Error: Your upload path is not valid or does not exist: /home/linweb44/s/stconline.co.uk-1090308933/user/htdocs/comics/wp-content/uploads{"id":1187,"date":"2017-11-14T19:52:50","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T19:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/?page_id=1187"},"modified":"2024-10-29T20:59:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T20:59:51","slug":"stc273","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/stc273\/","title":{"rendered":"STC #273"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Issue Number Header” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” custom_padding=”5px||5px|” _builder_version=”3.0.67″ next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”5px||0px|” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Number and Date” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”right” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

#273 | Nov 2017<\/h3>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Cover” fullwidth=”on” module_id=”cover” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ parallax=”on” prev_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” next_background_color=”rgba(33,150,243,0.8)”][et_pb_fullwidth_header background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”right” header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” content_orientation=”bottom” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/covers\/273.jpg” parallax=”on” background_url=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/covers\/226.jpg” image_orientation=”center” custom_button_one=”off” button_one_icon_placement=”right” custom_button_two=”off” button_two_icon_placement=”right” max_width_tablet=”50px” box_shadow_position_button_two=”outer” box_shadow_position_button_one=”outer” box_shadow_position=”outer” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Control Zone” background_color=”rgba(33,150,243,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”controlzone” module_class=”zone-header” _builder_version=”3.0.67″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/logo-controlzone.png” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”rgba(255,193,7,0.8)”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”15px|||” custom_margin=”25px|||” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_phone=”|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text background_layout=”dark” module_id=”controlzonetext” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”20px|||” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

Hey Boomers!\u00a0\"\"<\/h2>\r\nWelcome to a very special STC! What’s so cool about the number 273 you ask? Well, apart from being a truncated triangular pyramid number and the triple point of water in kelvins (as if you didn’t know!), #273 also marks 50 amazing issues since Sonic the Comic – Online began, and I think that deserves some celebration!\r\n\r\nFor starters, how about four fantastic stories to delve right into – Sonic<\/a> continues his fight against the mighty Cyber Shifter, Captain Plunder<\/a> is grappling with the monstrous Dagon, Tekno and Shortfuse<\/a> continue their rocky road to reconciliation and Shadow<\/a> returns this issue to…. well – you’ll see!\r\n\r\nThen, the festivities continue with another fabulous Flashback Zone<\/a>, plus our Pin-ups<\/a> section is showcasing iconic moments from our 50 online issues! There’s even a few to mark the release of a little known videogame called\u2026 Sonic Forces!\r\n\r\nYes, in a handy piece of corporate synergy, Sega have kindly released their newest title just in time for our 50th release, and you can get a few of the humes thoughts on the Sonic game everyone’s been talking about over in our Review Zone<\/a>!\r\n\r\nNext up, over summer we asked you all what your favourite stories from STC’s past 50 issues have been and we have the results for you in our STC50 zone<\/a>! We even asked the humes to take a trip down the memory lane zone and remember their favourite tales from over the years too!\r\n\r\nAfter all that, my circuits are frankly frazzled and I haven’t even told you about next issue<\/a>! If you thought this one was interesting, just wait till you hear about 274’s importance – and I’m not even talking about the bus I take when popping to the shops!\r\n

\"\"<\/h2>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Megadroid” src=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/megadroids\/271md.png” alt=”Megadroid” align=”right” always_center_on_mobile=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”3.0.67″ custom_margin=”45px|||” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” sticky=”off” use_overlay=”off” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” animation_style=”slide” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation_direction=”left” show_bottom_space=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Social” background_layout=”dark” _builder_version=”3.16.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]\r\n\r\n

Follow us:<\/h3>\r\n\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Data Zone” background_color=”rgba(255,193,7,0.8)” module_id=”datazone” module_class=”zone-header” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/logo-datazone.png” prev_background_color=”rgba(33,150,243,0.8)” next_background_color=”rgba(233,30,99,0.8)”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.67″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_position_1=”top_left” background_repeat_1=”no-repeat” custom_margin=”25px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”The Story so Far Text” background_layout=”dark” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(156,39,176,0.8)” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” saved_tabs=”all” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

