The Return of Sonic Riders! - Sonic Speed Reading

[@JerekBilbar]

This was my favorite arc of the mainline IDW series thus far. Sonic getting to be morally in between some heroes? A corrupt faction overwhelming the resistance? Surge and Kit beginning to redeem themselves? Jet the hawk giving up on winning just to stop Mimic? All in the same arc? It’s not “morally grey” but it’s a complicated story with so many characters actually doing something other than punching bad guys in two page spreads.

[@legendarycryptid2629]

Mimic the (mimic) Octopus.

[@JerekBilbar]

@ ah thanks. Gonna edit original comment.

[@Gaia_BentosZX5]

@@JerekBilbar Gotta give Ian credit, when he knows how to EggTuah, he spits on that thang.

[@JerekBilbar]

@ what the fuck don’t ever say that again

[@CookieFiend519]

What do you mean by Sonic being “morally in between” ?

[@legendarycryptid2629]

Been loving this arc so far. I love how Eggman's whole stake in this was that the destruction of his Eggperial City left him in a Villainous BSOD, completely sterile in every way and unable to think of any plans, then seeing Clutch mock him with Clean Sweep pisses him off so much he cuts a truce with Sonic just to get even. *_Clutch brought Eggman out of his funk and is paying for it._* Also, 2:03 from what I remember, Mobius may have been banned come the New 252, but they let the critters (Clucky (formerly Cucky) and the others) be called Mobians at least back in Archie...

[@angrybrony]

sometimes it's the little things that get you going.

[@ThefifthBishopofGord]

I think once Eggman finds out who is behind it Cleansweep will be in a lot of danger.

[@legendarycryptid2629]

​@@ThefifthBishopofGordThey're going right into the Eggnet for this...

[@galten7361]

@legendarycryptid2629 They aren't Mobians in the games or IDW since there isn't a Mobius. TailsTube just calls them folks.

[@RadarTheManedWolf]

1:37 The artwork in Issue 69 is actually done by Min Ho Kim (character designer for The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog), but his lineart remains similar to Aaron’s in later issues of the Phantom Riders arc mostly because a majority of the arc is colored by Reggie Graham. Art direction consistency, as I’ve seen people mistake Aaron for Min too. Min does Issues 69, 71, 73, and 75. Aaron does 70, 72, and 74. 75 will also have pages drawn by Evan.

[@lukem18181]

Sonic riders will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first sonic game I bought on release. And the Babylon rogues were awesome characters. Jet was the first character I played as.

[@popuied6688]

Bro I love all of your little tangents, that little opossum story is just awesome and I never would've known about the "Nincombot" reference if it weren't for your inner fan coming out! Keep on being yourself you Bad Nick you 😆

[@AlexMartinez-gv7hy]

Same, honestly what makes me sub in the first place

[@dr.ivorobotnik8910]

13:26 It's not a suprise that Eggman can construct the Eggstreme Gear, if you look back in Sonic Riders the enterprise that create and sells the Extreme Gears is Robotnik Corporation

[@smoogieboogie1694]

In my opinion, this arc has Amy's best IDW writing so far. I didn't dislike her before, but I really missed her more fiery side to her personality.

[@Neutralizer16]

Funnily enough she still is all goggly eyed for sonic in idw so it’s not completely gone 😂

[@SonicSwift99]

This also had that late 2000's writing for Sonic as well. I got major Unleashed vibes here.

[@smoogieboogie1694]

@ same I got Black Knight vibes. Sonic is being the villain if it means ultimately doing the right thing.

[@preyasmanthedemopan2854]

Yeah fun fact; Opossums and Possums are two completely different animals. Opossums are those things living in your neighborhood like you said, while Possums live in Australia and look like the Opossum's tree-climbing, Chaos Cola-addicted stepcousins.

[@legendarycryptid2629]

12:05 Eggman's costumes kinda remind me of King Koopa's various alter-egos in the Super Mario Bros. Super Show... he had a good number of them.

