Three issues into the latest Sonic the Hedgehog story arc, and things are really heating up. The road to #100 continues, but first, Eggman is attacking with a giant robot, and he’s hungry for snacks. Sonic the Hedgehog #83 is an action-packed issue, with a hint at a mysterious collector of the Chaos Emeralds.
This issue is a ton of fun. One might argue it edges towards younger readers, but there’s no denying the art by Thomas Rothlisberger and colors by Leonardo Ito are undeniably fun and the perfect level of chaotic when the battle gets intense. The scale of Eggman’s robot is always clear, with great cutaways to Eggman inside. Sonic and his friends look sharp, with some clever ways of showing his speed, like in one scene where Shadow and Sonic are streaks across the robot.
Right off the bat, the stakes feel high with Eggman’s robot creating a tidal wave our heroes must outrun. The story doesn’t let up from there in this extended fight scene, from Eggman siccing robots on the team to getting powered up by a Chaos Emerald for a brief time. It culminates in a great full-page splash that gives the issue a definitive end to the battle.
There’s ample cutting back and forth between the characters to keep the pace up. Rouge the Bat and Shadow, for instance, give Evan Stanley good cutaway potential. All of the heroes get a chance to shine, like Tails using his hacking skills.
Watch out for that wave!
Credit: IDW
Adding to the appeal for younger readers are positive vibes and praise. In one scene, the new friend Soleil gets to team up with Tails, and Sonic gives him props as he kicks Eggman’s soldiers left and right. Meanwhile, Sonic is all smiles even when talking to the gloomy Shadow.
Given all the positive vibes and cartoony action, the story can feel a little too geared towards little kids. Just about anyone can see the value in a fun adventure like this, but it’s not the deepest adventure. Our characters quip, dodge attacks, and generally have a good time doing it, but a deeper pathos isn’t going to be found here. And that’s okay!
Sonic the Hedgehog #83 is a fast, friendly, and visually playful installment that leans hard into cartoony spectacle and good vibes. While it doesn’t dig deep emotionally, it succeeds at what it sets out to do: deliver a high-energy adventure where every character gets a moment to shine and the action stays crystal clear from start to finish.
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