Metal Virus: The Darkest of Days | Sonic Speed Reading

#sonicthehedgehog #metalvirus #idw
Today we focus on IDW Sonic issues 21-24 where we follow the different heroes as they do their best to fight off the ever-growing metal virus and...well...you'll see.
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[@mistersp3753]

Sonic: Things couldn't possibly get any worse. Ian Flynn: I'll see what I can do.

[@FrostTheHobidon]

Sega approve of this

[@fodv93]

Ian Flynn: *And I took that personally*

[@Grimmson2]

Sonic: Things couldn't possibly get any worse. John Cena suddenly appears: ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

[@charismaentertainer1657]

Ian Flynn: allow me to introduce myself!

[@mistersp3753]

@@charismaentertainer1657 Ian Flynn: a man of wealth and taste. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Sympathy for the Devil is a great song, and I think of it every time I hear that first line.

[@kxnnoir]

Forces tails: "The virgin" IDW tails: "The gigachad"

[@digimonlover1632]

@Hooty HOOT HOOT No

[@TheRealUnkn0wn_289]

@@digimonlover1632 Yes

[@PrismTheLoser]

@Hooty HOOT HOOT Hahahae

[@johnman8398]

And by forces tails you mean tails since 2008.

[@Soufriere84]

​@@johnman8398 Don't you mean AFTER 2008? He was useful in Unleashed. He was also useful in Colours even though they whiffed the opportunity to have Sonic legit fight him. Just imagine it… Sonic forced to fight a mind-controlled Tails. And since Tails according to Sonic 2 & 3 is immortal… Dammit they even missed a great mythology gag there!

[@Klonoahedgehog]

That scene where Vector rushes in to protect the others and tells Espio that "He's the lead detective now" is the most badass thing theyve ever done with this character.

[@demongamer_IX]

Well they have to *imitates Vector's voice* find the computer room and find a cure.

[@EternityVoid_]

Forces writers: Forces is gonna be a dark. *Tells but doesn't show.* Ian Flynn: Fine, I'll do it myself.

[@mechajay3358]

And he did it much better.

[@justinmyers7587]

And this is on point

[@TheKorenji]

I think they meant the script for Sonic Forces would literally be written in the dark

[@Square1nes]

@@TheKorenji lmfao

[@ScapeVEVO]

I just realized Knuckles hasn't a clue what's goin on

[@fodv93]

Yep. It's not until the next speed reading that he'll be caught up. The reactions knuckles has in the comic series as a whole is just my most favorite thing overall.

[@spaghettimaster9368]

No spoilers but his reaction to the situation is one of the best in the series

[@fodv93]

@@spaghettimaster9368 FACTS. Plus his reaction to getting the master emerald back in the metal sonic arc is just priceless

[@cliffturbo2146]

I'm confuuuuuused!

[@dankovskimark4540]

Wish I could draw. Just two 4komas side by side, one with scenes of PG-13 Zombot slaughter and one with Knuckles just going about his day with that dopey smile of his.

[@scopica9073]

What I love about Issue 21-23 is the different points of view on each other. Tails seemed calm on his end, but in Amy's monitor, he's sweating and stressed out. When Sonic is talking to Tails on radio, he seemed confident with a smirk on Tails' end, as that is how he imagines Sonic. In Issue 23, however, Sonic's actual situation is dark and grim.

[@theflameviper2154]

What a cool detail, nice catch!

[@AAhmou]

Kinda reminds me of Sonic Adventure's story structure.

[@lucylu3342]

Tails in his perspective: "Amy, how are you holding up?" Tails in Amy's perspective: "FUCK"

[@olliesidaway]

Weirdly, this is probably the most development Sonic has had in years as a character. It’s not much but it’s damn interesting. His guilt of not being able to help his friends, his guilt of allowing Eggman to roam free, his guilt of letting Metal Sonic go. It adds a dynamic to Sonic that makes him that bit more interesting. Kinda like how the movie said “How about Sonic…but he feels lonely?”, a simple addition that adds a tone to the character

[@Square1nes]

kinda like how in the black knight we see sonic’s views and beliefs

[@VakovoSheggorri]

In summery! Emotions that sonic is allowed to show: -90's-tude -Crippling Guilt

[@Avatarbee]

In the end it all got dialed back because Metall Sonic was crucial in the fight against Super Zavoc. So Sonic feels his extreme mercy is validated and learns almost nothing.

[@hoangkienvu7572]

@@Avatarbee To be fair, what kind of lesson could you even take from this? Like I get that letting Mr.Tinker go is what led to this whole mess, but Sonic also witnessed a bunch of his former enemies reformed into better people. Giving people second chances is just that thing that will always be morally ambiguous. However, I do agree that you feel almost no character development once the arc finished and the excitement died down. It's not just Sonic but other characters as well. It just seems the writers don't know how to close off a story in a satisfying way, but that's just a minor problem.

[@Avatarbee]

@@hoangkienvu7572 He could have learned that Eggman will never change no matter how many chances he gets. Eggman had the chance to experience what it is like to live a normal life and he abandoned it all as soon as he could and destroyed the village that took him in for good measure. Eggman will never choose not to be a monster so maybe it is high time that someone stabs a quill between his eyes or at least throws him into a prison instead of just letting him rampage everywhere.

[@ghoulthedamned5940]

Shadow: Goes out like a bitch. Everyone else: Goes out like a god damn epic hero.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

Except charmy, but it then again it is charmy.

