DC x Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #1: New Friends, New Foes

It’s time for DC x Sonic round two! With more character combinations and another villainous plot to thwart.

In the time between the first limited series and now, there’s been a lot of speculation on what pairings we’ll see in the future of this crossover. I certainly didn’t expect a bond to form between Big the Cat and Aquaman! That’s such an inspired pairing and I can’t wait to see where that plotline goes. A lot of this issue is dedicated to reuniting the characters from last time, which, in all honesty, I do find a little tedious as it really hasn’t been that long since last time. Maybe it works for people who aren’t intimately familiar with both franchises, but for me, it isn’t the most exciting thing to read, as great as Adam Bryce Thomas’ art is, especially the exaggerated poses he’s able to get the flash into. Though I do find some of his designs a little wonky at times when it comes to the human characters, Superman especially just never looks quite right to me, perhaps he’s too bottom-heavy? Anyway, the panelling is very dynamic and fluid, so it doesn’t bother me too much. Kara and Cream becoming fast friends is adorable, and wanting to stay on Sonic’s world is also a great gag. I also particularly enjoy Guy ribbing Silver– calling him a “palm frond”.

We then cut across to the Teen Titans, with Beast Boy transforming into Tails! As an aside for die-hard Sonic comic fans, it is potentially impossible for him to turn into a green Knuckles, due to the weird rights situation regarding that combination of character and colour, due to the infamous Ken Penders lawsuit. Starfire and Blaze are a very obvious but very fitting combination, with both being royals from far-off kingdoms. Poor Charmy tricked into joining H.I.V.E. is really funny. Batman and Robin using the “Shadow Signal” is also a great gag. Shadow and Damian not getting along makes a lot of sense, though him implying Jason Todd would be a better sidekick is a little odd, perhaps due to their shared experiences of being dead and using firearms. Or maybe because they both have highlights in their hair. It’s always so fun to see how all these characters will interact, and I’m sure is the highlight for many readers, and Ian Flynn certainly knows how to characterise everyone across the board.

Together they work out that Eggman and Lex Luthor have formed an alliance to achieve their nefarious goals. Which means, Eggman will be joining that fan-favourite DC team The Legion of Doom! This will be a lot of fun. Doctor Eggman is a very eccentric character, and I’m sure will both fit in with, and chafe against the Legion’s members personalities. Whatever reason Eggman and Lex have reuinited the worlds, I seriously doubt it’s purely financial, it can’t be good, though for as many new villians are here, there will be just as many heroes.