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Post by Matt on Dec 12, 2010 1:11:50 GMT
Lew Stringer: the Top 25 stories Oh Lew, unfortunately there’s only a few things that come to mind when we think of Lew Stringer, one of STC’s longest serving writers. We think of Brave Hogs, childish puns, lesbians in space, raining bananas and possibly if we’re feeling nice we’ll remember Project Brutus, but probably add “I thought Nigel wrote that.” Which is a shame because as much as there were some downright odd stories written by Lew Stringer, he also wrote some really good STC stories. This year I’ve re-read all of STC, and I got thinking about the stories I go back to, and so I’ve picked out 25 Lew stringer stories that are worth reading, and 5 that get honourable mentions. Before I start I want to say Project Brutus isn’t first, no Amy and Tekno stories feature at all and there's only two mentions of Tails solo strips. These might seem like major oversights, but honestly just none of them really ranked that high on my list, which isn’t to say they're all bad per say, just that what’s good about them is better covered in some of the other examples I’ve picked. So starting with the few stories that didn’t make the list proper, here are the honourable mentions: 30: Hidden Danger Art: Nigel Kitching Issues: 77-78Synopsis: Sonic arrives in the Tropical Jungle zone after it’s been attacked by Robotnik. The locals think it’s magic, where as Sonic doesn’t and just belittles them with lame one liners. It turns out Robotnik's new robot is invisible, and not being able to see it lands Sonic in trouble as he is quickly floored leaving Pixel Brained chum Tails alone. In Part 2 Sonic recovers figures out a plan that involves getting the robot wet then covering it in leaves to see where it is and promptly attacking it. After falling into the river the robot is defeated so back in Citadel Robotnik, the dictator gloats that he’ll be able to make an unstoppable army of robot’s before Grimer admits the plans have turned invisible and he has no idea how to re-build the clocking device. Why it’s (almost) on the list: Hidden danger is a standard back up Sonic piece by Lew, unfortunately it ran at the same time as the superb Voice of the People (STC 77) and Plasma (STC 78) and doesn’t stand up well in comparison. What it does do is set out what Lew can do, the strips are a nice and simple but effective story about Sonic battling against an invisible robot, Tails plays his role as a stupid side kick and Sonic smugly puts him down while defeating Lardbelly himself in true STC fashion. While Nigel stories tend to be a shade darker and more serious, partially in this era (as evidenced by the stories mentioned above) Hidden Danger has more of a AOSTH feel to it, particularly with Sonic’s “Way too uncool” line in Part 1 as well as staying true to STC Sonic's character as a bit of a dick. This strip also features what were reoccurring and very effective moments in both Lew and Nigel’s stories at the time. We see Sonic fight against a foe of the week, but we’d also cut back to Robotnik at Citadel Robotnik making it both a global and personal battle each issue as we often see Robotnik personal anger at defeat but also how it fit into his pan for continued global dominance, this issue also had nice notes tying in Robotnik clocking device to invisibility devices used in Sonic 3 and Grimer and Robotnik briefly mention the events of in Odour Zone (5 issues ago), which is quite nice. Drawbacks: Grimer having the plans turn invisible doesn’t really make sense, and while I can already hear the comeback of “it’s a kid’s comic about a blue hedgehog”. I don’t care, I thought it didn’t make sense when I was 7 and it doesn’t now. The guy has sentient robots, yet he has to make plan by hand and somehow made them invisible. Plus he knows roughly how it made them now so new cloaking device should be easy to re make. I know it just a line to finish the story but still it irks which is one thing that often comes with the end of an otherwise good Lew story. Otherwise to that the dialogues a little rushed but it’s solid enough. What’s it add?:Nothing really which is one of the reasons it doesn’t place higher, it just kind of sits there Art: Nigel Kitching does art for this story, it’s simple and does the job. I’ve never thought Nigel was up there with the best STC artists when I came to Sonic, but it was never bad work so nothing really to comment on. The poses are solid enough and the action is easy to follow. The only gripe would be the robot that looked uninspired and un-Robotnik like, (weather that a choice of Nigel or Lew’s I’m not sure.) next time the next 3 under 25's mentions Rampage of the Mekanik Earth Attacks and Showdown. Also I'll try and add some of sketches or something to liven up the posts.
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Post by ShayMay on Dec 12, 2010 1:46:31 GMT
I do hope Game Over is first. I love that strip.
