown being a threat so it kinda makes sense why he wouldn't take control of them

[@castform7]

Yeah, to Zavok, they're just a couple of dumbots that he can use to track down Eggman and Sonic in exchange for keeping their (or more so what little they have of) free will in tact.

[@TheKorenji]

Not that they could be useful under his command either, so it would be nothing but a waste of time when there are more important things to do

[@DylanBFishkeeper]

Also it may be a bit of an ego thing, getting satisfaction from having Eggman's own creations "join him" of their own free will. Since they clearly aren't powerful like Metal Sonic, they simply serve as a boast when he next encounters the Doctor.

[@raikaria3090]

Zavok also says that they'd only be able to control a few zombots; but with the emeralds they can control thousands. They 100% have a limit on their robot-control.

[@navybluemagic8571]

So many things we got to see Emerald and Metal Sonic finally meeting each other The Deadly Six actually being good at being deadly Why Slivers future is messed up And Starline getting fired

[@yeoldeseawitch]

and you know, KNUCKLES!

[@thebaku818]

Starline getting fired

[@ahogammer6895]

Gemerald*

[@buccaneerguy8197]

Bruh how can you forget White Zavok, Yellow Zavok, Green Zavok, Magenta Zavok, Blue Zavok, And Red Zavok

[@acehardware2823]

Where ma homie black Zavok at?

[@buccaneerguy8197]

@@acehardware2823 oh shit you're right my bad XD

[@NoNamex1412]

@@buccaneerguy8197 and Bowser Zavok too. (in the final comic of the saga)

[@combatant224]

KZbin kids be like:

[@sonicplays8740]

@@combatant224 And they fuse to become the Ultimate Zavok.

[@Jellyman4]

17:51 Zom-bot Vector is so greatly illustrated here,looks like something out of a creepy pasta

[@kygomashyt5592]

10:51 just really shows how much cream has suffered. You can tell she’s not in her usual cheerful moods as we see Normally, but to see her still trying to urge whisper to how they need eggman to stop the virus really is impactful to cream as a whole! Poor girl... she wants her life back with her family. I love cream so much🟠❤️

[@castform7]

I know everyones eyes are on the Deadly Six ACTUALLY being a serious threat for once in their like 7 years of existing in the Sonicverse, and yeah that's cool but I more want to look at Eggman in this issue. For a good portion of the Zombot arc, we've seen Eggman's poor management of the Zombots. He's lost control of them, doesn't seem to think things through, brushes off most ideas that aren't his and hasn't thought of a cure for the virus. This has also boosted up Starline as now he can be seen as "the better, more sensible doctor" when he contests with Eggman on the failings he doesn't seem to care about. This issue shows that while Starline seemed to be the one who could properly put things back into place, he still has his short comings like not fully researching the conch and how Eggman, while not being the best, is still a genius. He had a reason to not deploy the Zeti again, he brushed off Starline's ramblings but still kept them in mind if ever needed and didn't make a cure cause he kinda didn't need to. Dr. Eggman is a crazy, maniacal scatterbrain who doesn't think everything through, but he's not an idiot.

[@TheKorenji]

Y'know, he could've at least try to develop a cure for himself specifically, if he wasn't intending to control the Zombots.. but, oh well, he's always been built different.

[@Champsr0ck2247]

It really shows how Eggman can switch between being downright evil and downright goofy and still manage to be a consistent character. It's 100% in Eggman's character to not even attempt to find a cure because he just assumes this plan wouldn't backfire on him. And it manages to perfectly fit in with the dark, serious tones of the story.

[@kingbash6466]

I always believed that the Deadly Six could be a cool and interesting villain team for the Sonic series if they put the time to make them an interesting and credible threat. It’s just that Sega hasn’t really been doing a good job doing that and just relies on putting Zavok in every spin-off game just as “Sonic’s other bad guy.”

