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Archie Knuckles the Echidna Issue 28 was the twenty-eighth issue of the spin-off Knuckles the Echidna comic series.
Summary[]
Story One[]
- The First Date: Part Three of Three - "It Could Be Love (I Should Have Known Better)"
Lara-Le receives a surprise visit from her son, Knuckles, who asks her what she did on her first date with Locke. He explains that he's taking Julie-Su on a date on Friday, but doesn't know what to do. Lara-Le is worried that this will conflict with her own plans, but quickly realizes this could work to her advantage. Later that day, she heads to Julie-Su's apartment and asks her if she has specific plans with Knuckles. Julie explains that they hadn't agreed on anything in particular, prompting Lara to offer Julie a chance to make her date with Knuckles extra special.
Meanwhile, Vector is sullen and complains about how Knuckles attacked him. Mighty asks why Vector seems to have a problem with Julie-Su, but he can't think of a good reason. Vector decides that he can stop antagonizing her if it means keeping the Chaotix together and Knuckles arrives, agreeing to put their squabble behind them. Locke watches Knuckles and his friends reconcile from Haven when he receives a transmission from Lara-Le. Taken aback at first, he decides to accept the call. Lara-Le explains that they are holding a surprise celebration for Knuckles' sixteenth birthday that Friday and invites him to come, asking him to put their differences aside to make Knuckles happy. Locke obliges and asks how he can help.
That Friday, Knuckles prepares for his date while Archimedes wishes him luck and encourages him not to get scared and call it off. He makes his way to Julie-Su's apartment, where she meets up with him and suggests that they head to a friend's poetry recital. She leads him across Echidnaopolis to the Commons' Hall, where Knuckles' friends and family wish him a happy birthday.
As the party begins, Knuckles' parents take him aside to explain that they want Knuckles to think of them as his family even though they're distant from each other. Knuckles hugs his parents and heads back to Julie for a dance. He tells her that the surprise party means a lot to him, but asks what they're going to do about their date. Julie tells him they can always wait until next week and Knuckles agrees, sharing a kiss with her.
Story Two[]
- "Below the Belt"
In the abandoned labor camp, Mighty pries open a sealed door to help Nic the Weasel and Fiona Fox on their treasure hunt and finds Ray the Flying Squirrel clutching a Power Gem inside. Mighty is shocked, asking if this is where he disappeared to, but Ray is confused; he only remembers being in the room for a few hours.
In the past, Mighty, Ray and Sonic had infiltrated Dr. Robotnik's lab at the camp to rescue Fiona. While Sonic and Mighty distracted Robotnik's SWATbots, Ray snatched the Power Gem that was supplying energy to the machine Fiona was held in. The Gem caused Ray to start warping into another Zone; seeing this, Sonic grabbed Mighty and rushed over to Ray. All three of them appeared to vanish for a second, but Sonic and Mighty instantly reappear, talking about the adventure they had in the alternate Zone. Realizing that Ray had not returned with them and that there was no way to bring him back, Mighty went berserk and began wrecking the lab. Robotnik fled with Fiona, leaving Sonic to console Mighty.
With his story finished, Mighty asks Fiona what happened to her. Fiona explains that Robotnik relocated her to another lab and used her to create an Auto Automaton. He then left her in a cell and Fiona, realizing no one would come to save her, dug her way out over the course of two years. Once free, she met Nic and partnered up with her. Ray interrupts her, pointing out he's still trapped between Zones. Nic fires at the Power Gem, destroying it to free Ray. She tells him that he owes her, but Mighty takes the burden on himself, happy to finally be reunited with his old friend.
Bonus Features[]
Gag Strips[]
The editor approaches Knuckles, asking him how he liked his sixteenth birthday party. He makes a point of how hard it was, talking about how the challenge feeds his soul. Knuckles, irritated with his constant prodding, tells him he can have the last piece of birthday cake. Written by Michael Gallagher, Pencils by Dave Manak, Inks by Jim Amash.
Quotes[]
- Locke: "Lara! Now this is a surprise! So what did I do now?"
- Nic: "What's he doing with my treasure?!!"
- Fiona: "Don't you mean our treasure?"
Key Events[]
- Knuckles and Vector reconcile their differences.
- Lara-Le and Julie-Su set up a surprise party for Knuckles' sixteenth birthday.
- Knuckles and Julie-su begin their relationship.
- The creation of Auto-Fiona is explained.
- Mighty, Nic and Fiona find and rescue Ray.
- Mighty and Ray reunite.
Background Information[]
- This issue's cover is the second part of a three-part image.
Cameos & References[]
- Spectre cameos on the cover, not seen or mentioned in the issue's stories.
- "It Could Be Love (I Should Have Known Better)" is named after "I Should Have Known Better" by the Beatles.
- Wynmacher, Remington, and the swan waitress appear at Knuckles' surprise party.
Errors[]
- In this issue's Sonic-Grams, Patrick Spaziante is credited for illustrating the cover in place of the actual cover artist, Manny Galan.
- Mighty's shell is miscolored on the cover.
External links[]
- Archie Knuckles the Echidna Issue 28 at Sonic Wiki Zone, the Sonic wiki.