IDW Sonic Vol. 4: Infection Review

[pengilly]

I had already read this volume from the library via Hoopla. I had so much fun with it that I bought a physical copy of the book when I went on a birthday outing last month.

I'm only posting this now, but better late than never!

As I mentioned in my last entry, I only read the first issue or two before skipping all the way to here, but it was easy enough to get the gist of the prior plot thanks to my sister explaining the gist of the plot prior (and Sonic's inexplicable bird-expositioning in the first page).

I really liked Rough and Tumble, the villainous skunk brother duo. I feel like the fandom sleeps on these two! I never see them as a focus in fanfic or fanart, or even widely shipped with other characters, but they are so funny! I especially liked Rough's "tragic backstory". The way he talks constantly about having lost his tail makes me feel like he's trying really hard to be one of those sympathetic villains everyone roots for. My favorite is definitely Rough. Yet I wouldn't want to go without Tumble. Somehow, them being a duo just makes the whole thing.





On the same birthday outing when I got this comic, my sister spoilt herself, and read ahead to Volume 18 (the one with the Clean Sweeps races). I was almost unreasonably happy these two doofuses managed to not get booted from the comic, as they do give an impression of being temporary villain fodder.

Granted, I'm not without some quibbles regarding this issue, of course.

For one! Silver's dignity!

I missed the part where he's flung into the distance and shrieks AIYEEEEE! comedically, but I can't be bear to take the photo again.

And his stolen crowning glory! Of all the hedges, a hair trim suits him the least. Maybe part of it is his eyes? He has these really distinctive, round eyes in the games, but here he looks almost like Sonic's brother, with how similar his oval-shaped eyes are to Sonic's.





At the very least his naïveté is kept to plausible levels. I used to overcompensate somewhat from fanon exaggerations of this trait. I firmly believed that Silver's trust of Mephiles was driven solely by desperation, and the fact that he likely believed his future couldn't possibly get any worse. After all, he had to fight a fire monster every week, and the floor was lava.

I've softened that stance somewhat, since seeing some naive traits in other parts of 06. But there's one thing I won't budge on. Given how serious, rude, and stubborn he was in 06, and even in other games, turning him into comic relief is pretty jarring. Like, he never made over-the-top noises even when Shadow, the ultimate life-form, roundhouse-kicked him in the head. I honestly find trying to do this here is as unfitting as doing the same with Shadow.

******

But enough about that. Rough and Tumble were cool, but as for the true highlight of the comic?

Look at this guy! Because I started reading the comic literally just to learn about Surge (don't judge me), I had thought I would end up hating Starline by proxy for brainwashing her and (probably) ruining her life, but I'm honestly obsessed.

With his tryhard supervillain outfit, his theatrical way of speaking...and his blatant simping for Eggman!

Look at these! Look at these! This is what a platypus madly in love looks like. (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )づ♡

Striking dramatic poses around him...



Openly telling him that he made himself quite ill to find him...



Like, Starline could have spread his search out over the course of a few days if he wanted! Eggman had been gone for months already; it wasn't like another day or so would kill him. But he was just that desperate to see him.

The fact that Starline openly tells him the pains he went to to find him...it's so clear he is trying to make his efforts noticed by the Doc.

I honestly view it as a very one-sided admiration on Starline's end, as I think the only person Eggman could ever truly love is himself. I think if Eggman did find out that Starline's feelings ran deeper than hero (villain?)-worship, he would almost certainly be A) unsurprised, as Eggman's ego is unparalleled B) wonder how he could use it to his advantage.

Though...the way Eggman snickered after Starline confessed it was worth not sleeping to find him...maybe he does suspect something...

I've seen some fans (jokingly?) compare him to Agent Stone, and part of me was expecting a rehash. But he seems like a very distinct character to me. The way he idolizes Eggman, while still actively curating his own brand of evil makes him feel different from how Stone barely has a mean bone in his body. The fact that he's a scumbag just like Eggman makes it.

One moment that sticks out to me is when Eggman infects the people of Windmill Village with his...Faceship. There's a panel where Starline has just witnessed the struggle and terror of the townsfolk go down, and is staring wide-eyed at the whole thing. I thought he was about to have ethical concerns, but instead he shed tears of joy and stared at the brainwashed people through the glass like a kid looking at a toy display. Pffft. He's such an evil (not) human being.



It's gotten to the point where I've actively sought out ship fic for the pairing (Though I am surprisingly picky about the dynamic given I just started shipping them, I've definitely found two fics that fit my tastes. May need to write a rec or two once I've finished them.) So yes, new ship acquired. Staregg? Eggline?

It's not all pure admiration though. I also see Starline show some skepticism regarding the doc's methods. Though Starline does have his theatrical side, much like Eggman, he also has his pragmatic side (e.g., wishing to run more tests of the Metal Virus, even as Eggman deems it redundant for someone who has clearly already proven his genius.) I won't delve into the spoilers and things I've read. But I do love a good divorce arc. I hope their relationship is done justice, whereever it goes (｡ •̀ᴗ-)✧.

I forgot to mention. I got something else while I was at Barnes and Noble that day...

A self-help book?!

Yeah, I got one of those.



But also some of the coolest bookmarks I'd ever seen. A set of silicone roses, impulse-bought at the register:

A rose for his idol ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐

There was also a set of forget-me-nots, which I considered getting due to my associating those flowers with Sonelise (another anthro x human Sonic ship of mine), but I'm glad I went with the former. Roses are classics.

Also serving as thanks for the reader, who has made it this far.

I may or may not have gotten them just so I could take pictures like this one. There also may or may not be more down the line.