Issue 79

Issue 79 is the seventy-ninth edition of Sonic the Comic, the UK's official SEGA comic. Released on the 25th of May 1996, at the price of £1.20, it contained four original stories, three of them new, as well as several features, a chance to win one of 80 SEGA T-Shirts, and a spinner free gift. This issue celebrated STC's 3rd birthday.

Contents[]

Control Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog - Return to the Miracle Planet
Review Zone
Knuckles the Echidna - The Ghost Ship: Part 6
"Segaworld is Coming"
Miles "Tails" Prower - Grounded
Q Zone
Sonic's World - Revolution: Part 1
Speedlines
Next Issue

Stories[]

Sonic the Hedgehog[]

Return to the Miracle Planet is a complete story, starring Sonic, Amy Rose and Johnny Lightfoot. Created by Nigel Kitching, Roberto Corona, Steve White and Ellie de Ville, the story sees the Freedom Fighters return to the Miracle Planet to reverse the damage done by the Brotherhood of Metallix and the Alpha Device. Things are going well, until Sonic sees a shadow, which turns out to be a Metallix! However, on the bring of being defeated, the Metallix reveals itself to just be a bird in a scrapheap costume. Unfortunately, Amy already fired an arrow in his direction...but Sonic is quick enough to stop the arrow without anyone knowing what happened.

Knuckles the Echidna[]

The Ghost Ship is a 6-part Knuckles story, co-starring Captain Plunder. Written by Kitching, drawn by Nigel Dobbyn and lettered by Elitta Fell, Knuckles has found himself trapped by the Tantaror. The echidna valiantly fights back, but he is too weak. The enemy retrieves the Idol of Tantaragor and tries to return home, to no avail. It appears they are already home, thanks to Ekkletos. Revealing that the deity used Knuckles as bait, he plans to punish the slave masters. Back in Scourge Bay, Plunder refuses to hand over his documents, but Queen Zorabel has other ideas.

Tails[]

Grounded is a complete story about Tails, written by Lew Stringer, drawn by Corona, coloured by Gina Hart and lettered by Tom Frame. Tails has been sent to the Aquatic Ruin Zone to investigate a new Badnik and soon finds it as the pest fires web to tie Tails' tails together. With Tails unable to fly, the fox improvised, using a tree to catapult him into the air to destroy the Badnik. However, he flew into the water, to be chased by a Masher Badnik. Fortunately, the fish's teeth cut the web and allowed Tails to swim away and out of the water.

Sonic's World[]

Revolution is a 4-part Sonic's world adventure, written by Stringer, drawn by Kitching, coloured by John M Burns and lettered by Frame. Yet again, a Badnik raid is unleashed on the citizens of the Metropolis Zone and Sonic, Amy and Johnny are on hand to tackle it. What's different this time is that they've been joined by another Badnik army, that of Commander Brutus. The army defeats Robotnik's badniks and turns on Sonic, before Brutus arrives personally to declare war against Robotnik. The tyrant isn't too happy and prepares his troops. Meanwhile, Brutus uses his laser blaster to knock Sonic out and captures the other heroes.

Features[]

Control Zone[]

The Control Zone, hosted by Megadroid, celebrates STC's 3rd birthday and announces the features and stories inside. There's also news that the comic is moving from being released on Saturday to Wednesday. The SEGA Charts show two new entries and two non-movers making up the leaders. Toy Story is the Mega Drive's new winner, while Wipe Out is the champion of the Saturn this week. Earthworm Jim and Sonic Chaos remain top of the Mega-CD and Game Gear charts, respectively.

Review Zone[]

This week, True Pinball is reviewed by David Gibbon and awarded 86%.

Segaworld is Coming[]

News is given about the forthcoming Segaworld (now just a regular arcade in London's Trocadero), the rides on offer and prices of admission.

Q Zone[]

Earthworm Jim 2 was given special treatment this issue. Part 1 of the guide covers specific tips for the levels, next issue contains cheats.

Speedlines[]

The pictures in this issue's Speedlines are related to birthdays and celebrations. Letters this week ask for a Mighty the Armadillo pin-up, another gets the Chaotix Crew and the Freedom Fighters confused and the third letter asks for more Super Sonic. Megadroid promises that a Super Sonic story begins next issue, entitled The Fury, although it is actually the 3-part Running Wild.