REVIEW: DC x Sonic The Hedgehog: The Metal Legion #1
The hit crossover just got a sequel and Sonic and even more of his friends are teaming up with the Justice League in DC x Sonic The Hedgehog The Metal Legion #1. This issue serves as the roll call, since all the characters already know each other and adds more to the main cast from the prequel. We were teased a Lex Luthor/Dr. Robotnik villain alliance. Here, it looks like they are really going to be a problem.
Pablo M. Collar’s cover puts Sonic and The Flash front and center like they should be, but really emphasize Superman in the background –as if he is a major player in the story. Then again, Lex Luthor is his archenemy. Having the Sonic cast with the Justice League really is like the superhero version of Roger Rabbit or Space Jam. Sonic has such a distinct, toony art style that it hardly translates to any other artist’s style. Believe me, there have been those who tried. It shows here with Collar drawing the DC characters in his style. We have the Sonic cast returning in their DC costumes, which have been very popular merchandise wise.
Adam Bryce Thomas brings the fan favorite femme fatale of Sonic, Rouge the Bat, to the crossover in the role of Catwoman which everyone thought she would be in with his variant. Batgirl was a close second, but it makes sense for Catwoman since they are both jewel thieves. I appreciate the detail of Selina’s whip being her suit’s tail. It’s been done before but needs to be normalized. Thomas has the right idea.
Serg Acuna’s variant cover is my favorite for obvious reasons. Every now and then there comes a piece with the two faces of the franchises. Sonic and The Flash is great, but there’s something special about Sonic and Superman with this mixture of Metropolis and Green Hill Zone. The Man of Steel here is just perfect, printed Superman –like something you’d see on merch. Lex Luthor and Dr. Robotnik in the power suits once again confirms what we are up against this time around. If the last villain was Darkseid, what do these two have that can compete?
Another great variant is available from Min Ho Kim –showcasing all of Sonic and his friends in their DC counterpart suits.
Sonic’s world and Earth-1 have been relinked with strange portals suspiciously labeled LEXEGG showing up all over the planets. It’s a good thing Sonic’s world is full of peaceful, happy anthropomorphic animals otherwise it could’ve been a problem. The Flash and Sonic wasted no time in racing each other again. Barry says that the portal gates do not seem to pose any threats, at least for now. At the same time, Amy Rose helps Wonder Woman thwart an attack by Hades on Themyscria.
Meanwhile, Superman reunites with Knuckles and goes to see Cream and Cheese. This time around, Superman brought Supergirl and Krypto. Silver also gets his power ring back from John Stewart while the Superman movie reunion continues with Guy Gardner and Mr. Terrific also making an appearance. They’re monitoring the Teen Titans, joined by Tails, Blaze the Cat, and Charmy the Bee, in a battle against Brother Blood and HIVE. Lastly, Shadow meets with Batman and Robin in Gotham, who are suspicious of the new cross world gates.
Ian Flynn reintroduces us to the cast from the prequel while adding more characters from each universe. More of Sonic’s friends come over, more Justice League members are present, and more locations are explored. For the most part, this issue is a character role call stretched into 21 pages. This is really a day in the life of these two worlds now that they are merged since there doesn’t seem to be a threat…yet. I do like how Flynn clarified Cyborg’s role when some many people have questioned it –whether he is with the Titans or the League. Turns out, he’s like the liaison between them. Not even Dick Grayson has that role. Letters are by Becca Carey.
The visuals and art are why you get comics like this since it never gets old seeing The Flash and Sonic race. Adam Bryce Thomas has some really cool and cute panels throughout. Some of the best are Supergirl and Cream, the manga-like handling of Wonder Woman, Beast Boy turning into Tails, and Batman using Shadow’s insignia to call him. The Titans designs are great too –a mix of the old and current. It’s also interesting comparing The Flash and Sonic’s paths when they race with Barry going in straight lines and Sonic bouncing every which where. Colors are by Matt Herms.
(7/10) DC x Sonic The Hedgehog The Metal Legion #1 is the roll call before the big game with our cast of characters being expanded on both fronts. With not much conflict out of the gate, this leaves us to enjoy the reunion and await the adventure next time.