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Post by L. T. Dangerous on Dec 12, 2010 2:03:44 GMT
I quite liked Hidden Danger, though one drawback that I do think needs mentioning is the fact it could have easily appeared in any kids' superhero comic strip. The sheer fact that the enemy is a robot sent by Robotnik is basically the only thing that makes it a Sonic story. That's not a criticism per se, but I can definitely imagine an issue of Spectacular Spider-Man Adventures where Spidey battles Doc Ock's invisible robots or The Invisible Jerk or something. And the plans turning invisible didn't make a lot of sense to me either, I can just hear "wah-wah-wahhhhhhh" as Grimer says it. I know it's a comic and it was done for a laugh (it at least got a smirk out of me, sense or no), but I think it was a stretch too far really. Of course, it's a filler story, so it doesn't really matter in the long run. But a tighter ending would have been beneficial as there'd have to be a serious reason Robotnik wouldn't just make an army of invisible robots.
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Post by Reddog on Dec 12, 2010 12:07:38 GMT
I just LOVE that I'm not the only one who was thinking this the whole time I was reading the Amy/Tekno strips back in the day, I've seen this mentioned several times by other boomers in various topics. It's good that Kimbo has decided to write some interesting analysis of some of the best Lew stories to inject some life into this forum which, due to the delay in the next issue I expect, is less active than normal, at lest in the STC section. While I probably have a lot to say on all the strips Kimbo's going to mention and Lew's stories in general, I like the idea of following Kimbo's lead and so instead of rushing ahead I'm going to comment only on the strips he's already reviewed. So not pointlessly repeating what's already been said, do I have anything to add in relation to 'Hidden Danger'? Firstly I believe there was a real problem in the way the whole 'it's evil magic' thing was handled in the first part. Don't get me wrong, I have no principled objection to the idea per say, on the country, the issue of advanced science being confused with magic, both though simple ignorance or conscious manipulation, the film 'Stargate' being a prime example of this, has long been a staple part of science fiction. Indeed, the great SF author Arthur C Clark once wrote tellingly, "sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." The problem was rather the way this was handled in this strip. You see, blaming something on 'magic' or the conscious work 'spirits/Gods' is the recourse of people who lack an alternative explanation, a classic examples from our own history being that lightning bolts are thrown down from Olympus like javelins by the God Zeus. Now, while it is true that from all physical appearances the locals of the Tropical Jungle Zone live a primitive existence they are far from ignorant about the world beyond their simple village, to the point where the monkey on the very first page of the strip, in reaction to the explosion taking place, blames it correctly on Robotnik, showing quite clearly that, regardless of their own understanding of how the technology works, they know that Robotnik possess it is extreemly powerful and he regularly employs it in acts of violence and devastation against the citizens of Mobius. It therefore makes absolutely no sense whatsoever that on the very next page the same monkey who made a correct guess about Robotnik being responsible, a guess that flowed logically from their knowledge and experience, should suddenly for no reason abandon this position in favour of 'evil magic' especially when no additional evidence appears, in the form of 'signs,' events that matched prophecies described in their ancient religious texts for example, that would point in that direction. On a more positive note we have the issue of puns, now as anyone even vaguely familiar with STC knows, we have been cursed with some truly appalling puns over the years, this story even contains the famous, absolute worst of all puns, the 'shocking' one in relation to electricity. Why is this positive I hear you ask? Well of course it's not, however, this story had the depth of humour to actually go down the route of self satire in the exchange between Robotnik and Grimmer with Robontik actually echoing the thoughts of the reader in mocking the bad puns in this story, Robotnik: HAHAHAH! Good work, Grimmer! Your new creation is most effective. Grimmer: Heh... you could say it was a SMASH hit sir. Robotnik: Only if I get desperate. I don't want to over analyse this, but you could even take this to be Lew carrying out a subtle, dry moment of self-satire on his own writing, in that Robotik's line is directed at Lew himself, saying him resorting to so many puns in this story is a 'desperate' move to overcome his lack of more creative comedy ideas at the time. My final comment relates to a term used by Robotnik towards the end, 'do-gooders' in relation to Sonic and Tails that, even in the context of this lighter comedy story, is in my opinion just a truly horrible term, so utterly out of character that it reduces Robotnik to a level even LOWER than AOSTH Robotnik and more like a lame pantomime villein, stalking round the stage in his big top hat.
