Sonic The Hedgehog IDW Issue #44 

"Tut-Tut little puppet, lies will make your nose grow" -Starline 2021 That line is amazing

I cannot begin to describe how much I absolutely love the character development and heart put into not only the Deadly Six, but Sonic himself as well. If Sega had writers of this caliber, their games would be a million times better. There are times where I nearly CRIED reading some of these moments, like Vector comforting Bella? ..Mm.. That hit me with feels, to say the least.

Im surprised they Took A Character Like Belle who I thought wasn't really going to Serve Much a Of Real Purpose beside Mr Tinkerer Last Legacy and Turn her into Quite The Plot Device that will Introduce 2 Of Newest Adversaries in the Series. That pretty Genius.

Belle: “AND ON TOP OF IT ALL, THERE’S GHOSTS!?” Dr. Starline: *NOT SCIENTIFICALLY POSSIBLE!*

I honestly wasn’t expecting Belle’s backstory to hit as hard as it did like dang. Also Starline’s face @5:27 needs to be an emote lol. That’s the Sonic pogchamp.

10/10 issue!! The delivery was incredible, Starline really showed in this comic! From his comments, facial expressions and how he went against the Chaotix was awesome, and wearing Belles hat at one point. Belle yelling was something unexpected, she really did what she could against Starline being chained down and all and that's highly respectable. She's had a tragic past so hopefully her time with the resistance turns her life around. I really would like to know what Belle is truly capable of, Starline knows so hopefully we know soon too! This issue was very emotional. Again, 10/10.

“He broke my heart” ITS OKAY BELLE, LET IT ALL OUT SWEET GIRL 😭😢🧡

So Starline kidnaps her, prods her by admitting HE'S the one responsible for forever separating her from Mr. Tinker, aka her dad, emotionally manipulates the poor girl by milking her for her love, sadness, anger, loyalty, and free will, all to transfer that data to who would eventually be Surge and Kit; all with ZERO remorse. It's a real shame that a puppet-robot has way more of a heart and soul that the actual organic being. Between the two, Starline is the real puppet for being a slave to evil and his devotion to Eggman. To think he has all that genius, possibly even surpassing Eggman, yet he wastes it on such cruel endeavors. Welp... this is going to backfire spectacularly on him. And if he gets killed off... Well, I wouldn't be surprised.

You can't help but feel bad for Belle. To be hated for a reason beyond her control

I glad vector comforted belle

This comic was definitely a roller coaster of emotions, that's for sure😅

I liked this issue. The conversation between Sonic and Zavok was interesting. It was cool seeing the Chaotix in action and exploring a bit more about Belle. I wonder what plan Starline will have with his two creations. I also wonder what plans the Zeti will have in the future.

Starline, after you create your own personal enforcers, keep this piece of advice in mind: "The sweeter you treat them, the longer you keep them".

0:22 Tails' expression is just so 'I'm so fucking done with you guys' and I LOVE it

Ian did great at realizing Starline's mania for creative technology. Mainly in how Doctor Fashion Disaster was blind to Belle's feelings because of how intricate her programming was, and went a step further to invalidate and take advantage of them. What was AI programming eye candy for Starline felt as real for Belle as those feelings are to us as human beings. To bond with a father figure like Mr. Tinker only to have him take on a Sonic-Saturday-morning-cartoon-Robotnik persona at the height of your quest for identity, it hurts a lot. And it hurts even more to attempt to process what it means for you (well, in this case, Belle.) Even though she is a robot (Badnik?) and her emotions may be lines of AI engineering code, they are genuine to her, and Vector is the only, and perhaps first, person to embrace that and comfort her, even if it's only for one small, silhouetted panel. On a shallower note, I love the Sonic Heroes Stone that Starline has...found...*forgot how it exists*. He has the Knuckles strength, the Tails acrobatics (WHEEE!!), and the Sonic speed, which I hope will be implementrd in future technonlogy. Or better yet, a three-on-one fight with Doctor Fashion Disaster versus Team Sonic. That would be glorious!

Belle's story almost made me cry. The music makes it that much more emotional. Can't wait for issue 45.

