Issue 9 is the ninth edition of Sonic the Comic. Released on the 18th September 1993 at the price of 95p, the issue contained four original stories, one of them new, as well as several features. It is known as a new era of STC, with the main story seeing Doctor Robotnik taking over Mobius.
Contents
- Control Zone
- Sonic the Hedgehog - Back to Reality
- Review Zone
- Kid Chameleon - Kid Chameleon: Part 3
- News Zone
- Streets of Rage - Streets of Rage: Part 3
- News Extra!
- Q Zone
- Wonder Boy - Wonder Boy in Demon World: Part 8
- Speedlines
- Next Issue
Strips
Sonic the Hedgehog
Back to Reality is a complete story, written by Nigel Kitching, drawn by Richard Elson and lettered by Elitta Fell. Sonic, Tails, Johnny Lightfoot and Porker Lewis have been returned to the Emerald Hill Zone by the Omni-Viewer, but Sonic's friend leaves acting a bit cagey. The scene is interrupted by a pair of Badnik Tanks that Sonic destroys. The civilians inside them lead Sonic back home, saying he's been away six months! They arrive to see the village patrolled by Robotnik's Badniks. Sonic rescues another citizen from execution and learns the Trooper soldiers have nobody inside them. Speaking into an Egg-Cam, Sonic warns Robotnik that he'll get his revenge.
Kid Chameleon
Kid Chameleon is a 6-part story by Michael Cook, Brian Williamson, Steve White and Ellie de Ville. Discovering that Suzi has been captured by Fire-Breath, Red Stealth leaps into battle, freeing his friend. A sword slash makes the monster shrink in size, so the samurai gives Suzi his sword. Despite knowing many martial arts, Casey's alter-ego is defeated and is only saved when Suzi stabs Fire-Breath with his sword. Casey tries to reveal his identity, but accidentally turns into Eyeclops. Fortunately, he can now see the invisible Sewer Men that have stolen Suzi.
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage is a 6-part story, the first in the Streets of Rage series. Written by Mark Millar, drawn by Peter Richardson and lettered by Tom Frame, the story continues with Max Hatchet receiving a visit from Hawk's ninja warriors. The ex-police officer deals with two but is put to sleep by a third. Blaze Fielding watches over Axel Stone and angrily confronts Officer Murphy when he refuses to join them. He instead hands over a police tracer. At Hawk's foundry, Max discovers that it is his old partner behind the kidnapping. With Max at gunpoint, Hawk reveals that a ninja is on his way to see Axel at City Hospital...
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy in Demon World is an 8-part Wonder Boy story and is the longest ever single story in STC. The final part - written by Mark Eyles, drawn by M DJ Boyann, coloured by John M Burns and lettered by Steve Potter - sees those loyal to Grimomen attack Shion after the Wonder Boy killed him. Fortunately, the humans previously turning into demons come to his aid and kill his attackers. The other shackled prisoners are saved and taken back towards the portal. They pass The Shame Inn, with Drum trusting that everything is going as per his idol's plans. At the gate, Shion forces his way home and meets with Baila. Unfortunately, Shion must now travel to the Skyrock Mountains.
Features
The Control Zone, hosted by Megadroid, looks forward to the beginning of next issue's Decap Attack strip - or at least warns against reading it. There's also information about a competition from Issue 3. Elsewhere on the page is news on a new Segaworld installation and the Sega stand at the Future Entertainment Show. This week's Sega Charts have the leaders be exactly the same as last fortnight.
Tony Takoushi handles most of the workload in the Review Zone, mainly focusing on ports. The Game Gear version of Ecco the Dolphin came top with 85%, while the Master System's Home Alone followed with 75%. The GG version of Jurassic Park got 70%. David Gibbon was left to review Fantastic Dizzy and awarded it 90%. Takoushi returned to give a preview of Sonic the Hedgehog CD for the News Zone, where the movies, plot and characters, among other things, were revealed. There's also a comparison of this title and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. News Extra follows the Streets of Rage strip, commenting on the UK non-release of Golden Axe 3, the aforementioned Bournemouth Segaworld and Sega being the new sponsors of surfing.
This week's Q Zone is a Q&A Special, with Gibbon handing out advice for Toe Jam & Earl, Sonic the Hedgehog, Moonwalker, Sonic 2, Chuck Rock, Lotus Turbo Challenge (all Mega Drive) and Master System games The Ninja, Sonic 2 and Alex Kidd in Miracle World. There's also an apology for a mis-quoted Sonic 2 cheat in Issue 5.
Speedlines has Megadroid answer letters on grandads liking Tyris-Flare, Sonic's "girlfriend" Amy Rose, £60 Mega Drive games and a letter addressed to Tails. All entries won a Tomy Sonic the Hedgehog Water Fun Game.
Staff
- Richard Burton - editor
- Deborah Tate - assistant editor
- Claire Gillmore - designer
- Steve MacManus - managing editor
- Chris Power - publisher
- Tom Glenister - advertising
- M DJ Boyann - cover art (uncredited)
Trivia
- The usual Cover Head is replaced with graffiti stating that "Robotnik Rules!"
Timeline
The previous issue of Sonic the Comic was Issue 8. The next is Issue 10.