The Complete Metal Virus Saga | Sonic Speed Reading

Re-uploaded and now ACTUALLY complete for your binging pleasure!
This is a compilation of every episode about IDW Sonic's Metal Virus Saga. Enjoy!
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[@Ginfeldi]

Remember: if someone touches you in a way that makes you unconfortable and turn into a mindless robot-zombie hybrid and losing all memories of friends and loved ones Thats no good

[@johnathanegbert9277]

Lol

[@gamerguy2259]

soulution: RUN edit: actually you cant keep running you will turn into a mindless robot-zombie hybrid and losing all memories of friends and loved ones

[@Bengt2509]

@@gamerguy2259 until you become piss colored

[@angelogaray8019]

wise words

[@Revenant_0186]

You had the great opportunity. And you took it.

[@zimzam900]

The only thing I would like to note on the Shadow thing is that Shadow’s sole purpose of being created was to be immune to any diseases possible and posses cures for all known diseases. In the Japanese version of Sonic Adventure 2 Battle it’s explained that he was created to save Maria who had a very contagious very deadly disease, and that’s why her and Shadow were so close, he was the only one immune to her disease. It’s not out of the realm of believability that Shadow just figured the metal virus is something he would be completely immune to it. Just my thoughts

[@azuroslazuli6948]

Fair enough. But not only did they not remind us of that, we can’t even assume this is the same “Shadow.” Would SA2 Shadow have gone down like such a punk and been infected? Hell no. He was way smarter than that. So yeah. Different canon. Sonic’s annoying that way.

[@hexis_lite6531]

@@azuroslazuli6948 It could also be that Shadow is immune to every known virus in their world. Since the metal virus is new, he wouldn't have a natural immunity to it since it was artificially created.

[@chimken135]

the fact that he says it cant infect him immediately before getting infected kinda supports the idea that he was treating it like as a rule he shouldnt be able to get infected

[@kacperwojas4293]

@@chimken135 What about kicks he did to infected and didn't get it? If I recall no one actually touched the zombots with their shoes while kicking. Even Tangle used stools as a barier between her feat and infected despite having shoes. Yes i know those are rocket skates for him but it confuses me noneless. Ps. Sory for any grammar mistakes

[@ObscureSwan]

That would explain why Shadow wouldn't be as afraid of the virus as anyone else, cause his literal purpose was to be immune to these kinds of threats. However, I think a cool way for him to be infected is to have him be immune to the regular Zombots, but Sonic's mutated virus infects him.

[@funnyman4311]

I love how Omega just acts like a dreadnought from 40k especially the line "VICTORY OR DEATH!" It just made me laugh lot.

[@phantomsanic3604]

I mean, he was technically purging the mutants, he just wasn’t burning the heretics.

[@MultiDebateSettler]

He’s just very violent and hilarious.

[@mobgabriel1767]

"we are not friends you are in the way of my massacre"

[@angryboi595]

I wish we got to see more Omega like this in the comics

[@jackgeorge9478]

A duty, honorably, discharged

[@CatMario100]

No matter how long it has been since these issues have been released, "Hey, Espio, you're lead detective now." still pulls at my strings. I was hit so hard by that.

[@Derpo._.]

That one hit hard. Honestly, my favorite sacrifice.

[@silvernick65]

God damn Silver really was the hero in this arc. It was confirmed that if he didn't time travel back to double check if the threat was neutralized, the whole world would've been covered in the virus with no life, water, and metallic plant life. He saved everyone

[@aozorahaou2643]

And that's how characters like Silver should be written

[@supersmashorigins]

@@aozorahaou2643 I mean he IS based on Trunks...so...

[@zigzoinks5493]

@@supersmashorigins Well, yeah… What does that have anything to do with that?

[@vegito6837]

Future trunks

[@ghanig9948]

Silver is best boi

[@DoctorTex]

Are we just gonna ignore that an 8 year old rabbit girl can carry her mother, who is a fully grown adult, out of danger without breaking a sweat, yet an older two-tailed fox can’t carry a similarly sized hedgehog for more than a few seconds?

[@yocapo32]

I mean, Tails carried Sonic through the entire Marble Garden boss fight _and_ all the way to Carnival Night, the kid can lift when he wants to.

[@cleoismee]

Cream is 6

[@DoctorTex]

@@cleoismee That's even worse!

[@soappoodle6267]

what about charmy a literal bee child carrying a full grown chameleon and CROCODILE

[@eternallylearning2811]

Well I guess some mobians be superstrong some mobians don't be

[@damocles7406]

"Destroy for Daddy" Is not a line I would ever have imagined Eggman saying but god damn. Do I love the writers for going through with that. Also the reject villains state they can only control a dozen or so without the emeralds. So them being overwhelmed is practically assured. It's just the writers/artists speeding it up for plot/saving space.

[@mackroone2854]

Ayo

[@annepixiebettinger3593]

I'd like to think that the loss of the Emeralds powered them down for a few moments and that left them vulnerable

[@newman476]

@@annepixiebettinger3593I tend to think the Virus was mutating so rapidly that by the time they lost the Chaos Emeralds they actually couldn’t control them anymore.

[@annepixiebettinger3593]

@@newman476 that's a good point

[@sablefyre]

I love storylines where the protagonists barely get a chance to breathe, it makes the end so much more meaningful and opens up a lot of moments of characters getting pissed off

[@mvshenhon8966]

Sonic needed that fucking vacation he got after this arc 😂

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

Too bad if you make that the full focus it becomes dull...

[@AhmadKazan-wk7ei]

​@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32 that's my main criticism of jjk.

[@BlakesPOV]

“Eggman pulls out a Glock and tries to ice Tails” is a sentence I never thought I would ever hear. But here we are. 3:17:05

[@bpomatto]

Eggman decided he had enough.

[@firepuppies4086]

"I will shoot Amy in the fuking face"

[@ryomahoshi4529]

I listened to that sentence so much because of how funny it sounds

[@memecrusader]

Eggmans most powerful weapon...... a glock

[@missingname7015]

“I will pop her.” “Will you pop this-“ Shoots off a the Glock

[@tavioka_pudding]

3:17:03 Eggman isn’t defenseless as he just PULLS OUT A GLOCK AND TRIES TO ICE TAILS

[@Aciarr]

im pretty sure the "glock" is a reference to the gravitational beam emitter from BLAME!