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Post by Matt on Dec 12, 2010 16:17:27 GMT
Thanks for the reply's so far. Game Over is going to feature as there a lot going on in that strip but weather or not it's first. Yeah L.T you raise a good point, the idea is pretty generic enough, but I think that's fine, it's just back up filler, and it being so generic is why it's fairly low, but what I like about this over some Amy and Tekno strips, is a least Sonic act like sonic, the script and everything for some later Amy strips could be moved whole sale in to another comic, whereas at least here Sonic and Tails act correctly. Also to RedDog I think you picked up something with the magic and the attitude of Sonic that want to come on to in a later strip, but your right it's odd the way they react. As for Lew's pun having sat down and read them, this self referential put down of puns is a staple of Lew's it even crop up again in this next issue choice. As for the do gooder line, and Robotik in general I'll certainly be covering that when we reach Project Brutus. 29: Rampage of the Mekanik Issues 57-58 Art: Nigel KitchingSynopsis: Robotnik visits the now empty Emerald Hill Zone to see for himself that the whole zone is empty. Determined to wreck havoc somewhere he attacks the Stone Tower Zone with his giant robot dinosaur. Sonic and the gang heard something was going down, and so are on hand to attack the ‘Mekanik’ however it proves too strong. Luckily Shortfuse is around to spout his back-story and help out. Sonic and Shortfuse, separately struggle to defeat the robot but together burn their way in trash the inside and bring the bot down, at the end Robotnik plans to start work on project Brutus. Why it’s (almost) on the list: Nothing much really happens, and the story isn’t too captivating on its own, but it’s always stuck with me and it is an early team up between the Cybernik and Sonic so it stands out in that regard. Shortfuse is on fairly good behaviour too, he only mentions once part of his back-story in Part 2 (Sonic reminds the gang who’s side he’s in Part 1) and it’s still early days so you can cut Lew some slack for the little reminder as he is a badnik after all. The story is worth a mentioning as well as it ties in the own going story of the emerald hill folk being missing, in to the idea that other Mobians across the planet will suffer instead which I thought was a apt point to make. The story just fits squarely into STC lore and makes a nice distraction until the next big story, plus this was during ‘Total Chaotix’ so it didn’t matter that this main story was a bit filler. Drawback’s: None really, it’s not great but nothing wrong, there’s a mention that Tails can’t be there cause he’s in the special zone which isn’t true, he hadn’t had a solo story since Issue 51 and teamed up the issue after with Knuckles in the Nameless Zone. So it's probably a typo and meant to be that this takes place then so that really a nerdy gripe on my part. What’s it add?: First mention of Project Brutus, re affirms Shorfuse's stance to the gang and shows Robotnik is attacking other zones now that the Emerald Hill Folk are safe in Mushroom Hill. Art: As before Nigel's work is fine and depicts the sense is his humbly cartoony ways. There is also just a very Nigel Kitching feel to of the little details like the open door in Emerald Hill Zone with a brolly stand out just makes you think of his Decap work (or it did me) As these honourable mentions were meant to be shorter than they are I’ll wrap up with the last two honourable mentions. 28: Earth attacks. Issue 146-147 Art: Richard Elson. Mobius is attacked by lame villain Percival Granite and Sonic meets Tony Blair. This isn’t a good story by any stretch, but Earth being in the comics was one of the demands of Debora Tate the editor, and I think so might the excessive environmental messages that got OTT in STC’s later years, so Lew can hardly be blamed for having to make the best he could out of this. It’s by no means great like I said, but it’s certainly unique, in no other Sonic continuity would Sonic be attacked by the Uk military and invade a military base in Scotland. Before getting a map off a guy heavily implied to be Tony Blair. To me that’s far more worth a mention then bringing up Raining Banana’s again. 27: Showdown Issue 130 Art: Richard Elson This story, is great, very great, it’s the final of Robotnik Reigns Supreme and comprises 3 strips written by Lew and Nigel, and one each by the pair on their own. However unlike the breakdown of the story in Issue 100 I don’t think you can really break this down in any way as a Lew story, all the build up was written by Nigel who's influence is felt throughout, while it’s good and Lew certainly added his parts I don’t feel right putting in Showdown as a Lew story... However I would suggest re reading Robotnik Reigns Supreme and Showdown, one of the last truly epic sonic stories until the final 2 arc’s. Hope you’ve enjoyed this break down so far and that it might remind you off some of Lews better strips in your own opinions even if you don’t agree with my picks. Next time I’ll be looking at the bottom of the list proper and one last non list story, that really deserves to be up with the best of STC but was let down by one flippant remark behind the scenes.
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Post by Arch on Dec 12, 2010 18:50:09 GMT
D'aw, I really like Earth Attacks. True, Granite is a rubbish villain and the world got saved by flower power but the venture to Earth for the first time and the fight of animal against human was quite an exciting one at the time.
If Game Over's not right up there (not sure if I'd say it was first), I'd like Enter the Cybernik or Brute Force to be higher up. Worlds Collide's good too (if not just for Elson's artwork). Or Shady Characters! Wow, there's quite a few...
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Tom
Ex-Hume
Hume-who-used-to-think-he-was-in-charge
Posts: 3,786
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Post by Tom on Dec 12, 2010 19:21:13 GMT
I can't say Bravehog is what comes to my mind when I think of Lew Stringer. I think "humour", given that's his speciality and what he was specifically brought onto the comic to deliver. And deliver he did - but despite that mandate he managed to sneak a lot of brilliant stuff under the radar. Shortfuse, Brutus, Metamorphia, Agent X, Mekanik, Future Shocks, Game Over. A Tails story that even Sarah Rose liked. Even "It's Raining Bananas" had its fans.