[@moonthehybrid7854]

@@fightingmedialounge519 well he tried saving the girl who was being infected He’s just so naïve but also so kind hearted

[@fightingmedialounge519]

@@moonthehybrid7854 ok, charmmy gets half a point.

[@moonthehybrid7854]

@@fightingmedialounge519 ha-

[@soilderzero2982]

The way shadow got taken out was stupid, but he did go out swing. Still dumb but not exactly a bitch

[@mistersp3753]

Tangle went out like a boss! She's such a strong character, especially when you consider that she probably knows most of the people she's smacking around. She beats up her friends and sacrifices herself to help save the world! That's a real hero!

[@gabriel_cooper]

Bonus points to vector too, dude's a badass.

[@mistersp3753]

@@gabriel_cooper Yeah, he was cool. He made a mistake, but he made sure nobody else had to pay for it. Hopefully he won't be going in teeth-first as a zombot.

[@jurassicarkjordanisgreat1778]

It reminds me of noble six staying behind to help the pillar of auttem take off in halo reach.

[@LudicrousTorpedo]

I agree mate, but hearing that the person who sacrificed himself to save everyone else was your closest friend is very heartbreaking. If I heard that, I wouldn't lash out like Whisper did, I would simply pull out my gun and kill myself, since the world is ending anyway. I know it's a stupid thing to say, but if you heard your friend sacrificed himself, either you tried to hold back your tears and be grateful, or this was your last straw and couldn't take it anymore.

[@sluigi]

*wait went out* oh no

[@patpoanimations]

I like how they show tails being nervous while he calls Amy and Sonic. As much as I don’t like how emotionally restricted Sonic is, it’s great we get to see everyone else express fear.

[@COCK_V4]

Who wouldn’t be

[@pixeluka5809]

Someone

[@Gundam_JAY]

Master chief??

[@patpoanimations]

@@COCK_V4 Doomslayer?

[@Donotclickhere1025]

COUGHcovid19COUGH COUGH sorry I had an itch in my throat

[@christopherdaniels953]

Those Whisper panels were next level, despair incarnate.

[@heartlessnobody1143]

Sephiroth: i Just want to say, im a huge fan!

[@Dusk_Mightyena]

She will have her revenge!

[@flabort]

I am legit sobbing. It reminds me of losing my brother. I am sure my grieved howl of anguish was heard through the whole province.

[@Dusk_Mightyena]

😢

[@bryanarroyo9732]

Tell me about it.

[@dantemustdie00]

Never before have Sonic and friends felt so defeated and flat out tired, not even when Eggman defeated Sonic and destroyed Knothole in Archie, he didn't throw in the towel, but here it really feels like he's ready to drop and cry (tho Sega Mandates wouldn't allow that lol)

[@Simon_Electric]

Sonic would become a zombot before Sega would allow him to become realistic. 😃it just hit me!! The Zombie are in part a metaphor for Sega's mandates! So lifeless, so controlled that they will eventually take on a life of their own.

[@CometX-ing]

He was pretty down and out for a time when Sally got turned into Mecha Sally and Naugus took control of New Mobotropolis. I honestly feel like Archie handled the concept of the heroes being at their lowest point better than IDW does here.

[@sinnoy7297]

@@Simon_Electric I mean true they won’t let sonic show any true weakness but to be fair he’s got way more personality and humanity than Nintendo will ever let Mario have so that’s fine by me

[@sinnoy7297]

@@CometX-ing maybe I didnt really read Archie but I feel like all and all this is better for a sonic comic since it’s much easier to get into than Archie cus it follows from the game lore I’m not saying Archie is worse as a story or art just that it’s kinda more intimidating to get into and start compared to idw

[@CometX-ing]

@@sinnoy7297 Archie was also running for a LONG time. IDW follows the game lore, sure, but even then, the longer it goes on the more it’s likely to diverge from the games as it continues to build its own universe. That is unless Sega prevents it from doing so.

[@eatmyshortsproductions]

Imagine if we got the metal virus as a sonic game, and we could play from each characters perspective. Like, Tails in the walker, sonic running from the virus, even shadow fighting the zombies possibly

[@patrickcarter2829]

Something tells me Tails' segment would devolve into those lab segments from Spiderman PS4...

[@Magibatproductions]

SA3: Pandemic Panic

[@Simon_Electric]

You would then have Sonic Adventure 3

[@datto240z]

NO Tails in a robot!!!

[@M_Alexander]

@@Simon_Electric problem?

[@mistersp3753]

I really appreciate what IDW did for Tails character in this arc, especially compared to the overly dependent little wuss he was in Sonic Forces. Sure, he cries but for all the right reasons. He had the cure right there in his hands, and, for no fault of his own, he lost it. He was absolutely devastated, and rightfully so. He had a means to save the world literally in his grasp, and it was knocked right out of his hands, crashing to the ground along with the hopes and dreams of all of his friends. Even after all of that, he's somehow able to pick himself up and push forward, with only the consolation that if he found a cure once, he can do it again. The little guy's been through quite a bit in this story, enough to psychologicaly destroy a weaker mind. Hopefully, he can get a bit of redemption later.

[@Du-yw1pz]

And hopefully he'll be written like this in future games to. Because we need brave and confident Tails back. Has it been since Adventure 1 when he last had this attitude or something?

[@mistersp3753]

@@Du-yw1pz Even back then he was often following along behind Sonic, much like he did in the original games. He seems far more independent now.

[@Du-yw1pz]

@@mistersp3753 right. And Iike I said, hopefully he can be written in future games like how he was in this story arc and such

[@mistersp3753]

@@Du-yw1pz Yes, it would be nice to see a mature, independent Tails in the games.