[@FractureXFighter]

“I’m gonna finish you off sonic! But not with heavy machinery, but a FUCKING GLOCK-18!”

[@firepuppies4086]

"PUT THE PISS STONE DOWN"

[@yummersans8426]

"YOU KNOW WHAT IT DOES TO YOUR blenis"

[@spacebananas7856]

Where's knuckles in all of this

[@ryninja5788]

Something about shadow and how he turned: one thing people kinda just overlook is that at that very moment, shadow was still very pissed at Sonic about the whole tinker situation. So (while probably not intentional) shadow probably just didn’t want to listen to sonic’s advice on how to manage it after he just got done trashing him about the last time he listened to Sonic.

[@bag-manbaron2547]

Was thinking the same thing

[@calicomarker]

My way of justifying this scene: Shadow is pissed as fuck and really not thinking rationally

[@was3513]

Also he's supposed to be immune to all disease and sickness, but didn't realize that only meant organic ones. Then he refused to run cuz he didn't trust Sonic like u said.

[@OJ_36]

I think that Cream being practically lifeless after loosing Vanilla really shows how even the most chin-up, "we'll get through this!" mentality-having people can be broken if things get bad enough. Also Whisper's breakdown genuinely put a shiver down my spine. Absolutely goated writers.

[@ArtHollow]

Tails questioning Sonic's decision-making (but not opposing him) made me realise that I would love a story where Tails outright refuses to help Sonic make another mistake and the two best friends end up taking opposite approaches to the same problem, leading to some very interesting altercations.

[@somedudewhodraws9377]

Well in the Archie days they did get into nasty arguments and tails actually punched his best friend in the face

[@eineron4568]

@@somedudewhodraws9377 Yeah. Over a girl who didn't even like him. I know Ian Flynn wrote that one too but the conflict between Sonic and Tails over Fiona was stupid.

[@somedudewhodraws9377]

@@eineron4568 It was the Archie days dude. They were known for thier insanity and crazy plots XD!

[@damianpembrook555]

@@somedudewhodraws9377 I was just about to type that, yea tails was simpin over was it [sorry memory isn't the best] Fiona Fox? Yea it was a really good comic

[@rexjs1124]

@@damianpembrook555 Comic was good. The problem in the story was absolutely dumb.

[@sonicun9907]

There some serious powerful moments, vanilla getting infected while cream screams and cries, victor sacrificing himself for espio, cream getting infected, whisper crying for tangle, some seriously amazing writing, just makes me think this is what the sonic adventure plots should have been, this is how darker more mature sonic plots should be written honestly

[@BUnitMN-T]

69th like

[@sjhaitianhog6047]

Imagine that kind of story in a sonic game,

[@liviwaslost]

@@sjhaitianhog6047 that would be awesome

[@waltwarner733]

@@liviwaslost from what i know ian is writing frontiers

[@keithmorrison8373]

@@waltwarner733 OH wow yeah that is gonna be good

[@rakamakafo9823]

never have I thought in my entire life that I would see an entire babylon crew, metal sonic, gemerl, silver and amy together in one scene

[@emodere-edits7645]

Neither did I but I'm happy with it. I love wave.

[@made_of_Mercy_Fortune]

"DID YOU JUST SPIT ON MY ISLAND!?" Is the best line!😂

[@speedsteer937]

"We are not friends you're in the way of my massacre" is a close second

[@racerblade]

This man is talking for three and a half HOURS about an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog that can run at the speed of sound. this takes INSANE dedication. Not to mention, this is a compilation of multiple videos that had days spent on them individually. I mean, WOW this takes a special kind of dedication. I can't thank you enough for speed reading my favorite part of the Sonic the Hedgehog frachise.

[@its_isaac8170]

P

[@lukasschweizer1262]

@@its_isaac8170 P

[@xaviersmith957]

I can’t wait till he covers Archie. I pray to God we get the Freedom Fighters back and Adventure era games come back.

[@DaWrecka]

@@xaviersmith957 I wonder if he was ever planning to cover Fleetway... Might even be a little less daunting since it's basically finished.

[@xaviersmith957]

@@DaWrecka Solid point. Forgot he said he was going to do that as well. I’m not ready for evil Super Sonic 😂😭

[@kraikein]

Looking at the faults of this arc, mainly with Shadow and the Master Emerald, from what I can gather that's SEGA's fault. Originally Ian was going to have Shadow take off his inhibitor rings and charge at the zombots, thinking the energy would keep him immune from infection, but SEGA wanted him to be more "Vegeta" like. Same goes them not using the Master Emerald, SEGA said not to have the Emerald having special properties, and when Ian asked "Wait what? How does the island float then?" and SEGA just went silent. Shadow's self reflection scene was also toned down due to SEGA interfering from what it originally was.

[@lamithetoon2384]

So basically SEGA being stupid

[@Space_Roach]

Seriously Sega?

[@SkyDragon1997]

SEGA being SEGA again?

[@ricardobr1493]

I love how sega just forgets their own lore lol

[@ivanlagrana878]

The Master Emerald not having special properties is just dumb, like, if you ignore all of the lore still, it's a giant chaos emerald sega wtf.

[@emilie8356]

The fact that this saga came before the pandemic and finished in the pandemic made it 10 times scarier. Strange coincidence

[@isaliscalispal3900]

I think the reason why the gloves were letting the virus spread through them is because the gloves are not “sealed,” they are woven clothing with *little itty bitty* openings between the fabric strings. If they were rubber gloves then yeah, it would be safe to grab a zombot, but because the goo can pass through the fabric that water can easily pass through, it is ill advised.

[@gukeoke6312]

That doesn't explain the shoes

[@LegendPurpleDragon152]

@@gukeoke6312 Most people don’t wear airtight shoes, people like their shoes to breathe, especially runners. Splash some water on your shoes and if your feet get wet, the Metal Virus can definitely slip through.