[@kaz_maniandevil]

6:38 Anthropomorphic bird characters are usually referred to as “avians” by the furry community. 🐾

[@evanlandis990]

Yep, I was going to say it too

[@Gaia_BentosZX5]

I am not satisfied until Dr. Eggman asks if people are snooping as usual.

[@the_grill_masters_yt]

Fr😂

[@charlieseely3464]

PINGAS-

[@CybenX_yt]

the thumbnail style for speed reading has been so good recently!!!

[@benogle4951]

I hadn't realized how great it was until I stopped to look at it until I looked at your comment so thank you, they have been pretty lit

[@AstroTom]

Eggman's undercover getup retuning from Shuffle was a nice reference... I have to finish that game someday

[@ponderingForever]

Welcome back Speed fans

[@NightFuryLover31]

This arc was off to a great start! The art is very pretty, and took turns most were not expecting. I’m looking forward to more analyses, and how it all ends! Just days before Sonic Movie 3 as well! What a year for this franchise!

[@mastertjt56]

The Phantom Rider design is giving me Megaman vibes and I LOVE ITTT. Also Surge with her hair down is such a cute design

[@eh9618]

Can't wait for the blatant kamen rider reference that is the phantom rider in the next speed reading. The long pixelated scarf is amazing and an homage to showa era riders

[@369destroyer]

That local Opossum will forever be named Clutch as far as I am concerned

[@natoriousthehopeful2786]

First of all, I am glad that you are back to reading the mainline IDW stories Nick: second of all, this has to be one of the best arcs we've had in a little bit. It actually gives me hope that maybe we can get Surge some redemption 🤗

[@joshshrum2764]

Shadow needs a arc because of the year of shadow.

[@natoriousthehopeful2786]

@joshshrum2764 Give it time: our edgy boi will get his chance in the spotlight soon enough 😎

[@LeafyPoipole]

0:59 Like nothing wierd but ngl Surge looks kinda cute with her hair down

[@User-TheLich]

Finally, I wanted you to talk about this

[@User-TheLich]

How long does it take for a comment to get likes or for someone to reply to your comment Edit: Sorry I just joined KZbin recently

[@User-TheLich]

Yay 2 likes

[@_TRB_]

​@@User-TheLichRNG or if you steal a good one you will get them faster

[@takeruneverborn4740]

Man I want a new Sonic riders game post stat based on this storyline be a great way to introduce the idw cast and bring them into the Canon post frontiers

[@TheAverageLifeForm]

6:29 Swellow? Like the Pokémon? Good ol’ Swellow the Swallow

[@henrymalloy1344]

Eggman’s motivation being that he was made fun of is hilariously in character. And I learned who the phantom rider is through roblox. Curse sonic speed simulator’s unmasked phantom rider skin

[@pigifi]

The issue I have with the Phantom Rider arc is that aside from the sheer amount of info the game cast kept to themselves to make sure that Clutch didn't just get anti-climatically jumped by all the people he pissed off over the comic at the end of Issue #66, Clutch himself isn't exactly a "manipulative genius" that he and the comic makes himself to be. He is a mob boss from the 80s trying to act like his ways still work in the 21st century. And that makes things rather frustrating to read because it make the rest of the cast, who should've by all accounts speedrun him in a single issue, look like they had to given stupid pills for him to succeed rather than him being actually clever and outplaying the heroes. Remember those stupid crime bosses of Gotham who think that they can muscle around supervillains with their money and status when it means nothing to them? Clutch is really looking like one of these chumps. Just in this issue alone: First, he hinges on NO ONE using phones. If Amy called Jewel after being denied contact with the Restoration, Clutch's scheme would be ended with a dual spin-dash topped by a piko-piko flattening at the end of this issue. Even JET has a phone! Second, he actively antagonizes the hero trio after getting them disqualified by denying them contact with the Restoration in the first place after having only THEIR boards go haywire. Anyone would find this SUS AS HELL. If he left them alone or at least rigged a few other contestants as well without disqualifying them, they would either continue racing ignorant of what is happening behind the scenes or simply have their boards "fixed" indefinitely while being benched in the sidelines. Third, for a guy who lives to stay in the shadows, he loves to expose himself a lot which requires such drastic methods like the above in the first place. First with Jewel and later on another cast member. In fact, do you know what could've kept this entire story the same without making the cast look like dumbasses for not telling Jewel? When it is time to sign the deal, he sends a puppet CEO in his place and when it is signed, he would call his boss who is Clutch and say "mission success". That way, even if Jewel was warned of Clutch, the cast wouldn't be able to connect Clean Sweep Inc to him while he doesn't need to do anything and have his sockpuppet do the speaking for him. If it wasn't for the weak main villain, it wouldn't drag down the rest of the arc's legitimately great aspects.