[@Du-yw1pz]

@@mistersp3753 right. Hopefully the current writers of Sonic Team and the games in general take notes of this or just read this whole story arc and such

[@anthonytamuzza591]

Eggman may have intelligence, but he lacks wisdom is how I would summarize his character.

[@PrismTheLoser]

Yeah basically. He has a +10 in intelligence and a -3 in wisdom

[@videocommets]

That sums him up to a T.

[@phantomstrider]

Couldn't agree more.

[@nancyzhao5500]

Books smart isn’t the same as common sense. Sonic may not be super intelligent, but he does possess at least a bit of the latter.

[@edex59]

You can’t have an intelligence-based play style without a high wisdom to back it up.

[@twaggytheatricks4960]

Random thing here, but I appreciate that the Central City shot shows building design that legit looks like the ones seeen in Sonic Battle's Central City. Given that they also kept Tails' house design from the same game, it's just a cool notice. I appreciate this sort of detail.

[@BKChanSaga6767]

Yeah that’s awesome

[@VincentEternal]

Ya that’s the kind of detail I love so much. It really goes a long way in showing that these comics take place after the games and making the world feel consistent and real.

[@AleT118]

An another detail is that the two Chao are Zombit Cheese and Chocola.

[@louisp_g3670]

There were humans in Shadow the Hedgehog's Central City

[@SonicDaNigahog]

RIGHT!

[@highjumper2926]

Everybody:We must protect everyone Germel: Hmm...Rabbet

[@PK-Radio]

R a b b e t

[@lucylu3342]

Germel: "Toss that buzzy bastard offboard he's hazardous to my _RABBET_ "

[@achairwithagunproductions2216]

HERE IT COMES, HERE COMES THE PAIN TRAIN EVERYONE! GET ON BOARD CAUSE WE"RE RIDING ALL THE WAY TO HELL TODAY!

[@achairwithagunproductions2216]

OH BOY YEP HERE IT IS, PAIN TRAIN RIDE RIGHT INTO THE FEELS. I SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING BUT OH BOY SEEING THIS AGAIN FUCKS ME MAN. OUCH.

[@starspiritthedutchangeldra8140]

AAAAHHHHH-

[@neosolitudexevermore4895]

11:56 I love how most of the Deadly Six are scared spitless of Zavok, while Master Zik is like "That's my boy!"

[@bebopknux5857]

Honestly, this will be the closest we'll ever get to a truly dark story for sonic in the IDW, considering death and well things that would *truly* mess up kids this is basically it, Zombifying is essentially being dead, Characters are acting more human than ever before, *Sonic being tired and dropping the cocky attitude* heck the fact that Cream, the child appeal looked dead in the eyes was powerful enough. And it was all by the hands of a man who has nothing to loose, just because Sonic was too naïve. Honestly I love this saga and it gives people a reason to care about the comic if they didn't already. Sure they'll win in the end but it's about the *moment* not the end, by thinking about the end you're basically stopping yourself from truly respecting the arc.

[@harleycarley8055]

Knuckles, where are you at? Your friends are in a zombie apocalypse.

[@steveroby8360]

It is sad that whisper's best friend got infected it made me cry which I hardly even do

[@steveroby8360]

Especially when whisper and is 1 and 3 in my favorite sonic character only sticks is in second only to whisper the wolf

[@steveroby8360]

Tangle is in 3rd

[@tuannguyenhoang3977]

@@harleycarley8055 Knuckles be like: Ahem, I got a giant emerald to protect.

[@L._Vireo]

“Everyone died. The end.” -Patrick

[@Dusk_Mightyena]

You are gonna take that back!

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

That didn't help at all!

[@PK-Radio]

"I'll make you eat those words." -Sonic

[@diskdem0n]

@@PK-Radio can't eat if you're dead lol

[@PK-Radio]

@@diskdem0n I'll make you eat those words

[@Fanatic_Foremem]

God amys so underused at this point that her hammers a “underused game mechanic” to you now? That says alot.

[@LupinticDream]

That was kind of funny. But also sad.

[@FrostTheHobidon]

Shows that Sega doesn’t know what to do with the characters besides Sonic being the only one playable.

[@mindbox44]

@@FrostTheHobidon It's probably because some people complained there were too many playable characters.

[@Espartanica]

@@mindbox44 Nah, it's because they can't figure out what kind of game they wanna make

[@mindbox44]

@@Espartanica Ever since 06, Sonic Team have been avoiding doing anything they've done in the Adventure games. That's also why they got rid of serious stories.

[@mcknightmareb4u494]

The IDW comics honestly made me adore the Deadly Six, when written and drawn well they can be so funny and expressive. Master Zik had a line where he literally says "Yeah it was very wise to let us wait and be more vengeful". Also Zavok is genuinely menacing and threatening, I really liked him in Bad Guys. I don't want to see them in a mainline game again, but like, for Spin Offs like Racing and the Olympics they're solid picks.

[@Mysticgamer]

If Ian could write the story for the game, I wouldn't mind seeing the Zeti again. Actually, with his skill I wouldn't mind seeing Infinite again.

[@AAhmou]

Yeah... In these comics they've been solid characters (despite their distinctive lack of any backstory).

[@Mephiles343]

@@Mysticgamer i like infinite,If he was written better i'd love him more lol

[@phantomstrider]

Holy crap.. When Sonic comics are allowed to get as dark as they want, suddenly the series becomes absolutely fascinating! When Sonic was run to exhaustion at 28:00, I legitimately shed a tear. To see Sonic whom I've grown up with for 30 years finally running out of steam.. There's something that just churns my gut about it and affronts me. Was legitimately horrified yet hooked listening to your narration of this amazing series. Thanks for showing me this side of the Sonic Universe I never thought I'd see.