Did I prefer Nigel's stuff overall? Yeah, but then he was given rather different instructions in terms of what to write (when he didn't ignore them). Not to mention that he was firmly embedded as the lead writer by the time Lew Stringer first started writing for the comic - they could hardly compete, particularly when they were being told to write to such different audiences (I once heard Stringer say the comic could seem rather schizophrenic at times).
Honestly I truly believe there's only a small handful of stinkers in Stringer's work on the comic. (And Nigel produced his fair share of stinkers too.) He wrote to spec and almost always did it well.
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Post by L. T. Dangerous on Dec 12, 2010 21:53:07 GMT
The Mekanik story is one of Lew's that I personally really like. I think, backstory fatigue aside, there wouldn't be many of us here that didn't enjoy Shortfuse as kids (fan demand was very evidently high, judging by the letters and fan art pages), and he works well here. Sonic and Shortfuse had a good dynamic, though they only sparingly appeared together in the grand scheme of the comic given one of them's the central character and one was merely a regular "secondary cast" member. Even during his first tenure as a Freedom Fighter, Sonic's not present, so the interactions are lost. There are a few iffy panels of art early on, but that may be because they seem so empty given the Emerald Hill Zone is deserted.
Earth Attacks is pretty inconsequential, but I do agree that the trip to Earth was at least interesting. I don't think it was handled massively well, but such an ill-fitting plot line for STC was never going to work completely. And then, of course, we get a load of Ring of Eternity stories where Sonic/Amy & Tekno visit Earth multiple times, with the Ring of Eternity being such a gigantic plot device to enable these stories it's almost insulting. As a minor recurring villain, I don't think Colonel Granite is that bad. He's just been in a few bad/pointless stories.
Showdown is, of course, utterly brilliant. You are quite right, however, it really feels like a Nigel story (except for part two, though even that relies heavily on Nigel's work). Credit where it's due to all four men involved in that story, it was a celebration of Sonic, STC and the contributions they made to the comic over the years.
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Post by madhair60 on Dec 12, 2010 22:13:22 GMT
Great thread. Great, great thread. More please. I like everything about this panel. The writing, the art, everything.
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Pitt
Script Hume
Ungrateful Sonic Saxophonist
If Lando dies, I'll destroy your planet!
Posts: 7,007
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Post by Pitt on Dec 12, 2010 22:54:55 GMT
I hope that "Dr. Genius" is included. Everyone seems to hate that story, but I really like it.
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Post by Mambo's Here! Look Busy! on Dec 12, 2010 23:43:05 GMT
I like everything about this panel. The writing, the art, everything. Poor Amy lost an ear in combat. :B Yes Stringer may have been responsible for a few blunders... but he did come up with some awesome stuff, some awesome characters - and we can't have the whole comic series being all serious, dark and edgy, can we?! :S (Then again, Brutus was some pretty cool [censored] - he almost brought Sonic and co to their knees. OK so we had Johnny die and Knuckles think he had killed off his only fellow echidna, but geez - Brutus' rise and fall was an awesome period of the comic! I loved it, anyway! ;D) We need an Ask Lew thread as well, methinks! heh heh heh
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Post by Matt on Dec 13, 2010 0:53:04 GMT
Thanks guy's for all the feedback so far, I'm glad to see this has got some interest I feel we leave the STC board a bit barren sometimes. Arch I don't want to give away my order to much, but I will say I loved part 3 of brute force, and I have lot to say about world collide, and just as you mentioned shady character and here it is....... (though I will say maybe and you see this one a bit differently) Sorry Tom if you thought I have having an unfair go at Lew, that wasn't the intention. Just that when his name gets mentioned on the forums that's waht people seem to bring, up, as I hope you can see i'm addressing where I can the editorial mandates and their effect on the strips. I mean the whole point it to point out that their are some really great Lew stories, I started wanting to do a top 10, that became 20, then 25, then 25 + 5 and even then I missed off strips I am really fond of like 'A monster wakes' LT I agree that the Lew bits of Showdown are just as good as Nigel's, just with him writing Sidewinders gang which he's never done normally you can feel Nigels influence, so I just wanted to focus on what Lew can do well on his own. Also Earth Attack is a story my brain tells me to hate, but I can't quite dislike it. Madhair, I agree that one of my favorite panels from the story and the reason I had to include it. finally sorry to say Dr Genius didn't make the cut for me, it's a sweet enough story, but just felt very similar to stories like 'fan friction' and a couple of other's it was ok but there are a lot of stories I liked a lot more. 26: Shady Character's Part 1 Issue 131 Art: Richard Elson
