Calling all badniks…note
| Written by: | Evan Stanley |
| Year: | Five |
| Saga: | Eggman's Legacy |
| Issue: | #49 |
The lone 49th issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog IDW comic, and the main book’s lead-in to the milestone 50th issue.
Sonic, Tails and Belle try out a few signals with the hope that it'll turn Badniks good, which seems to work. However, that night Belle and the friendly Motobug (dubbed Motobud) suddenly come under a signal that has them attack the pair. After they free Belle from it, the trio head out to find out what's causing it.
Tropes used in this storyline:
- And I Must Scream: After Tails uses a spare Zeti Zapper to free her from the control signal, Belle implies that she was fully aware of what she was doing, but unable to stop.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Belle and Motobud start attacking Sonic once the mystery signal kicks in. Tails manages to bring Belle back to her senses with a spare Zeti Zapper.
- Big Damn Heroes: At one point, Motorbud manages to pin down Sonic by his glove, giving Belle the chance to attack with the tools in her fingers. Just as she's about to do so, Tails arrives and tackles her to the ground.
- Bittersweet Ending: Belle finds a letter from Mr. Tinker of his last words for her, confirming that her father is truly gone. But at least it is closure and Sonic comforts her that her friends have got her back. With new resolve, she join Tails and him in investigating what's sending out the signal.
- Cerebus Syndrome: Kicks in after a few pages, marking the point where the plot invokes this trope in the main comic (having already done so in Imposter Syndrome).
- Company Cross References: A planned entertainment system, Sega Chan, can be seen on Tails' shelf.
- Continuity Nod:
- Tails uses a leftover Zeti Zapper to free Belle from the signal's control.
- Sonic and Tails run into Gala the Hound, who was introduced back during the Tangle & Whisper miniseries. They also get them to safety by taking them to a vegetable truck that was seen in Issue #17.
- Motobud turns out to be the same Motobug Mr. Tinker built back in Issue #12, moments before Metal Sonic showed up and turned him back into Eggman.
- Dead Man Writing: In a sense. Belle finds a letter (inside Motobud) from Mr. Tinker who managed to write it after he went under the electroshock treatment from Dr. Starline (and before Metal Sonic showed up), fearing that they'll succeed in bringing back Eggman. He tells Belle if that should happen, that he's sorry for his actions as the mad doctor and that he loves her.
- Fighting Your Friend: Sonic is forced to fight Belle when she attacks him and Tails under the signal's influence. She and Motobud gain the upper hand, but Tails is able to stop Belle before she can kill Sonic.
- Glowing Eyes of Doom: Belle and the other Badniks' eyes glow purple due to the control signal. This clues Tails in to what's happening when he notices.
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Attempted by Tails when Belle starts attacking Sonic and him. She is shown visibly straining against trying to attack him, but the signal is too strong to resist and she continues with her assault, forcing Sonic to play decoy while Tails gets the Zeti Zapper.
- Mythology Gag:
- Sonic gets impatient while being covered by a sheet, tapping his foot against the ground stating "I'm waiting" while doing so, a reference to his Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog counterpart.
- The Badniks that they test the Motobud's control signal on are a group of Akatentos and Ginpes from the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 4 respectively.
- One of Tails' figures on his shelf resembles the Guardian Robot from Sonic the Comic.
- Sonic wakes up with a book on his face in the middle of the night, similar to the opening of Sonic and the Secret Rings.
- Sequel Hook: Naturally, as a lead-in to the 50th issue. Sonic, Tails and Belle find where the signal is coming from, a large city-sized Eggman complex where all the Badniks are converging. After Sonic cheers Belle up, the three head there to get some answers.
- Shout-Out: Tails' shelf is full of them, having action figures based on the following:
- Mettaton from Undertale.
- Metabee from Medabots.
- The titular Astro Boy.
- The titular The Iron Giant.
- An Arwing from the Star Fox series.
- A Dalek from Doctor Who.
- A freighter and X-wing starfighter from Star Wars.
- The RX-78-2 Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam.
- The titular Giant Robo.
- A Tachikoma from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
- Simultaneous Arcs: Takes place at the same time as Issue #4 of Imposter Syndrome where Starline, Surge and Kit have enacted their plan. Or rather, in the latter two's case, set up a trap to kill Sonic, Eggman and Starline.
- Took a Level in Badass: Belle has gotten much bolder and more self-confident after her experiences in Trial by Fire.
- Tranquil Fury: Belle's expression when she comes to her senses has this trope written all over it.Belle: I am going to find [Eggman] and give him a piece of my mind because I am tired of being yanked around.
- Yank the Dog's Chain: Belle's Badnik-repurposing plan initially succeeds and she is shown to be truly happy with Motobud. Unfortunately, her joy is soon shattered by Starline's machinations once more, forcing her to disassemble the Motobug Badnik that she became friends with in the previous arc.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Belle has a brief Heroic BSoD after reading her father's last letter, but Sonic consoles her, stating she's already made a difference and that they'll move forward together. With that, she recomposes herself and heads off with the boys into Eggman's city.