The Story So Far…<\/h2>\r\n
\"\"<\/div>\r\nWith Robotnik decisively defeated at the battle of Emerald Hill, It’s a big victory for the heroes of Mobius! However, the threat of the Drakon Empire still looms large on the horizon…\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” custom_margin=”25px|||” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_team_member name=”Sonic” image_url=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/datazone\/273sonic.jpg” animation=”fade_in” module_class=”circular” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ header_text_color=”#9c27b0″ header_line_height=”2em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.8)” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position_image=”outer” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\nBlue blur Sonic is the numero-uno hedgehog with attitude, boasting both lightning fast speed and wise cracks for every situation – but the war of Mobius isn’t quite over yet!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_team_member name=”The Drakon Empire” image_url=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/datazone\/273drakons.jpg” animation=”fade_in” module_class=”circular” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ header_text_color=”#9c27b0″ header_line_height=”2em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.8)” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position_image=”outer” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\nEvil aliens ruled by Emperor Brokken from the House of War, Master Scholar from the House of Knowledge and sister Haggra from the House of Magic. All are determined to conquer Mobius and expand the Drakon Empire – by any means necessary!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_team_member name=”Shadow” image_url=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/datazone\/273shadow.jpg” animation=”fade_in” module_class=”circular” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ header_text_color=”#9c27b0″ header_line_height=”2em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.8)” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position_image=”outer” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\nDigital defender Shadow is a living computer program invented by Dr Kintobor and given a familiar hedgehog shaped avatar by Iggy the mouse! Shadow has protected cyberspace from Robotnik’s threats, but now this stream of code has electric dreams of his own!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Data Zone Toggle” title=”See the rest of the Data Zone! (click here)” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” open=”off” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Iggy<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Iggy the Mouse<\/h4>\r\nCode cruncher Iggy gave this version of Shadow his appearance and personality, inspired by seeing the original ‘ultimate lifeform’ in action, and she’s pretty protective of her handiwork!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"The<\/div>\r\n
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The Kintobor Computer<\/h4>\r\nA digital backup of kindly scientist Kintobor, from before the accident that transformed him into the diabolical Dr Robotnik! The original Kintobor created the code that would one day become the protector of the digital realm, Shadow!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Vector<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Vector the Crocodile<\/h4>\r\nSuper Scientist and part of the Chaotix Crew – Along with Espio, Mighty, Charmy and the Omni Viewer, Vector has begun to trust this new version of Shadow and put the hedgehog’s past predecessor behind them!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Shortfuse\"<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Shortfuse<\/h4>\r\nShort-tempered Shorty the Squirrel defends Mobius as his heroic alter-ego “Shortfuse” in a suit of armour made from broken badniks! After feuding with his former friend Tekno, the pair were starting to fix their friendship – until fate pulled them apart once again!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Tekno\"<\/div>\r\n
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Tekno<\/h4>\r\nGadget guru Tekno has an invention for every occasion, but currently she’s trapped inside some Cybernik armour, just like Shortfuse used to be! Now, a hidden program has dragged the clever canary on autopilot away from her best bud – But where did it send her?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Captain<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Captain Plunder<\/h4>\r\nSky pirate Plunder, menace of the Mobius seas, thought his luck had changed for the better until he found himself attacked by the monstrous Dagon! Will the crooked captain defeat this challenger from the deep?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Cream<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Cream the Rabbit<\/h4>\r\nInnocent adventurer Cream accidently joined Plunder’s crew, and ever since that day she seems to somehow bring the captain good luck! Cream may be a little na\u00efve, but she’s still one brave bunny!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Filch\"<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Filch<\/h4>\r\nGhostly first-mate Filch is loyal to Plunder and has stuck by him through thick and thin! With the captain captured, Filch has retrieved a strange bottle that his boss has apparently been saving for just such an emergency!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Simpson<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Simpson the Cat<\/h4>\r\nCartoonish kitty Simpson is nothing like the usual ship’s cat! Plunder’s kooky crewmate might be a bit of a strange character, but he’s surprisingly handy to have around!\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"Dagon\"<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Dagon<\/h4>\r\nThis fishy fiend has taken over Plunder’s ship and his followers then tried to lock the crew below decks – But has this mysterious monster and his loyal lackeys bitten off more than they can chew?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Comics” background_color=”rgba(233,30,99,0.8)” module_id=”comics” module_class=”zone-header” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/logo-comics.png” prev_background_color=”rgba(255,193,7,0.8)” next_background_color=”rgba(0,106,193,0.8)”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_margin=”40px|||” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_code admin_label=”Comics Code” _builder_version=”3.0.82″]<div class="row comicrow"><!– 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[et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <a class="comic4" href="http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/pages\/273-405.jpg"><\/a><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –><\/div><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –><script src="http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/brand\/jquery-1.11.3.min.js"><\/script> <!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –><script src="http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/brand\/jquery.colorbox.js"><\/script><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –><script><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $(document).ready(function(){<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> \/\/Examples of how to assign the Colorbox event to elements<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $(".comic1").colorbox({rel:'comic1'});<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $(".comic2").colorbox({rel:'comic2'});<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $(".comic3").colorbox({rel:'comic3'});<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $(".comic4").colorbox({rel:'comic4'});<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $(".comic5").colorbox({rel:'comic5'});<!– 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transition:'none'})<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $('.retina').colorbox({rel:'group5', transition:'none', retinaImage:true, retinaUrl:true});<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> \/\/Example of preserving a JavaScript event for inline calls.<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $("#click").click(function(){ <!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> $('#click').css({"background-color":"#f00", "color":"#fff", "cursor":"inherit"}).text("Open this window again and this message will still be here.");<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> return false;<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> });<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> });<!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –><\/script>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Control Zone” background_color=”rgba(0,106,193,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”stc50″ module_class=”zone-header” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/logo-stc50.png” box_shadow_position=”outer” prev_background_color=”rgba(233,30,99,0.8)” next_background_color=”rgba(255,226,226,0.8)”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”15px|||” custom_margin=”25px|||” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_phone=”|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” box_shadow_position=”outer”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”STC50 Info” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\nOver summer we gave you boomers the chance to vote for your favourite STC stories from our last 50 online issues and loads of you took star posts and zoom tubes and Mobius rings and headed to the online polls to do just that!\r\n\r\nWe’ve got five awards to give out so let’s see who the winners are, shall we?\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”3.0.82″ show_arrows=”on” show_pagination=”on” show_inner_shadow=”on” custom_button=”off” button_icon_placement=”right” box_shadow_position_button=”outer” box_shadow_position=”inner” show_content_on_mobile=”on” show_cta_on_mobile=”on” show_image_video_mobile=”on” box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”0px” box_shadow_blur=”10px” box_shadow_spread=”0px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” box_shadow_style=”preset6″ button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” 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button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”3.0.82″ heading=”Best Laugh” image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/big.jpg” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”off” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ button_bg_color_gradient_type=”linear” button_bg_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” button_bg_size=”cover” button_bg_position=”center” button_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” button_bg_blend=”normal” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” box_shadow_style_button=”none” box_shadow_color_button=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_position_button=”outer”]\r\n