I know before I even start this choice that it's probably a controversial choice for being off the list proper and while the others are honorable mentions that I just wanted to include cause I couldn't bare not to mention them... this story was stuck between missing the list proper and the top 5 for a long time. Background: Dr Robotniks has been defeated, this time possibly forever, Sonic and Knuckles defeated the chaos charged Dr Robotnik stopping his triumphant reign of terror over Mobius. However the threats aren't all over for Sonic, the Dr's badniks are still at large, as is his Flickies Island base, not only that but Agent X has been working in the shadows for months to stop the heroes. Who could Agent X be? Synopsis: Sonic and the gang (Tails, Amy, Johnny, Tekno and Shorfuse) are gathered in Emerald Hill Zone, Sonic is planning to destroy the maniacal dictators base and wants to know if the gang will help. Unsurprisingly they are all up for it, save Johnny who stop back to protect Emerald Hill from other threats. So as the gang leaves Johnny teleports away to who knows where.. Meanwhile over over the ocean Sonic is expecting and easy mission, but soon the Freedom Fighters are faced with every badnik on Mobius and sabotage to their own equipment. They have been set up and they have no chance to survive. They wake in an underground lab, face to face with the evil Agent X. Sonic is bound to a device as the villan gloats, and when all looks lost the heroes are kicked while their down. Agent X is Johnny. With only enough time to discern that it really is Johnny the status quo is sent reeling. Johnny Lightfoot, Sonic friend for years has just killed his old friend.... truly This is the end of Sonic The Hedgehog betrayed by his closet friend. Why it’s (almost) on the list: To be honest taking part one on it's own like this there is no reason that Shady Characters shouldn't jump up to number 2 or 3 on the list. In fact had the plot point struck it might even been one of the most remembered STC plots ever. Obviously Sonic wouldn't have stayed dead, but Johnny betraying the gang would have been a major change to the comic. However it didn't, but I still need to include Shady characters, it's not just thats it is well drawn, superbly written and managing keep you shocked and amazed even when compared the 5th anniversary story. The point is, Lew really wanted to have Johnny betray the gang. For various reasons behind the scene including possibly a comment from Nigel Kitching saying "Johnny's too nice to betray Sonic." (Which he doesn't remember saying so who knows if it happened [probably Tom or Ed]) The story didn't happen as originally planed as part two sees Sonic and Johnny battle shadow creatures that had replaced Johnny, escape from their realm and stop the shadows forever. Part 2 is by no means bad but it's just such an anti-climax and just seems such a waste after the build up that I couldn't bare to include it. However to go back to what I love about shady characters. As I've mentioned is is brilliantly written the dialouge is witty and the characters feel 3 dimensional. Often because Lew is stuck writting filler stories or solo adventures we don't see the core characters building relationships with each other in Lews strips (more post 100 pre 100 thier some great moment i'll cover later) it also doesn't help that Lew was stuck mostly with 5 pages. One of my favorite exchanges in the strip is the following. This is a perfect exchange, and encapsulates the pairs relationship with each other. Amy and Tekno don't make a great pair (in my opinion) so it's great when we see Lew writing Amy against another character cause we see much more of the screwball attitude that is STC Amy (as written by Lew) Plus it just lovely when ever we get to see that kind of dialogue between the two characters. The next line i've picked out feels to the only way to write Sonic getting defeated in this situation. Sonic is cocky no doubt and often in strips particularly in Nigel's strips we get a various lines on the theme of the next (and even in STC-O similar lines have appeared more than once) Sonic brags struggles a little but eventually destroys his foe or horde of badniks. This time however it really is to much and Sonic and Tails go down, and it just such a shock to the reader, particularly the first time... we're just to lines like this from sonic, it comes right before he wins the day. The timing of the strip also fit's in so well as I mentioned before it comes straight after Showdown and after month after month of build up about Agent X, the story really feels like a follow on to last issue but unlike STC 101's Vote for me non of the energy from the previous story is lost, this is not a pause after a landmark. The tired read is dragged back into another adventure just when they thought Mobius might be a safe for a issue or two. Lew didn't get a much chance to set up far reaching plot-lines as often as Nigel, so it was great to see that Agent X had the chance to pay off so well. Drawback’s: Already touched on this one, issues 132 is the draw back, after this great story we fall back on a standard story for sonic and the gang featuring an enemy that has no real point, they don't really appeal as real villains and are too easily defeated. it also makes the months of build up fall to nothing, which is just a shame because it really seems to be going somewhere in part one. even if Johnny had to end up on the good guy's side there are just so many better solutions. Shadow dimensions and Aliens just become too much of a go to move for STC in it's later years and it one of the things that really started putting me of the Comic. I mean really who can take this guy seriouslyTheir are also a couple of Minor points in this issue ones art related so really not Lew's fault. The other, Tekno mentions that her sensors confirm it's Johnny. Seeing as this is a shadow being incapable of touching its real counter parts and in part 2 Tekno can tell Sonic wasn't killed this seems far fetched. Other than that I can't fault part one at all, it just a shame that editorial reason, flippant comments, or other reasons made Lew step back from the story as he originally meant to tell it. Art: Well the art's by Ricard Elson which is an obvious indicator of quality when it comes to STC, his Sonic is the most iconic to STC fans new and old. However this is a post 100 model sheet Sonic which has his spines pointed up, not a personal choice of Elsons, however it does make Sonic look a bit stupid and it's one of the annoying little niggles of the Model sheets based on Sonic 3d that effect the comic until it's end. Unfortunately as well I always think Richard Elson's version of Shortfuse looks a little like he's made of Stone, this is particularly true in this issue where at certain parts some body parts look like stone, it probably just me though and I couldn't do better so maybe it's a case of put up or shut it? I said I would also do a new hope in this update, but it's late and this is long so.... next time Sonic's World: A New Hope. Amy and and the gang suffer because there's a problem with Sonic......