2:43 how the crap did this dude get the matrix of leadership

I’m glad sonic still isn’t changing his ideals because of fear. 💙

So the main reason Starline wanted Belle was so he could copy and code loyalty and real emotions onto his clones. That's pretty smart. Orbot and Cubot have emotions but definitely aren't as loyal as Metal whose only emotions are basically anger and envy towards Sonic (Which became so great in Heroes that he locked Eggman in a room). Omega also knows nothing but anger and love(for destruction) and can at least understand friendship towards Shadow and Rouge. However he betrayed Eggman back in Heroes. And the E Series Robots in Adventure used animals as batteries and essentially AI in a way which under the right circumstances (Gamma) could stop following orders and remember what their old (animal) emotions were like. Belle really is one a kind not just because she's made out of wood and not powered by a small animal but because she wasn't built to follow orders like a soldier. She was built out of actual love from a parental figure which made her loyal towards her "dad" which gave her a more deeper understanding of emotions. Damn Starline really *IS* a genius to figure this all out...

2:22 Starline is literally wearing Belle's hat he's such a fanboy

I want to see an issue where Belle, Omega and Gemerl team up for a few issues. Imagine the chaos that could ensue from their clashing personalities!

I loved this issue. And poor Belle! I just wanna hug her now!🥺 And Vector was so sweet to comfort her! We need more of gentle Vector! And I really wanna smack that pretty little beak of Starline's for being so mean! 😡 That Pinocchio reference cracked me up though! And poor Espio getting smacked in the face had me dying!🤣 This was a great end to Zeti Hunt!

Favorite moment: Vector comforting Belle IT'S SO CUTE MAH HEART the whole issue was great 😁

Yes! Tracy Yardley was on pencils! Well done capturing the emotions of all the characters the way only you can do, sir! :D

Issue : 10/10 I really like it. Sonic have nothing to change. A hero is someone who save people, who protect and many things, that not someone who kill, destroy or do otherwise. Of course, the elimination of Eggman, the Deadly Six and Metal is for the good. But it's like forgetting morals and it's like acting with fear. Add to this, I don't think killing eggman is a good idea on Belle perspective. Talking about that, Belle really surprise me. Poor little girl. She litteraly just lost her father because of that creep of Starline. The only people who knew her and listen to her. It's very hypocritical that the people of the village did that to her. They knew she means no arm and just want to help everyone and save the person who trust her since the beginning. I hope that, in the future issue, we will see Belle do a bright smile again. She deserves this.

This issue was AMAZING! They are really doing a great job of developing the new characters and giving the classics a chance to shine. Especially love the talk between Zavok and Sonic. It was an excellent character moment for both of them. Sonic quietly acknowledging that Zavok may have a point, but refusing to bend his principles. Also love Dr Starline in this. He may hold Eggman in high esteem, but he is an evil genius in his own write, and in some ways even more dangerous than Dr Eggman. Poor Belle, having her entire life upended and being driven out like that. I just want to wrap her in a blanket and hold her tight, she's just so precious. STARLINE HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO HER!!!!! HOW DARE YOU BREAK HER HEART! P.S. Did anyone else notice that Dr Starline had the Matrix of Leadership?

6:09 Now Starline has what he needs to create Them: Surge & Kit.

...Man, if I didn't already feel bad for Belle at the end of "The Test", then I certainly would've here. It's bad enough that she lost her father, but we find out that she was basically exiled from the village after the Metal Virus incident and sought out Eggman to try and reason with him...only to be shot down. And now she's being forced to re-live those memories by Starline aka the guy who was basically responsible for Tinker turning back into Eggman (I don't care how many arguments you throw at me about how it was technically Metal Sonic and by extension Sonic who were responsible for that; Starline was the one who kidnapped Tinker in the first place and Starline was the one who got the ball rolling on him becoming Eggman again, so it's still mainly his fault), who by the way doesn't give a single crap about how these events are making her feel and is only concerned with the method for how she feels. Seriously, I felt so much for her when she was curled up in a ball near the end. Good on Vector for comforting her like that; we don't usually see a lot of heartwarming moments like that from him.

Hope Sega is actually giving the writers more freedom in this series.

Yeah the Zeti need to learn that not all heroes will sink to their level. Did I see the Matrix of Leadership on a shelf in one scene, isn't that from transformers?!

8:12 This scene should be put into the hall of best Vector moments. I’m surprised Vanilla hasn’t got with him yet. He’d make an excellent dad!

02:43 Jokes on Starline. The matrix of leadership will never open for someone like him.

2:42 hey the matrix of leadership, nice

2:46 I’d be more concerned that he has the Matrix of Leadership

Im not the only one sees the transformers matrix of leadership at 2:43 right as well as the whole "more then meets the eye" one liner, idw also publishes their comics so neat Easter egg

“THEM”?! As in, Surge and Kit?!

