L. T.’s Top Five Ten!

Editor Hume Michael asked us to put together our top five STC stories of the online era. But, maybe it’s because I’m a writer and not a mathematician, maybe it’s because I’m a hack, I couldn’t narrow it down below ten. And I still cheated with one of them. That’s just my problem, you see, I love all of STC! Anyway, here’s my top ten:

This is obviously special to the entire team because it’s the very first STC story since the comic became an online publication.

The move couldn’t have started in better fashion: the action gets underway right from the off, the plot progresses smoothly, naturally and keeps you guessing and there’s 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.

This one is more than a strip- it’s a moment.

I’ll 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’d seen before, most notably in Nigel Kitching’s excellent Running Wild. But part three is where the real genius of the story lies: you were supposed to think it’s familiar territory because so does Super Sonic, leading to him falling for the heroes’ brilliant trap that sees him defeated.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that so many talented artists came together to create this awesome story.

Oddly enough, Sonic doesn’t appear in this story despite it being under his banner. But that’s the point: Cream joins the Sky Pirates, thinking she’ll meet her hero, but he’s nowhere to be found.

This 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.

This 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’s inability to control his camouflage.

Secondly, 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!

This story is partly about showing us exactly how Tekno came to be arrested for “crimes” against Robotnik way back when, as an unwilling underling, but it’s also much more than that. It shows the readers in no uncertain terms what kind of a hero Tekno is. The story’s climax comes as Tekno decides to make a very difficult decision, throwing herself on Robotnik’s (lack of) mercy to spare Amy’s life in the hopes that one day the Freedom Fighters will defeat the dictator.

Of course, we all know how things turned out!

Everyone on the team absolutely loves the spiritual predecessor to this one Big the Cat Hits the Road! (and rightly so, it’s great!) but this one gave me probably the biggest laughs of STC’s online run thusfar. Big managing to inadvertently defeat Doctor Robotnik by lobbing a lump of coal at him is a great moment, but it’s the much more subtle interaction between Big and Sonic that really makes this one for me- Big’s unquestioning assertion that Sonic is “a good guy” says a lot about both characters.

That 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.

There 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’s never been stronger since the move online- and Reggie is one of the very best we have.

The 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’s a story where the good guys triumph not because they hit the hardest but because they simply deserved to win.

Also, it’s got a Back to the Future reference in it and I love that film so this gets a bonus point.

I 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’d been wondering who exactly the enigmatic Vichama was. This storyline delivered in droves with art that’s 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.

Another plus point, as far as I’m concerned, is the prominent role Tikal plays in the story- as one of STC’s more underdeveloped characters, it’s lovely to see her in the spotlight for a change.

The entire Syndicate storyline is one of STC’s very best, and I include the print run of the comic in that too. Ed Reynolds’ tightly-crafted story arc is one many of us on the team aspire to reach the heady heights of. But it’s not the explosions or Super Sonic transformation that stuck with me the most, it’s the quiet conversation between Shadow and Sonic, two hedgehogs totally at odds but not, it transpires, very different. You’re left feeling Shadow isn’t necessarily bad at heart and is, in a skewed sort of way, acting out of love.

Perhaps, if things were different, Shadow and Sonic could have been friends. He may come across as cold and ruthless, but Shadow’s motives for helping Doctor Zachary seem ultimately logical, which makes his sacrifice all the more sad when it happens.

There 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’s 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’s exactly the kind of story I aspire to when I write anything for STC.

If it seems like I’m laying it on a bit thick then don’t 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’m very happy and proud to say I’m 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’ and does it make you want to read the next issue as badly?

Honourable Mention Personal Moment of Pride

An Unconventional Convention!

This 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.

I was honoured to be chosen to write this one and humbled at the positive reaction it received on the day.

Perhaps 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’ve worked on is an experience like no other.

That’s the joy of STC for me- reading feedback and finding what people liked (and what they didn’t like so you can improve!). Knowing I’ve put a smile on someone’s face really makes me feel like I’ve done something right.

Anyway, Megadroid keeps tutting and mentioning something about a “word limit”, whatever one of those is, so I’ll cut it short now (That’d be a first! -Megadroid).

50 issues of STC online, what an accomplishment! I hope you lot are ready for the next 50- we definitely are!