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Pitt
Script Hume
Ungrateful Sonic Saxophonist
If Lando dies, I'll destroy your planet!
Posts: 7,007
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Post by Pitt on Dec 13, 2010 2:15:35 GMT
I think that Shady Characters Part 2 was the first STC story I ever read. It's in the issue with the Fabian Vane cover, isn't it?
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Post by Arch on Dec 13, 2010 9:42:00 GMT
I think that Shady Characters Part 2 was the first STC story I ever read. It's in the issue with the Fabian Vane cover, isn't it? Yup, Issue 132. Shame Shady Characters didn't make it to the list proper, particularly when A New Hope did, but opinions and all that. As far-fetched as Part 2, I think Part 1 earns the whole story a place in the whole Top 10. But then I'm not entirely sure I could write a complete Top 25, so carry on. Also, Tails' face as the bi-plane is going down in flames is precious.
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Post by L. T. Dangerous on Dec 13, 2010 19:45:47 GMT
I loved, loved, loved Shady Characters part one! The Agent X character had been such a mystery for months and it was getting exciting trying to figure out who he could be. When it was revealed to be Johnny, I thought STC had come up with another brilliant twist. Had it stuck, it would probably have been remembered as one of the best Sonic strips in the comic's run for daring to be so bold (not to mention going from strength to strength after Showdown which, let's face it, is a candidate for the greatest STC story on any day).
And then it was undone two weeks later. Maybe we'll never know exactly why, but I think it was not only foolish, but also an outright mistake. Johnny was easily the weakest character in the Freedom Fighters, which is exactly why it was such an easy decision for Nigel to kill him off. Had the twist stuck, it would have added depth to the character that he'd been devoid of since the (also unfortunately scrapped) hint of a romantic interest in Amy. That Lew spent months working on hyping up Agent X (and recurring villains weren't really his thing so it was wonderful to see it again) only to deliver such a cop-out ending just felt shallow. The twist was legitimately shocking and could have fed months, if not years, of plots. Instead, we got a story that instantly undid itself and had no lasting implications. A serious waste.
It was, however, nice to see Richard Elson illustrating a Lew story as he didn't do that many compared with the number Bob Corona and also the lesser STC artists did.
And that "short and sweet" exchange is one of my favourites in the comic's whole run, I'm glad I'm not the only one who liked it!
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Post by The Shad on Dec 13, 2010 20:13:39 GMT
Raining Bananas for number 1!
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Post by madhair60 on Dec 13, 2010 20:17:51 GMT
Conversely, I dislike this art immensely. Soulless.
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Post by ShayMay on Dec 13, 2010 20:34:16 GMT
I couldn't disagree more. I find that panels like that really define Elson's style. You'll never see anything taken to the extreme as far as expressions or actions go (except with Simpson, naturally). There will be no gurning, with the features exaggerated for comic effect. While it makes close-ups like this look a bit... dulled, he more than makes up for it with his zany poses, usually. I can relate to that, I have a really hard time drawing things exaggerated, because it puts them out of proportion (which never sits right with me when I draw). Of course, I adore Kitching's art as well. Just because I can't draw like it, doesn't mean I don't love his more wacky approach to the Sonic (and indeed, Decap, although that would not have worked with Elson at all, I don't think) universe. I just don't feel Elson's art can be accused of being "soulless" - look at the amount of colour and detail put into the backgrounds and characters. He was the first one to really make the world come alive, for me. Oh, and a nice list, Kimbo. An interesting read, and I like what you've done with the single-panel teasers.