Big the Cat Hits the Road<\/a><\/h1>\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n

STC #259<\/a><\/h2>\r\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”3.0.82″ heading=”Best Shock” image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/johnny.jpg” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”off” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ button_bg_color_gradient_type=”linear” button_bg_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” button_bg_size=”cover” button_bg_position=”center” button_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” button_bg_blend=”normal” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” box_shadow_style_button=”none” box_shadow_color_button=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_position_button=”outer”]\r\n

Johnny Knew<\/a><\/h2>\r\n

In Memory – STC #261<\/h3>\r\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”3.0.82″ heading=”Best SEGA Superstar” image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/decap.jpg” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”off” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ button_bg_color_gradient_type=”linear” button_bg_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” button_bg_size=”cover” button_bg_position=”center” button_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” button_bg_blend=”normal” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” box_shadow_style_button=”none” box_shadow_color_button=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_position_button=”outer”]\r\n

Decap Attack<\/h2>\r\n

Special 7<\/a> and STC #257<\/a><\/h3>\r\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”3.0.82″ heading=”Best Ongoing Story” image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/super.jpg” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”off” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ button_bg_color_gradient_type=”linear” button_bg_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” button_bg_size=”cover” button_bg_position=”center” button_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” button_bg_blend=”normal” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” box_shadow_style_button=”none” box_shadow_color_button=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_position_button=”outer”]\r\n

Super Sonic Unleashed!<\/h2>\r\n

STC #266<\/a>, #267<\/a>, #268<\/a><\/h3>\r\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”3.0.82″ heading=”Best Character” image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/250cover__1500x2108-Medium.jpg” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”off” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ button_bg_color_gradient_type=”linear” button_bg_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” button_bg_size=”cover” button_bg_position=”center” button_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” button_bg_blend=”normal” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” box_shadow_style_button=”none” box_shadow_color_button=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_position_button=”outer”]\r\n

Sonic the Hedgehog<\/h2>\r\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”3.0.82″ heading=”Best of the Best” image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/battleformobius.jpg” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”off” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ button_bg_color_gradient_type=”linear” button_bg_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” button_bg_size=”cover” button_bg_position=”center” button_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” button_bg_blend=”normal” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” box_shadow_style_button=”none” box_shadow_color_button=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” box_shadow_position_button=”outer”]\r\n

The Battle for Mobius<\/a><\/h2>\r\n

STC #250<\/h3>\r\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][et_pb_text admin_label=”STC50 mid-point” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\nAll worthy winners there! Good job Sonic won ‘Best Character’ or we might have had a riot on our hands!\r\n\r\nSo, now we know what you thought, let’s ask some of the humes what their favourite stories are!\r\n\r\nYou might be surprised by some of the choices!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Toggle – LT” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ open=”off” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position=”outer” title=”L.T. Fletcher”]\r\n\r\n

L. T.\u2019s Top Five Ten!<\/h2>\r\nEditor Hume Michael asked us to put together our top five STC stories of the online era. But, maybe it\u2019s because I\u2019m a writer and not a mathematician, maybe it\u2019s because I\u2019m a hack, I couldn\u2019t narrow it down below ten. And I still cheated with one of them. That\u2019s just my problem, you see, I love all of STC! Anyway, here\u2019s my top ten:\r\n

10. Drowned<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThis is obviously special to the entire team because it\u2019s the very first STC story since the comic became an online publication.\r\n\r\nThe move couldn\u2019t have started in better fashion: the action gets underway right from the off, the plot progresses smoothly, naturally and keeps you guessing and there\u2019s a great gag right at the very end that reassured readers that while the team was all-new, STC was still going to have the same blend of action and comedy that has made it so good over the years.\r\n\r\nThis one is more than a strip- it\u2019s a moment.\r\n

9. Unleashed<\/a><\/h3>\r\nI\u2019ll admit the first two parts of this one caused a little scepticism in me, hitting as it did so many familiar story beats that we\u2019d seen before, most notably in Nigel Kitching\u2019s excellent Running Wild. But part three is where the real genius of the story lies: you were supposed to think it\u2019s familiar territory because so does Super Sonic, leading to him falling for the heroes\u2019 brilliant trap that sees him defeated.\r\n\r\nIt certainly doesn\u2019t hurt that so many talented artists came together to create this awesome story.\r\n

8. The Tale of Cream the Rabbit<\/a><\/h3>\r\nOddly enough, Sonic doesn\u2019t appear in this story despite it being under his banner. But that\u2019s the point: Cream joins the Sky Pirates, thinking she\u2019ll meet her hero, but he\u2019s nowhere to be found.\r\n\r\nThis story gives us a neat little twist on an established Sega character, with plenty of brilliant background gags and gorgeous art by the wonderful Adamis.\r\n

