Marble Garden Menace is a complete Sonic the Hedgehog story that first appeared in Sonic the Poster Mag 6. It was later reprinted in the first Sonic Holiday Special.
Staff[]
- Script: Lew Stringer
- Art: Mike Hadley
- Colours: Darren Stephens
- Lettering: Ellie de Ville
Story[]
In Kintobor's Laboratory, the Kintobor Computer informs Sonic that there is Badnik activity on the Floating Island, namely the Marble Garden Zone. Since Tails isn't around to fly him there in the biplane, Sonic decides to take the untested Hyper-Spring. The hedgehog isn't fazed that the spring may not be ready, but is more concerned when Amy Rose arrives and wants a date. Sonic is too busy and leaps on the Hyper-Spring, but a keen Amy grabs hold of his leg as he shoots into the air. Despite the extra weight, Sonic manages to grab onto the island's edge and pulls the pair of them up. As Amy marvels in her surroundings, Sonic narrowly rescues her from a Spiker 2. However, she soon repays the favour by destroying a charging Pointdexter, freeing the organic battery inside.
The bear begins to explain that Doctor Robotnik has created the Combinik, a new Badnik that combines the best qualities of three different robots. As Sonic notes that they also need to look out for Knuckles the Echidna, the ground caves in, revealing a death trap for the hedgehogs to navigate. The Combinik then bursts out of the wall, its hard casing easily proving a match for Sonic's Spin Attack. When Amy's crossbow also fails to do anything, Sonic takes the fight outside and runs across a fragile bridge. The heavy Combinik follows and destroys the walkway, sending it the mud below. The impact frees the three birds inside.
Soon enough, Tails arrives in the plane, allowing Sonic to avoid the question of working with Amy in the future. As the three of them fly away, Knuckles bursts out of the ground, irritated that he was unable to catch Sonic.
Trivia[]
- Darren Stephens made his only contribution with this strip.
- This story appears to take place between Enter Knuckles and Power of the Chaos Emeralds. The creation of the Combinik is put in question, since Robotnik should be locked up in Sonic's base.
- The Hyper-Spring makes no more appearances.
- Amy shows no concern that her weight could have killed them both, instead making a fat joke.
- Spiker 2s made no other appearances.
- The Mobian rescued from the Pointdexter was not rescued from the island by Tails.
- Sonic states he "forgot to warn" Amy about the crumbling floors, despite this not happening on his previous visit.
Timeline[]
As stated, this strip falls between Enter Knuckles and Power of the Chaos Emeralds. The previous Sonic the Poster Mag strip was Ocean of Horror. The next is Facts of Life.