Scratch/Pre-SGW

Scratch is a Badnik of the rooster or chicken variety created by Dr. Ivo Robotnik. He is the leader of the Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad and one of the oldest Badniks and enemies of Sonic the Hedgehog. He along with Grounder and Coconuts later attempted to trap Sonic and the Freedom Fighters in a virtual reality under the supervision of Dr. Robotnik, but failed again. Presumably, Scratch and Grounder then became residents in the Robo Hobo Jungle until Mammoth Mogul came in 3237 and recruited all the Badniks there to work in his Casino Night Club, and Scratch managed to get a job as the concierge for the club.

Creation
After Coconuts' smashed pieces were mailed back to Robotnik, Scratch and Grounder were given the task of stopping Sonic. They failed on their first attempt after Sonic dug a trench around them that caused a cave-in when the two broke into an argument and became distracted. Scratch and Grounder, along with Coconuts, later appeared at a villain tryouts, without success of getting in. Scratch later appeared at a company picnic to celebrate Robotnik's return from hiding following the Universalamander fiasco. (StH: #2, #4)

Later Activities
During another unsuccessful attempt at stopping the Freedom Fighters, Coconuts explained that Scratch was able to last, at longest, 16 seconds against Sonic. Grounder and Bat Brain both lasted longer. (StH: #11)

A subsequent battle had Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts succesfully trap the Freedom Fighters in a virtual reality simulation using sleeping gas, but Sonic used the simulation to his advantage and smashed up the simulator and the badniks. Shortly after, Scratch and Grounder had the task of robbing the Mobius Museum of Art, in an attempt to flush out a spy in Robotnik's organization. Sonic knew what was happening and sent them crashing into a toxic waste dump, where Scratch found a note from the spy, which said "Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of Robotnik." (StH: #16)

Working for Mogul
Scratch and Grounder, along with Coconuts, returned much later as employees in Mammoth Mogul's newly renovated Casino Night Zone. Scratch has a job as the concierge, while Grounder appears to be a chef. Both, along with butler Coconuts, had developed a fear of Sonic, a complete lack of respect for the Destructix and a (possibly greater) fear of Amy Rose. When Geoffery St. John brought the purple Chaos emerald to the casino, he threatened to shoot Scratch if he didn't let him see Mogul. Scratch pointed out that Mogul was a busy man, but Geoffery told him that "His schedule just opened up." He then went to talk with Coconuts and left Scratch to return to his duties. (StH: #187, #188, #219)

Appearance
Scratch is a tall mechanical rooster-like Badnik, who mostly has a metallic gray coloration on most of his body and a tall slender neck. He also has a dark gray feather-like design surrounding his neck and dark gray coloring around his lower torso. Like a real rooster, he has legs that resemble an actual chicken, a yellow beak, red strootal atop his head, red tail feathers and a red wattle. When Scratch was employed by Mammoth Mogul he gained a black tuxedo with a white shirt underneath and black tie.

Abilities
Like a real rooster or chicken, Scratch is capable of pecking his foes, with the pecking more reminiscent of a woodpecker. He is also said to be the smartest of the badniks, which doesn't say much for the badniks in general.

Personality
Scratch is very arrogant in nature and sees himself above his comrades due to his former role as leader of the 6S. He is sadistic and will take advantage of the opportunity to gloat at his enemies if given the chance. Despite his slight intelligence, Scratch is easily tricked, easily distracted and has a very short temper. Throughout the years he has gained a great fear of Sonic the Hedgehog and a possibly greater fear of Amy Rose.

Background Information

 * Unlike many of Robotnik's older badniks, Scratch has no direct counterpart to a classic badnik from the videogames, but his appearance is similar to the enemy Clucker (named "Kokekko" in Japan), located in the Wing Fortress Zone of Sonic 2. He was, however, a regular in the TV series Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, which had many elements featured in the comic before the comic's tone changed direction. He is well known because of his prominent cockadoodle-like laugh, "Ba-ha-ha-ha!".
 * Scratch and Grounder were the second characters from AoStH to appear in the comics, the first being Coconuts, followed by Pseudo Sonic and later Breezie the Hedgehog.