I'm gonna bet Starline has some backup data that the Chaotix doesn't know.

THIS IS THE TEAM CHAOTIX CONTENT WE *DESERVE*

2:45 It can't be a coincidence that there's a Matrix of Leadership facsimile right behind Starline as he says 'More than meets the eye.'

Belle: AND YOU HAVE GHOST! Starline: That Impossible Were in the Living Room.

*Poor Belle…* This was sad, but _epic_

I really hope Mr.Tinker comes back like Kintobor did in Fleetway.

I got a feeling that Dr. Starline is going to be more of a threat in this series. Infact He has been pulling the trigger though out the comics ever since His debut

2:43 How did he get his hands on the Matrix of Leadership?!

Now that I think it...Technically Belle is Metal Sonic, Orbot and Cubot's sister..Also for Omega and Gemerl...And something with Shadow (Well, he has Black Doom's blood but Gerald Robotnik was his creator). Maybe we could see this interactions on the future.

Poor belle she’s like Mr. tinker so much but she’s upset that she had to go through with this 😓😓😓

2:43 Is that the matrix of leadership But also I’m glad we actually got to see a little more of belle’s back story and got a better understanding of what happened. Poor belle, I wanna give her a hug :(

Belle: he broke my heart Vector: like... literally? 'cause tails can maybe fix that.

I feel bad for Belle. She didn't deserve to go through that and be treated as a "monster" because of what happened with Eggman (The IDW Version of Eggman is more ruthless than his game counterpart). Hopefully Belle can earn the people's trust back like Sonic did. She may have lost her father, but she has a new family with Sonic and his friends now and they're not going anywhere. Speaking of Sonic, I know people are giving him flack for showing mercy and compassion to his enemies, but that's who he is. He has a good heart and that's what makes him Sonic. He's not Injustice Superman. Yes, if Eggman died, it would protect people, but Sonic never really viewed him and Metal Sonic as enemies in the true sense of the word (at least for the video games. This point of thinking likely doesn't apply to the IDW Universe. Modern Eggman would be surprised and maybe appalled his IDW Counterpart made the Metal Virus.). Sonic made a mistake, yes, but he made it right in the end. Also, he didn't know that Starline would turn Eggman back to normal. No one did. Lastly, that scene where Zavok rallied the Deadly Six at the end... doesn't that remind people of that ending scene with the Forever Knights from Ben 10 Alien Force (Be-Knighted)? It feels like that to me.

(Ah, I’m always late to these things) Once again another banger! Getting some more out of Belle in this issue is really great. I felt that she had previously lacked a bit of agency and, although she was a very unique character, I didn’t really care all that much about her. This backstory really hits me in the heart and Vector cheering the puppet gal up is just so sweet.

I like how there's a Matrix of Leadership in Starline's lab, as a reference to the IDW Transformers comics.

Poor Belle 😢, I want to hug her.

Man, this comic reminds me of my frustrations with the writing in the IDW series (and to some credit, successfully makes me want to torture Starline to an inch of his life). I seriously wished the concepts, consequences and morality of Sonic's mercy would be more deeply tackled on why he chooses to spare their lives when they would inevitably cause *more people to suffer in the long run*, just for the sake "of giving him adventure. And second, WHY didn't Espio use the opportunity to knock Starline out when he was invisible?? For pete's sake, that would've made their job so much easier.

I can't believe it took me until this issue to realize the pun Tinker-Belle

2:42 Matrix?👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

2:42 Holy crap, it's the Matrix of Leadership. Starline, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH OPTIMUS PRIME?! Oh... You got it from Rodimus Prime. Okay, nothing to see here people.

7:00 Vector make reference to his game counterpart end of team chaotix in sonic heroes

I would like to create a good Eggman in the IDW universe, he would be named Dr. Mobotnik and no one would like him because they think he is like Eggman, so he hide for a really long time before someone find him.

Starline has lost it.

I bet Starline wanted Tails’ hair to give Surge and Kit his intelligence, since he seems to value genius above all else.

I hope that, one day, Belle lets the villagers in Windmill Village know how she felt when they turned their backs on her (in the aftermath of the Metal Virus arc). They will have to work very hard to gain her trust again. If she chooses to wants nothing more to do with them (out of fear of reliving the past and being unfairly vilified and betrayed again), I hope they understand.

