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Knuckles the Echidna Publication Details Issue  3 Date Published  March 1997 Publisher  Archie Comics Production Staff Cover Artist Patrick Spaziante Ken Penders Writer Ken Penders Kent Taylor Pencils Manny Galen Inks Andrew Pepoy Letters Jeff Powell Colors Karl Bollers Editor J. Freddy Gabrie Managing Editor Victor Gorelick Editor in Chief Richard Goldwater First Appearances

Archie Knuckles the Echidna Issue 3 was the third issue of the spin-off Knuckles the Echidna comic series.

Summary

Story One

"Blood is Thicker"

Continuing from last issue Knuckles and the Chaotix are trying to escape from a stampede of scared inhabitants while avoiding the Dark Legion. Mighty creates another roadblock using a tree to stop the stampede, but the fire continues towards them. Vector is instructed by Knuckles to use his headphones to stop the force of nature. Vector turns one of his favourite tunes on at full volume and sends the fire away with 'Sonic Boom'. The fire is sent back at the approaching Dark Legion and they retreat from the area. 

In the past, the High Council are struggling to deal with the clash between the echidnas and the Dark Legion which may lead to civil war. Steppenwolf comes in to help the High Council, but he is grabbed by other echidnas and accused that it was his family's fault. Steppenwolf tries to convince them that his family have also helped them, but Council Garek pulls out a gun and yells that they should kill him because it is what the Dark Legion seeks. Steppenwolf walks over to him and tells him if it is what he believes, that he should pull the trigger. Council Garek refuses and cries that he is not worthy. Steppenwolf pleads his case to the High Council that they should build a bridge to each other for a peaceful option to be made. The High Council agrees and wishes the Guardian good luck on his mission. 

In the present, Knuckles and the Chaotix stumble on crashed saucers and tanks as well as members of the Dark Legion. All of them disguise themselves using the Dark Legion's cloaks and saucers (except Charmy) and head towards their base. In Haven, Locke and Archimedes are watching Knuckles with Locke arguing that he wanted tokeep Knuckles away from the Dark Legion and from the rest of their history. He sends Archimedes to find Knuckles and to try and keep him out of harm's way seeing that Knuckles isn't ready to face them. Knuckles and the Chaotix arrive at their base and head to the Great Hall, where Kragok is addressing the Dark Legion and tells themthat they are after the Chaos Emerald. Knuckles approaches the stage to stop Kragok and reveals himself to the crowd. 

In the past, Steppenwolf approaches the Dark Legion and their Grandmaster Menniker. An assassin aims for Steppenwolf, but he is disarmed. Menniker pulls out a weapon yelling that Steppenwolf is not to be trusted. Steppenwolf dodges and disarms Menniker and they begin fighting with punches and kicks. Steppenwolf manages to pull off his mask and he is shocked seeing that it is Menniker, his cousin. Menniker tells him that he arrived at Dimitri's gravestone and his father had sent him a message to continue his legacy. Seeing that the Dark Legion are going to cause disaster to their people, Steppenwolf uses his chaos powers and sends the Dark Legion into the Twilight Zone. After the Dark Legion disappear, Christopheles teleports to Steppenwolf saying that Dimitri's legacy could continue with Steppenwolf replying that "it's a question for another day".  

At the Dark Legion's base, Knuckles begins fighting Kragok while the Chaotix take out members of the Dark Legion. Knuckles manages to stun Kragok with a punch in his jaw when Archimedes appears to him. They soon become outnumbered and the place falls apart from Locke using his link to the Chaos Emerald. Kncukles runs after a fleeing Kragok to try and get answers from him. Kragok manages to escape and Knuckles and the Chaotix flee from their base as it crumbles around them. Knuckles tells the Chaotix that next time the Dark Legion appear that "there will be a different story."

Quotes

Key Events

• The Dark Legion manage to escape from Knuckles and the Chaotix

Background Information

• When Steppenwolf was training, one of the equations reads "N=64", an obvious reference to the Nintendo 64, and another had "32 Bit" possibly a reference to the Sega 32X.
• This issue's cover is the third part of a three-part image.
• It is revealed in this issue that Vector's favorite song is "Sonic Boom" from the game Sonic the Hedgehog CD.
• Characters in the stampede include Renfield Rodent, Heavy, Bomb, Catweazle, Dylan and Hamlin.