7. Rage inside the Machine<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThis story is one I fondly remember for two reasons. Firstly, the use of colour is nothing short of genius, with the beautiful watercolours of the real world clashing with the garish, bright digital palette of the cyberworld, reflected in Espio\u2019s inability to control his camouflage.\r\n\r\nSecondly, the end of part one represents one of very few times STC has left my jaw agape in surprise- the return of Shadow was completely unexpected and left me on tenterhooks for the next issue!\r\n

6. Amy vs. Tekno<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThis story is partly about showing us exactly how Tekno came to be arrested for \u201ccrimes\u201d against Robotnik way back when, as an unwilling underling, but it\u2019s also much more than that. It shows the readers in no uncertain terms what kind of a hero Tekno is. The story\u2019s climax comes as Tekno decides to make a very difficult decision, throwing herself on Robotnik\u2019s (lack of) mercy to spare Amy\u2019s life in the hopes that one day the Freedom Fighters will defeat the dictator.\r\n\r\nOf course, we all know how things turned out!\r\n

5. How Big the Cat Saved Christmas<\/a><\/h3>\r\nEveryone on the team absolutely loves the spiritual predecessor to this one Big the Cat Hits the Road! (and rightly so, it\u2019s great!) but this one gave me probably the biggest laughs of STC\u2019s online run thusfar. Big managing to inadvertently defeat Doctor Robotnik by lobbing a lump of coal at him is a great moment, but it\u2019s the much more subtle interaction between Big and Sonic that really makes this one for me- Big\u2019s unquestioning assertion that Sonic is \u201ca good guy\u201d says a lot about both characters.\r\n\r\nThat the story takes place while Sonic is considered an enemy of the public makes the ending all the more sweet, with it all being helped by some truly adorable art courtesy of our very own art Panda.\r\n

4. The Strange Case of Silver the Hedgehog<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThere are times working on STC you just know a story is going to be a success. When I saw the first pages of art from Reggie Graham on this one, I knew we had one of those stories on our hands. We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful art team- I genuinely believe it\u2019s never been stronger since the move online- and Reggie is one of the very best we have.\r\n\r\nThe story is excellent too, with some great laughs but mostly a sincere, heartfelt focus on Silver trying to find his place in the world and trying to come to terms with his impending removal from existence. It\u2019s a story where the good guys triumph not because they hit the hardest but because they simply deserved to win.\r\n\r\nAlso, it\u2019s got a Back to the Future reference in it and I love that film so this gets a bonus point.\r\n

3. The Complete Vichama<\/a><\/h3>\r\nI told you I cheated with one of these. This is an entire issue that actually contains three stories that make up a whole epic. For months we\u2019d been wondering who exactly the enigmatic Vichama was. This storyline delivered in droves with art that\u2019s nothing short of gorgeous on every single page, a solid answer to one of the biggest questions left since the print days and a quiet, contemplative conclusion in which Knuckles came to terms with some pretty heavy-duty stuff.\r\n\r\nAnother plus point, as far as I\u2019m concerned, is the prominent role Tikal plays in the story- as one of STC\u2019s more underdeveloped characters, it\u2019s lovely to see her in the spotlight for a change.\r\n

2. Genesis<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThe entire Syndicate storyline is one of STC\u2019s very best, and I include the print run of the comic in that too. Ed Reynolds\u2019 tightly-crafted story arc is one many of us on the team aspire to reach the heady heights of. But it\u2019s not the explosions or Super Sonic transformation that stuck with me the most, it\u2019s the quiet conversation between Shadow and Sonic, two hedgehogs totally at odds but not, it transpires, very different. You\u2019re left feeling Shadow isn\u2019t necessarily bad at heart and is, in a skewed sort of way, acting out of love.\r\n\r\nPerhaps, if things were different, Shadow and Sonic could have been friends. He may come across as cold and ruthless, but Shadow\u2019s motives for helping Doctor Zachary seem ultimately logical, which makes his sacrifice all the more sad when it happens.\r\n

1. Skeletons in the Closet<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThere are a small handful of stories created by the STC Online team that I truly believe could stand side-by-side with those in the print run. A number of them appear in this list! Skeletons, however, is not just one of my favourite STC stories of the online era, it\u2019s one of my favourite STC stories ever. The art is great, the story is cleverly told with an immediate mystery for the readers to unravel and the cliff-hangers are easily some of the best STC has ever seen, leaving you clamouring for their conclusions. It\u2019s exactly the kind of story I aspire to when I write anything for STC.\r\n\r\nIf it seems like I\u2019m laying it on a bit thick then don\u2019t worry, I get a bizarre kick out of doing this because writer\/artist Seumidh MacDonald gets embarrassed at how much I adore this story. But, adore it I do and I\u2019m very happy and proud to say I\u2019m the owner of the original pencils for this one. If ever I find myself writing a cliff-hanger, I always have to ask: is it as good as Skeletons\u2019 and does it make you want to read the next issue as badly?\r\n