[@skyrkazm1015]

@@LegendPurpleDragon152 I know this just from stepping in a puddle. Some shoes have more resistance than others such as boots, but with enough water it'll eventually break its resistance.

[@ZoraVisions]

@@skyrkazm1015 that makes sense

[@benneeds_a_name7398]

I like this theory/idea Logical explanation!

[@KiiBon]

SEGA could literally save their reputation if they just hired these writers to write the games Edit: well damn

[@dreamymirastone3051]

Ian, one of the writers of IDW, is writing Frontiers.

[@KiiBon]

Great, now all we need is actually good gameplay so it doesn't turn out to be another Sonic 06

[@SairinEarthsea]

@@KiiBon or sonic lost world, those horrible motion controls.

[@hypergu]

@@SairinEarthsea you cant say lost world had good story dude

[@SairinEarthsea]

@@hypergu I was talking about the motion controls, the other comment said they have a good writer now so what's lacking is gameplay ability. Truthfully I had forgotten about lost world until they showed up in the metal virus, right now I'm still trying to remember the story but I'm coming up blank.

[@jowikangaroo4710]

I don't know if anyone has noticed this but I love how different Cream's statement at 2:11:05 would sound if the comma was placed different "Please don't, Miss Whisper" to "Please don't miss, Whisper"

[@4x6_thats_me]

Now That'll Be One- "Head-Shot"- Of A S-Laughter ...

[@danielzakgaim2764]

Jesus

[@ishratjahan406]

I-

[@tigerchild3676]

At first, I thought she did imply that

[@Quinhala11]

"Kill me, i dare you"

[@alexgl827]

2:05:58 Just noticed that Zavok's conversation with Starline in Bad Guys #2 about machines vs warriors kinda explains why he didn't take control of Cubot and Orbot, he prefers having servants with free will rather than just mindless tools Neat!

[@newtybot]

It’s so weird to put into words but servitude is not the same thing as obedience People get dogs cus you can train them, people get cats cus cats are douche bags Seems fucked up to apply that to free-will but it’s true

[@Cartoonicus]

It’s quite amazing. Since he first started working with Archie, it seems Flynn’s job has been to undo every stupid mistake Sega has been making for the past 10 years.

[@FletcherReedsRandomness]

Can we please have Ian Flynn and his writing team do the writing for an actual Sonic game? This one arc has a better story than every single game in the series. Edit: Holy sh*t, he’s actually writing Sonic Frontiers. That’s awesome.

[@Rabbitearsblog]

Yes! Please let this happen!!!

[@Soufriere84]

Ian Flynn succeeded _despite_ Sega. I don't know if the mandates would be less or worse if he was brought on for an actual main-line game. He sure understands the characters better than the current game writers, plus little things like plotting and timing (usually) and decent dialog.

[@brandonprater4613]

To be fair, the original trilogy was pretty solid. ✌️🙂

[@ss4chicken]

I wouldn’t mind a game based on this arc tbh

[@pw5651]

Ill admit a good story and idea but I don’t want Sonic to be this grim. It’s a depressing story most of the way through and it gives me anxiety. And the ending was okay but mainly just because it finally ended. I’d honestly rather have dumb stories that are at least happy and carefree which is what Sonic is supposed to be like.

[@tametalks6102]

I love that silver was an mvp this arc, he has always been my favorite and I'm glad that he's finally getting the attention he deserves. It just sucks that he's always so inconsistent outside of this comic

[@chloemotsinger2987]

I feel like Sliver is a hedgehog version of Trunk's from Dragonball lol.

[@arichenry4573]

@@chloemotsinger2987 He was inspired by Trunks but they are very different characters despite their similar origins.

[@MultiDebateSettler]

So true.

[@angryboi595]

Same with Omega and G-Merl, t them and Silver were the real ones

[@liamnigenda2849]

This arc really stresses me out. Things just kept getting worse and worse and more people kept getting infected. I was holding my breath so many times during this arc.

[@Garden0flowr]

My only issue with Zombot Shadow is he was made to never get sick, including wild viruses like the Metal Virus He was made that way so he could later be used to cure Maria of her space aids On one hand, it could work as the metal virus isnt a normal biological virus, on the other, it exhibits similar enough behavior to a virus for Shadow to be potentially immune

[@johnathanegbert9277]

Shadow is too stubborn to be mind-controlled.

[@sideways_chip_eater6420]

@@johnathanegbert9277 imagine if the whole time Shadow was actually in control while in the zombot state and he was just using it as an excuse to kick Sonics ass

[@Ilikebats123]

I think that's why he got infected in the first place. He assumes he'll be immune and when he sees himself get infected he says it should be impossible, I think that's what they're alluding to when he finally falls.

[@slurpygible5312]

Eggman may have made the virus able to infect even shad3

[@slurpygible5312]

*shadow

[@misterzygarde6431]

I’m going to be real. I think it’d make sense for a lot of people wanting Eggman and Starline’s heads after this. I mentioned it before but imagine a new antagonist from Windmill City who would not only want Eggman and Starline to die, but to suffer along with it. They could possibly almost convince Sonic and friends to let him do the deed only for Sonic and friends to go against the villain. Maybe afterwards the villain uses the fact that Sonic and friends aren’t willing to get rid of Eggman permanently to damage their reputations.

[@certifiednobody]

Definitely Eggman, but Starline didn't seem make his presence as well known. The only time he's even active outside the faceship are when he fought Sonic & Silver and after any witnesses were already infected. I guess he was there when Eggman made commands to the zombots in Cream's village, but Eggman was the only one with a microphone and I doubt anyone could recognize him based on his voice even if they could hear him.

[@fort2558]

@@certifiednobody he's gonna start doing bad things as well

[@Soufriere84]

@@fort2558 "Gonna"? In the currently running arc, Starline just kidnapped Best Robo-Girl and looks like he's about to try and clone Tails (after failing to abduct him too).

