#30 [Jan 1996] "The Return of Uncle Chuck" Story: Angelo Decesare; Art: Art Mawhinney After two pages of Sonic's reminiscing about Uncle Chuck, we dive into the plot. Robotnik and Snively are preparing to test a "transdimensional transporter" [hereinafter "T2"], and are about to use Uncle Chuck as a test subject. Something goes wrong (though John Johnston suggests in his review that Snively had this planned all along) and Robotnik ends up trapped in the Void. While Snively goes off to show Robotnik how to properly crush a rebellion, there is an unforseen consequence of the accident: Uncle Chuck regains his consciousness and will. Quick cut to Uncle Chuck's deserted chili dog stand where Sonic just happens to be mooning about Uncle Chuck, and where Uncle Chuck just happens to pop up. Before there can be a tearful reunion, quick cut to Knothole some time later where Uncle Chuck could apparently think of nothing better to do than whomp up a batch of chili dogs for the gang before warning them about Snively. Uncle Chuck returns to Robotropolis, where he steals plans Snively has drawn up to mount a T2 on the nose of an aircraft. Sonic and Uncle Chuck go after the plane, but Sonic is (for lack of a better word) voided. Snively, with Sonic held as a captive audience, then wastes a sizable chunk of the Great Forest before he's shot at from another aircraft, this one piloted by Uncle Chuck. Snively is all set to destroy the entire planet out of either spite or bad writing when Robotnik drops in on him...literally. Seems Uncle Chuck got him out of the Void in some unspecified way [Can you say "Deus ex machina?" I knew you could], and returned him to Mobius on condition that Robotnik not harm the freedom fighters. The cookout resumes. This little story has some BIG problems, especially when compared with the "Sonic Conversion" episode. In the latter, Uncle Chuck's "restoration" is not just an accident or the byproduct of an accident. His building of the holographic diarama of Mobius helped establish his scientific credentials; in this story (as well as the comics in general) he almost comes off as a glorified short- order cook. Worst of all, there is NO SPACE AT ALL devoted to Sonic and Uncle Chuck's reunion despite so much set-up. Any emotional impact has been totally sacrificed. IMHO, a comic adaptation of "Sonic Conversion" would have been preferable; it would have also given Mawhinney a chance to draw "the Bunnie bod" in its entirety, though showing Bunnie in profile at the top of page 8 is less than flattering. "Who Keeps Stealing My Chaos Emeralds?" Story: Paul Castiglia; Art: Pat Spaziante In order to further safeguard some Chaos Emeralds from a thieving "anteater", Robotnik sends Coconuts to set some traps on an island base. The traps are pure Chuck Jones-Roadrunner stuff (and Castiglia does nothing to hide the allusion) and Coconuts comes off worse than the shadowy biped "anteater" who (it is revealed in the last panel) is Bunnie, making her first appearance as a Spaziante subject. Except for some severe foreshortening of her left arm, her depiction should please her fanboys; as for keeping her "on model" [see discussion of #29], Spaziante literally skirts the issue. Sonic Art Knuckles' Chaotix Sneak Peek: 2-page splash/tease. Haven't played the game, but I seriously question the existence of Renfield the Rodent (who looks too much like a Chicago alderman to suit me). Sonic Grams: Different artist [Freddy Mendez], same lame office humor. One page of plugs, which includes the information that Geoffrey St. John will resurface in Sonic #31, and the return of Mecha Sonic as part of the Chaotix special issue. Also, in answer to several questions in a letter, the news that Amy Rose will be reappearing at some point.