Sonic the Hedgehog 246

I’ve read both this and the ASO version of this arc, and despite how natural it is to compare them, their narrative goals are so different that they’re apples and oranges.

This arcs low point is the novel attempt at a work around in part 2, following Knuckles arriving on the scene, but is ultimately very clunky as characters are cut around in scenes they were previously in.

Following that though, the action is well paced, with the art given a lot of room to breathe, and the conclusion is a compelling low point for Knuckles. His people are gone and he never had the courage to face them after his actions as Enerjak. This arc is clearly written to establish Thrash as a villain, for a later confrontation and closure on a lot of his plot threads, that unfortunately never saw publication.

ASO retelling has much narrower scope. It’s a fan project and labor of love, that’s aim is to resolve plot threads rather than heighten for a follow-up. It’s a bit overwritten, mainly in the fact that it has a lot to wrap up and not a whole lot of room to do it.

There are hanging plot threads in it’s conclusion and while I haven’t read the other ASO material where they are probably followed up on, this arc was clearly written with finality as its goal, to given Knuckles the happy ending the reboot prevented.

Both versions succeeded in what they set out to do, under trying circumstances, but arc in the series proper seems to get additional and undue hate due to understandable bitterness.

This arc, It’s just filler fluff tbh compared to the ASO version tbh

I will say, the premise of Lien-Da fighting Sonic was actually sorta interesting, this fight with Thrash with Knuckles is too drawn out and nothing really happens. They punch each other and Thrash gets away, wow. Not the best use of Knuckles. Then there’s no payoff at all cuz we aren’t with Knux and the Chaotix long enough for it to matter.

None of Ken’s Echidnas were going to come back after the reboot anyway, so nothing that happens in this special is of any consequence. It’s not like Thrash survived either.