[@aidanhammans9337]

@@Soufriere84 Clone Tails? Sorta, it’s not cloning as we know it

[@iamlordapollo]

I like it. That's some good character writing

[@zhanehoyle8269]

When I say this arc broke me, I really mean. I never felt so much despair and a roller coaster of emotions aside from the fan comics. Holy shit.

[@maxwellgamer7199]

Yea I gotta agree, good comics are one and a few that can give people such twists

[@NYXREBORN]

Despair you say

[@worthyedge9307]

Same I did NOT expect the moment with tumble and sonic to hit as hard as it did.

[@nothappeningmate9402]

like bro how does Ian Flynn make a 6 year old rabbit have some of the best writing in a character i have seen

[@creepy.bstanbtsbtw]

Ngl, a few scenes actually got me to shed some tears. Especially the scenes with Cream. Something about seeing her cry in a non comedic way, and have Sonic feel so much guilt over it REALLY got to me. And Gemerl's protective nature only got me tearing up faster. Damn good storyline.

[@TheHiddenGlitch]

What the hell...? I just listened to... An actually good sonic story?? I didn't think that was even possible... In all honesty, this just takes me back into that Sonic phase. God am I glad someone recommended me this and that you did the WHOLE ARC'S speed reading. Bless your kind soul for showing us one of the greatest arcs, sonic series has ever had. Edit: I'm subbing btw, hell yes I'm curious as to what else you might show to the sonic community...

[@Schnort]

Please, please watch Ruby of Blue's Sonic Adventure 2 Story analysis video!!

[@bag-manbaron2547]

Vector's send off made me tear up because of how much swagger he had facing his end and how he gives Espio that last goodbye

[@Mr.Smiley_J]

I actually shed a tear or two seeing Whisper breaking down and Gemeryl carrying away an infected Cream. Great writing, Great art, and a great recap.

[@sonicspeed9744]

When I actually read the entire saga I absolutely cried on the inside when Cream got infected because she's been an MVP till the end!

[@keithmorrison8373]

See I love it when a cartoon doesn't make you cry on the outside but on the inside its beautiful a story should make you laugh cry and be intrigued but always have a beautiful ending adventure time does that Steven universe does that infinity train did that and God it works

[@stephaniecourteoreille5972]

Oh I shouldn't have scrolled in the comments- *_WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF!???_*

[@G1ggl3z]

3:17:02 I *lost it* when this man said that "Eggman pulls out a GLOCK and tries to ice Tails!" the image alone was ball busting funny, makes you think *what if Eggman packed real heat* in a future Sonic Game? 🤣 Amazing Video to watch from start to finish hands down. 😌

[@badbitch9773]

I love how the gta theme plays too

[@CECELIA525]

No way. Eggman with *THE STRAP???* Sonic getting iced in a game would be hilarious.

[@wolfpup8750]

He did in sa2

[@gukeoke6312]

I just love how exhausted Sonic begins to look after a while through the arc

[@Bababoi.]

Why so you feel so entitled to comment something on a video about sonic.your comment has no point

[@gukeoke6312]

@@Bababoi. So? I have the right to comment whatever I want whenever I want, and you have the right to scroll past and ignore it if it bothers you

[@Bababoi.]

@@gukeoke6312 stop capping you feel entitled.

[@gukeoke6312]

@@Bababoi. I have no idea what even prompted you to come out of nowhere and accuse me of that on a year old comment but alright

[@Bababoi.]

@@gukeoke6312 my point is. Sonic lives in Marios shadow

[@Plague_Doctor-iq9bs]

I love how omega is like ''Agreed eggman is mine to destroy'' it killed me

[@L.J.Xlovesarts]

The hype of when he shows the panel of the two going super and His World intensifying is overwhelmingly hype, Id be jumping around like a maniac if this was a game.

[@amaikurusu188]

SAME

[@Killmerightnow]

As a Person who loves the adventure games, they did my boy Tails so clean in this arc. He really made a lot of the things in the comics so much better just because of how good his character was written.

[@nothappeningmate9402]

the only time he did the hated 'crying in a ball tactic' was when he had been infected and had just watched knuckles turn in front of him, and tbh, that would fuck with someone, especially a 7 year old

[@jw_gojifan19]

I thought Tails was 11

[@Killmerightnow]

He’s either 7 or 8. He’s apparently 4 in the classic games

[@jw_gojifan19]

@@Killmerightnow That young yet that brilliant? Lucky

[@trevinodude]

@@nothappeningmate9402 They actually EARNED that ‘crying in a ball’ moment this time. Tails fought like a boss both figuratively (trying to find a cure) and literally against the Zombots and only when there is NOTHING left for Tails to do, does he have that moment… and AFTER that,Tails showed his maturity as Sonic was MIA with his whole “He’ll be counting on us to keep the peace” thing. Tails was a true hero in this arc and I’m so glad to see Tails as a fighter again.

[@Atari_01]

a comic about zombie apocalypse but with anthro animals won’t make me cry. *Whisper’s scream, Crème’s infection, like every infection* *damn you Ian, you genius bastard*

[@DoctorTex]

For those curious about why Shadow would do an idiotic thing like grab a Zombot: Him boasting that the Metal Virus cant touch him isnt just a cocky attitude, its backed up by his genetics. He was created to be immune to any disease, so he naturally would assume he'd be immune to this new virus as well, which also explains why hes so shocked that its affecting him.

[@YowLife]

I swear, as I keep listening to this Sonic Zombie story I just can't stop thinking "THIS is what DeCeased should have been!"

[@glazed_waffle5629]

DCeased is it's own story

[@jerryrosado7054]

@@glazed_waffle5629 i think what the person means is the fact that the zombies in DeCeased are from technology and so the zombies should have been technology based not to mention the infection started with cyborg who is half man half machine

[@Majora404err01r]

1:59:57 you know things are bad, when sonic isn't his signature blue color. (he looks kind of gray)

[@nicksrandomreviews]

IDW Sonic is literally what all of DC should be right now, but they're literally incapable of writing decent stories these days.