[@TheKorenji]

yeah, he's "the other bad guy" and I don't even know why

[@Wild48]

The IDW comic made the Deadly Six so entertaining! I love how brutal they got during this arc, it was a treat to see them actually doing stuff.

[@Ninjaman50]

I think I'm one of the very few Sonic fans that actually likes the Deadly Six. I get that they're one dimensional, had pitiful boss fights, and their designs are out pretty out there, but I still found them pretty entertaining and I'm glad these comics were able to use them in this story effectively.

[@Sonic-sb7um]

You are not alone i loves the deadly six as well and I love their designs and looks and yea I hope we more of them in the future of sonic.

[@rainpooper7088]

I feel like that’s a testament to just how starved we are for reoccurring villains that aren’t dependent on Eggman. Everything about the Deadly Six sucked, from the writing to the battles to the character designs, but at least they are *something* that SEGA is actually willing to stick with. It seems like a similar sentiment to those wanting Mephiles to return when there really is no logical reason why he should: Not only was he erased from existence, but his story has been told and he has absolutely zero versatility for future stories since his only desire is to merge into Solaris and stop existing, but oh, wasn’t it just amazing how he actually affected the main characters? Like, he killed Sonic, manipulated Silver and tried to tempt Shadow? Why can’t we have anything like that again? We‘re clinging to breadcrumbs here and it doesn’t look like the games will change that any time soon. So if there’s one thing I want out of IDW, it’s a decent rogue gallery. I‘m fine with the Deadly Six being a part of it if they’re handled well and leave enough room for new villains.

[@macblackledge6121]

The Deadly Six are suppose to be based on Japanese Oni Demons that's why they look the way they do, as for there personalities Oni in Japanese folklore had basic bad guy personalities and were used as stock villains so it kind of all fits them to a T.

[@ericbrasilfigueiredo54]

I never hated the Deadly six .I just had to wait years to see them develop further

[@gnomed1064]

Me too, i like them but I agree that they were stereotyped characters, especially in their own game, I feel happy to finally see some good character development

[@bubbleboi1122]

Deadly Six: Are in the IDW comics Me: It is... acceptable

[@NeroDeAngelo]

17:54 I never thought Big the cat could look more creepy than usually... but they not only accomplished that, but he is also TERRYFYING!

[@ManiacX1999]

10:40 One comma, "Please don't, Miss Whisper" has a whole different connotation

[@castform7]

It took me a bit to understand but once I did, I had a good chuckle.

[@TheKorenji]

"Please don't miss, Whisper." yup, that's a good one-

[@mawk2722]

I've always been kind of indifferent to the Deadly Six. Zavok was the only one I enjoyed but I can still admire bringing them back because of how much sense it makes. Also, HOLY SHIT THE BABYLON ROUGES??? Jet's been one of my favorite Sonic characters just on design alone. So hyped to see him outside of spinoffs!

[@xaion64]

I was pretty hype in the video when they showed up.

[@wtowsn5127]

That makes the three of us!

[@mistersp3753]

The pacing of this story is really great. It starts out light and innocent, but everything quickly does downhill, and it just keeps going until the end of that last chapter where they finally found the bottom. This chapter is where things finally settle down so the stage can be set for the final act. This is that all-important calm before the storm that all great war stories have.

[@kingofthe_humanz8285]

12:24 super sonic is a separate person/persona from sonic. he says "being super sonic" instead of just "being super". it also goes in line with the differing personalities. sonic is witty and energetic while super sonic is silent and focused (not to say super can't ACT like base but he's mostly silent). they also treat him as a separate entity in some of the games.

[@jordanbrooks4408]

Literally just found out about this guy and now I’m a full fan of his content. Good job man keep up the good work.

[@proceededspy1370]

I remember that i read it as "Don't MISS, Whisper" the first time (damn.. yup Cream has lost it!)