Honourable Mention Personal Moment of Pride<\/h3>\r\n

An Unconventional Convention!<\/h3>\r\nThis story first appeared in a printed issue given to those who backed Sonic the Comic Con on Kickstarter. It went through a format change and page number change until we arrived at the finished script, with wonderful art supplied by four excellent artists, people and friends, Adamis, Pete Murphy, Seumidh MacDonald and Matt Dittmer.\r\n\r\nI was honoured to be chosen to write this one and humbled at the positive reaction it received on the day.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most mind-blowing moment of all, though, was Richard Elson himself grabbing a copy of the comic to read it. I know the rest of the team feel the same way about their hard work on that issue- and, make no mistake, it was really hard work! It was all worth it in the end, to see a building full of people enjoying something you\u2019ve worked on is an experience like no other.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s the joy of STC for me- reading feedback and finding what people liked (and what they didn\u2019t like so you can improve!). Knowing I\u2019ve put a smile on someone\u2019s face really makes me feel like I\u2019ve done something right.\r\n\r\nAnyway, Megadroid keeps tutting and mentioning something about a \u201cword limit\u201d, whatever one of those is, so I\u2019ll cut it short now (That\u2019d be a first! -Megadroid).\r\n\r\n50 issues of STC online, what an accomplishment! I hope you lot are ready for the next 50- we definitely are!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Toggle – Chris” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ title=”Chris G” open=”off” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

Chris G’s personal STCO Top 10<\/h2>\r\nThese are my personal picks from my experiences on the comic as a hume!\r\n

Evil Team Up (The Syndicate<\/a> #228-229)<\/h3>\r\nThis was actually the story that first drew me into the wonderful world of STCO, so it holds a particularly fond place for me! Seeing the pages for this being coloured first hand was a real pleasure for me and I knew right there and then that I had to get involved with this amazing project!\r\n

Shortfuse Flies Again (Return of the Cybernik<\/a> #232)<\/h3>\r\nThis makes my list as it was my first opportunity to draw one of my absolute favourite characters from the original comic – having the opportunity to define Shortfuse’s new comic look for all the adventures that followed was a huge honour and a great challenge to update a design classic!\r\n

Shadow Attacks! (Vendettas<\/a> – #237)<\/h3>\r\nThis marks my first time colouring someone else’s comic panels for STC and I couldn’t have asked for more spectacular lineart than the amazing work of Zak Simmonds-Hurn in an already epic story!\r\n

The Fans Strike Back! (The Fandom Menace<\/a> – #244)<\/h3>\r\nThis is the first published script I did for the comic, inspired in part by the riots over the depictions of the prophet that were causing a stir at the time – the story touches on just how far the most loyal followers are prepared to go for their idol – Who knew you could go so deep in a comic about a talking hedgehog and still have space left for a Harry Hill cameo?\r\n

What Happens on Solstice… (Sunrise<\/a> – #245)<\/h3>\r\nI think I’d choose this as probably my favorite artwork that I’ve done on the comic – the page with Shorty and Tekno arguing about being stuck on the technology free world of Solstice was a particular highlight for me! Seeing those two have a tender moment together before everything goes wrong was something I really worked hard to get right!\r\n

Farewell Sonic? (Goodbye Mobius<\/a> – 248)<\/h3>\r\nI’m highlighting this one both for its gorgeous art and also the EPIC twist lurking in it’s closing pages – It’s a stepping stone to a bigger storyline sure, but it does an amazing job in its own right and is not to be missed!\r\n

The War of Mobius Begins! (The Battle for Mobius<\/a> – #250)<\/h3>\r\nI mean, how could this NOT be included in a list like this? The most audacious story we as a team have attempted (so far!), AND an excuse for me to draw Fabian Vane’s first appearance in the online comic? What’s not to like! Plus of course It was a spectacular way to celebrate the 250 issue milestone with a talented team who worked so hard to bring it to fruition!\r\n

A Tall Tale or Two! (Stories <\/a>– #266)<\/h3>\r\nThis was a really cute idea, taken to even greater heights by the wonderful art team! It also features sneaky first glimpses of Tekno the Cybernik and the gun totting Bob the Plax, months before their full debuts!\r\n

Never Forgotten (The Elephant in the Room<\/a> – 15th Anniversary Special)<\/h3>\r\nWe’ve been lucky to have celebrated quite a few Sonic related milestones over the years, and this one is my favorite I think – a clever conceit to take a trip down memory lane, and beautifully executed too!\r\n

Rampage of the “Iblis” (Unleashed<\/a> #266-268)<\/h3>\r\nI think this story is one of the online team’s most popular stories, and with STC’s Super Sonic front and centre it’s easy to see why! I personally feel very proud to have been able to contribute lettering duties for it, and was really pleased to see fans reactions to it!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Toggle – Pete” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ title=”Pete Murphy” open=”off” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

Pete\u2019s top 5 STC-O stories!<\/h2>\r\n

1: Super Sonic Unleashed<\/a> (Parts 1-3)<\/h3>\r\nThis, without a doubt, is what I would call a fitting follow up to Running Wild, the seminal Super Sonic piece from the original comics. Spydaman provided a story that had me gripped, even in script format, and I knew it would provide the thrills and spills that readers would want.\r\n\r\nI\u2019m very fortunate to have provided colours for all five wonderful artists who worked on this (as well as a number of other stories for STC-O), and I can\u2019t wait to see what else is in store!\r\n\r\nFeaturing nearly very single major character teaming up to stop a raging Super Sonic, with plot twists aplenty\u2026 ooh, I might just have to go and read it again!\r\n

