Welcome to Speedlines! Since the first issue was released only a few short weeks ago, our e-post bags have been positively brimming with letters from fans! Unfortunately, we can't print them all, but here's some of my favourites!

Send all your e-mail messages to: megadroid@stconline.co.uk

Dear Megadroid,

I've managed to have a look at the work and I'm very impressed.
It is so nice to know that the work we did on STC has had such an influence (on at least a few people!) and that the work you're producing is of such a professional standard, both in writing and artwork. There seems to be a nice mixture of influences from both the American and British strips in the artwork for the Sonic strip. The freedom from having to comform to style sheets has allowed you to come up with a really fresh looking approach. And you've used Ebony! It's so cool to see you drawing a character that I helped create. It makes me realise we weren't working in as much of a void as I thought. Any chance you might use the Spice Maidens? Just kidding. Heh.
A couple of slight criticisms: when I opened up the pages, they resized to such an extent that I was unable to read the lettering. I had to save the pages to look at them properly. It would be better to have the pages come up full size and let people scroll down them? I'm not keen on the Tails lettering, either. I far prefer that on the Sonic strip. Did you know that Roberto Corona uses that translucent balloon effect on his Welcome to Heck strip?
http://www.komikwerks.com/comic_title.php?ti=49
Other than that, it's a lovely looking piece of work. Most of all, I'm just really amazed that you've put all this together. If I don't have to meet a deadline, I'm hopeless at producing anything much! I hope there's going to be more to come? I'll look forward to further instalments.

Cheers,
Nigel Dobbyn

Dear Megadroid,

I have always been a fan of STC and when it stopped I was so sad. But now it's back! YAY! I just need to ask you though, In the future are we going to see a Chaotix strip? That would really make my day because they are the coolest. I'm also looking foward to seeing Super Sonic. I'm gonna give you 10 out of 10 for your first issue.

See you Megadroid (And I like the new look dude!)

Jonathan Holt

Dear Megadroid,

What can I say, except, no, no, no, no, NO!

I don't know what I'd done to deserve this, but this is NOT the STC I read and loved, oh no, far from it. The new online style has ruined it, but not in any way near the amount it's been ruined by the fact that some fans made it. I used to love STC, I really, truly, honestly did, but now... now I don't know what to do with it anymore. It angers me to see that such a high quality and amazing Comic as STC has been left in the hands of whom I see as incapable people, who can't seem to grasp what STC was, and still should be today.
I'm sure this will get me on the bad side of many people, but as an STC fan for many years, I can safely say that my favourite comic of all time has just been destroyed. I would rather go on without STC at all, than continue to read this.
Unless things improve, I will have no change of opinion on this at all, and can say with no regrets that this Comic is not worthy of the name Sonic the Comic, in any way at all. It's just awful.

All the best (how ironic that sounded),

Rich C (Fan of the TRUE Sonic the Comic)

Dear STC,

I've just read your first issue of the online version of STC and I am very impressed. To be doing all this without a profit is great. I think that if you start moving back towards the storylines of the games a bit more, for example the "Sonic Adventure 2" and "Sonic Heroes" storylines, then you could be in a chance with getting the comic published again.
Think about it, with about five new Sonic games, that new TV show (Sonic X) and all the new action figures and upcoming McDonalds toys, as well as talk of the Sonic movie in the US, Britain is definatly in need of a "STC".
I will tell every "old skool" STC fan I know of this link - with all the effort you guys have put in, you deserve to be getting paid for this, whether it's by shoving loads of ads on the site or whatever.
I'm not trying to get this letter posted or anything really, I just wanted to let you know my views on the comic.
In summary then, excellent work. Great artwork and everything - now you just need to get some more truly epic stories going like the six- part "Sonic Terminator" strip, back in the day.
It was also great to hear from Richard Elson in speedlines - he was always my favourite STC artist.

