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The subject of this article appeared before the Super Genesis Wave.
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This issue takes place after Sonic Super Special #10 and Sonic Super Special #12
STH73
Sonic the Hedgehog
Publication Details
Issue 

73

Date Published 

May 1999

Publishing Company 

Archie Comics

Production Staff
Cover Artist
Writer
Pencils
Inks
Letters
Colors
Editor
  • Justin F. Gabrie
Managing Editor
  • Victor Gorelick
Editor in Chief
  • Richard Goldwater
First Appearances
Only Appearance
  

Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 73 was the seventy-third issue of the main Sonic the Hedgehog comic series.

Summary[]

Story One[]

"The Truth Is Out There..."

Sonic presents a gift to his parents Jules and Bernadette Hedgehog: new wedding bands made from Power Rings. Nate Morgan, one of the creators, compliments his partner and student, Sir Charles Hedgehog, on his work on the Rings. Chuck is appreciative, but admits that he's uncomfortable with the fact that the creation of the Power Rings was credited to him exclusively when Nate originally conceived of them. Nate explains that King Maximillian Acorn chose to do that to keep him from being branded a traitor.

Nate bids the group goodbye and Sonic is summoned to Castle Acorn by Sally. The princess herself, having contacted the other Freedom Fighters, converses with NICOLE, who questions why King Max hasn't been informed of their findings. Sally responds that she wants to be "one-hundred percent sure," and her brother Elias then questions what she wants to be so sure of. NICOLE suggests confiding in Elias, but Sally hesitates. Elias understands, as they have only recently met and neither knew of the other's existence until a short time ago. He hopes that they can have a strong relationship, particularly as their father's kingship prevent him from having much personal time with them. Sally admits that her own life has been turned upside down since Elias' arrival, especially upon learning that he would take the throne. Elias confesses that he doesn't want the throne.

Meanwhile, in orbit, Snively cowers at the feet of his mysterious abductor, who proceeds to activate the last of the satellites surrounding Mobius. On the surface, Sally reveals to the assembled Freedom Fighters that she and NICOLE have discovered the existence of the satellites, and are determined to identify them. As the satellites begin to connect to each other, Sally explains the sequence in which each has activated, and the Freedom Fighters begin to see links to recent events. These include the break out from Devil's Gulag, avalanches in the Southern Tundra preceding Sonic's battle with Ixis Naugus, a Robian attack at the Lost Temple of Shazamazon, and the recent meteor shower that struck Mobotropolis. Yet another satellite activated at the time of Snively's supposed demise, and Elias-included in the meeting-wonders if the Overlander's death may have been a ruse.

The activation of two more satellites coincided with the time beam that nearly destroyed reality, and with the interference in King Acorn's Telecrate broadcast. Sally immediately resolves to inform her father, just as Max himself enters the meeting. NICOLE suddenly detects the activation of the final satellite over Knothole, and the eight satellites-R, O, B, O, T, N, I, and K-unite to form the ROBOTNIK ORBITAL PLATFORM. Fearing the consequences of the satellite's activation, Sonic rushes to Knothole-and finds it deserted. Meanwhile, the platform, Sonic's shocking discovery is celebrated-by Dr. Robotnik?

Story Two[]

Tales Of the Great War: Part Two - "The Big Bad One"
(This story takes place before Story One)

At the Mobotropolis Library, Tails and Amy are reading Kirby story with Jeremiah when they are joined by an unexpected visitor: Sonic's Uncle Chuck. After learning that they're reading the account of the Great War, Chuck takes over the story and recounts the falling out between Warlord Kodos and Ixis Naugus.

Following their successful betrayal of Nate Morgan, Kodos attempted to destroy the wizard in order to secure his own rule. Deciding to leave Kodos to the war he had longed for, Naugus escaped into the Zone of Silence, but not without promising to return. Chuck reveals that he got this information from Robotnik's files, and learned secrets about Kodos that even Kirby didn't record. These include the murder of a pair of scouts -- one Mobian, one Overlander -- who hoped to prevent war by delivering false reports to their people. Kodos captured them and then framed each side for the murder of the other.

Bonus Features[]

Gag Strips[]

Off Panel

The editor sings his praises for Jim Amash's quick ink work on stage. Jim tells Sonic her preferred it when he wasn't getting attention. Sonic begs Jim to help him escape the editor. Written by Mike Gallagher, pencils by Dave Manak, inks by Jim Amash.

Quotes[]

  • Sonic: "Well, Mom 'N Dad, do you like 'em?"
  • Jules: "'Like 'em?' 'Like 'em?'"
  • Bernie: "Sonic -- these wedding bands are absolutely beautiful!"

Key Events[]

  • Sonic gives two bands forged from Power Rings to his parents as an wedding anniversary gift.
  • An eighth and last satellite activates.
  • Sonic and the Freedom Fighters realize that a number of recent events (recounted over a number of previous issues) are all connected to the satellite network above.
  • The residents of Knothole disappear.

Background Information[]

Cameos & References[]

  • The name of the first story could be a reference to the tagline most famously associated with the American sci-fi horror series The X-Files.
  • The second story's name is a play on the title of the 1980 movie, The Big Red One.

Errors[]

  • An editor's note mistakenly refers to Albion as "Abalon."

Reprint History[]

This issue has been reprinted in the following places:

External links[]

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