It is, it's a very odd choice. They currently seem to just be... counters? Opposites? Dunno the term, but Surge seems to be a Sonic-like that can tap into Tails's weaknesses, and Kit is a Tails-like that can tap into Sonic's weaknesses. Consider me interested. Especially since Trial by Fire and Imposter Syndrome are the two arcs building up to #50.
I think that maybe the new characters will be dealing with literal Imposter Syndrome. They won't be able to see themselves as nothing more than cheap copies of the originals.
G.U.N. The series has a history of characters not looking like one another being mistaken for one another.
At least we have the hindsight of "Terios" looking a lot more like Sonic earlier in development, so it used to be a more acceptable mistake.
Hardcover editions of single issues (1-6), made for the library market: https://abdobooks.com/shop/show/13180 https://twitter.com/MattHerms/status/1436804116701925381 If you buy the Japanese version of graphic novel volume 5 from a Village Vanguard store, you'll receive a free sticker: http://blog.livedoor.jp/wise_staff/archives/68872304.html It seems that previous version also had a sticker promotion. Vol 1: https://twitter.com/wise_publishing/status/1260371376919023617 Vol 2: https://www.village-v.co.jp/news/item/6833 Vol 3: https://www.village-v.co.jp/news/item/8380 Vol 4: https://www.village-v.co.jp/news/item/10238
Beware of spoilers In the last issue, Starline was examining Belle. Excited, he stated that her unique design/code will accelerate his own creations. I assumed he was talking about Kit and Surge there. We know he's got Tails fur, we know the pair suspended in the tubes are based somewhat on Sonic and Tails. Maybe I've read too much Spider-Man as a kid, but that's basically a clone story for me. Of course I don't believe SEGA would allow to clone Sonic in a promotional comic, but as Dek stated above, a Fennec is a type of fox, and Tenrec is Hedgehog's "cousin". So i believe the robot-like impostors are the closest thing that SEGA allows
So here is something to consider. Since we never see Starline get Sonic's DNA, (correct me if I am wrong) what if Surge is actually based on Amy? Next arc will feature her and the IDW crew. Perhaps Starline nabs her quill or something? Things to consider.
Would make sense given that Surge is female…not that this seems to be adhering too strictly to realistic cloning. Oh god, what if Surge and Kit are just some poor delinquents Starline kidnapped off the streets, as Dr Gero did with Android 17 and 18 in DBZ?
And now I'm hearing Cell's singing Mr. Sandman like in TFS parody But you guys may be on to something, surge somewhat resembles Amy. I still believe the clones are somewhat robotic, or at least bio-androids like in DBZ, because why else would Starline get so excited over duplicating Belle's code?
To simulate emotions and living thought processes in something that otherwise wasn't born with them- robotic or not. I'm not ruling out that they're robots, I'm just personally leaning more towards organic creations- kinda like Shadow in a way.
You might be right. Programming clones from robot code isn't something common in fiction I believe, but I can see Ian trying to work that angle.
Some info on and early designs for Surge and Kit: https://www.tiktok.com/@idwpublishing/video/7030205140569476398 https://www.tiktok.com/@idwpublishing/video/7030539589395844399 https://twitter.com/IDWPublishing/status/1460025579885891587 https://twitter.com/IDWPublishing/status/1460025619303985153
Bringing this back because I think the IDW book is criminally underdiscussed here and Imposter Syndrome #4 dropped today. With the issue opening on a flashback to the Metal Virus Saga when Starline was still working under Eggman, I really like how his fanboy nature has been used to hold a lens to Eggman and explain some of his more questionable eccentricities. Back in the early runnings, it was "why doesn't Eggman just bomb Sonic and be done with it?", here it's "why all the theme park zones?". Starline continues to be a compelling character in his own right, but it was also fun to give Eggman someone who he could converse with almost as an equal. I think it's for the best that Starline struck out on his own early on to avoid him getting stuck in the Snively rut, but I don't think the short-lived dynamic he had with Eggman at that time will ever be recreated. Now, onto the meatier stuff... Spoiler Surge and Kit continue to be a joy to watch as a dark mirror of Sonic and Tails and I think they've now surpassed whatever Scourge could've brought to the table had he continued to persist in the Archie book. It's great to see them branch out with their abilities and show how Starline has attempted to make them superior to Sonic and Tails, with Kit being able to wrap his Hydro Coil around Surge to hitch a ride, and their combination attack against Metal Sonic is fantastic. I do hope they foster a stronger bond in the long run. We're seeing the foundations for it given their commonality of being used by Starline and wanting to tear everything down because of it, but Surge is still pretty rude to Kit in a way that reminds me of the worst parts of Fleetway Sonic, and Kit's devotion towards Surge feels a little forced at the moment. He is programmed to pretty much live for her sake, but I think Surge really needs to have a moment where she really helps him, perhaps in an emotional manner in particular, to really cement why he'd want to stick around with her. The climax of the story is a nice lead-in to issue 50 as well. Starline has taken over the Eggman Empire, Sonic, Tails and Belle are closing in fast, about to head into an unexpected battles with their supposed successors, and Eggman clearly isn't out of the fight yet, booting up the Egg Emperor to go a few rounds (confirmed by a cheeky "ALL SYSTEMS: FULL POWER" status message on his interior UI. EDIT: Whoops, fluffed my references - "All systems: Full power!" is from Sonic Adventure, but the silhouette on the UI does match the Egg Emperor more than any other previous final boss mech. Seems like this is setting the stage for an event as impactful as Endgame was back in the Archie days. Can't wait to see what happens!
Yeah, I struggle to find a lot to say on my own impulse but I totally agree. Starline continues to be utterly delightful, and Surge and Kit are AMAZING additions. VERY excited for what's next. Spoiler I think the things you point out about these two are very intentional. Remember, we've literally *just* met them; they can't go through a complete arc before they're even fought our heroes!
I realise that and I'm trying to keep sight on it but I guess when these comics only come out once a month it's easy to get impatient...
Of course, that's one of the biggest issues with comics as a medium. I think it's doubly impacted by the fact everything's moving half as slow as it usually does due to two concurrent plotlines; we didn't have that issue with Bad Guys or T&W's miniseries, so I wonder if they just wanted to be 100% sure #50 came out at the right time. One other thing I realised I've been sitting on that I DO have the wherewithal to talk a bunch about: There were a few things about Belle's introduction that wasn't ideal, but "season 3" pivoting around her journey in and out of the foreground of things is a really smart approach. It's a great way to keep her development simmering without making her unreasonably present, and her entire deal being the culmination of an early arc is one of those things that really helps IDW come into its own as a universe with refracting consequences for past events. On that point, no notes.