Well done guys,

Ryan Jones, Cardiff

Dear Megadroid,

At the ripe old age of twenty-one, I've sorely missed STC since it departed the shelves of our newsagents. You've all done a brilliant job of capturing the feel of the original comic. I would have to confess to not being as fond of the "Sonic Adventure"-inspired "stretched" look that Sonic's taken on in the main strip, although it works very well with Tails and Nack, but perhaps that's the artist. "Amy vs. Tekno" was nothing short of beautiful - was that painted? It was so much more striking than the digital colouring of the other strips (although they were great too). Mainly, it brought back memories of the earlier issues of STC, with the painted colouring. Simply excellent.
And words can't describe the thrill I got seeing Megadroid again! What's the old fella up to now, Mark III? Ah, Boomers, Humes... it all comes roaring back. This is a wonderful thing you've made, here.
Any chance of seeing Brutus or the Metallixes make returns from the grave? They always were my favourite villains.

Chris McFeely

Dear Megadroid,

I used to buy STC all the time, but it stopped appearing in shops around where I live. I missed out on the Super Sonic and Chaos saga. But on a Sonic related forum I visit, a link to your new site was posted and I can read the comics.
I really enjoyed looking at the works of Richard Elson and Nigel Kitching, it's probably their work that has inspired me to draw and create my own Sonic characters. Such as ShadowKnuxx.
Good luck with the new site and comics!

ShadowKnuxx

Dear Megadroid,

First thing I'll do is give you a serious level of praise. You guys have done good to get this up and running, flowing as gracefully as it does. If it hadn't been so many years I could've sworn that I was a kid again strolling into my local Safeways to pick up STC for 95p!
I think the move online was a great idea as this way I will never miss a single issue, unlike the old days, and I will never lose issues I've already read. It's all there on my monitor and I'm so grateful that it is.
The story I most enjoyed was 'Drowned.' While the artwork reminded me of Sonic the TV show (not in a bad way though) the story really involved me from the word go. Everything was well placed. I liked the idea of the race of amphibians supposedly being decended from the Drakons. And the moment when Sonic begun to change into Super Sonic and felt nothing but peacefulness was neat. One question though. How do those fish-people have a Chaos Energy power source?

Daniel Jones Junior

Dear Megadroid,

First of all I must say a big hearty congratulations to all involved in the making of this comic. I'm not a big fan of fan-comics, but I can easily say that this is an exception. Everything about it feels right, like the return of Megadroid! I hope that this can continue for a long time, and with the original staff's blessings I feel I can see it for some time now! What do you think the chances are of them contributing to the comic?
Also, I would like to know if there will be a return of old Sega favourites Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Kid Chameleon? I do remember in the 2nd and final story that Casey was going to battle the voice but we never heard anything about it, and whether Joe would finally defeat Neo Zeed etc!
During the entire 8+ year run of STC I was kicking myself that I never sent a letter to the STC offices and felt like an elite boomer who got their letter printed, but now with the new STC I can finally do so!

Keep up the good work,

Best regards,

Benjamin Copeman

Dear Megadroid,

I really enjoy STC and I'm very happy it's now online but I was wondering if you'd possibly create an archive section for past issues? This way new reader's and old reader's can catch up on the issues they've missed or use them for reference. Also will there be a Graphic's Zone section? I'd really like to send in some of my fan art. Thanks!

Cya!

Angelina Wilson A.K.A Ace the Echidna

Dear Megadroid,

I've been an avid Boomer since way back in nineties, my first issue being 38 or something. (The one with Robotnik's new look) I was really sad to see STC go down, I mean i'd spent years searching out, buying and reading this fantastic mag. I admit that during Sonic's trip to the atom world I lost my ability to buy the mag and I missed out a lot.
A couple of years ago though I found one in the newsagent and I was shocked to see what was in it when I picked it up... a complete set of re-runs! I don't think there was even a new story at all (I may be wrong).
I am however thrilled to see STC and you, Megadroid, back. It's a pity you can't be back with your former glory but at least it's something right?
The stories are cool, athough I think 'Drowned' have done with a little bit of improvement, it wasn't quite as good as I remember STC's standards.
I look forward to seeing a lot more of STC and all these great Sonic characters I grew up with.
I do have a minor question though; Will Shadow, Rouge and Cream be appearing at any time? They're cool characters, although they may be new I think it will be brilliant to see how you introduce them in pure STC brilliance.

Keep up the good work!

Alex Winton

Dear Megadroid,

I enjoyed the new comic even though I haven't seen much since the first issues of the old Sonic The Comic.
One minor detail: Amy's look. Is her look going to change into a more modern, say Sonic Adventure like look?

Thanks!

Carlos