[@RadTrashed]

10:40 I remember first reading this page, and I initially misread Cream's statement as "Please don't miss, Whisper". I thought Cream just became ruthless at that point lmfao

[@scopica9073]

Super excited to see the new IDW arc involving the Zeti again. It utilizes one of their supposed best aspects - teamwork. Lost World had you fighting them one on one, so the new arc will have the Zeti give the Sonic heroes a taste of their own medicine.

[@8E_3T]

THE BABYLON ROGUES!!! OOH! Why do I have such a dumb fondness for them and everything else in the Sonic series?

[@wtowsn5127]

That makes the two of us!

[@DavidArcher_]

I like Starline. I haven't read much past the Metal Virus (I like to wait for arcs to finish before I start reading) but I hope we get to see more of him. It's nice having a less experienced but more sensible villain to contrast with Eggman.

[@Lazypackmule]

He has his own post-metal virus four issue miniseries, so there's that

[@TheKorenji]

to be fair, it's a genius move to look into something only once it's finished

[@Blazieth]

More sensible, but less experience, and with similar yet different weaknesses. Starline consistently underestimates everyone around him as a side-effect of his own arrogance. He's obsessed with Eggman in a similar fashion to Eggman's own fixation on Sonic - at first, in his need to be validated by Eggman, but then eventually his need to prove he can succeed where Eggman failed. Just like Eggman talking about his need to prove that he's superior to Sonic, Starline develops a need to prove that he's superior to Eggman. But, as you stated, he's inexperienced, and overlooks details, or, again, underestimates the people around him. Eggman is chaotic and abandons his plans once they've failed, never looking back, never looking to iterate on something to make it better once it's failed, no matter how close he came to success. Starline, on the other hand, is too eager to cling to near-successes, or look for old abandoned assets of Eggman's that he can use, without properly considering what aspects of it or what problems with it made Eggman abandon it in the first place.

[@rollingthunder7978]

13:02 Yes, but Super Sonic can transfer energy into others, like he did in Heroes, and if 1 tiny charge is enough to work the Warp Topaz, then having nigh unlimited power would overcharge the gem, thus warping the virus out of existence.

[@Sp00kyBones]

I absolutely love the extra attention IDW has been giving to Metal Sonic. The comic books make Metal Sonic seem more like an actual character, rather than just a tool at Eggman's disposal.

[@Gat720Dua]

"Evacuate to a different world" Where the heck did Eggman come from?!

[@megacrashthehedgehog5377]

I think it shows just how good of a writer Ian Flynn is when I actually find the Deadly Six threatening.

[@mechajay3358]

Metal Sonic throwing Starline was so Awesome. Dude had it comin.

[@KavinCatastrophe]

Love How He can't be Bother to use the Wiki Just to Learn the Deadly Six Names. "We got Zavok, The Green One, The Purple One, Yellow One, The Blue One, and Emo One.

[@redparrotgaming8060]

"lets get the chaos emeralds so sonic can become super sonic" YOU DON'T HAVE TO! You have the master emerald right in front of you, if mecha sonic was able to do it, why can't sonic do the same thing, it would be way faster and you could use the super form later on to catch the zeti off-guard

[@goldenfoxy5788]

As it turns out, Sonic can't. No reason why, he just can't. That's what Flynn said.

[@redparrotgaming8060]

@@goldenfoxy5788 ok...that's odd, it's one of those things that the only explanation is "because plot"

[@goldenfoxy5788]

@@redparrotgaming8060 It's a similar situation to the Chaos Emeralds/Chaos Control not being able to get rid of the Virus. I'm pretty sure Sega doesn't want any Archie callbacks.

[@viruschris3160]

@@goldenfoxy5788 Archie callback? I never read them, but seen some pages like Scourge getting his iconic green fur from using the Master Emerald. Didn’t turn him super though. That said, Mechanic Sonic was powered up by the Master Emerald in a different way compared to the Chaos Emeralds? Like Chaos Emerald have like Yin energy which Sonic needs to transform into Super and the Master Emerald is Yang type of Chaos energy? For an example why it might the reason why they don’t use the Master Emerald to transform?