[@hamstersandwich9917]

Yeah I would say the lead up to this is definitely the weakest aspect of the arc. Jewel meeting Clutch and seeing nothing wrong is pretty wack when logically, the restoration would have already have a file one him given he messed with Team Rose, Team Dark, The Chaotix and Belle. Atleast the actual arc could be excused by the logic of Clutch isolating Jewel from anyone who could reach her, including her communication methods

[@thetoondevil]

I haven't seen a lot of comics featuring the Baylon Rogues, but they were always some of my favorite characters. Jet is kind of annoying, but I never would take him for a cheat. But I think what won me over was how they animated the characters back then. They really loved giving these characters exaggerated expressions and so do I.

[@galten7361]

@thetoondevil Jet's just OOC here. Jet in Riders was a criminal yeah but he always followed the rules.

[@MrJ-u6h]

I loved this arc. gave more of a spotlight to my favorite evil duo

[@glacierwolf2155]

You know, I keep forgetting that the Babylon Rogues are aliens or descendants of aliens. I feel like that they could relate to Shadow with not originating from Earth. Hell, now thinking about it, they could be a part of the "winged tribe" that Sage was talking about, but that's probably a stretch.

[@hamstersandwich9917]

Considering the winged tribe was decimated in the Ancients planet, that's unlikely, plus it'd be just more redundant than it already is to have the two aliens species crash landing on earth be from the same planet

[@tracyndiyob162]

got more aosth from the eggnick insults.(more references to it are always welcome to me.) really love this arc being basically a true sonic riders 3/making me actually want another one with how idw made me love the babylon rogues & having a more interesting story than those games(keeping the great outfits they had especially eggman's dapper suit referencing sonic shuffle.:3) showing kit/surge following their own path .

[@gtcproductions4097]

I just can’t wait for Mimic to get the boot

[@sbklucario1260]

6:37 Yes, anthropomorphic birds can technically be categorized as “Furry”. However, it would be more accurate to call them avians.

[@majinriley9776]

If they gave Sonic Riders the Team Sonic Racing controls I’d buy it

[@MattAnd]

I do love all the references in this one, but Crabmeat in particular legitimately cheer when he turned up. Not sure why but he was always a favourite of mine from Archie, so glad it came back up!

[@comicfan1324]

Does the Phantom Rider’s shoes remind anyone of reboots’ choice in footwear? I won’t spoil who is the Phantom Rider for those who haven’t read the book yet, but I just think that is a fun coincidence

[@katzewerfer63]

man that phantom rider design reminds me of megaman x command missions Also I gotta find my gamecube controllers since seeing riders again just adds to the want of playing Sonic Riders again

[@mrnoodlr0284]

Never been a fan of Clutch’s design, just a little too… OC for me if that’s the right word. But glad to see him get some comeuppance here

[@hamstersandwich9917]

I do agree that Clutch is definitely one of the more unique characters with his design, the black sclera and the green fur emulating pants and fingerless gloves are standouts for sure

[@MrSkysenGames]

12:03 Shuffle was such an underrated party game. *Yeah, it was weird.* But it was also supposed to be, since it was dreams. Would love to see it come back, even as just a remaster or port.