2. Sonic\u2019s World: Big the Cat Hits The Road<\/a><\/h3>\r\nOrdinarily, I would have said a story of Big the Cat being a delivery person (cat?) for the mob would never have worked, yet Seumidh provided a script that was so funny, and Adamis throwing in so many little visual gags made me crease with laughter!\r\n\r\nSeriously, how hard is it to deliver a pizza?! It\u2019s a short, ultimately silly script, but that what makes Sonic the Comic so perfect- something for everyone!\r\n

3. Sonic: Dicing with Death<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThis story is one that even the staff never seem to talk about, but it\u2019s definitely worth the re-read. Featuring a cockroach called \u201cThe Dice\u201d, Tails has to deliberately lose a game of cards, whilst Sonic finds a bomb. Trouble is, Tails\u2019 luck is just too good! The really interesting thing about this story is the way it\u2019s presented, in that a rather biased narrator tells it.\r\n\r\nThe art, once again by Adamis, is wonderful, with the pithy script from Jamie J!\r\n

4. Knuckles: Skeletons in the Closet<\/a> (Parts 1-3)<\/h3>\r\nFeaturing a story in all aspects from Seumidh MacDonald, this three parter brings action, intrigue and some brilliantly executed world building to the Floating Island.\r\nFeaturing an ancient robot that can mimic certain abilities (including a certain water monster!), Knuckles and Porker have to uncover the mysteries of the \u201cGizoid\u201d.\r\n

5. Hog Hunt <\/a>(Parts 1-2)<\/h3>\r\nPure action! This story is nothing if not pure action! With Sonic\u2019s Bob Beaky disguise blown, Sonic is forced on the run, as both the Babylon Rogues and the Chaotix Crew chase after him.\r\n\r\nThis has some of the best art from editor Stiv and long-time artist Adamis I\u2019ve seen in the comic, and features some excellent one-liners from our blue hedgehog.\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Toggle – Charles” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ title=”Charles Ellis” open=”off” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

The Least Likely<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThe reveal of the fake Shorty with his terribly cheap armour, in The Least Likely – After a two-issue buildup to just who is framing Shortfuse for thefts and abductions, after keeping the villain shadowy and mysterious, we turn the page and… it’s just some loser with torches stuck to his arms.\r\n

Vane Hopes<\/a><\/h3>\r\nAmy’s table descending and taking Chrysalis’ lunch with it, in Vane Hopes – cheating here because I wrote the script but the visual gag was all Adamis, turning “table descends into a base like in Thunderbirds” and making slapstick hay out of it. The food flying out of its bowl makes me giggle every time.\r\n

The Strange Case of Silver the Hedgehog<\/a><\/h3>\r\nSilver fading away, in The Strange Case of Silver The Hedgehog 1 – up until this story, nobody had brought up (or thought) that under the previously established time travel rules from The Sonic Terminator, Silver should cease to exist after his mission. But Seumidh thought of it, and knew how to hit us in the feels with it.\r\n

The Fate of the Special Zone<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThe destruction of the Special Zone, in The Fate Of The Special Zone – while the consequences never got properly handled, the event itself is a stunner. Sonic loses, and harder than before, and characters we know are erased or left appalled. The stakes never were this high before and there are no rules about what could happen next.\r\n

In Cold Blood<\/a><\/h3>\r\nHow can Tails stop a foe that can take out any warm-blooded Mobian at a distance? Tails has to out-think a foe he can’t out-fight and one that’s quite a creepy one, someone the other Freedom Fighters are also helpless against; you can see why, a few issues later, he’s the Hero of Mobius.\r\n

In Memory<\/a><\/h3>\r\nSeeing a dead friend once again, Sonic’s anger at his own youthful callowness, the knowledge Johnny knew for years he was going to die in battle: this is heavy stuff without being overly grim, turning the inevitable death of Johnny Lightfoot into something optimistic and hopeful.\r\n

Robotnik Forever<\/a><\/h3>\r\nOne of the sadder STC-O strips, as we see exactly what Grimer’s been doing since he walked out on Robotnik: pretending he never did. Quiet and tragic.\r\n

The Inside Story<\/a><\/h3>\r\nHow to make Sonic look like a sinister, seedy so-and-so in seven satirical pages that jab at media power, our willingness to believe bad things, and Sonic himself (KBC isn’t wrong about the lack of oversight!).\r\n\r\nThere’s also some great laughs: “We asked Porker if he’s weak and easily manipulated”, in Sonic: The Inside Story – the whole scene, starting with the very question (and Porker’s reaction) up to the spin of questions about Sonic making him cry. There’s a lot of good gags in Ed’s story but this one sticks out (with “Charmy Bee: Idiot” as the runner-up\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Toggle – Adamis” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ title=”Adamis” open=”off” border_style=”solid” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

5. The Sky is Falling<\/a> – issue 238<\/h3>\r\nThe climax to the Syndicate arc, the epicness of a battle between Super Sonic and Shadow, Zak’s amazing artwork, and that bittersweet ending.\r\n

4. Goodbye, Mobius<\/a> – Issue 248<\/h3>\r\nThe story may sound simple, but the repercussions are huge. Sonic’s reputation is destroyed and Grimer has his revenge on the blue hedgehog. What an ending! And the battle between Sonic and Metallix is fantastic. Did I already say that I love Zak’s art?\r\n