[@goldenfoxy5788]

@@viruschris3160 not long after Scourge gained his green fur, Knuckles was turned into an evil god by Dr. Finitevus, a negative counterpart to Knuckles in a way. Sonic later turned super using the Master Emerald to fight him.

[@ToastyRoyale]

I was genuinely impressed with how good Ian has made the Deadly Six in the IDWs. They still aren't the BEST characters, but he's at least given them some actual stuff to do and made them feel like... Well, actual characters (especially Zavok/Red).

[@FletcherReedsRandomness]

Fans: Things can't possibly get worse for our heroes! Ian Flynn: Hold my Chaos Emerald.

[@alexrowe7063]

10:40 i read what cream said as "please don't miss whisper" like she supported whisper jfking eggy.

[@dluxx3719]

Man, I feel like I must be the only one that really enjoys the Zeti in the franchise(or at least a few of them) It makes total sense for them to be here and it's great that they are here.

[@doswallo]

After the last episode of Sonic Speed Reading, I finally decided to pick up the comic and read it for myself. I already knew the story that was going to be covered in this episode, so I thought I wouldn't enjoy this video of it as much. Quite the opposite, though! The video only enhanced the comic, giving me a fuller picture of the entire thing. I highly recomend that everyone watching these videos read the comic as well. Nick's videos and the comic together make for a more fully complete package!

[@grimsonforce7504]

I've been debating about picking it up, (don't have the time) however I will at least get it and save it for when I do.

[@CyanicCore]

Personally, this part was way less scary. The deadly six are used better than in their game, but where before there was no plan, and the zombots were near an unstoppable force, there now is a plan, and the zombots are controlled. That said, we're all set for the climax! Never noticed the thing with Starline's hand, but it's clever. However, the others quickly get a huge portal thing set up, so... idk. Edit: Perhaps Orbot could be more useful with his actual AI, rather than Zavok attempting to order him? Managing as much as he does, this way may be quicker. After a couple games and more importantly these comics, I've got the names of these... below-average characters. I doubt you'd remember, but if it helps: The pink crazy one: Zazz The yellow fat one: Zomom The green self-absorbed one: Zeena The blue old one: Zik The gray depressed one: Zor The red smart one that's basically Bowser when he fights: Zavok

[@bobnoko9105]

The Babylon rouges thats pretty interesting wasn't expecting to see them

[@personman2454]

That final panel managing to make Charmy and Big actually look intimidating is truly a work of art.

[@Ripevenriplier]

Yeeting Starlight out of dis Arc. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@dspace4514]

It makes sense that Sonic would be the one to stop Amy from attacking Eggman considering he is probably the only one who wouldn't kill Eggman on sight.

[@raikaria3090]

But Sonic also proposes something worse than simply killing Eggman. He says if the reason isn't good *he'll infect him himself* . Not kill. No. Eggman would *intentionally* be made a Zombot by Sonic.

[@zero69kage]

I've recently been thinking about Shadow and trying to come up with an explanation for his behavior in recent Sonic media. I think I've come up with something that actually made a lot of sense the more I thought about it. Shadow's character development backpedaled because 06 never happened. This shadow's character development stopped at the shadow the Hedgehog game. Given the weird nature of the story of that game it's actually kind of hard to figure out were his character is at the end. And in 06 he learns to accept that he has friend that he can rely on. And Mephiles showing him the potential future tha awaits him served to cement him as a more heroic character. I don't think this idea perfectly explains his behavior but I does line up better than I expected.

