Issue 5 is the fifth edition of Sonic the Comic, the UK's official SEGA comic. Released on the 24th July 1993, at the price of 95p, the issue contained four original stories, one of them new, as well as several features.
Contents
- Control Zone
- Sonic the Hedgehog - Lost in the Labyrinth Zone
- Review Zone
- Shinobi - The Fear Pavilion: Part 5
- News Zone
- The Legend of the Golden Axe - Citadel of Dead Souls: Part 5
- Q Zone
- Wonder Boy - Wonder Boy in Demon World: Part 4
- Speedlines
- Next Issue
Strips
Sonic the Hedgehog
Lost in the Labyrinth Zone is a complete story by Mark Millar, Woodrow Phoenix and John Aldrich. After his morning exercise and breakfast, Sonic is alarmed to see Tails being carried away by Arachbot and a pair of Aquis Badniks. Gathering Sally Acorn and a couple of other friends, Sonic ventures into the Labyrinth Zone to rescue his friend and stop him from becoming the evil Robofox once more.
Shinobi
The Fear Pavilion is a 6-part Shinobi story with writing by Alan McKenzie, art by Jon Haward and lettering from Ellie de Ville. As part of his mission to find Naoko, Joe Musashi must now fight another Neo Zeed assassin, this time one that's on stilts. The sharp-tongued man proves too difficult for Musashi and is kicked to near-death, but one swish movement later and Musashi's foe has told him where Naoko is.
The Legend of the Golden Axe
Citadel of Dead Souls is a 6-part story by Mark Eyles, Mike White and Richard Bird. Dark Guld and Sorcerer Blackspell have merged together and are watching their minions take on the three heroes. Tyris-Flare tries to use magic to kill them but it fails and the villains snatch away Ax-Battler. At Firedrake Fell, the barbarian is bested by some empty suits of armour while Tyris and Gilius-Thunderhead steal some potions from passing elves.
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy in Demon World is a 8-part story, 4 of which are set in Monster World. Written by Eyles, with art from M DJ Boyann and lettering by Steve Potter, Shion has to battle a meddling octopus before he starts talking with mermaid and merman couple Lauren and Hardy. They note that wagons containing villagers headed towards The Great Deep, so Shion goes to the underwater jungle and fights off some killer toadstools. He soon comes across the dimensional portal to Demon World, so continues on the next part of his quest.
Features
This issue's Control Zone, hosted by Megadroid, welcomes Boomers to the new issue and teases the two new strips coming in Issue 7 (that were advertised in Issue 1. There's also a chance for hot shots to send in high scores for The Mega Challenge and Sonic poses with several celebrities and a "high-tech Game Gear". The Sega Charts now include titles for the Mega CD (all six of them); the previous week's leaders of Flashback and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 still top their respective charts, but Road Avenger is the first leader of the Mega CD chart.
In the Review Zone, David Gibbon awards Micro Machines (MD) a lofty 95%, while Tony Takoushi hands out 75% for Master of Darkness (GG) and only 65% for GP Rider (MS). Other games fare just as badly with Takoushi, with futuristic OutRun 2019 (MD) awarded 70% and Galaga 2 (GG) another 65%.
This week's News Zone is mainly about Sonic the Hedgehog CD (or CD Sonic, as it is supposedly known) and Amy Rose is revealed for the first time (as Sonic's "official" girlfriend). Other new companions come in the form of Ray the Flying Squirrel in Segasonic the Hedgehog and the forthcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Sonic Spinball is also coming soon as well as two other games. The rest of News Zone covers the home release of Virtua Racing, the Wondermega console and the new Sony Psygnosis company, while Short Bursts has information on new Sega bundles, Roar of the Beast, Aero Acrobat, Jurassic Park, Zool and Bill Walsh College Football.
Gibbon returns to front the Q Zone with tips and codes for James Bond - The Duel (MS), NHLPA Hockey 93, Tiny Toon Adventures (both MD) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (MS and MD). There is also a Game Genie update for Chuck Rock, Alien 3 and World of Illusion. Finally, Speedlines features letters on Mega Drive/Mega CD compatibility, a slur on Eldorado, praise for free gifts and a request for Sonic games for the PC (not yet). As well as pictures of Robofox and Sonic, all published entries received a Sonic 2 Badge.
Staff
- Richard Burton - editor
- Clare Gillmore - designer
- Chris Power - publisher
- Mike White - cover art
Timeline
The previous issue of Sonic the Comic was Issue 4. The next is Issue 6.