[@TheKorenji]

That's pretty much why we want Sonic games with actual focus on the plot, because to be fair, a charming writing and gameplay is all it takes for a game to be praised despite its flaws

[@flowerslime4697]

YOOO I WATCH YOUR VIDS

[@somedudewhodraws9377]

Well in this comic he mentions he hasnt slept basically at all but he did mention mini naps but thats not enough. If he continued for 8 days he would have stared hallucinating. And he might have accidentally infected everyone much sooner in the timeline of this saga

[@steveroby8360]

It is sad that whisper's best friend got infected

[@soundcloud-Dude1045]

Hey

[@MilesProwerStudios78]

I love how Ian Flynn what's characters into apocalyptic scenarios

[@Yuti640]

Ah yes Ian what’s characters into apocalyptic very well

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

Ian Flynn: "I accidentally the whole cast, is that bad?"

[@grapefroot6515]

very one’s english is me stroke

[@ibraheemali7028]

Grape Froot god lord i comment love yours .

[@NoNamex1412]

@@Yuti640 if only the writers for the sonic games could what's the characters well

[@PROTOBLUES90]

A hero is defined by the actions they take to save the day. To save lives. What do you call a hero that ultimately failed with their own misguided actions? A hero.

[@UnifiedEntity]

This is the tails we needed since Sonic Adventure games, Sonic Battle and Sonic X .....now we just need to get the real Shadow back.

[@dancingbeans7696]

It really does suck, they finally nailed the 4Kids/Adventure era tails. But they failed to write Jason Griffith Shadow

[@igpinfinitygameplayer7170]

I don't know why but my most favorite line said by Shadow is in sonic x is in season 3 where Shadow tells cosmo to die in the most deadpan voice. Shadow literally only says die in that scene and its deadpan. WHY DO I FIND THAT HILARIOUS, THE JAPANESE SUB IS TOO POWERFUL.

[@angrybrony]

The whisper panel is so expressive I can practically hear it.

[@johnman8398]

I'm more invested in this story than I have been for any sonic game and I hope that someday somehow Ian Flynn gets to write for the games at some point.

[@Zakanuva]

Be careful what you wish for. _It may come true, and you may not like what you get from it._

[@Nitro_0999]

@@Zakanuva What makes you think that?

[@xeno4693]

Now THAT would be amazing

[@dancingbeans7696]

@@Nitro_0999 I believe he's saying this because he might be referring to the mistakes called Pontac and Graff. While I would be very cautious about Ian Flynn the difference between him and Pontac and Graff is Flynn actually worked on sonic and knows about it, the other two has no idea and never changed

[@thekingzhaul5914]

It's official, Ian is writting the new game.

[@Pantherblack]

That is some AMAZING visual storytelling. The mark of a pro fucking artist.

[@TheRealMightyEmperor]

Vector's infection was probably my favourite part of the entire arc. Reading that for the first time as someone who loved Sonic Heroes hit hard.

[@marshallthomasiii6091]

The whole reason Eggman is the way he is is because nobody respected his genius right? (that and the Gerald going nutty thing maybe). That moment when Eggman recalls his time as mister Tinker and for a brief moment realizes HE HAD what he wanted all along, respect and admiration. But he also realizes there's no going back after what he's done and just doubles down back into his old ways. Hope they build on that later down the line, really nice execution, the whole scene with him Sonic and Starline really. Tails isn't a wimp and retain his growth from SA 1 and 2, Vector and Tangle's boss as hell last stands, Cream's broken "Hello Mr. Sonic" (wasn't in this video), Whisper VISCREAL reaction to Tangle's infection, Starline's logic clashing with Eggman's eccentric attitude. Feels so good to have these character FEEL like characters...then you look at how Sega handles them and its like a monkey trying to use a pen like a sword. MAN I wish these dudes wrote for the games.

[@Blazieth]

On the note of Mr. Tinker having what Eggman originally wanted all along, I can't help but wonder how differently things might have gone if they had sat Mr. Tinker down and told him the truth, and told him who he used to be, and the things he's done... and given him the chance to either continue to live as Mr. Tinker, or revert to Eggman under controlled circumstances. At worst, it would mean if the old Eggman persona reared its head later, it would now be competing with how Mr. Tinker feels about Eggman's atrocities, instead of Mr. Tinker being kept in the dark, so all he knows is "there's a scary dude named Eggman who looks like me, that sounds ominous". They chose to rely on the memories never returning. But they could have given Mr. Tinker the chance to defend himself from the return of Eggman.

[@corerupted]

16:28 Hits me hard. I know that sacrifices in zombie scenarios are common but this really reminds me of Goku's sacrifice to insta transmission Cell away before he explodes. It really shows how Ian can take the characters who are usually now known to take a back seat during the story and made you actually feel for them, bringing emotional impact while staying in line with what Sega gave him.

[@spaghettimaster9368]

Tails:I sure hope everything is alright on Sonic’s end. Sonic:LITERALLY EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG!

[@sodamustdie4372]

I know this has been said before, A LOT...but the games need this type of storytelling. This is incredible

[@crjonch8044]

The metal virus arc is everything sonic forces wanted to be

[@rynobehnke8289]

I personally would prefer a story that isn't entire build on contrivances and contradictions as this entire story was.

[@sirblankface7607]

One little thing you didn't mention about Wisper's breakdown is that she was just about to attack Amy and that's seemingly why the wisps got involved.

