Lockdown is a complete Sonic's World story in Issue 258 of Sonic the Comic Online.
Staff
- Shaz - script
- Alex Willmore - art and letters
- Lauren Willmore - colours
Story
In the Metropolis Zone, Metropolis University has been cornered off. Amy Rose and Tails have arrived to investigate but Captain Blue and S.P.E.A.R. have beaten them to it. Immediately, Blue congratulates Commissioner Bodger on his recent promotion and tells them all to leave. Bodger is only too happy to, but pressure from Amy makes him think he should contact the Zone Leader. Blue presses Bodger further, informing him that he and the Zone Leader are friends and it was coincidence that Bodger had been promoted. As a dejected Bodger leaves, Blue explains the situation to Tails.
S.P.E.A.R. have tracked some traitors down to the university but they have now taken hostages, with a communication from inside mentioning Badniks. Blue reveals that Mr Gold plans to use nerve gas to kill them should they not surrender but the Freedom Fighters volunteer to go in and arrest them. Inside, a screen lights up and the dean tells them he is in the central office before the transmission cuts out. Suddenly, a tornado bursts out of the next room, so the heroes jump into another room to avoid it. However, this room is icy cold and, worse still, containing Badniks. As a mysterious voice booms out, two backpack-wearing EggRobos activate personal shields and prepare to shoot them. The shots rebound inside the forcefield and destroy the Badniks, giving Tails a hint.
Soon enough, Tails and Amy reach the office and find Windy Wallis and Doctor Genius to be behind the trouble. Amy points her crossbow at Wallis, convincing her to surrender, as Tails frees the dean. Outside, Blue thanks the heroes for their co-operation, although Amy still doesn't like S.P.E.A.R..
Later, in Metropolis City High Security Prison, Genius prepares to go to sleep and think up a plan of escape. Wallis already has a few, but Gold suddenly appears in their cell and belittles the plots, with Windy adamant that Doctor Robotnik had killed Gold. He identifies them as traitors but offers them a second chance as part of "Operation Final Glory".
Trivia
- Genius considers himself to be more dangerous than the Marxio Brothers.
- S.P.E.A.R. are referred to as "SPEAR" throughout this story.
Errors
- Amy's eyes are coloured green, rather than the usual brown.
Continuity
- Officer Bodger has become a commissioner, although it is revealed that his predecessor "mysteriously" disappeared, leaving the position open for him.
- Metropolis University is seen fully for the first time. It last appeared in "The Inside Story where Professor Cornelius Hoot was being interviewed.
- Doctor Genius used the backpacks in "Doctor Genius". They seemingly now have his name stamped on them, although this isn't shown.
- Windy Wallis last used a weather machine to good effect in "Fog Warning", having previously done so in "Unnatural Disasters". It is unknown, however, where the resources came from to build this one.
Reception
Although much of the issue's attention went towards the other three strips, much of the Message Zone's reaction to the strip was negative. The change in Captain Blue's personality (among those who remembered who he was) was derided and others failed to care about the characters, although one considered Gold to be interesting. Writer Shaz responded by noting how long ago the script was written, stating that it may not have been passed at it been written today.
Focus on the art was limited, with the consensus being that Alex Willmore's work had improved, but it didn't have the same standard as the rest in the issue. The design of the giraffe dean was praised.
Timeline
The previous Sonic's World story was The Hunted. This is the latest story.