Issue 78 is the seventy-eighth edition of Sonic the Comic. Released on the 11th of May 1996 at the price of £1.20, the issue contains four original stories (one of them new) as well as several features and a free gift of STC transfers.
Contents[]
- Control Zone
- Sonic the Hedgehog - Plasma
- Graphic Zone
- Knuckles the Echidna - The Ghost Ship: Part 5
- Review Zone
- Shining Force - The Curse of Zeon: Part 6
- Q Zone
- Sonic's World - Hidden Danger: Part 2
- Speedlines
- Next Issue
Strips[]
Sonic the Hedgehog[]
Plasma is a complete story by Nigel Kitching, Richard Elson and Ellie de Ville. Fearing the people think he is going soft, Doctor Robotnik is cracking down hard on his subjects. In a poor part of the Metropolis Zone, Mobians on the Badnik Processing Plant waiting list are freed by the Freedom Fighters but the heroes also have to deal with Plasma and Arnem Abacus. When Sonic's attempts fail, Amy Rose defeats Abacus, subsequently making Plasma disappear.
Knuckles the Echidna[]
The Ghost Ship is a 6-part story written by Kitching, drawn by Nigel Dobbyn and lettered by Elitta Fell. Knuckles, Captain Plunder and Zorabel have been transported to an alien dimension, where the massive Ekkletos wishes for the return of the Tantaragor Idol. He explains that the three other Tantaror heretics are followers of Orkym-Ro and planned to transport them here. Knuckles volunteers to rescue the slaves, but is captured by the aliens.
Shining Force[]
The Curse of Zeon is a 6-part story by Kitching, Martin Griffiths, Gina Hart and Steve Potter. The Shining Force are teleported to the Ancient Tower on Granseal Island and burst in on the Zeonites. Zynk realises they plan to use a nuclear bomb to free Zeon but is sure it could destroy half of the island. With Bowie's help, the team push the bomb into the abyss and barely survive its detonation.
Sonic's World[]
Hidden Danger is a 2-part story written by Lew Stringer, with art by Kitching and John M Burns, lettering provided by Fell. Sonic and Tails are having trouble fighting a robot with a cloaking device, but Sonic manages to run over some water, spraying it over the robot to make it visible. A gust of wind then blows some leaves on it and a Spin Attack makes it fully appear. It soon falls into the river, destroying it.
Features[]
The Control Zone sees Megadroid looking forward to Issue 79's 3rd birthday celebrations as well as the stories and features inside. Tails is said to be excited about the forthcoming party, too. Megadroid reveals that the Sega Charts now have a Sega Saturn section, with the new leader being Sega Rally. FIFA Soccer '96 moves to the top of the Mega Drive chart, Earthworm Jim remains leader of the Mega-CD list and Sonic Chaos also remains rooted to the top of the Game Gear chart.
This issue's Graphic Zone is a "Pirate Zone", with Sonic and friends dressed as pirates. Creative Boomers received a pack of Crayola Overwriters. The Review Zone is a mixed-bag; Chris Jones awards The Ooze (MD) just 70% but David Gibbon is more generous, giving Saturn game Magic Carpet 94% for having no "graves".
After thanking a reader for his Sonic & Knuckles tips, Chris Jones provides his own hints for Super Skidmarks and Street Racer. Speedlines contains letters on an echidna fan, someone requiring new transfers (after wrecking Issue 59's) and another who enjoyed the UKCAC.
Staff[]
- Deborah Tate - editor
- Audrey Wong - assistant editor
- Gary Knight - designer
- Carl Flint - cover art
- Richard Burton - consultant
- Sarah Colley - production
- Gary Bell - marketing manager
- Sarah Connell - advertising
Timeline[]
The previous issue of Sonic the Comic was Issue 77. The next is Issue 79.