If i was Tails I Would Have Self-Destruction those Zeti Zapper when they reach to the Lost Hex and Try to Permanently Get Rid Of the Deadly Six. Sonic may Not be Willing to Destroy his Enemies but the Last time You let a Villain go (Metal Sonic) things didn't end well and Tails is Guy who Learns from his Mistakes. What Sonic Don't Know Won't Hurt Him.

Here's hoping, one way or another, that Sonic learns about EVERYTHING that Starline and Belle said to each other; and that it'll sting him hard! Hard to the point where he can no longer deny that he caused more harm than good by being so careless with his two worst enemies!

2:44 hold the phone; is that the matrix from the transformer movie 1989

I’m glad that they finally showed sonic has some level of guilt for The hand he played in the metal virus while at the same time standing with his principles that he isn’t about to kill off his entire rogues gallery just because they might do something bad in the future

Alright, time for another long, long review (because at this point it's somewhat of a tradition now) Ok. Issue 44. It's was really good! As I said about the Issue 44 first set of preview pages, Sonic and Tails at the start are drawn good, their facial expression even reminding me of Archie. Heading over to Dr. Starline, (who was also beautifully drawn especially Starline's fact when he says "them" [Silver_Sonic's community made me worried for a bit, not gonna lie]). He takes Belle's data and extractes it, my guess is that it will be used in Imposter Syndrome. It is nice to see the Chaotix back in action, taking charge together, which was last in Issues 9-11 with Neo Metal Sonic and Master Overlord (I mean if you want you can count Issue 17, which was the last time they were together, because Charmy became a Zombot). During Belle's backstory, I find it surprising and strange at the same time that she wasn't a victim of the Metal Virus. When you think about she is part robot (or badnik, i guess), but looks like her exterior is made of wood. The Metal Virus could infect plant life, and she was in a large Metal Virus puddle. I really felt bad for Belle when she was essentially disregard as a spy when she has a positive and kind heart. I kinda wonder how far she had to run from Windmill Village (presumably Issue 29-32) to get to that Eggman base from Issue 35. When the Chaotix busted into Starline's bases, he mentions that this isn't he main mega base (that of course being Egg Base Sigma which he conquered with the "help" of Mimic, Zavok, Rough and Tumble in the "Bad Guys" Miniseries [which is most likely where he is conducting experiments for the "Imposter Syndrome" Miniseries]). When Starline escaped, and Vector having a small chat with Belle, I couldn't stop laughing for a soild 3 minutes when Vector said "We can have Tails fix you up a new heart." Bpat the end of the Issue, I started wonder how the Deadly Six would be used again (if ever) in IDW Sonic, but that feels too late to speculate about. Speaking of speculate, I wonder how "Trail By Fire" and "Imposter Syndrome" are going to connect. IDW did say that they we're going to converge at one point or another. What we do know about Trail By Fire (which comes out October 13th, the day after my birthday [so that's nice]) is that it will focus on Tangle, Belle, Jewel, and Amy going on a road trip to relax, with then things go haywire. I really don't know much that, meaning little predictions, but Imposter Syndrome on the other hand... We thankfully havloads of information for the upcoming miniseries. With two new characters, Surge and Kit (who look like they both easily fits into Sonic's world), as Imposters. The general overview says "... a surge of lookalikes spells trouble for Sonic, Tails, and even the dreaded Dr. Eggman!" That could mean theymight make a apperence, which would mark the first time Sonic has appeared in a IDW miniseries (not counting all the times he has been constantly name-dropping throughout "Tangle & Whisper" and "Bad Guys" of course). We would likely see Starline use Belle's data and Tails's fur (that he got in Issue 36). That's really agout as much I got that could realisticly happen (I don't want a crazy conspiracy theory floating around in my head). Also, sorry this took almost a hour since the video' premiere. I had to fact-check a bunch of stuff. :)

2:45 i'm sorry but is that the matrix of leadership from transformers on starline's shelf?

Poor Belle, truly she has lost everything. She lost her father, and her home as the villagers turned on her thinking she was an Eggman spy when Mr. Tinker reverted back to Eggman.

Belle the tinkerer 🔁 Tinker bell

That's why he took Belle, to analyze her artificial sentience to use for Surge and Kit. How clever and time saving. >:)

Starline in Issue 42: You know I will handle you with the utmost respect. Starline in Issue 44: [shows little to no interest in helping her cope with her tragic backstory]

Instead of Vengeance is Mine, you better added Team Chaotix theme

This issue was great. Plus did anyone else catch the Transformers reference. :)

Man, Belle's story is so sad....and Starline, you're so much worse than Eggman. The only thing worse than the idiot fairy hunter after all, is the terrifyingly confident one.