[@AkiDave]

Need something to chill out to cause law school finals is tomorrow. Time to vibe with green man 🔥

[@MasterMemo]

Wrt chaos cola, I love when franchises do essentially product placement for products that don't actually exist. Just fully going for it

[@theforkedman3030]

I really hope they bring sonic riders back. I love those games.

[@SonicTheHedgehogX15]

This is definitely the best arc character-wise. Also FINALLY IVE BEEN WAITING

[@stefanivanov9351]

The second he started yapping about the opossum I immediately liked the video

[@pumkinswift8263]

I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the arc! It feels like the comic strip has finally found it's footing for a this arc, and I hope that the next issue is as big and dramatic as it deserves.

[@comicfan1324]

Issue 69 was very… NICE

[@vampirekingdarkness9076]

God i hope this means we've got a CHANCE at sonic riders comin back, shouldve been a new riders game instead of sonic team racing

[@joshshrum2764]

Something before frontiers two.

[@vampirekingdarkness9076]

I'd love a sonic riders remake/remaster, especially with the added bonus of chaos emerald being available to sonic, shadow, tails and knuckles instead of just sonic

[@CrimsonRevolutionary]

Please keep the callouts, i love them

[@drdewott9154]

All I have to say to 6:38 as someone with a gryphon character is that yes, anthropomorphic birds count as furries too.

[@TevyaSmolka]

This was fun sonic arc in my opinion especially with the riders series.

[@mannyb460]

I’ve been loving these chapters and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Definitely one of my favorites so far. I know you don’t do Archie too much but I wonder if you’d do a speed reading with thoughts on the arc with knuckles, shadow, and eclipse the darkling

[@rooseveltmilordjr3520]

This vid was great!! I can’t wait for the next comic review to drop.

[@novanova78_34]

I never thought we could've seen an arc better than metal virus but here I am

[@VillageOtter]

4:56 I think this is what happened to clutch after this arc

[@RandomiusBronius]

6:39 Agreed. Wave is indeed a hot bird.

[@Sanjixoxo]

Count Dooku voice:I been looking forward to this

[@anthonyoliver418]

Man they really need to make another Sonic riders game, one that is good, has almost every major character in it, and doesn’t have Eggman farting on people.

[@samdozmeme420]

Eggman in a mysterious coat is amazing I love him.

[@Steelaiii-2]

11:50 From egg-Glock to egg-drip

[@Jay_Hendrix]

RIP Knuckles

[@johanstenfelt1206]

I will really look forward to see what you think of this Arc.

[@RealKingCRK]

I kinda want the comics to be animated similar to Batman the animated series, but keep the normal art style

[@Cobalt17]

That would be sick

[@CatanRuler2006]

Yeah that would be cool

[@scientistservant]

6:37 Anthro bird characters do have their own term called Avians, along with reptiles and Scalies, but most furries just lump them all together as simply "Furry"

[@SamuelSalas-n8x]

FINNALY A VIDEO ABOUT THIS ARC I MOVE TO SOUTH AMERICA AND COULDNT READ THE SERIES BECAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO READ IN SPANISH

[@SonicBlue302]

I want a Sonic Riders TV series

[@dawidjanik545]

Vechicles getting destroyed during a race? What is this Cars 2?!

[@JarenJohnson-rb4dt]

The Phantom Rider is Big the Cat

[@M0taku]

Fun fact, opossum and possum are two different animals. And they look nothing alike. So now, we have to determine if it's a mistake or not.

[@erikbihari3625]

What did ultimate spiderman done, now whenever hear the term"Phantom Rider", can't think any other than badass,brainwashed,cowboy uncle Ben! Normal things guys?

[@BBK113]

Ultimate Spidey? There's no Phantom Rider in any of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics, whether it be the original 2000's run with 1610 Peter, Miles' time in 1610 as the replacement Spider-Man or the new 6160 universe. You thinking of the original Ghost Rider though

[@erikbihari3625]

@BBK113 . Check out;"ultimate spider man;Phantom Rider"! Probably that's where found.

