Warning: spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog #60Easily Tails’ most spammed move in Sega’s original Sonic the Hedgehog games just returned in the comics, but the outcome isn’t as exciting or effective as how it worked in the Genesis/Mega Drive classics.
During an invasion of Eggperial City, Tails uses his namesake tails to prevent Dr. Eggman from activating some of the city’s safeguards in Sonic the Hedgehog #60 by story writer Evan Stanley, artist Thomas Rothlisberger, colorist John-Paul Bove, colorist assistant Ed Pirrie and letterer Shawn Lee. The sidekick succeeds in his endeavor, but the act of spinning his tails in Eggman’s face doesn’t do that much damage – unlike what fans may expect from the games.
Tails’ Best Attack Gets a Huge Canon Nerf
The spinning tails essentially imitate light slaps. Eggman’s annoyed expression coupled with the sound effects of Tails’ attack all create the impression that the sidekick isn’t using his tails in this manner as an effective means to actually beat Eggman but as a last-ditch effort to save a few seconds just so he can finish disabling the aforementioned safeguards. This couldn’t be any different from what his spinning tails can accomplish in the Sega games. Whenever his tails spin and lift him up like a helicopter, bringing them into contact with most enemies can destroy them. They can even damage Eggman during boss battles.
Tails Can’t Afford to Keep Losing What Makes Him Special
When those tails are spun in a circular motion in the games, they can penetrate well-constructed and powerful mechas, weapons, and even vehicles. But in the comics, they might hurt Eggman’s skin, if that. This is despite the fact that Tails’ other powers remain the same between comics and games – his spin dash has proved to be very effective against various enemies including the villainous duo Rough and Tumble. The change matters because the IDW continuity is prone to downplaying Tails’ skills and importance, and there’s the risk of turning a young but committed freedom fighter into an unimportant hanger-on – a long way from the exciting alternative to Sonic he was in the games.
Tails’ Genius Also Takes a Hit
Ironically, the previous issue of Sonic the Hedgehog actually saw Tails make a terrible miscalculation, one that has placed Shadow’s life in jeopardy. It was Tails’ idea for Shadow to absorb the energy from what is currently being called fake Chaos Emeralds to activate Chaos Control, and although it’s effective at first, Shadow soon overpowers and ends up getting encased inside the fake emeralds.
Tails is usually able to come up with brilliant strategies on the spot like when he built an invention to successfully defeat the Deadly Six or enhanced others’ inventions countless times. Removing one of Tails’ most iconic abilities and turning his intellect into a liability continues a trend of downplaying a beloved Sonic the Hedgehog character, not just ignoring the potential to build him up as a hero, but actively taking away from how fans already see the plucky inventor. Hopefully, this Sonic the Hedgehog trend will reverse sooner rather than later.
Sonic the Hedgehog #60 is available now from IDW Publishing.