[@SladeDoobiedog]

I legit cried for Whisper. The art done to display that raw emotion was incredible and really hit hard.

[@steveroby8360]

Same here especially when whisper is my favorite sonic character

[@Blazieth]

Combine that art with the work done by the people at the Adrenaline Dubs channel. The actress for Whisper over there is absolutely _stunning._ She's quiet and adorable during her shy whisper-y moments, but when she belts out that scream, it hits the heart and soul like a cannonball through a glass window.

[@Solesteam]

Nobody: Eggman and his lake of fail-safes and incase of emergency features: "tHeRe iS nO VaCcInE!"

[@callumsparrow4379]

If I was Sonic in this story arc, I would honestly just flick some of the liquidised Metal Virus from my body right onto Eggman’s face as soon as he finished his speech about providing peace and unity through his guidance. Considering the sheer amount of chaos, destruction and turmoil Eggman’s committed not just from the Zombot arc but also from the previous 25+ years of game stories, I’d just directly give him at least a little piece of the sort of thing he’s dished out ever since his canonical debut. Also from an external story-telling context, having both Sonic and Eggman become infected would’ve provided even more tension and character in-sight than just having the heroes be infected.

[@brolookatthatthingbehindyo1324]

I love how in the start of the comic Sonic says he doesn't want to join the resistance and that he would much rather do things his own way, and how the past few issues have just been him working in the resistance

[@aidanhammans9337]

Hey, S*** just got real. Dealing with badnicks is not dealing with the metal virus or Metal Sonic.

[@rynobehnke8289]

That's just Ian wanting to recreate the "good old days" of Archie Comic's Freedom fighters because there are a few old concepts he seemingly really refuses to let go off (another one being that Eggman has actually a giant Empire and rules large parts of the world)

[@Felix.Fictus]

Damn that moment with Creame actually got me. Smiling when it hurts is a... familiar pain.

[@bubbleboi1122]

I'm so glad that Tails isn't like he was in Sonic Forces. The way he is in Forces upset me especially because he's my favorite character. He's more like how he was in SA2 and I love that

[@bubbleboi1122]

@Hooty HOOT HOOT Bro Yo-Kai Watch is my life

[@justinmyers7587]

He's my favorite character too so I like the new him

[@bubbleboi1122]

@Hooty HOOT HOOT Ye it's sad but there's still some really good Yokai Watch games out there

[@steveroby8360]

Whisper is my favorite sonic character

[@FreedomTrooper89]

I think the lesson here is, never say it can't possibly get any worse... Ever!

[@shonenbois]

Can we appreciate that one Scene of Eggman reflecting how he(kinda) actually enjoyed making people happy as Mr. Tinker

[@Mysticgamer]

That sheep must be someone's favorite because we keep seeing her as a background character.

[@Wyrmshield]

She's my favorite background character by far, I'm glad she keeps popping up in higher and higher positions. She's got this whole quiet arc through the whole series

[@neometalgaming2137]

The names of the deadly six: Zavok(Bowser), Zeena(the green one), Zazz(purple), Zor (the emo grey one), Zomom(yellow big chungus) and Master Zik( the blue ball)

[@ahmedelged4894]

His name is ziki miaz

[@PEZhead5432109876]

I just finished reading your comment and I’ve already forgotten them again

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

@@PEZhead5432109876 Don't worry, I'll help! Okay, so Zomom is the red one... or wait, is that yellow? And then you got Zazz, the red, wait no, purple. And then the green one is... um... hang on, let me start over.

[@chi-wind8593]

Despite my problems with this comic series. The Zombie Virus Arc is something that I have been missing from the series for awhile . A engaging story that challenges the characters in positions we had not seen in years. This Arc makes me wish that it was a game. seeing Tails actually do something useful and show fear is very interesting. As a Sa2 fan seeing that Mech is always a treat. (Despite shadow not being himself from my personal experience , which I’m not getting over that )Seeing the other characters in these situations was interesting and I felt for the characters. Which is something I wish the newer games had.

[@joshie3]

Yeah the games have got to the point if ur name isn’t sonic you’ll have no relevance once so ever. The series deserves better

[@johnman8398]

But shadow was himself tho.

[@chi-wind8593]

@@johnman8398 himself for the current games , but not the one from the Drummond and Griffith eras that i grew up with. It is not the Shadow I grew to respect and his actions do not make any sense from what I know him to be. I hope he goes back from what I know for those eras. Hopefully, soon than later.

[@johnman8398]

@@chi-wind8593Even from those eras he's pretty consistent and his actions makes sense considering the situation and his character.

[@bryanmelendez4472]

@@secoTheSonicFan Shun namakura actually didn't write forces though. Shiro maekawa and yoshimura wrote 06 with shun namakura telling them what to write about. Whether or not Characters are acting themselves is a pretty subjective topic.

[@Fanatic_Foremem]

They’d need SOME sort of contained zombot to test the virus on. It’s not that dumb when charmy is one of the most dangerous zombots, and he’s better contained than most other zombots.