[@BluShiGuy]

_I’m falling free in the wind, in the wind_

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

...the more I see the chaos cola being turned into a alcohol the more i think of being mistaken for thinking root beer was actual beer

[@SoranotRoxas]

Glad he's back! 👍

[@andresousa101]

6:38 so as far as I know anthropomorfic birds are called Avians, but some people call them featheries. And reptiles are called Scalies

[@benogle4951]

I've been calling it for months is that the phantom Rider is going to spin off into his own Red X type character

[@Oli6906]

Im disappointed in myself for not catching the nincombots reference bc I grew up with that show

[@CHANIMATES]

Ive been waiting for this one 😅

[@TheRetroManiac]

Turns out the phantom rider is actually scratch and grounder. Scratch as rider and grounder as the board.

[@JerekBilbar]

Also “opossums” and “possums” are technically different animals I bleieve

[@CometX-ing]

The art of the first issue was actually done by Deegeemin and not Aaron.

[@joecuppa1469]

11:52 hes got that shit on tho

[@FitzyCify]

Hmm, a robot named Nick. Robot. Nick. Robot Nick. Need I say more?

[@joyboy2000-vp9nr]

Eggman drip goes hard

[@charmsovereign7364]

Surge with hair down is peak

[@Lanoman123]

Literally my favorite arc SPECIFICALLY for the Riders content ngl

[@KingHaruWolfs_Infinitverse]

Leeeeet's gooooooo Mobians!!!!

[@Sly88Frye]

The phantom in the Opera is the phantom rider. He just wanted to be part of Sonic somehow

[@connormarchand6302]

4:41 Nick I think U might have a pet Possum

[@CrimsonMoonM]

The Raccoon and Opossum Distribution System isn't as beloved as the Cat Distribution system, but they do have their ways. Sadly, these fellas are more likely to become noisy neighbours who only stop by to eat all your stuff once in a while rather than lifelong companions, but the system is rarely wrong in choosing its targets nonetheless.

[@mr.skateandwatch]

Season of the Opossum

[@MoBisley]

Adopt the Opossum

[@UnifiedEntity]

Shouldve been Knuckles there over Amy

[@CryBlueofZ]

I guess Knuckles was busy

[@wildcardshorts]

Good luck with the cats

[@awesomepixel447]

HE'S BAAAAAAAACK

[@LagoonKnight]

These issues makes me wonder if a new game is on its way. 🤔

[@wakeangel2001]

I like when a storyline subverts expectations like this, you thought it would be a Sonic Riders adaptation, but NO, it's actually kind of a Speed Racer parody, complete with a Racer X expy and everything. Also, since I can't think of a time when this would ever come up again, I gotta say it, I liked Sonic Shuffle better than Mario Party. It isn't just because I'm a Sonic fanboy, there are legit reasons why I'd say that. First of all it is a real story driven experience with it's own characters, while the Mario Party games are little more than digital board games. I also liked how instead of dice rolls you had a card drawing gimmick for moving spaces and fighting monsters (though it IS a slight detriment that the computer knows where ALL the cards are, even the ones in your hand, so computer controlled characters kind of cheat by taking whatever number they need.) I'd like to see a re-release or remake of Shuffle with a better randomizer for the card draws, they can even include Ariem as a playable character or cameo since she's a dream entity like Lumina and Void

[@barozukos7791]

Kinda wish they'd bring Knuckles into the comics more, he hasnt really done anything since the first arc

[@hamstersandwich9917]

Hes supposedly coming back in issue 80 but we don't know why yet

[@barozukos7791]

@@hamstersandwich9917 yeah as much as I like Amy she is NOT as good third protagonist as Knux imo

[@dpolaristar4634]

At this point Sega will release the Adventure game remakes before you cover the original Adventure titles.

[@smugsneasel]

Congratulations on getting a possum.

[@infinityheart_tm9270]

6:39 The furry equivalent for birds is Featheries, or in my opinion the better term for them; Avians.

[@chilidogsonic6774]

For anyone wondering the ghost rider is somebody idk

[@MilkshakeSkunkette]

6:38 - yessir it does c:

[@torrencesampson3584]

I never clicked so quickly on a video