Belle looks so happy on the thumbnail.

Yo espero que en algún futuro belle pueda volver a su hogar y demostrar que es una heroína

2:42 I don't know what's funnier; the Transformers reference Starline makes, or the Matrix of Leadership on the shelf behind him.

0:28 Is NO ONE gonna' talk about the Beauty of thid panel?! After ALL the crap the Zeti caused, this is absolutely cathartic.

2:44 did they just have starling say more than eerily the eye with the matrix of leadership in the background

The reaction of Belle to know the true about Mr Tinker really broke my heart 😢, really Belle is suffering more in his short life then anyone, she was so happy back then.....but Starline has to ruin everything 😞

0:09 During the Metal Virus, I realized Shadow can drive. Then Rouge could drive. And even though Tails has always been driving a plane and other battle machines, this wierd space shuttle whatchamacallit while they were fighting Neo Metal, I never thought about it. But now that I saw him driving that truck (which clearly is what everybody else was driving) I was like, "He can drive?!". 🤗😛 0:35 "DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT. OR DO. I *REALLY* DON'T CARE." lol 🤣

I can't believe that starline has the matrix of leadership from transformers. (2:45)

So Belle was used for copying her emotional side in her design. Eggman is capable of creating robots with a emotional purpose good example of that are Orbot and Cubot

Star has crossed the line!!! I WANT SOMEONE TO BREAK HIM FOR WHAT HE DID TO MY PUPPET BABY!!!

What if starline makes a metal Sonic with emotion

2:42 It looks like Starline is secretly a Transformers fan.

2:45 …is that a Transformers reference?? That device in the background looks… very familiar.

At 0:43 goes I had to say I liked how the soundtrack was going for them

WAIT HOLD UP, did i just see what i think i saw on the shelf at 2:42. idw knows its culture.

At least now Sonic has a point.

2:42 omg is that Optimus Primes matrix of leadership?!

Ngl, I'm starting to like Belle more now

8:04 if shiki saw this...

I do question sonic the hedgehog moral chooses and principles. In the beginning of Sonic Adventure he attempted to kill chaos by aiming for his brain multiple times. In shadow the hedgehog i don't know if this is canon or not but he might of murdered many black arms soldiers. Next in sonic and the secret rings he used Erazor djinn lamp to force the Genie in bringing Shahra back to life and fix the world of the Arabian nights, and lastly he force Erazor djinn to remained trapped his lamp for all eternity. And finally in sonic and the black knight when Merlina told Sonic that the current King Arthur was a benevolent ruler and he was corrupted with the power of the scabbard which turned him into a tyrant. Sonic thought that it is best for him to commit regicide instead freeing King Arthur of the scabbard power liked he did with Merlina when she became the dark queen later on. Oh and sonic didn't know that the King Arthur in that world was an illusion before he killed him. So far sonic doesn't seem to mind committing to torture, life imprisonment and murder. One of his quotes from the black knight was "I already told you, I don't mind playing the bad guy every once in a while." So I wonder why he doesn't give Dr. Eggman one of those three harsh punishments that I mentioned. After all Eggman evil plans in the past including metal virus has caused many people and living beings on other planets to suffer, die, or both. Also lets not forget the time that he put the whole universe in danger by using the Time Eater to erase time and space. EDITED: Also when it came to rough and tumble who were nothing more than school yard bullies to the villagers sonic did not mind putting them in jail. BUT AFTER THE METAL VIRUS PLAGUE WHEN EGGMAN USED ROBOT POWERED BY OMEGA TO KILL SONIC FRIENDS YET AGAIN AND LOST THAT FIGHT TO SONIC. SONIC DECIDED TO LET EGGMAN GO FREE.

Poor Belle, I felt bad for her. Dr. Starline will pay.

2:43 Yo why is the Matrix Of Leadership on that shelf.

I like that the tricore is just one big reference to heroes and it’s main mechanic

At the rate things are going and what he has planned, Starline might become just as much of a worldwide threat as Eggman. Eggman is going have to step up his game if he wants to rule the world.

2:44 hey isn't that in the bottom Optimus Prime matrix of leadership!?!??!

Poor Belle, that damn Starline… how he tortured her! That poor little thing…