For the Sonic Holiday Special 1996 story, see Break Out!.
Breakout is a 2-part Amy & Tekno story beginning in Issue 120 of Sonic the Comic.
Staff[]
- Lew Stringer - script
- Andy Pritchett - B&W art
- Steve White - colouring
- Gordon Robson - lettering
Story[]
After her Christmas break on Mobius, Amber is about to return home to the planet of Kaamdaarn since the gateway between the dimensions will soon close. Before she goes, she has a present for Shortfuse the Cybernik. Summoning a ball of energy, everyone is amazed when Shortfuse's armour opens up and reveals Shorty! He can now wear the armour whenever he wants to. As Amber fades away, Shorty is ready to party - although Tekno the Canary urges him to have a bath first... Later, Tekno, Shorty and Amy Rose visit the Metropolis Zone for a New Year's Eve party, only for new villain, the Party Pooper arrives. Armed with a massive magnet, he plans to halt the chimes of the bell and effectively freeze time in 1997! When Amy reveals stopping a clock doesn't stop time, and Tekno reveals the brass bell isn't affected by magnetism, Pooper points his magnet at Shortfuse instead, aiming to destroy him. Unfortunately for him, Shorty wasn't in the armour and tackles him. The charge bumps the magnet, pointing at some scaffolding that quickly falls towards them. Amy and Tekno save the Party Pooper and Shorty and the villain admits he only turned to crime because nobody invites him to parties. Despite his resolution to turn good, his scheme has inadvertantly hit a prison, reawakening Vermin the Cybernik!
Escaping from his cell, Vermin causes havoc by destroying his immediate surroundings. The three heroes are enjoying a peaceful 1998 day in the Emerald Hill Zone until Tekno receives a call about Vermin's return. A furious Shorty dons his armour and the three head off to stop the villain. Swatting aside some insect workers, he's much happier when Shortfuse turns up for a scrap. Amy tries to convince him not to follow Doctor Robotnik's orders now that he's been defeated, but Vermin contemplates going freelance. Things look bad when Vermin raises a tail, the heroes remembering it could inject Shortfuse with a deadly virus. Instead, Vermin sticks it into a generator, able to absorb energy. Amy's crossbow proves ineffective and Tekno's plan to return to her workshop doesn't please Shortfuse. Instead, he invites Vermin to steal all his programs, probably ending his life. However, Vermin's armour opens up, Shortfuse revealing he gave up his release program to save the city. Shortfuse quickly destroys Vermin's suit from the inside and the terrified rat attempts to find Robotnik to build him new armour. Amy quickly ties him up and Shortfuse flies off to save the world once more. Vermin is confused why Shortfuse sacrificed his freedom for a "city full of people he hardly knows", but that's what being a hero's all about!
Trivia[]
- Amber previously arrived on Mobius during Peace of the Action. Her departure here marks the last appearance of the Kaamdaarn.
- Shorty would later be freed from his armour again in Game Over.
- The magnet Party Pooper is almost identical to the one used by Robotnik in Cartoon Concerto in The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Yearbooks. Despite this one also being on wheels, the magnet did not move.
- Vermin was deactivated during the events of The Final Victory. He would later be seen in prison (or at least his armour would) in The Syndicate.
- Vermin's line "start spreading the news" is from Frank Sinatra song "New York New York". Additionally, his remark about "old red eyes" being back mirrors Sinatra's comeback album "Ol' Blue Eyes is Back".
- There was previously no mention of Vermin's ability to steal powers, making this addition seem very out of the blue.
Timeline[]
The previous Amy & Tekno story was Peace of the Action. The next is The Lump.