[@reaLInf3rno]

DCeased maked me hyped but when i read it dissapointed me

[@cainthechaosdeity9815]

“I’ll only watch a bit of this” Help I’m almost an hour in because your writing is so consistent and smooth

[@janelle57759]

You could argue Cream pulled a "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die" at 2:29:38 in her own way

[@banditbro25]

3:17:04 definitely the best part, I can just hear Devil Artimis saying in the background looking at eggman, "AH SHIT HE'S PACKING HEAT!!!"

[@khriskirby8986]

HE JUST PULLS OUT A GLOCK AND TRIES TO ICE MY NIGGA TAILS! Lmfao!

[@LuxCirilo]

Dude I was thinking the same lol

[@bobandmrmecaleb5873]

HOHOHOHAHAHA!

[@Furluge]

3:21:51 - One of the problems with the whole, "Let's kill the bad guy" reasoning is we're coming at it from the view of comic readers. We know that Robotnik is going to return to being evil because, of course he does, we have to return the status quo. But in Sonic's case there's no reason to think Mr. Tinker would not have stayed the same. That's actually why I think they do that double fakeout at the end of the issue with Mr. Tinker so they can tease one of the few ways in a comic Mr. Tinker could have stayed that way. I mean, obviously you could have had some other solutions that are less extreme than killing them but none of them really gel with Sonic's persona or system of morals.

[@jessea9744]

I just wanted to stop by and say I sent this video to a friend who is not the biggest fan of sonic or knows much about it. He said he would watch this during one of his Call of Duty grinds. I am happy to say that yeah, he came up to me at work and said that sonic has no right being this good.

[@attackonponyproductions4927]

"Eggman isn't defenseless as he just PULLS OUT A GLOCK AND TRIES TO ICE TAILS!" is a sentence I would never expect to hear when referring to Eggman.

[@TrainBoy227]

I love how so many of your vids subtly hint that Tangle is extremely upbeat in public but is EXTREMELY kinky around Sonic. I also love how well you integrate the dialogue into the explanation, i.e. how you directly quote the text when talking about Sonic fighting Zombot Shadow.

[@sonicmanic2556]

Yeah, It's a little weird how she was acting, telling Sonic her plan with her tail. She definitely would be into BDSM.

[@benzarro6115]

My friend ships them cuz of it. I know, weird...

[@EggBeater4]

@@sonicmanic2556 wait what can you explain?

[@thewindyredpanda5715]

​@EggYEETER1212 Tangle has a HEAVY crush for Sonic. As is "let's make babies".

[@TrainBoy227]

@@thewindyredpanda5715 Tangle is 100% bi, if not pan or straight-up lesbian and I misread some stuff lmfao

[@sheacorduroy5565]

Shadow’s “death” should have been more like Bill from L4D. The, “there’s no other options, this is for the planet,” instead of the cop-out we got.

[@liviwaslost]

Shadow is supposed to be serious and smart. I feel like as time goes on SEGA trades all of that away for a stupid attempt at being edgy when it actually makes Shadow look really dumb.

[@tjlnintendo]

@@liviwaslost I blame the memes

[@aozorahaou2643]

I blame SEGA trying to cash in on the popularity of Vegeta like characters

[@melodysmusicaladventures596]

I blame Sega for refusing to acknowledge that nobody wants Shadow to be written like this.

[@liviwaslost]

@@melodysmusicaladventures596 you could probably say that for a lot of things they do.

[@jpfoland01]

1:03:50 I love that even as just a head, Omega's rage is still 110%.

[@ineedbootlacestobeready8521]

Dudes pissed that he didn’t destroy that entire mob of zombots

[@Spider-Fan006]

Also his line to Sonic "we are not friends you are in the way of my massacre" is just hilarious excellent writing

[@RowdyOnPatrol]

Love the panel of 54:43 of omega just screaming "EXTERMINATE" as he's just WAILING on the other zombots with a zombot

[@lorenzo689]

Just like in heroes

[@tonyhakston536]

57:24 he was literally designed to have a perfect immune system, it's a reasonable assumption to make.

[@silverguy526]

I high-key would not mind at all if they released a full CGI movie of this arc

[@reds3a374]

Or the next game

[@maxwellgamer7199]

If they make a cgi movie it would be *intense*

[@eggg6367]

@@maxwellgamer7199 it would give kids nightmares

[@eggg6367]

@@maxwellgamer7199 it would give kids nightmares

[@Cowboycomando54]

Better yet, go old school with an OVA.

[@aozorahaou2643]

We need to see more writing and characters like these in the games, yeah we probably won't see the Metal Virus translated in the games, BUT Ian Flynn really has done his homework on these characters.

[@drnexel]

Good thing he’s writing the story for the new game then

[@HeroesRiseUp]

I watched the entire thing, and this is probably the best writing in Sonic media at all in my opinion. Besides Shadow’s writing (which I understand it was done) this was amazing from start to finish!! Im glad the comic writers are working on the Sonic Frontiers Plot!! ^-^

[@Beryligator]

If there's one thing I appreciate about this arc is how they treated everyone. (Even Shadows slight hiccup is good for future stories) Because it allowed for this big threat that of course Sonic would fix, but unlike how it was in forces. It's also showing how the cast can be more than just cheerleaders for him. Everyone is doing something, and even when they get infected. It doesn't feel like "We can't have someone that's not Sonic save the day". It's "This is why that game was called Sonic Heroes, not Sonic Buddies." Nearly all of them were because of a sacrifice or just being caught off guard trying to do good. It helps to show just how bad things are getting, The numbers are thinning. The cure they've planned failed. Even Sonic's immunity is waning. So that resolution and ending feels impactful and earned. They were through the wringer and finally got out on top. This is the kind of Story I wanted to see in Forces. (Also managed to make me like Cream and, had my boy Vector go out like a champ)

[@strikerali2160]

Dang this was awesome. Sonic's consciousness fading as he tosses the last Emerald to Silver...just amazing. Seeing all of these characters come together was such a joy and your commentary was awesome as well. Thanks for this.

[@lennygirlthetruesavvysavag2410]

@Baba hey noobs, Quandale Dingle back again. My finger doctor baba mc bibi son has committed identity theft on me and thrown me in jail. I will be breaking out and committing tax fraud under her name. My sister Saundale Dingle is going to break the world record for the most cheese balls chugged in under half a second. Come back next week to see me eat a pound of raw cookie dough while sitting on a tight rope.