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Post by madhair60 on Dec 13, 2010 21:18:31 GMT
I guess I've come to the conclusion that I don't really think much to Elson's art, after all. I think he's an excellent artist, probably their best, but I don't feel that his style is particularly to my taste. I like my cartoons to look cartoony, not serious business like a lot of Elson's seem to. They really sell the desperation of the struggle, if you see what I mean (and I'm not sure I do). He makes every scenario seem life-threatening with very effective art, but I like my cartoons to be cartoony. That's why I prefer Kitching. His art is messier but I feel like it suits the universe more. Totally subjective though. Edit: I guess... I dunno, it's sometimes like he's got this template of faces, like "Surprised" or "Anger" or "Concerned" and he just dips into them. Like, this image: Sonic's "Arrrrgh, this is the worst pain imaginable" expression just leaves me cold. It's very standard and "on model", which some people dig, but I just don't get anything out of it. It looks to me like the work of someone who just did what he was told, not that he really wanted to make it look good. Effortless. Not bad, but effortless. Like he could have knocked it out in his sleep.
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Post by ShayMay on Dec 13, 2010 21:38:22 GMT
That's the kind of thing I love. The fact that he's consistently on-model and stuff - like you say, it does it for me. I wouldn't say it was effortless, though - once I've found a way of drawing something, I don't tend to change it. That, and I find Sonic expressions quite difficult - the way the characters are drawn doesn't really lend itself to complex expressions. That said, I do agree that sometimes Elson's expressions seemed recycled, to the point that rarely (rarely, this isn't a frequent occurrence) they'd look pretty much exactly the same. I don't think he's the best artist in the comic (for example, his comical stuff, like that Plunder story where he teamed up with Mr. Fry against sharks didn't really gel well), but he's probably my main influence in art. Of course, like you say, totally subjective. And I do love (most of) the other art.
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Post by Matt on Dec 14, 2010 0:45:22 GMT
Arch I can see where your coming from but part two was just such a let down for me and I just don't think you can give shady characters part 1 a top spot when it doesn't lead anywhere, though it was a hard choice to make, particularly sitting under a story like A New Hope. Also on the Nigel vs Elson topic, Madhair are you seriously saying this lazyness is true of all of elsons work? I can see your point, but really think that the soulless lazy on model art really comes later in the series. and even then I think it only occasionally, (Though I have to admit that you see the same expressions over and over, which is a shame... however I don't think any one on stc really nailed expressions like Tracey Yardley over the pond) I think Elson's art is much more expressive early on. I really need to spend longer on these opening images, but who has the time..... 25: A new Hope Issue 89 Art: Carl Flint and Any PritchettThis is an odd choice, and I toyed with 'a monster wakes' and 'Face from the past' for this slot, but eventually I had to go with A new hope, more for what it represents then what it involved. Background: Sonic has been trapped in the special zone since issue 84 trying to deal with his evil alter ego scourge I mean mettalix sorry cinos Shadow.... Super Sonic (or as some americans seem intent on calling him 'Fleetway') with Super Sonic representing a grave threat to any dimension Sonic's had to leave Mobius in the hands of the other freedom fighters, minus the now broken down Porker Lewis. Now the next bit is a bit of a continuity black hole.... for 4 issues after Sonic disappears he still appears in Sonic's world backup strips. Thats really no problem we can just assume these tales take place before issue 84 however........ in Issue 87 'Mister Shifter' Sonic saves a mysterious girl from the eponymous Mister Shifter, who then goes back to citadel Robotnik to divulge to Robotnik that a certain blue hedgehog is trapped in the special Zone. Dr Robotnik know's now that Mobius is left defenseless...... or does he? In issue 92 Lew Stringer suggests two months ago a Monkey told Robtonik that Sonic was trapped in the special zone so who knows. This story takes place in that in between time issue 89 where Robotnik may or may not know where Sonic is. Maybe the young spy was just telling the Dr she met officer Bodger?Synopsis: The freedom Fighters are struggling now that Sonics gone and they are almost defeated. Shortfuse come's in and bores the badniks with his back story. The gang ask Shortfuse to give up his loner ways a join the team, which he does and decides join until Robotnik is defeated. short and sweet I guess. Why it’s on the list: The thing is, the story isn't that simple which is why it get on the list, this is part of a 7 Part story that spans several issues between 89 and 97. This is the story on why Shortfuse is not the hero that Sonic is, and why the team needs Sonic, or would be just as well off alone then with shortfuse. This is why 'A monster wakes' might be a better story to look at.... as we see Shortfuse muck up and threaten the team and get all that is he a threat cliffhanger. The thing is I don't think that story can work with out 'A new Hope' this is the story that set up how hard the gang are finding defeating badniks and doing the simple deeds that we associate them with. Before Shortfuse can fall from grace, he has to arrive, be the saviour the Freedom Fighters and the reader want him to be. He is afterall a super badnik, he is indestructible, he can fly, he can shoot laser's and he kicks ass. At 7 [or insert