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Grimer Wormtongue

From Sonic Retro

Grimer.jpg
Grimer Wormtongue
First seen: Sonic the Comic #21 (1994)
Species: Unknown (possibly reptile)[1]
Gender: Male
Series: Sonic the Comic
Created by: Richard Elson

Grimer Wormtongue is Dr. Robotnik's chief scientist and right-hand man in the British comic series Sonic the Comic by Fleetway Editions.

Character conception

Robotnik's assistant scientist first appeared in Sonic the Comic issue #21, the issue before Robotnik took on his AoStH appearance. Nigel Kitching's original script for this issue referred to the character as Snively, but this was changed as Sonic the Comic did not have rights to use a character created for a TV series.[2][3] In that script, Kitching described him as "having ambitions to power in a Uriah Heep kind of way",[3] though in his appearances in the published comic he was genuinely loyal to Robotnik.

The character design was entirely by Richard Elson.[3] Judging from his looks, demeanour and his hunched back, it's not unlikely that Elson took some cues from Igor from the old Frankenstein movies. His origin and species are never made clear, but Nigel Kitching has said that he is definitely not an alien. Kitching figured that Grimer was probably some kind of reptile.[1]

Name origin

Grimer's name is a play on Grima Wormtongue from The Lord of the Rings. His attitude and role in the comic are similar, too; sneaky and evil, but an utter coward.[2]

Personality and traits

A lizard-like humanoid creature with mysterious oxygen tanks on his back and dressed in a scientist's long white coat, Grimer's background is a complete mystery; he simply appeared in the comic with no prior warning, however it is to be believed he has a cousin called Slimy who lives in the Special Zone; also, another comic exclusive character named Proctor Speckle looks suspiciously like Grimer's race, but it's not confirmed he is related.

Unlike Snively, who hates Robotnik with a passion, Grimer is completely devoted to his master, as no matter how many times he's been on the receiving end of Robotnik's raging fits he continued to serve him at any cost, inventing and co-planning Robotnik's schemes for world domination. He is, however, no fighter. Weak and frail, Grimer never joins Robotnik on the battlefield, preferring to cower in Robotnik's base. When Robotnik was taken prisoner once, he tried to take over his master's place as the ruler of Mobius, but failed miserably.

As Robotnik's inventor, Grimer has created a variety of inventions as well as villains that Sonic and his friends have faced, such as the Metallix line of robots and the shape-shifting villain Metamorphia.

History

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During Robotnik's depressive days towards the end of the comic, Grimer, in a desperate attempt to cheer up his master, unleashed Chaos upon the world, only to find out there was no way of stopping it. When Super Sonic defeated Chaos, Robotnik had truly lost his mind and, despite all he had been through, this was the last straw for Grimer, who quit. The comic ended shortly after.

References


Sonic the Comic characters
Main Sonic the Hedgehog | Miles "Tails" Prower | Porker Lewis | Johnny Lightfoot | Amy Rose | Knuckles the Echidna | Dr. Robotnik | Grimer Wormtongue
Recurring Dr. Ovi Kintobor | Megadroid | Charmy Bee | Espio the Chameleon | Mighty the Armadillo | Vector the Crocodile | Shortfuse the Cybernik | Metallix | Captain Plunder | Filch | Simpson the Cat | Omni-Viewer | Tekno the Canary | Nack the Weasel | Ebony | Super Sonic
Others Arachbot | Megatox | Grouchio | Chichio | Harpio | Errol Blackthorn | Shirob/Trogg | Evil One | Metamorphia | Morain | Commander Brutus | Doctor Zachary | Plasma | Arnem Abacus | Max Gamble | Lord Sidewinder | Proctor Speckle/Mr. Fry | Lightmare | Bio-Hazard | Old Sonic | Vermin the Cybernik | Pyjamas | Fabian Vane | Blockhead Bill | Society Max | Ring of Eternity | Colonel Granite | Crimson Cobra | Cribbins | Chaos | Tikal | Pochacamac
Groups Freedom Fighters | Emerald Hill Folk | Marxio Brothers | Enchanter Kings | Sky Pirates | Chaotix | Brotherhood of Metallix | Fundamental Four | Veg-Heads | Spice Maidens | Drakon Empire | D.R.A.T. | Plax | Death-Trap