3. The World’s Worst Villain<\/a> – Issue 262<\/h3>\r\nWe need light-hearted stories once in a while and this one does a great job in making the readers laugh. It’s a slice-of-life story about a kid meeting Sonic and getting a bad note because of it. Great script, and charming art!\r\n

2. The Battle for Mobius<\/a> – Issue 250<\/h3>\r\nWhat’s not to like about this story? It has action, it changes the status-quo, it’s epic, and it was the occasion to see most of our artists shine in the same story.\r\n

1. Unleashed<\/a> – Issues 266-268<\/h3>\r\nAnother story that feels fantastic and epic. We have everyone against Super Sonic, who’s more powerful than ever, and the art (once again shared with multiple artists) is just the best!\r\n\r\nA special one for me is “Journey to the Crossroads<\/strong><\/a>“, as it was the first story I illustrated for Sonic the Comic Online back in 2003. I’ll always be thankful to Ed and Michael for accepting me in the staff and giving me this wonderful story to test my skills.\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Control Zone” background_color=”rgba(255,226,226,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”flashbackzone” module_class=”zone-header” _builder_version=”3.0.67″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/logo-flashbackzone.png” prev_background_color=”rgba(0,106,193,0.8)” next_background_color=”rgba(255,226,226,0.8)”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”15px|||” custom_margin=”25px|||” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_phone=”|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” box_shadow_position=”outer”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Flashback Zone Info” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBzzt! Howdy, Boomers! Sorry, looks like I have a bug in my matrix! Hey, speaking of bugs, how about Tails and his scrape with The Family? Those creepy crawlers are nothing but trouble\u2026 But not every bug is out to bug Tails! Today\u2019s flashback shows that help can come from the most surprising of places!\r\n

STC #139: Bite Back<\/h2>\r\nScript:<\/strong> Lew Stringer\r\nArt:<\/strong> Carl Flint & Kev Hopgood\r\nLettering:<\/strong> Elitta Fell\r\nFlashback Zone Report Filed by:<\/strong> L. T. Fletcher\r\nAdded to Omni Viewer’s Data Banks by:<\/strong> Michael Corker\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Flashback Zone Text” background_layout=”light” module_id=”controlzonetext” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”20px|||” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Doctor Robotnik Appreciation Tribe! Now there\u2019s a name to strike apathy into the hearts of Mobians everywhere. True, most D.R.A.T. members were wusses who only followed the group out of fear- if Robotnik should ever return to power and they were seen as disloyal during his \u201coff-season\u201d, they would hate to think they stood a greater chance of being turned into a Badnik! However, the group did attract the occasional genuine nutter. One such nutter was the imposing Sleek the Panther! Sleek showed up in a forest Zone largely inhabited by purple snakes (behave yourself!) wearing an unusual backpack connected to his boxing gloves. Sleek blasted out a challenge to Tails via megaphone!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMore irritated by the noise than anything else, Tails showed himself. He asked what Sleek wanted and the brash panther told the twin-tailed hero that if he could defeat Tails in a fight, the inhabitants of Mobius would lose faith in their heroes and Robotnik could regain control of the planet more easily! Tails wasn\u2019t about to let that happen, however, but found himself distracted by a strange itching in his namesakes! The moment\u2019s distraction was all Sleek required to deliver a punch so enormous it knocked Tails out of the panel!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs Sleek gloated, prompting some of the Zone\u2019s inhabitants to wonder if he was right, Tails commented that Sleek wouldn\u2019t have got the upper-hand if he hadn\u2019t been distracted. Turning to look at his Tails, he was shocked to find he\u2019d managed to get bugged- literally! Tails had fleas!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile bugs from the Special Zone are as big as Sonic and his friends, Mobian insects aren\u2019t much larger than ones from Earth. These insects were sick and tired of being ignored and were making a stance in the name of getting equal rights for insects! Tails admired their cause (if not their timing) but asked if they had thought of making a positive contribution to the community to help reach their goal.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSleek took the moment to come back for Round Two. Tails wasn\u2019t especially ready, but showed the panther he was no pushover. As a matter of fact, Tails timed his hit perfectly to give Sleek a huge blow! Sleek decided the gloves were off- except they weren\u2019t as he activated his backpack-powered Power Gloves, ready for the knockout blow! Unfortunately for Sleek, the ground beneath his feet gave way and incapacitated him! Landing hard down the pit, Sleek\u2019s backpack shorted out and he was defeated.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTails found the source of the hole- the Zone\u2019s ant population had weakened the ground beneath Sleek\u2019s feet! The ants had taken Tails\u2019 suggestion- by helping defeat the bad guy, they\u2019d made a real positive contribution to the community that would give their cause a lot of attention! Tails told the insects they should get their equal rights\u2026 as long as they stayed out of people\u2019s hair- or fur!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Flashback Zone Info” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSo, you see, Boomers, it doesn\u2019t matter how small you may be, anyone has the power for good within them! Sometimes big is beautiful, but on occasion small is super too!\r\n\r\nWe are hurtling towards the Segasational issue #275 at a breakneck pace, Boomers! I mean, I\u2019ve already read it because I\u2019m a time-traveller and I simply can\u2019t wait! But next issue I\u2019ll show you what happens when you go a little too fast!\r\n\r\nHey, hold on a sec! This is the 50th main issue of Sonic The Comic since we went online! That\u2019s got to be a cause for celebration, right?! You guys have been sharing your favourite issues and stories from STC\u2019s online years as part of the festivities, so I thought I\u2019d chip in not with a favourite story but a favourite moment\u2026\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Flashback Zone Info” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n