[@Arkivalry]

I just realized "face-ship" is like a pun for "space-ship" I love sonic

[@agithamoon2436]

it would have been perfectly acceptable if he had taken off his rings, tore through the zombots only to get overwhelmed after all. It would still have been him being reckless and arrogant but not as stupid. It would be reasonable to expect, that he would win against the hordes which would have made him getting overtaken by the virus even better. But the way it was written just made Shadow look stupid, even by modern Shadow standards.

[@PeterDivine]

I love how even as Omega is being smothered by zombots he basically screams "MORS ANTE DEDECUS!" Gotta love the dedication to the role

[@Gamer_Dylan_6]

Honestly how I would have fixed shadows infection scene is by having rouge get jumped by a zombot, but before she gets infected shadow jumps in the way. Back at headquarters rouge could say something like "I didn't know he cared for me that much" to show that yes he has been rebooted but he isn't a one note bad guy.

[@matthewgallaway3675]

*sprays you with anti-shipper water*

[@phoenixford8221]

@@matthewgallaway3675 Lol🤣😂🤣

[@melodysmusicaladventures596]

This would’ve been so much better than what we got

[@agenttex5973]

Unfortunately Sega would have shot that down as Team Dark a p p a r e n t l y, arent friends

[@Gamer_Dylan_6]

@@agenttex5973 I feel like Sega might have still gone for this given a bit of haggling. This shadow is still an antihero at heart so he wouldn't let someone get infected if he could stop it, and he was already giving of "I'm going to sacrifice myself" vibes.

[@Convoy143]

It really angers me how Sega still knows how to handle most of their characters as seen in this whole saga, yet they decide to use the stupid stereotypes the internet made for then for the main games. Great arc tho, it really goes to show that everything IDW touches turns into a great read.

[@mevan883]

IDW could use some better artists for some of the Transformers comics.

[@HDLLHANZ]

It's probably because they are afraid that they'll get attacked so hard that The Sonic name would be tarnished.

[@Fatboyftw32]

Sega doesn't know how to handle their characters, Ian Flynn knows how to handle their characters, most problems with this arc can be summed up by Sega interference, mainly Shadow being terribly written.

[@crossyright9493]

This comment above sums it

[@jamesrosengrant8675]

I personally think a way they could have handled the shadow turn would have been to have the wave about to overrun the survivors and sonic is almost completely infected again. Shadow then removes his limiters handing them to sonic. He then blast through the army of infected and over the corse of a page or two he gets slowly more infected as he's just fighting off too many of them, but refuses to stop until everyone is safe. Then the infected shadow fight could be sonic trying to get the limiters back on shadow before he has time to really destroy anything. I don't have a problem with him acting like an angry asshole as long as inside he's still a hero at heart. My problem with the shadow in this scene is he feels like he doesn't care

[@hihi-nm3uy]

Angry asshole Shadow kind of just bothers me, though, because I feel like a big part of his appeal was that he wasn’t your stereotypical edgelord counterpart. I get your point and all, but even then I can’t help but mourn a little.

[@bup4155]

It's crazy how the second arc in a series running for only 3 years is better than a lot of what we got in the 30 year archie run

[@case_sensitive]

Archie was more like 24 years, but close enough I guess

[@starflarethewizard1490]

Bruh…

[@carso1500]

Thats what happens when the writers have actual help from the guys in charge of the story and someone pasionate about the character is at the head of the project and has like 30 years of backstory, characters and scenarios to play with, there are still problems like the characterization of certain members of the team yeah but you have something really high quality It's the same reason why the MCU is fantastic, the whole Marvel universe is a huge sandbox full of posibilities and once you remover the shackles of having decades of messy and inconsistent backstory to have to work through (like the entirety of the archie sonic verse) something fantastic can come from that

[@creepy.bstanbtsbtw]

Never could get into the archie series. Dunno if it was the characters, the writing or both. It just always felt...off. Even the game canon characters were lacking in personality. They just didn't feel like themselves. Can't really describe it, but IDW definitely does a FAR better job in portraying the characters right. Even their added characters don't feel odd to me. They blend in naturally.

[@melodysmusicaladventures596]

Eh I prefer the Archie series especially since that series did a much better job at writing Shadow the Zombot ark was a cool idea but The way it was executed made it good at some points and meh at most points Also the stupid way Shadow was infected kind of killed the ark for me

[@thomasecker9405]

1:23:52 Did nobody notice that what they display as the bacterial form of the Metal Virus isn't just any ordinary viral bacteria? That is a bacteriophage, considered to be one of the most lethal types of bacteria! Kudos to Ian Flynn for understanding biology like this!

[@err0r529]

Wait I thought bacteriophages killed other bacteria, am I dumb or did I miss something in my biology class?

[@thomasecker9405]

@@err0r529 Depends on the origins of the bateriophage. Macrophages in the body could be considered a type of healthy bacteriophage, as they eat the malignant bacteria invading the body to give the white blood cells and T cells the necessary information to fight a virus such as influenza A, B, and C, for example. However, if the bacteriophage is part of the structure of a malignant disease, then it can be very lethal, as the bacteriophage eats up the good bacteria needed to fight the disease. Though they are harmless to humans in the direct sense, as opposed to the indirect...

[@alfiej.armstrong4450]

Bacteria and virae are entirely separate types of organisms. bacteriophages are virae that infect bacteria rather than normal cells.

[@thomasecker9405]

@@alfiej.armstrong4450 Right... in my response to Error, I didn't deny this. My statement in the original comment didn't deny this, either, stating that bacteriophages were bacteria...

[@Daniel-wu6pl]

ye

[@blazedultimate]

This really felt like a victory at the end, more than well earned, after all that heartbreak, finally, the hero’s get a big fat chaos powered W

[@1KamaronConClase]

The best part is always your enthusiasm while narrating. I'm not a huge Sonic fan, but man I love hearing someone that trully loves a thing talk about it as good as you do! Great work

[@finleyforevermore]

Let's just take a moment to appreciate that in 2:10:19, they allowed the artist to have Silver bleed.