[@theradionicrevival8068]

The issue is moreso that tails is pretty much the only one who could find a cure, there aren’t any other doctors or scientists around to study or play back up if something happens, especially since tails would be working at HQ literally one minor slip up and the one guy who could end all this is infected and would spread it to pretty much everyone Even if they got out, they lost the one other guy who wasn’t infected that could end all this. If it was more of a controlled environment it’d be a good plan, but with the specific circumstances at hand now? It would’ve flopped either way

[@rynobehnke8289]

They really don't there got the half infected Sonic for that one already. And tails was just with that an a bit of the poor virus able to easily create a Cure. (never mind that if there really needed to have a test subject should there use a weak one like an infected ricky to insure that it can't come to a containment breach)

[@SkaiXmask]

Please never stop doing Sonic speeding reading. Legit addicted to this series

[@bubbleboi1122]

Tangle was such a trooper! She went down a hero

[@steveroby8360]

Yea the best of them all the saddest part was how whisper just broke down in tears and sadness when whisper is my favorite sonic character makes me cry which I hardly even do

[@shcgrunt]

Game Aplogists: *Slaps Sonic* Me: Wait, isnt Sonic infected? Wouldn’t you be infected?!

[@GameApologist]

Don't worry, I was running through the whole video. I'm running while I type this message.

[@bryanarroyo9732]

@@GameApologist you'll be exhausted eventually MWAHAHAHAH!!!!!

[@Definitely_not_ai]

@@bryanarroyo9732 haha chaos emeralds go brr

[@ChadMorningWood]

I actually was a little upset to see the SA2 walker get destroyed. However I absolutely loved to see Tails act like how you said, a "hero".

[@captainnoodlestick8620]

I have been waiting for this one because these chapters were the reason I started reading IDW

[@rigorgrynn4469]

This really makes it feel like Eggman has a reckoning coming.

[@fodv93]

This comic series is the only way I can legit be hyped for the deadly six. Snafus on characterization for shadow aside, Ian Flynn has been on fire with this series.

[@greenknight9000]

I won't lie, the first time I read this and saw Tangle's reveal of being infected, I felt my heart _sink_ and my blood run cold, and then following up with Whisper breaking down...it just broke me. I never would've thought that a Sonic comic like this could've given me such an emotional suckerpunch like that, but it did. I am not ashamed to admit that I got me crying, because it shows just how lovable these characters are, how much of a bond they make between the reader and the world they live in.

[@Solesteam]

I have never seen Sonic so depressed looking before.

[@Soufriere84]

@Hooty HOOT HOOT Or Archie issues 46-50. Learning he was framed for killing his girlfriend hurt. Bad.

[@ahmadkazan217]

You know shit is down when tails pulls out the big guns.

[@robertkovarna8294]

19:31. You know, maybe if Eggman wasn't busy trying to contact Otacon, there might have been different results.

[@twaggytheatricks4960]

Okay, done with the video. Yeah, I gotta say, it was a fascinating experience to watch myself go through the entire thing and slowly realize that it would lead to Tangle's transformation into a Zombot by the _end_ of the video; annd give that she's my favorite characters from IDW aaaaand one of my favorite fictional anthro creature of all time (mostly, I've always been in love with her jolly tomboy archetype), having Whisper's reaction showed again with the description of its... quality, is quite something. No tears, but uh, the sinking feeling's enough. It also just dawned on me how beautifully tragic Sonic's involvement in that scene is? Like, Amy naturally asking him for help, and he quite literally can't. Poor guy XD Like, this is partially his fault, but that must still hurt.

[@bryanarroyo9732]

I'm still trying to process that dude.

[@jamalsimmons619]

I like how IDW bring back the tails walker on this comic. It's bring me back to the old sonic advantage 2 moment.

[@ArtseyHayton06]

Adventure 2?

[@jamalsimmons619]

@@ArtseyHayton06 sorry bad types! Thanks!😉👍

[@COCK_V4]

@@jamalsimmons619 what are you even trying to say

[@user-ut2oo3kx3s]

Sonic advantage 2

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

Seeing their eyes glazed over like that is a punch to the gut.

[@dad5draco]

Zeti Castle just reminds me how much of a Bowser rip-off Zavok is.

[@Magibatproductions]

Lmao

[@theradionicrevival8068]

Tbh i never saw the bowser rip off complaint Like that dude looks and acts nothing like bowser Like the only thing they have in common is horns and color, i was gonna say “sharp teeth” but he hardly even has that, just an overbite jaw lmao Like villains with castles aint even something unique to bowser or the zeti

[@charismaentertainer1657]

The “zavok is a bowser rip-off “ thing has gotten extremely annoying at this point.

[@theradionicrevival8068]

@@charismaentertainer1657 its funny cause they’re jus tlike fundamentally completely different people Like i barely play mario games but isn’t bowser like canonically a good dad and decent guy beyond the princess thing? Like bowser is pretty much an “evil” villain in the same way dr doofenshmirtz or ice kind are to me y’know

[@marshallthomasiii6091]

@@theradionicrevival8068 It's not their personality, it's there role in the story. Big bad in charge of a group of colorful goons, decked out in spikes, big spoopy castle, shoots fireballs, and grows big during battle. Personality may differ, but functionally identical.

[@jackcabadas3976]

Idk if ya noticed but When Tangle says not to keep her waiting too long that's kind of a jab at Whisper's design inspiration making a reference to the phrase "Kept ya waiting huh?" from Metal Gear Solid

[@clevernamehere2812]

Not gonna even pretend I didn't lose it at seeing Whisper's despair. Everything else that had happened so far got me frustrated or sad and just seeing Whisper's upset face initially just made it seem like it was gonna be another bummer moment but when she just FALLS APART I legit shed tears for the poor girl. Up until that point people tried to keep face. Yeah some of the characters had cried and even had full on panic attacks but they pulled themselves together to fight on. Though to see Whisper just drop everything and break down? Thank goodness this is a comic because if this was a game or show I would either be infuriated by bad voice acting or crying my eyes out by good voice acting.

