Joel Payne Comic Reviews

This series has a lot of potential, with a compelling mystery and a very solidly written Barbara Gordon. I hope the mystery continues to unfold satisfyingly and Barbara is able to take back her agency in coming issues.

I'll cut myself short there as I really could ramble. This is a very special series to me, and while there are elements of the Archie series I still miss, I couldn't be happier with the book we have now. So thanks Ian, and everyone else for these 8 years of Sonic stories! And I look forward to many more, with another DC crossover just around the corner, things are as exciting as ever.

Overall, a fun issue, though mostly reestablishing the dynamics, and setting up what is coming next. I feel more could have happened within this issue, though it was by no means a chore to read, I think the next few will be a lot more exciting.

Overall, decent issue, I love the art and it’s a fun time. I just feel like I want a little more to sink my teeth into, a little more character work, a little more to say. But at the end of the day, it’s a crossover for younger readers.

A fun and action-packed issue overall, exploring a dynamic I’ve been excited to see on the page since 2022, with plenty more left to see. This is shaping up to be an exciting era for IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog. Next time, we’ll grapple with Metal’s kidnapping of Sage. I wonder how she will rationalise such a thing, and how Belle will feel as the tension grows even higher within the Robotnik family.

Overall I think this was fairly fun, a lot of action and more solid character work between the Egg-children, however we are still significantly left in the dark regarding this new villain or their plans, which makes it difficult to be fully invested for the time being. I hope retroactively, we can see some interesting seeds planted here, the stuff regarding Sage is definitely exciting and her impact on the comics is going to be huge.

Overall, Issue 1 is simple fun. Easy to recommend to anyone who is a casual fan of either series for the absurdity of the mashup, with bold artwork and good action, it’s a solid first outing for this unexpected crossover. I look forward to more.