[@silverguy526]

Honestly even small details like that would do the games WONDERS.

[@ghanig9948]

I don't appreciate the fact Silver is bleeding but i do appreciate that they let the artist show blood

[@gamejitzu]

How does that even work? Why are his quills bleeding, or reddened at the very least? You're telling me there's actual tissue/blood in there, and it's not like a hair-esque thing?

[@silverguy526]

@@gamejitzu There's actual tissue. Hedgehogs in real life use them as a defense mechanism.

[@artfulcord]

I'm about to sit through all of this just to want to hug whisper again and I am READY for it

[@ZoraVisions]

The bird getting infected through the tree hit me harder then I thought it would. Covid-19 was extremely close to taking me so maybe that's why

[@ZoraVisions]

I love how the faults is just because of Sega being Sega and not letting Ian do some stuff. Hopefully with the success of frontiers they understand the importance of the lore

[@RealmsCrossMyths]

Timestamp: 1:54:40 The stools make better sense as a way to prevent the zombots from making direct contact with her ankles as she does roundhouse and helicopter kicks. Additionally, if you look at the right side of the panel, you can see she is also using the 'foot stools' as some form of projectiles.

[@maxwellgamer7199]

Yep you right

[@limechip]

2:36:00 Dude, I’m tearing up. I don’t care if it’s a review. This hits too hard man.

[@hereforonereason5820]

I like the really generous take that Shadow was acting like he was because he was angry. Angry at Sonic for letting Eggman/Mr. Tinker go, angry at Eggman for DOING all of this, and angry at himself for failing to do what needed to be done to prevent this from happening. His judgement clouded by rage and self loathing. There's sort of some hints at this if you squint really hard (though the intent probably isn't there), like Shadow's talk with Sonic at the end, and the things he chooses to focus on when arguing with him (he's just as responsible as Sonic for letting Eggman live, yelling at Sonic for it may as well be yelling at himself), but...it doesn't come up directly, and it's never something he specifically reflects on, so it's probably more me just wanting to read it that way. Hopefully with Ian on official game writing duty, he can convince the right people to loosen some of the restrictions and newer characterization for Shadow. People wouldn't be drawn to Shadow without the connection to his characterization specifically from SA2, Heroes, Battle, and 06. He'd just be remembered as the "dark, brooding Sonic" by fans if he'd been like this, and no one would care.

[@hyenabionic544]

2:54:07-2:54:15 the sheer excitement that this man has for super sonic is amazing 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@webdude15]

as far as the 'why didnt sonic use the emeralds to cure himself' i think thats why he didnt use em. he KNEW it would result in super zombots. he points out that the reason silvers future is so messed up is cause silver wasnt in this fight. which means if everyone else fell to the virus and eggman fled the world. it basically means that sonic wouldve doomed his world using that move. it was too risky. BUT what if Silver uses the Emeralds himslef then emporwers sonic? now the emeralds cant be directly affected by him till hes 'cured' Silver is the only one who couldnt be infected since u cant touch him much. hes got PK.

[@ShaneShrimp]

i dont think its that deep. going super visibly quite literally burns the virus from sonic, curing it in the process. i dont think the virus could have ever infected the emeralds in any way as a super sonic couldnt be infected even if they tried. in this situation though i doubt there would be a way for said super sonic to cure everyone without someone there to help him as he can't telekinetically remove it from everyone as super silver could.

[@8bitty192]

Smart!

[@SonicSwift99]

@Caleb Vela This is what I was thinking which is why this isn't how Sonic's future would be doomed. Here's two reasons why: 1) Silver using his powers to keep the emeralds on hand while Sonic barely got the last one is the reason how they were able to go super. Without Silver to help, Sonic wouldn't have been able to get the emeralds as he and Metal Sonic would've gotten fucked up by Zavok. 2) Even if Sonic managed to turn Super and cure himself, he'd have no way of curing everyone. Remember, Super Silver's amplified psychic powers allowed him to remove the metal virus particles off of everyone and throw it all into the sun. All Super Sonic did was fly Silver around the world at super speed so he could remove the virus off of everyone in one big scoop and close the warp topaz portal.

[@Orange0884]

2:34:03 this is actually a really neat detail. if you didn't know, rabbits thump their feet as a reaction to danger. they also stomp their feet when angry.

[@vanceypants_eas]

So is thumper from Bambi always think he is in danger or pissed all the time?

[@PikaPenny17]

Yes

[@noctarin1516]

The sheer sincere way he laughs when he says that Shadow's chasing after the truck...

[@joetheawesome]

Honestly, this arc would be a good video game. Have like, a multiple character system and a bar that Sonic has for an infection meter. When it gets high enough, or when the player manually chooses to, he runs off for the rest of the level and you have to make do with the other characters. And the meter would slowly rise if you aren't using him or only running around the level.

[@kygomashyt5592]

Can we just respect the effort this man has gone through to make this video happen?! Massive respect to this channel, it is great!

[@cobaltprime9467]

33:20 yeah imagine if Shadow, Silver, and Knuckles were there in SATAM. Actually a lot of modern Sonic characters would kick butt in that cartoon. Sonic was the only one with powers but Vector is strong, Espio can turn invisible, Blaze has pyrokenisis, and let’s not forget Super Sonic. The Chaos Emeralds played no role in the cartoon.

[@carso1500]

If Sonic has his modern friends in satAM the cartoon would end in a single season Like hell shadow running around alongside Sonic at súper speed, Amy and knuckles crushing robots, tails in his mech, the chaotics running around, silver using his telekinesis, blaze burning shit, and all the new characters are also crazy strong like tangle and whisper It would be funny if there is like a small comic where the modern Sonic characters get teleported to the satAm world and they just go bonkers on robotnik's army while the freedom fighters don't know who they are but hey don't look a gift horse in the mouth and robotnik is shitting bricks as everything he throws at this super powered strangers gets obliterated inmediately

[@azuroslazuli6948]

LOL I know you meant Sat-AM, but my brain totally read that as SATAN 😂

[@HenshinFanatic]

Well they did have a flying, magical, fire-breathing dragon in SAT-AM and she wasn't much help either.