[@Altar360]

Ooff… even just in recap form that Whisper bit was hard to relive. You know things are serious when the quiet one just loses it. -ahem- Excuse me while I look for a tissue…

[@bryanarroyo9732]

Can you pass a tissue once you find them?

[@Gencinnamon245]

Yeah same, I think I need one as well

[@steveroby8360]

Yea and is sadder when Whisper is my favorite sonic character

[@reglissh952]

I love that so many characters have their cool moment in here. Tails, Amy, Cream, Vector, Tangle, Whisper... This was a really great Story Arc !

[@hoseinbmr3449]

This issue was amazing I love these serious moments in IDW and Archie Comics . Some of their stories are great and make me have a lot of respect for sonic franchise and its characters We see what a great hero these characters can be , not only characters like Sonic , Tails & knuckles but even characters like Big , Cream & Charmy who have been hated a lot by people who don't pay enough attention

[@rynobehnke8289]

How does this story do anything for Charmy and Big? Charmy is dumbed down so that he can be the first casualty and so is removed from the story before he can do anything of consequence and Big for no good reason is chasing after froggy again twice instead of helping his friends in a major crisis (seriously why can't anyone ever remember that Big only ran after Froggy in SA1 because him just up and leaving was unusual behavioral for him and Big so got worried that something with his friend isn't Right) And even arguing for Cream is hard as the very next story its as if nothing ever happened which in retrospective cheapens the drama involving her dramatically.

[@hoseinbmr3449]

@@rynobehnke8289 come on don't be harsh on them 😂

[@Trayxxxx]

@@rynobehnke8289 Me: Man that sunshine feels nice. Ryno Behnke: It's just going to give you skin cancer. Me: 😑

[@rynobehnke8289]

@@Trayxxxx Let me quickly use your own analogy to make me out as a downer to show you why I have an issue with it. the Sun(writer) gives us Vitamin D and Happiness feelings (good story) its good thanks to the Ozone layer (the editor editor) that filters out the harmful UV-B Light (bad writing, contradictions, and so on) This story now reads like the Sun without the Ozone layer meaning that the UV-B Light now gives us all skin cancer but before we can die through it does it toast all of the plants meaning we will suffocate first.

[@Solesteam]

6:17 Maybe Sonic when he moves fast vibrates so much the virus is shaken apart? or air molecules end up smashing into each and every cell of the virus breaking them into pieces

[@the120cxx]

After an arc like this, why would anyone want to leave eggman alive? Like, everyone and their mother (literally in creams case) got trauma out of this, put through hell and back, even the guy on eggman's side is done with his shit. Like real talk, if his body wasn't all busted up right now, I'm pretty sure everyone would just let omega go all out the next time eggman is completely vulnerable because holy shit. I know some will say "but sonic and friends have moral standards" but man... everybody has their limit, and this metal virus is hitting critical levels on the whole dang cast. I don't see him just being put in a cell after this shit, People will want him DEAD. Like more than the usual amount.

[@kylejones8289]

I'm guessing the monkey's symptoms weren't as apparent when he first entered the refugee camp. Plus some variability with how rapidly symptoms present after infection is actually fairly realistic, and just based off of what we see in the comic, the rate seems proportional to the amount of exposure.

[@rynobehnke8289]

There is just 1 glaring issue here and that is that Gemerl can scan for the virus in an entire system meaning if you have just a speck (and given the coat the monkey was wearing he properly had a lot more than just that) he should find it. Which is only made worse when the second annual issue in the Big the Cat story we see that Gemerl doesn't even allow people to enter the complex without being scanned first.

[@kylejones8289]

@@rynobehnke8289 Yeah, I'm thinking that he probably arrived before Gemerl did, or that the infection wasn't far enough along to be detected yet, or that he was part of a mass refugee convoy and got missed in the chaos, but that is the sort of thing that definitely should have been explicitly explained how he slipped through at some point.

[@JeiJohnson]

Vector was such a badass when he saved the crew and sacrificed himself. Though the way Espio looked... That helpless feeling only for 2-3 panels, actually hit me for some reason. It might've been because the emotion was relatable. It could be because knowing Espio, I can't think of a time where he's been seen starting to lose himself to that type of emotion. He's always been the most stoic character in the Sonic franchise and you rarely (if ever) see him about to break... Could be multiple things, but it definitely could be felt off the page. You can tell that Vector was DEFINITELY his best friend, if not like a brother to him.

[@harry__vince]

In this strict point you might think, Eggman shall be punished for all those crises he spreaded out to the people of Sonic's, only the matter of time going to answer.

[@DarkAngelBluejay]

UGH! That scene with Whisper. I tear up EVERY time.

[@bryanarroyo9732]

I need a tissue

[@Blurro]

Issue 24 was by far the best of the bunch here. Adam Bryce Thomas' art just sells the seriousness more than anyone else's. His art is what makes issues 24-29 all in a row the peak of IDW so far

[@Junkyardproduxtions]

Us: Well this was an unfortunate coincidence, maybe the writers will give us am escape to the pandemic anyways. Ian: I heard y'all like depression right? Update: order the comics and have a very enjoyable weekend on the way now.

[@afterlife8095]

This is why Tangle is my favourite female Sonic character! Even at her darkest moment, she still has a smile on her face! She’s a true hero!

[@KookieStar]

Sonic: *Can this get any worse?* Ian Flynn: _Be careful of what you wish for, dear hedgie son_

[@AleT118]

If there's one line from the comics I would ever like Roger to voice, it's that Barricade Town self-dialogue scene.

