Sonic the Hedgehog 023 (Archie)

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Sonic the Hedgehog #23 "Sonic the Hedgehog"
Writer: Angelo Decesare
Pencils: Dave Manak, Rich Koslowski, Mindy Eisman, Barry Grossman, Scott Fulop and Victor Gorelick
Cover artist: Dave Manak/Jon D'Agostino
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the twenty-third issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. It was released in June 1995.

This comic features two stories: 'Ivo Robotnik, Freedom Fighter!', and The Vol-Ant'-Teer.

Ivo Robotnik, Freedom Fighter!

Sonic, Tails and Sally are out looking for berries for food in the Great Forest. Out of nowhere, Sonic starts dancing rapidly, kicking up a ton of dust. Sally asks what's going on, as Sonic sits beside a tree and takes off one of his sneakers, saying there's ants in them. He takes the ants out, noticing they are Mobian Farmer Ants that Rotor keeps. Rotor, who is also looking for berries, runs over and grabs the ants, thanking him for finding them. Sonic, however, is not amused, asking Rotor why he keeps ants. He tells Sonic that he enjoys watching them, and that the ants love living in an ant farm anyway. Despite loving the ant farm, Sonic is curious as to why they keep escaping. Looking over the horizon, Sally changes the subject, calling out to Sonic that Robotropolis is nearby and to hurry up picking the medicinal berries they need.

From behind, hiding in bushes, Robotnik spies on the Freedom Fighters, preparing his next move. He sprouts out with a portable roboticizer, and fires at Sally. Sonic is quick to act, and moves her out of the way. They watch as Robotnik turns his attention to Rotor, who is searching for his ants that he dropped and is unaware of Robotnik. He aims, but is too slow as Sonic runs out of cover to aid him. Before anything else can be done, a giant vacuum appears in the sky, sucking everything in the area, including the Freedom Fighters, Robotnik and Snively. The vacuum (the umbilicus) leads to a square-shaped vessel in the sky.

They land in the vessel, which consists of a large room with many windows around the perimeter. Sally looks out, noticing they are miles above Mobius. Robotnik is quick to place the blame, claiming it is one of his tricks. Sonic himself is confused, trying to convince Robotnik of that, while Rotor tries to figure out who brought them up to the vessel overall. An impatient Robotnik decides to try to go down the tunnel to return to ground, but is stopped by a large metallic hand. The hand lifts him up, as he looks to see the culprit: a large metallic humanoid figure poking up from the level below. Robotnik reacts in fear as the figure tells him that they are remaining with him forever. The others remain fearful as Robotnik is at the will of this being, and them too.

Trying to keep the situation under control, Sonic demands to know the identity of this being. He identifies himself as Car-Heem, a collector from the planet Weeet who has come to collect and study their species. In an attempt to get free, Robotnik tries to sell Car-Heem a copy of 'The Robotnik Handbook'. Car-Heem yells at Robotnik to be silent, and threatens to dispose of him as he appears to be of an inferior species. To save his life, Sonic starts a fib, claiming Robotnik is one of their own: a Freedom Fighter, and is an important member of their group. Tails becomes confused by the ruse as Sally continues, backing up Sonic's statements. Robotnik, seizing the opportunity, follows the fib, intriguing Car-Heem, who works independently rather than other members of his species. To understand more of this means of cooperation, he puts the group in his observation tank: a large replica of a part of Mobius in a tank environment.

Even upon arrival, Robotnik becomes disgusted by the situation, having to live in a non-toxic environment. Sonic, meanwhile, tries to distract Car-Heem away, by asking for some food. He walks away to get some food for the group, giving Sonic the opportunity to try to escape undetected. He does a spindash into the glass wall of the tank, but is bounced back. The group realize they are truly trapped, with no means of escape.

Days pass by as the Freedom Fighters try to adapt to their new home, building a shelter and preparing accommodations. Robotnik, however, has remained his lazy self and doesn't help the others in their efforts, despite them saving his life. Sonic goes over to Robotnik and tells him that, as Car-Heem is constantly monitoring them, if he doesn't act like a Freedom Fighter, he'll get suspicious and likely dispose of him if he finds out he isn't a Freedom Fighter. Fearing for his life, Robotnik gets up and demands to know what he should do. Sonic, taking advantage of the opportunity, forces Robotnik to take the Freedom Fighter Oath, which effectively makes him insult himself. After the oath, an embarrassed Robotnik is approached by Snively, who jokingly congratulates him on becoming a Freedom Fighter.

That evening, while everybody else is asleep, Sonic and Rotor contemplate about being in the same situation as Rotor's ants. This gives Sonic an idea, remembering Rotor's comment that he watches ants because they are interesting. He realizes that they should stop being interesting to Car-Heem, which could prompt him to open the lid on the tank to escape. This presents another problem, because they have no means to get back to Mobius. Robotnik arrives from aside, telling them that, as long as he can have the materials to do it, he can create a vessel to get out of the tank. After that, Sonic can distract Car-Heem, while he operates the umbilicus to get them back home. Sonic's sceptical, as he wonders why they should trust him. He reminds the two that he is, in fact, a Freedom Fighter...while snickering to himself.

Background Information

• Although the first story's title is 'Ivo Robotnik, Freedom Fighter!', the cover page states ' Doctor Robotnik, Freedom Fighter!'.