Smithy the Lion[3][4] is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing. He was an anthropomorphic lion and was both the crafter and the unofficial leader of the Diamond Cutters. He was betrayed by their infiltrator; Mimic the Octopus and killed by Shadow Androids.
Concept and creation
As with all of the first-generation Diamond Cutters members, Smithy was designed as homage to a member of the FOXHOUND group from the Metal Gear series, specifically the character Vulcan Raven. Because of this, Evan Stanley's original designs for Smithy portrayed him as a raven. This original iteration of the character was also named "Forge".[5] Later designs, however, would change his species to a lion, and his color to brown, while his name was changed to "Smithy".
Appearance
Smithy was a large, brown-furred, anthropomorphic lion with bright brown eyes, a black nose, rounded ears and white hair on his light brown muzzle. He had a large, dark brown mane with the lower part of it held by a black beard tie. He had light brown fur on his chest and long tail with a black hair tie near the paintbrush-shaped side of his tail tuft.[3]
Smithy wore an outfit that matched that of the other Diamond Cutters: a black cloak, black arm sleeves and gloves with light gray palms, and light gray boots with dark gray toes and soles.
History
Past
Smithy used to be the de facto leader the Diamond Cutters, an elite anti-Eggman mercenary team. His Wisp companion was a Pink Wisp. As Smithy was also the crafter, he created all of the team's gear that they used on various missions, including some of their Wispons. With the masks he made, he wanted the team to act as one. He later created the Variable Wispon which he hoped that each member of the team would use one day so that they could all use the powers of each of their Wisps.[3][1]
During one mission at an Eggman base, Smithy, along with Slinger the Ocelot and Claire Voyance, pretended to be captured by Mimic, who had shapeshifted into an Egg Pawn. After they managed to fool the guarding Egg Pawn there, Claire sensed a formation of Badniks on the far end of the base and two more on the inside that were recharging. This prompted Smithy to shoot down several Egg Pawns that stood in their way. He soon followed Mimic out of the facility after he created an exit with his Cube Wispon.[3]
The Diamond Cutters would be sitting around a fire with Smith and Slinger teasing each other while Claire and Whisper quietly discuss on them two never understanding what the boys are talking about. Smith makes an announcement saying how they did not come out here just to reminisce, but Smithy wants to introduce a device that can boost their success and keep them more hidden. Their called Concealers that can record, project and more with him further saying their Badnik proof, Eggman-proof and comfy. Slinger says he gets a new toy with Whisper saying it's different from Slingers when Whisper asks Mimic what's his like and he remains silent.
Smithy starts by saying how he was an engineer and loved math and him giving a speech about friendship while Slinger laughs. Smithy gets serious and says how they are more than just mask saying how when there out there they are one; A unit stopping the Eggman Empire one tower at a time. Claire takes in saying how when the war is over she wants to remain a team and further saying how they can become a faction like the Resistance with Slinger saying there's will be way cooler. Whisper then says how she wants to say something and starts by saying Smith is smart, brave and the biggest teddy bear she's ever met, she than says Claire is caring and always keeping an eye out for everyone, Whisper continues saying how Slinger is hilarious while Mimic she says how it makes her feel so much better when he's down there watching their backs and thanks him for making the team feel complete and after they chant Diamond Cutters. Mimic then says how the masks are beautiful gifts and saying how he needs to stretch his legs and Whisper agrees.[6]
Demise
Later, at the onset of the Eggman War, Mimic secretly betrayed the Diamond Cutters and aligned himself with Dr. Eggman. He brought a plan before the Diamond Cutters to take down an Eggman base that cause a blackout among his forces along the coastline. At the Eggman base that the team decided to take down, the Diamond Cutters found no opposition. Claire tried to use her powers but could not sense anything, deducing that Eggman must have been emitting alpha waves somewhere to block her. After Smithy sent Mimic to scout for an ambush, he, Slinger and Claire pressed onward to find large capsules where Claire believed the source of the alpha waves was coming from. In the capsules, the trio discovered Shadow Androids. Suddenly, the room was automatically locked and trapped them inside. Ordering his companions to fire at will, Smithy attacked the activated Shadow Androids with all his might using his Spike Wispon, but was soon killed in battle.[3]
Legacy
As with Smithy's death would weigh heavily on Whisper, who blamed herself in part for not being able to save him. Because of this, Mimic, who used his appearance as a means of traumatizing intimidating, and fighting Whisper and Tangle.[7][8]
Personality
Smithy was a quite cheerful person who believed in justice and personally opposed everything Dr. Eggman stood for. Though Smithy was usually serious during missions, he sometimes found the fun in them. Smithy was quite caring for his team as he wished that they would always be able together as one.[3]
Powers and abilities
Smithy was an engineering genius who crafted all of the Diamond Cutters' gear, including the prototype Variable Wispon that could use the powers of multiple types of Wisps. In addition, he was a calculating person and took bold steps in leading his team. Smithy apparently had a great amount of physical strength, as he was able to carry and use a heavy Spike Wispon into battles.[3]
Smithy was also a trained soldier and thus, had experience fighting in war-like situations.[1]
Weapons and equipment
For missions, he would wear a cream cat-like ornate mask, which left his muzzle exposed, with gray markings on its ears and the mask's right side. The Concealer features three holes on the left side set in a triangular pattern and a dark gray and pink "eye" on the right side.[3] The mask also had a built-in camera and was networked, so that all teammates could watch the footage as means of reviewing mission performance and studying each others' perspectives. It also had a built-in translator that let him understand the Wisps' language.[3]
Smithy used a Spike Wispon, which was powered by his Pink Wisp companion. Smithy would use its offensive functions during missions.[3]
Relationships
Diamond Cutters
Smithy was very close friends with his teammates, Whisper, Slinger, Claire and Mimic. He wanted his friends and their wisps to be one with each other, everyone working together. Unfortunately Smithy, as well as his other teammates, had no idea of Mimic's true nature, which costed most of the Diamond Cutters' lives.
Smithy's Pink Wisp
It's unknown how exactly Smithy's relationship with his Pink Wisp was, but it is clear they were very close and loved each other.
Friends/allies
- Diamond Cutters (teammates)
- Claire Voyance
- Mimic the Octopus (impersonator)
- Slinger the Ocelot
- Whisper the Wolf
- Wisps
Enemies
- Eggman Empire
- Badniks
- Dr. Eggman
- Shadow Androids (killers)
Trivia
- Smithy resembles Vulcan Raven from the Metal Gear Solid video game, being the largest member of his team armed with a Gatling gun-like weapon. This is further alluded to in Smithy's trading card, which describes his cloak as being "raven-black."
- Furthering the connection, the lion is the sacred animal to the Roman god Vulcan, who is incidentally the god of fire and the forge. This reflects Smithy's role as the Diamond Cutters' weapon designer.
Gallery
Concept artwork
Model sheets
Trading Cards
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Smithy's Trading Card.
- ↑ Evan Stanley on Twitter. Twitter (5 September 2019). Archived from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved on 24 October 2019.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #3, "Betrayal"
- ↑ Smithy's Trading Card.
- ↑ Evan Stanley (@spiritsonic) on Tumblr. Tumblr (21 January 2024). Retrieved on 22 January 2024.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024, "Shattered Diamonds".
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #2, "Ambush"
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #4, "Showdown!"
External links
- Smithy the Lion at IDW Sonic Hub Wiki, the IDW Sonic wiki.