[@esteban8471]

The panel of Eggman looking at the infected town that treated him like one of their own has got to be one of my favorite things in this entire comic run. Despite it being one panel and nothing more, you can really tell that, for a brief moment, Eggman really thought about it. And then there was Whisper's reaction to Tangle getting infected. Even before I read the Whisper/Tangle mini series, that shook me to the core. And it does even more now that I know the context of their relationship. That one panel was packed with so much despair, Junko Enoshima would be jealous. I never got the chance to read the Archie comics and get into that continuity, so it's really nice getting to experience this comic run from scratch. This is also the first time I've read a comic book series (I've read one or two comics before this, but never a full series), so this holds an even more special place in my heart.

[@LoneSWarrior]

"Heroes have nothing to be sorry about." It means in their heart they have good intentions if not the best in the idea of saving as many as they can... Their actions are not even in the realm of being selfish or genuinely harmful. After all, heroes give hope to others. Like death, this virus has claimed many and they left them. They consider options and argue but they never do it from a sense of selfishness. Unlike the villains. Until they themselves are in danger, they couldn't care less.

[@hubster3055]

Im distracted my how much it looks like Creams head was just drawn with the circle tool 10:50

[@calebmatthews4014]

Damn. Everyone's reaction to tangle being infected....that hit me right in the feels...like the expression on everyone's faces

[@aderose]

This is what Sonic Forces should’ve been. Change my mind.

[@iamlordapollo]

Nick, I look forward to these videos so much because I sleep to the speed reading playlist and more content means I get to wake up to different parts as the playlist repeats. Edit: I know tails wasn't that stressed the first time he called hq, but i think it's less of a miscommunication and more of the perspective thing from adventure 1. When we were seeing it thru tails' eyes he didn't seem that stressed because he was trying to keep calm, but seeing it through Amy's perspective shows the reality that he was on edge the whole time.

[@takeruneverborn4740]

Nick I hope Sonic Rangers and Future sonic Titles are just as Good as the Comics in Story and actual characters developments Sega and Sonic Team take notes and Sposnser the Game Apologist

[@ruchellemiller8423]

Sonic prime

[@CometX-ing]

The games have character development, or at least did. It's just that, much like IDW after the Zombot arc, everyone just basically reset. Well in the case of the games they just halted any character development after like SA2, but still.

[@EternityVoid_]

@@CometX-ing The character development stopped after Black Knight.

[@Mepphy99]

I love how this ARC was so showed us Madness and despair, character being mentally tired but not being as edgy as Infinite The stakes were High and people outside Sonic did very much At this point i Hope Ian Flynn writes story for the games too

[@MidnightDragonProductions]

I knew things would get pretty dark throughout the story, but that part with Whisper at the end... holy jesus! That part hit me like a truck

[@marcuswright7925]

I keep thinking how cool this story arc would have been in Archie Sonic. With all those established supporting characters - both good and evil - seeing them turn into Zom-Bots would have been epic. But, this arc was still fun. The epic-ness has made the arcs that have followed feel a little less thought out, that’s for sure.

[@Fatboyftw32]

It was originally Ian Flynn's plan for what the finale of the Archie Sonic comic could look like, according to him, which is probably why it feels so goddamn grandiose despite just being the second arc of the series.

[@fanny03101]

11:49 Leave Zavok alone, bro. He can be a big angry and mean dude all he wants, but he can also be 💅💅💅, if you know what I mean ;)

[@ninjawaver]

This was incredibly emotional. Seeing Sonic exhausted and tired visually added desperation to this situation. This arc was dark as hell! Cream, Victor, and Tangle's infections were guy wrenching!

[@neux64]

Seeing Tails doing his thing was a dosage of serotonin I've never experienced since the 2000's, glad to see they still are able to represent the entirety of his character.

[@L337M4573RK]

"In every life, a little rain must fall." (In this case, that rain turned into baseball-sized HAIL!)

[@Simon_Electric]

The metal virus is a metaphor for Sega's mandates.

[@nintendosegaplushmasters9109]

13:58 In the annual during the mini comics about the Metal Virus, specifically Big's part, we see how the monkey got it. Big says he heard Amy was having a "sleepover" so he went there. When he arrived, he cut in front of everyone. Gemerl, who was scanning the survivors to see if they were infected, directed his attention to Big. Told him to go back in line to get scanned like everyone else for infected. But Big was confused, saying he wasn't sick. So while the two were talking, you can see the monkey wrapped in the blanket and sneaking past Gemerl and the other guards to get in with the other survivors. So Big unintentionally distracted Gemerl from scanning for potential carriers and that allowed Mr. Monkey Man to get in and infect everyone. That's how it all went down. Dumb Monke.

[@Blu_Moon_VA]

7:12 *When the Doom music kicks in:*

[@hamstreak5591]

Real talk, tangle & her 2 friends should get a side-game. It would allow us to experience the SONIC world without being sonic again, like a breath of fresh air. It would allow the devs to do more creative things other than just "try to fix the BlueGoFast for the 17th time."

[@TwoTailedSponge]

You summerized everything in this so well. You put a TON of emotion into this. I loved every aspect of this. Plus, it saves others the stress on actually purchasing the comics themselves. XD. Anyway, I can't wait for the finale.

[@bluejayplays7308]

Why is Sonic The Hedgehog & the metal virus such an emotional rollercoaster. Also nice video I’m ready for the next mental break down.

[@NeonLightsYT1]

Those Whisper panels near the end. I felt a tear down my face during these scenes. The amount of emotion given to these characters in the comics is just incredible.