[@iamlordapollo]

ive been thinking about him alot myself too. i actually disagree with most of the fandom thats unhappy with the direction of his character. i personally think it suits him very well and actually makes his arcs in SA2B, heroes, his solo game and 06 even better retroactively. Im pretty sure that the 3 hedgehogs remember the events of 06 because they were in super form when the timeline reset so im including shadows development from that game. in fact i would call that the conclusion to his initial character arc. by the end of 06 he has recovered his memories, learned how much his friends love him, honored maria's wish, accepted his fate in a failed future, and even sacrificed his life (despite surviving) for the earth. so all that inner shadow stuff about HIS feelings, HIS past, and how HE feels about HIS friends blah blah blah is complete. the next character arc hes now going thru is about learning to interact with the other characters now that he has himself figured out. and of course the thing that pushed him in this direction was sonic. i think that shadow was always more of a vegeta clone than we even realized in the fandom. "Ultimate Life Form" and the "Prince of all Saiyans" both sound like grandiose empty titles to me. think about it, he was born on the arc looking down on the earth being told every day he was the ultimate life form. sure hes nowhere near as entitled as vegeta was, but im sure hes connected the dots that the mural in the hidden palace on angel island is what gerald based him on, AND that the hedgehog depicted in the mural is a prophecy of sonic. he does respect sonic, but that has to sting deep down on some level. so i think him being a little more petty and aggro towards sonic is his way of fueling their rivalry to motivate himself to keep improving and make a jab at sonic. shadow is basically like the spoiled rich kid who was always best at everything who gets upset when the unpopular kid beats them by working hard. since the dark age games gave shadow a complete arc, hes established on numerous occasions that hes on the good guy team and hes here to stay. i think its a direct result of the other characters accepting him into the fold over time, which is making him let his guard down. hes already proven himself that hes the hero so he feels comfortable letting out some of his more flawed traits with these characters that hes gone through so much with. so thats why hes a little hot headed and a little petty and he bullies some chao. we (the audience and the characters) all know that shadow is a softee deep down, and hes embarassed that noone sees him as the mysterious ultimate life form anymore so these small petty changes in his attitude are a thinly veiled attempt to hide his good nature to project the image that he wants people to see. thats how i interpret his story from adventure 2 to present day

[@iamlordapollo]

@Alec Jackman 58 (STUDENT) that's actually not true. I know what your referring to with silvers parentage, but its never been explicitly confirmed or denied either way. Similar to izuka saying sonic CD comes before sonic 2 but the actual guy who made CD (i forget his name) says it comes after S3&K. I think we can all agree as a fandom that Ian Flynn knows the characters better than sega themselves does, and im inclined to take his word over sonic team any day even if Sonic team directly denies what he says. Either way its pretty clear the 3 hedgehogs all remember 06.

[@expertzero78]

This is exactly why I love the IDW Comics. They take poorly written characters (cough, cough, Deadly Six) and give them justice to make them feel like less mediocre villains. They did this with the Shadow Androids in the Tangle and Whisper spinoff comics, and I enjoy that.

[@KodyTauros]

That shot at the end of the issue is so badass, how you gonna make Big look intimidating and play it completely straight

[@windchimes2883]

Am I the only one who thought Cream said: "Please don't miss, Whisper." At a first glance?

[@Jellyman4]

17:25 That blue infected zom-bot looks alot like Tails

[@KavinCatastrophe]

Well that was Fast. Someone must have been real Excited to Talk About The Deadly Six. The Most Terrifying Villains in the entire Sonic Franchise.

[@superhydra8873]

Theyre literally clowns...... Literally fucking Eggman is scarier than them, they aren't even cool, mephiles is the closest thing to a 'scary villain' considering he kills sonic and turns into a corrupted version of shadow with a very weird laugh

[@TheKorenji]

@@superhydra8873 I mean... Eggman IS scarier, once you take into account how much bullshit he's actually caused without regret.. however, I'd put the Deadly Six at the same level of Bowser, though

[@ToaArcan]

@@TheKorenji Bowser has charisma. He's just generally a joy to have in every game. The Zeti are just store-brand Bowser and co., and it doesn't work.

[@KavinCatastrophe]

@@ToaArcan Well that not Fair. Browser had like a 100 Games to develop his Character. The Deadly six Has like 1. Not to say i like the Deadly six. But if they had more games maybe they might get better.

