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Sonic the Hedgehog Publication Details Issue  203 Date Published  August 2009 Publisher  Archie Comics Production Staff Cover Artist Patrick Spaziante Cover Colorist Patrick Spaziante Writer Ian Flynn Pencils Steven Butler (first story) Jamal Peppers (second story) Inks Terry Austin and Jim Amash (first story) Terry Austin (second story) Letters John Workman (both) Colors Matt Herms (both) Assistant Editor Paul Kaminski Editor Mike Pellerito Managing Editor Mike Pellerito Editor in Chief Victor Gorelick Special Thanks CINDY CHAU & JERRY CHU at SEGA LICENSING First Appearances

Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 203 was the two hundred and third issue of the main Sonic the Hedgehog comic series.

Summary

Story One

"Heavy is the Head" - Part One ("Surprise Visit")

Rory, Snaggle, and Sasha are throwing rocks at Monkey Khan. Sonic took their rocks and questioned why they did it, to which they told about him ruining Mina's performance. Khan apologized and left with Sonic following and questioning him. Monkey Khan attacked Sonic for calling him "king", because of the countless failures he has been through. After explaining himself, Khan cooled down and Sonic stated that at least the Iron Dominion wasn't on the offensive. However, NICOLE suddenly appeared and told Sonic that the Iron Queen and Snively were within the city's walls. At that, Khan suddenly ran off, to Sonic's surprise.

Up in the air, the Iron Queen and Snively are looking down on the city in two Egg Mobiles. Sally warned them to surrender, but they simply mock her. Sally then sends Tails and Bunnie to attack, but then Bunnie's robotic parts act of their own accord and she suddenly attacks Tails. As she struggles, the Iron Queen explains her power and sends her to attack the other Freedom Fighters. Tails attempts to subdue her, but is instead hit with smoke from her boosters. She then looks in horror as her robotic arm goes toward Antoine, but narrowly misses him. Sonic then appears and steers her to a safehouse to contain her. Unfortunately, her arm cannon activates and destroys the unit. She nearly hurts the three orphans, but Monkey Khan saved them. They then plead with him to save Bunnie, but Khan is reluctant to do so.

Meanwhile, the Iron Queen taunts Bunnie, who is now on the verge of fainting. Before the Queen could prepare to have Bunnie fire another shot, Monkey Khan appears and attacks the two, releasing Bunnie from her control. Sally then orders Sonic to take Bunnie (who has lost consciousness) to Freedom HQ to safety.

Up in the air, the Iron Queen mocks Khan while he demands she retreat. Suddenly, Snively sneaks behind him and takes his crown. As Mighty and Vector arrive, Khan screams for them to run as the Iron Queen binds him with her magic and takes control of him, body and mind.

Story Two

"Friend in Deed" - Part One:

Knuckles is thinking about how Espio suddenly turned traitor on him. As he reminisces, he looks behind him and sees Espio. They start to talk before Espio starts to attack Knuckles with a kunai. He then goes on the other side of the Master Emerald. As Knuckles goes after him, Espio grabs Knuckles by his dreadlocks and holds him over the edge of the island.

Quotes

• Sonic: (to Khan) What was that? Where's your infamous temper, monkey-boy?

Key Events

• The Iron Queen temporarily takes control of Bunnie Rabbot.
• The Iron Queen brainwashes Monkey Khan.
• Knuckles starts his fight with Espio.

Background information

• This issues Sonic Grams contained the first hint that Cream the Rabbit would be making her debut in the Archiverse at some point; a debut that would eventually come to fruition with StH: #217.