[@carso1500]

@@HenshinFanatic because she was pretty useless, and being able to breath fire is not on the same level of what someone like blaze can do specially when she transforms into burning blaze, lets not forget that she literaly destroyed an entire eggman fleet on her own

[@beastmaster0934]

If sonic had his friends from the more recent games in SATAM, Robotnik would’ve been toast

[@leonardo10050]

Gotta say. The part where cream gets infected genuinely made me break up in tears. Same with tangle.

[@crimsonslayer6641]

Cream getting infected was the saddest moment in the entire arc

[@smoothie7362]

idk why ian flynn doesn’t just write the sonic games. If he’s able to fix forces just imagine what he can do with his own stories

[@Soufriere84]

Sonic Team is run by idiots and Sega by morons (except Sonic's US brand-managers, they seem pretty cool). Yuji Naka knew this 15 years ago.

[@yderga8707]

Unfortunately sonic suffers the same fate as the Pokemon series. Except at least Pokemon is consistent. Sonic tries to appease fans, then flips over to appeal to children for toy sales. In the case of sonic forces, they tried to do both, which was devastating.

[@smoothie7362]

@@yderga8707 yeah and please classic fans and deviant artists

[@yderga8707]

@@smoothie7362 classic fans had mania, what more could they want.

[@smoothie7362]

@@yderga8707 hey i didn’t make forces. If i was the one in charge of all of this classic wouldn’t have even been in forces

[@EdwinShy3200]

You getting crazy hype at 2:53:50-2:54:34 is the best bit from one of your videos imho Can't blame you thou it's pure hype and that *YOUR OUT!* was gold

[@Lightygaming568]

And the music from sonic 06

[@Lightygaming568]

Hype

[@terpsidance.]

The last time I was that hype for a super transformation was in worlds collide when Sonic teaches MegaMan to go super.

[@amaikurusu188]

YEAH I got SO HYPED for it dude--

[@loszhor]

A Sonic Zombie Apocalypse Story!? Loved it! Also, I do hope they bring back Nicole. She was one of my favorite characters in the Archie Universe. When I first heard that Sega gave IDW all these super strict and oddly worded restrictions on stories I thought it would force a tone down on the drama and character development. I am SO GLAD that that ended up not being the case in the end! And well done! You got through the whole thing! Thanks for uploading!

[@writingwyvern6065]

God, I just went through the whole ark a few days ago, it really got dark in some of those issues. My favorite part was when Vector got infected, not what he said to Espio, but what Gemerl said afterward. "Vector is ... very strong," I thought it was going to be a sweet moment where he finally acts a little human and kind to the rest of the cast. But nope, then he hit us with. "As a Zombot he will break down the door very soon." God, I love all of the robot characters in this, especially omega his dialogue made me burst out laughing half the time.

[@anthonyoliver418]

The one thing I like about the deadly six is how they get absolutely destroyed by all our favorite characters in this arc and just only stand an chance because they everyone is rushing but they still get destroyed and infected it’s so beautiful seeing them just absolutely trashed by actually good characters. Edit: I wouldn’t be surprised if the used the deadly six just to have them destroyed not too long after they became the main antagonists.

[@mistersp3753]

The pieces are back together. All is right in the world.

[@hellodolly7301]

Your narration & storytelling abilities, the editing of the panels and background music... I appreciate you & this video so much, I love it. I'm a new Sonic fan, and am not financially steady. Thank you for making this video and enhancing the experience of consuming this media with your passionate storytelling.

[@VictoryReviews]

I absolutely love how Zavok was handled in this arc. I feel like he gets dunked on too often when I think he's pretty cool which he proved outright in the culmination of this arc! It was so genuinely great. Hope Ian Flynn gets to write for Zavok again in the games

[@AlexMartinez-gv7hy]

This arc is honestly really good, also making the deadly six the final threat is actually clever and the characterization of them is pretty good. If only it happened in their game lol.

[@squidy968]

That super transformation is probably the best one to come from any sonic thing EVER, especially with your dub and his world playing

[@user-oy2zg3bt6n]

too bad super knuckles was rewritten to be non existence anymore

[@rustykerman1678]

Ima be honest, That part where Windmill village first got transformed actually kinda hit me. Espessaly the part with the kid and his mother. Like, It kinda grounded the world that these aren't just some random background characters, but they have lives and these events have repercussions. Idk im bad at describing stuff.

[@Bengt2509]

A detail I noticed is, throughout the final battle Occasionally Metal sonic’s speed can hold back sonic’s metal virus, So I think that it wasn’t immune to speed just sonic was too tired to run fast enough to hold it off

[@shawnsuckstm3353]

Could be both? Maybe because Sonic’s speed was slowing down slightly, the virus didn’t have to work so hard to grow fully immune, so it ended more closer to a resistance thanks to the slower speed?

[@Bengt2509]

@@shawnsuckstm3353 true

[@RealmsCrossMyths]

Timestamp: 2:46:00 Silver has the other five. The one Sonic hands Silver is the sixth, as Big Red has the seventh.

[@phantomnoodles8496]

whenever i remember this arc, my heart starts pumping. idk why

[@maxwellgamer7199]

Probably because this shit intense

[@hotchocolate5908]

this arc is full of tension and moments that will break you and make you despair like no sonic story has before

[@vaporeon1166]

I swear I just sobbed through some of the parts. I never had a sonic related thing genuinely make me cry, especially creams fight and when she got infected because I see her as my own younger sister so that just rubbed salt into my wound. But everything else was just amazing. And you did a amazing job with this dude!

[@aidan4472]

54:30 this. THIS is how I imagine demihuman robots behaving in the real world. They have a job, and who cares how it’s done, they’re gonna DO IT gosh darn it! Be it Generl or Omega, they both have that “can’t stop won’t stop” vibe to them.

[@urieltheblaze]

This series has evolved so much that I literally want to cry just thinking about it. This series brings nostalgia to me.