you own age when first reading STC] this guy is cool, almost as cool as the blue dude himself. He flies in and we know that the day is saved. Also in the past Shortfuse [like a certain red dreaded echidna] has repeatedly turned down the Freedom Figheters call to join them, this is the outsider joining the gang. At the time of reading this first the only time i'd seen this [let's be honest common cliche] was the Green Ranger, and we all know how well that team up worked, how could this not be the same? This is a story that purely exists to set the reader up for the on comming fall, and thats why it works so well. Shortfuse is a hero, yeah he's a jerk but we've already seen when he and Sonic team up things go well, there no hint there will be trouble and that is why 'A new Hope' earns it's self a spot at number 25. Drawback’s: Thats not to say their aren't draw back's you may have noticed I talked much more about the idea of shortfuse on the team then the strip it's self. Thats because it's a bit clunky and lazily written. This is a story that could have done being a fleshed out ten pages with more real story maybe a central villain or mission, or else been a short addition to another story. At 5 pages it just doesn't work, the exposition does not come over as convincing dialogue or even humours banter as we've seen in 'rampage of the mekanik' 'hidden danger' or 'Shady characters' This is a script with dialogue like this Amy: ulp! perhaps hanging around was prefferable to getting splated on the ground! but who could've zapped that badnik? to much and to disjointed for one speech bubble, not to mention you'd have thought amy would be a little more worried about dying. While 'rampage' had shortfuse briefly refer in a harmless way to his past, this issue has. This should be covered in 'awkward social situation for robots' as how not to respond to some one saying 'Thanks!' Plus the characters just don't seem to act right for the shake of narrative convenience; right the bottom of page two Tails says he can't chase after amy, I can't believe no matter how bad he's fallen that Tails would just say he can't help Amy and not even try! However mostly it's a fine story just these parts niggle, it only five pages and with The Tomb and the Good the bad and the echidna this issue it's not like their nothing to enjoy in issue 89 apart from this strip anyway. Art: I can't say the same for the art, Carl flint isn't the worst STC artists but his stuff certainly wasn't the best at all. It lacks the charm of Kitching, but has none of the finish of Elson Dobbyn or Corona. Also around this time Carl was using a lot of photo's in his STC strips, parts of tree's, rocks, horrible black cloud's, leaves you names it. After the brilliant art in Shady characters, and the quirky landscapes and cartoon faces of the last issues reviewed, A new Hope sticks out. Carl Fint can do better and we'll see some of his better work another time but a New Hope is passable in terms of it's art despite the oddest falling poses ever at the top of page 4 Next time? well we follow straight on from this story... Secret weapon !
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Post by Mambo's Here! Look Busy! on Dec 14, 2010 8:33:02 GMT
Conversely, I dislike this art immensely. Soulless. I couldn't disagree more on this one - the occasional closeup is pretty necessary, if you ask me. Yes, the way Elson started to draw Amy as though she was made of paper annoyed me, but still... its just common sense to draw just a face if you want to inject some emotion.
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Post by madhair60 on Dec 14, 2010 10:03:52 GMT
I couldn't disagree more on this one - the occasional closeup is pretty necessary, if you ask me. Yes, the way Elson started to draw Amy as though she was made of paper annoyed me, but still... its just common sense to draw just a face if you want to inject some emotion. I did elaborate above. In that specific image, Amy looks like a sex doll. It's weird. @ Kimbo: I don't think "lazy" was the right word to use; maybe more "complacent". Elson's characters looked more and more plastic to me as the series went on. Less like comic characters and more like drawings of Sonic, if that makes sense. It might well be a side effect of my general disinterest in the onslaught of Drakon stuff. I feel like my enjoyment Elson peaked when I was a child around the "Return of Chaotix" 6 parter. I'd have to re-read to elaborate more, but all my STC's are at the bottom of a big "sell this stuff" pile. Anyone want some STC's?
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Post by Arch on Dec 14, 2010 13:57:53 GMT
I've always hated that explantion of when Robotnik found out about Sonic being missing (OK, not always, ever since I've been old enough to care). It just shows a complete lack of communication between Kitching and Stringer at a time when it was vital things were pulled off flawlessly. Just a gripe.
I agree about Flint's drawing in those stories, too. 'Easy Target' is another example of how little details can make the whole story look ugly.
Really good topic, by the way. You're really hitting the nail on the head with some of these points you're making.
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Post by patches on Dec 14, 2010 21:12:11 GMT
I'd have to re-read to elaborate more, but all my STC's are at the bottom of a big "sell this stuff" pile. Anyone want some STC's?How many have you got? I haven't been able to read STC since my Mum decided I was 'too old for Sonic' and got rid of my collection.... I'd happily take them! I think this thread is great... just wish I could remember the stories better! My main recollection of Lew Stinger were awful lines like 'Leave the cool talk to me, Pixel Brain!'... so it' quite nice to be reminded of the good stuff he wrote!
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