STC #224<\/h2>\r\nEditors:<\/strong> Ed Reynolds, Michael Corker, Matt McBangle\r\nWriters:<\/strong> Ed Reynolds, Michael Corker\r\nArt:<\/strong> Abigail Ryder, Thalia Evans, Zak Simonds-Hurn\r\nLettering:<\/strong> Michael Corker\r\nSpecial Thanks:<\/strong> Nigel Kitching, Richard Elson, Dave Bulmer\r\nFlashback Zone Report Filed by:<\/strong> L. T. Fletcher\r\nAdded to Omni Viewer’s Data Banks by:<\/strong> Michael Corker\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Flashback Zone Text” background_layout=”light” module_id=”controlzonetext” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”20px|||” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNow, I could be silly and flashback a story from this but you really ought to read it yourself. Go ahead, I\u2019ll wait for you to get back! It\u2019s hosted right here in our Back Issues<\/a> section!\r\n\r\nRecent events I\u2019m not allowed to mention (or so say the Humes-Who-Think-They\u2019re-Legal-Experts-Because-They-Watch-SVU) have left our friends at Archie Comics wondering about the future of their beloved Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe comics. It\u2019s a sadly all-too-familiar scene for me, Boomers, I was right there when STC went out of print. That period of uncertainty on the comic\u2019s future was long and sad.\r\n\r\nBut, joy of joys! The fans refused to let the comic fade away! And in May of 2003 – exactly ten years from the launch of the first issue- STC reappeared in a blaze of glory online! This wonderful comic that brought ceaseless joy to thousands upon thousands of readers across Britain and worldwide now had a stronger foothold and greater online presence than ever before!\r\n\r\nThat first online issue sent a message- if you believe in something want to achieve a goal, you can do it if you put your heart and soul into it! And, for what it\u2019s worth, Boomers, some of the talent who worked on that issue inspired some of the current crop of Humes to pick up a pen or pencil and get involved – to some of us, Ed and Zak are held in just as high a regard as the Nigels, Lew, Rich, Roberto, John, Carl, Kev and \u2014 well, you know who worked on the originals, I\u2019d be here all day name-dropping them (we do have a wiki, you know)! And, credit where it\u2019s due – it\u2019s all been overseen from day one by a plethora of editorial Humes-in-charge, including Ed, Charles, Stiv and even Michael Corker who\u2019s still on our team to this day (he\u2019s practically part of the furniture at STC Towers, which explains why Megadroid attempted to dust him last week)!\r\n\r\nSince then we\u2019ve had some amazing storylines crafted by some incredibly talented Humes, brought to life by some of the most astonishingly gifted artists I\u2019ve ever seen. We\u2019ve had highlights and, it\u2019s true, even a few controversial moments! We\u2019ve had some of the most amazing twists and turns you could never have seen coming. We\u2019ve had storylines you wouldn\u2019t have expected. We\u2019ve had classic STC takes on Sega characters. And, most of all, we\u2019ve had the support of a wonderful fan base. It\u2019s the passion of the fans that keeps STC going and from all of us to every single Boomer reading this comic, whether it’s your first issue or your fiftieth – from the bottom of my matrices, THANK YOU!<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhat I\u2019m trying to say in a round-about sort of fashion is that Sonic\u2019s followers might get a lot of stick online, but I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll ever find a more passionate group of fans.\r\n\r\nIncidentally, on that note, you ought to check out ArchieSonicOnline.com<\/a>. They\u2019re working on a revival of their own, you know. In fact, you may even spot a few familiar STC Humes among the credits!\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Flashback Zone Info” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJust remember, ASO – we had the idea first! All the best to you and here\u2019s hoping we\u2019ll be celebrating your 50th issue in future too!\r\n\r\nWell\u2026 I already have, of course. Like I said, I\u2019m a time-traveller!\r\n

See you next Space-Time!<\/h3>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Control Zone” background_color=”rgba(255,226,226,0.8)” custom_padding=”|||” disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”reviewzone” module_class=”zone-header” _builder_version=”3.0.67″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.stconline.co.uk\/comics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/logo-reviewzone.png” prev_background_color=”rgba(255,226,226,0.8)” next_background_color=”rgba(156,39,176,0.8)”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”15px|||” custom_margin=”25px|||” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.64″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_phone=”|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Review Zone Info” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_color=”rgba(255,87,34,0.8)” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\n\"Sonic\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nAvailable on:<\/strong> PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch\r\nGame Type:<\/strong> Platformer\r\nPlayers:<\/strong> 1\r\nPublisher:<\/strong> SEGA\r\nPrice:<\/strong> \u00a329.99\r\n\r\nReviewer:<\/strong> Michael Corker\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Review Zone Text” background_layout=”light” module_id=”controlzonetext” _builder_version=”3.0.82″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”20px|||” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left” box_shadow_position=”outer”]\r\n\r\nIt’s only been two months since Sonic Mania was released and Sonic is back again with Sonic Forces!\r\n\r\nWe asked some of the STC team who have played it so far to give us their quick Raves and Graves for the latest Sonic adventure!\r\n\r\n