[@ToaArcan]

@@KavinCatastrophe Bowser didn't need multiple games to get good, he's always been there.

[@thedarkest9]

Thank you for staying consistent with this story. I’m really enjoying it.

[@drakath5727]

Aight you convinced me to actually care for this story the moment you said Babylon rogues.

[@KraziShadowbear]

3:25 I just realized that not only did you describe Eggman with that sentence, but also SEGA in general. They don't go back to "plans that worked" and usually abandon them. they're "smart" with a lot of failings and shortcomings, etc....

[@davidsondoliver]

When the Babylon Rogues showed up, I had a mini heart attack

[@miwiki6]

woah, the babylon rogues appearing caught me off guard

[@GFCOLCQuote]

10:38 Man, Cream, if that comma was just one word over this comic would have had a very different ending.

[@urdeadnotbigsuprise7439]

Funny right? Someone get onto this.

[@pa1719]

I literally just got hooked on these videos especially the metal virus arc and last night I was really hoping you’d upload so I know what happens in the end and it seems my prayers have been answered :)

[@904funny]

Ugh the parallels to COVID hit SO HARD here!

[@alvarox951]

to be fair haven't read any of the comics but seing the babylon rogues come back gave me a lot of hype! besides the idea of the babylon rogues facing the sinister 6 sounds pretty cool (specially if they are literally faster than sonic in their extreme gears)

[@Quimbee257]

I love how angry knuckles got when his island got spit on.

[@bobnoko9105]

I've been waiting. I actually got the comics myself just so I could read along

[@UntalentedBrick]

Certifed gamer moment.

[@octoartstuff]

They're making me like the deadly six, what's happening?

[@isaaclefevre7226]

Good writing, that's what's happening.

[@BugsyFoga]

It took until the Idw comics for the deadly six to be actual characters , who'd of thunk it .

[@Hyperdragon1701]

It actually kinda bothers me how everybody seems to have forgotten that Sonic is actually way more proficient in Chaos Control than Shadow, even in his base form. Its just that he for some reason never used it after Adventure 2.

[@chi-wind8593]

Yeah, I wonder why it hasn’t been brought up again?

[@michaelcarlton1484]

Sonic has more experience with the Chaos Emeralds, but Shadow has the ability to use Chaos Energy literally built into him and that knowledge has been used a lot more than Sonic learning the abilities on the fly.

[@Lazypackmule]

Sonic is great with it naturally(because of course he is), but Shadow knows much more about its various uses and is way more experienced with it, to the point where he can even harness that energy to an extent without an emerald at all Shadow would absolutely be the go-to here if he wasn't already zombotified, because this is a job that very specifically calls for an insane degree of precision Both of them would be on the back foot anyway considering how much of a wild card element the warp topaz is, but it would be like a really good novice bike rider vs. a mountain bike competition winner going full speed down an unknown mountain trail

[@justcallmekai1554]

I thought Shadow was the best at it? Outside of Sa2 with the much weaker Fake Emerald (he struggles to pull C.C off there) and 06 if you count that, Sonic doesn't use Chaos Abilities at all. He is only proficient in using the Super Form and even that is just by mere exposure not actual training. Shadow's catchphrase is yelling "Chaos Contol!" along with his much more varied moveset using Chaos Energy. He summons Chaos Spears, Lance's, Arrows, Warps around without even using an Emerald, controls Space-Time efficiently (Shadows Moveset in Battle as a reference), Eruptions of destructive Chaos (Chaos Blast), and can even enhance himself with Chaos Boost. Maybe I'm missing something here but, Shadow is way better at using Chaos in general than Sonic can. Not canon but in Sonic X, Shadow basically tells Sonic that he sucks at using Chaos Control. I believe it was in Season 3.

[@TheKorenji]

To be fair, Sonic is not in the best shape either... or do you think he is?

