Sonic the Comic 223

Sonic the Comic #223 "King of the Rings!"
Cover date: 28th December - 9th January 2002
Free gift: Compass watch
Release Date RRP Code Rating UK 2001-12-28 £1.50 ?
← Previous issue

Sonic the Comic #223 is the two-hundredth and twenty-third issue of the Sonic the Comic series by Fleetway Editions Ltd.

This is the final issue of STC, marked by a two-page editorial by Nigel Kitching that talks about the history of his work, which was initially set to appear in issue #200. The editorial also covers his first stories including the Sonic CD and Sonic 3 & Knuckles story arcs, as well as post-#100 creations like the Drakon Empire and the death of Johnny Lightfoot.

Like all issues since #184, there are no new stories; this issue merely collates the 4-part "The Evil Empire" comic originally printed in 1997.

Reprinted stories

• Sonic the Hedgehog — "The Evil Empire: Part 1"

Main article: Sonic the Comic #108

• Sonic the Hedgehog — "The Evil Empire: Part 2"

Main article: Sonic the Comic #109

• Sonic the Hedgehog — "The Evil Empire: Part 3"

Main article: Sonic the Comic #110

• Sonic the Hedgehog — "The Evil Empire: Part 4"

Main article: Sonic the Comic #111

Production credits

Sonic the Hedgehog - "The Evil Empire, Part 1"

• Script: Nigel Kitching
• Art: Richard Elson
• Lettering: Tom Frame

Sonic the Hedgehog - "The Evil Empire, Part 2"

• Script: Nigel Kitching
• Art: Richard Elson
• Lettering: Tom Frame

Sonic the Hedgehog - "The Evil Empire, Part 3"

• Script: Nigel Kitching
• Art: Richard Elson
• Lettering: Tom Frame

Sonic the Hedgehog - "The Evil Empire, Part 4"

• Script: Nigel Kitching
• Art: Richard Elson
• Lettering: Tom Frame

Cover & staff

• Cover art: Richard Elson
• Managing editor: Steve MacManus
• Designer: Paul Shubrook
• Product manager: Nicki Bainbridge
• Marketing assistant: Jane Ballard

Source: Page xx

Role Call

A small box printed to the right of Nigel Kitching's editorial listed the majority of the staff who worked on Sonic the Comic over the years. These include:

• Editors: Richard Burton, Deborah Tate and Audrey Wong
• Designers: Clare Gillmore (spelt incorrectly as Clair Gilmour), Gary Knight, Charles Wrigley, Jason McEvoy, Paul Shubrook and Steve Cook
• Writers: Nigel Kitching, Lew Stringer, Alan McKenzie, Mark Millar and Mark Eyles
• Artists: Richard Elson, Nigel Dobbyn, Anthony Williams, Dermot Power, Mick McMahon (credited as Mike McMahon), Mike White, Jon Haward, John M. Burns, M DJ Boyann (credited as D.J. Boyann), Casanovas, Carl Flint and Roberto Corona
• Letterers: Tom Frame, Steve Potter, Ellie de'Ville (credited as Ellie De Ville), Elitta Fell and Gordon Robson
• Other: Jane Ballard and Chris Power

Although this list is extensive, not all staff members were credited. Jim Alexander missed out from the writing credits, but only penned one story. Steve White is the highest-profile artist omission and Annie Parkhouse is not listed for her single story. Several more editorial team members missed out on a place in the final issue, notably Andy Diggle.

Gallery

• 

  Cover art, by Richard Elson