[@thetower8577]

Yo man, we appreciate every episode, good work!

[@InfiniteJexulus]

I think the idea with Super Sonic + the Warp Topaz was that Super Sonic can’t cure the virus, but he can power the Warp Topaz, which has reality warping powers. Uh, I guess the best comparison is an air conditioning system in a building wouldn’t be able to regulate the temperature of a whole building very well with just a back-up generator, but if it were connected to the city power grid it could do so easily. And even though said power grid can provide a lot of power, no amount of power output on its own will cool a building, but through a proper conduit (said AC system) it can be channeled for that result.

[@julianx2rl]

13:02 - The Warp Topaz its basically the Phantom Ruby. It can change reality at will, so it probably has the ability to change an infected one back to its former self, Super Sonic its only necessary to amplify its range.

[@SplashNetwork]

Uploaded on my birthday! Amazing video as always! Keep up the great work!

[@grahamjhallaudio8198]

OMG on edge of my seat! 🤩 been waiting for this while I wait for comics to be delivered 😎

[@inubaka07]

Can I just say I love that you're so giggly at the funny parts. You giggling makes me giggle too and the world needs more laughter so thanks for that.

[@EvilPikachu09]

I have been loving this series, keep putting out this fantastic series

[@keybladegames_real]

This video came out on my birthday! :D I'll consider this a present from Game Apologist and know that I LOVE IT!!! XD

[@PapaDePicante]

Sonic: is almost fully infected Knuckles: *"Sonic! Why do you look like metal Sonic"*

[@estydiaz3751]

I honestly love your speed reading man. It always great to hear your take on it cause I like to think about it as well and just act I’m having a chat with someone else about sonic stuff lol

[@Oxman7077]

I need to read this series proper cause goddamn I love how establishing the very last shot is for this comic

[@cold-bloodedbeats4139]

10:41 Ok holy crap commas are important. Cream says "Please don't, Miss Whisper" but I skimmed past and didn't see the comma there and read it as "Please don't miss Whisper". Based Cream

[@MageSkeleton]

This makes me want to make a parody comic (not using any of the OG sonic characters but in the sonic style with maybe a cameo of Sonic jetting across the distance) where i actually stumble across the "cure" being just exposure to water. Water causes the metal virus to rust and it deteriorates in water. Too bad the sonic gang don't know what an EMP is.

[@Ronin_Vector]

This series continues to fan services the shit out of me and I'm all about it.

[@Yachizzi]

Holy shit I did not expected Babylon Rogues. I am so hyped for next parts. You're voice is made for Sonic comics reading

[@MelonTartVA]

I love that Sonic knows how to deal with Jet by stroking the 14-year-old hawk's ego.

[@maryafantalia8614]

I love Deadly Six ! I hope their return !

[@Matter_Of_Fact]

Im very thankful for these vids

[@AmeliaPlayz]

Did not expect to see the Babylon Rogues here tbh.

[@VictoryReviews]

I absolutely love how the deadly six were handled! They felt so intimidating and threatening

[@Mepphy99]

For how good this ARC and the minimal things were (Cream holding an enraged omega Is pure Gold) I do wonder how Ian Flynn was able to go with the "characters can't show super espressive faces" and then Tangle Cream Wisper and Sonic can break in tears ... Or metal Sonic can have a "gonna Murder you" look 16:00 if Only Eggman Nega could return ... Would love that

[@JayboCorp.2014]

I absolutely LOVE intense dark and intricate this story is. I'm going to have to go read it after the speed reading series is over. Metal Virus Saga has been _an absolute blast_ to look forward to every week or every few weeks.

[@brolookatthatthingbehindyo1324]

Sheep Girl is called Lanolin

[@Veprem]

"Please don't, miss Whisper" vs "Please don't miss, Whisper"

[@toadpoo3096]

this was so amazing, i love speed reading, also zavok, zazz,zeena,zik, zomom, and zor