Other-M, "A Throw of the Dice" issue #18, pages Review written by Matthias Johnson, a.k.a. Tergonaut E-mail: tergonaut@aol.com Summary: The rebels land at the Golden Hive Province to make their appeal to King Charmy, and the reply sends them back home with heavy thoughts toward the future. Credits: Cover: Tarik Story: Ian Potto Art: Jeremy Acorn Lettering: Jeremy Acorn Other-M logo design: Jeffrey "Z-Kara" Houston Plot: The key rebel members, Sonic, Fiona, Rotor, and Antoine, on board the jet that was arranged for them by Perry Quinn, land at the Golden Hive Province. Guards almost literally swarm the uniquely-constructed area, the architecture drawing the eyes of the four rebels who look on with awe at the sights around them. The group disembarks and is admitted in to the throne room for their audience with King Charmy. It is Perry Quinn who speaks to the king, explaining that they came under the pretense of offering a business deal to ask that Charmy give the rebellion the support of his military power so that they could take a stand against the Guardian and free the world. In exchange for his help, his people would be free from echidna oppression and would be known as the kingdom that freed the world. Charmy replies with a sigh, gesturing around at the guards lining the hall and mentioning almost casually that there are at least a half-dozen spies listening at that moment. The fear of what the Guardian will do if he finds out about the rebels' presence is certainly a very real fear. However, Charmy offers to examine his kingdom and determine whether it is possible to use it against the Guardian successfully. If so, then he will extend his assistance to the rebels. But if there is even a chance of losing, then he will not only deny his help to the rebels, but will have them killed if they ever return. With that made clear, the rebels turn and leave. After the rebels are out of hearing, the queen (who I will admit I am not familiar with if she is an official Archie character) asks Charmy whether he truly meant what he said. Charmy answers that he has no intention of risking his people in such an idiotic venture, that he had killed his own parents and surrendered the kingdom to the Guardian for his people. Why give up what security they had now and possibly have their entire race wiped out? On board the plane, the rebels are disappointed. Fiona is the most optimistic in saying that they at least made contact with a possible ally, while Rotor takes a distinctly opposite view that they had wasted their time. Sonic is personally angered because he believes that the rebellion could win if they had Charmy's help, but he gets everyone back on track by telling them they should focus on getting back safely to their base. The scene changes to that of the Guardian's stronghold, with the Guardian himself listening to everything the rebels say thanks to the tracking device that Espio had attached previously to Perry Quinn's jacket (issue #17! -Matthias). After having heard enough to convince him of Perry Quinn's betrayal, he sends the Chaotix on a terminal visit to Quinn's home. With Miles leading the Chaotix, Perry Quinn tries his best to fight back, even using the magic words that give him his wings in an attempt to escape, but unfortunately Miles and Espio intercept him before he can make his escape, and it is clear that Perry Quinn, a.k.a. Predator Hawk, is dead. Back at the rebel base, Bunnie approaches Sonic to let him know that she doesn't blame him for Bean's death. Sonic begins to protest, but Bunnie makes it clear that Bean knew the risks...and so did she. Sonic promises her that they'll win this war for Bean, and for everyone. Analysis/Opinion: The rebellion seems to be in more trouble now than before they had made the attempt to enlist the help of King Charmy. With Bark, Bean, and now Perry Quinn dead, the rebellion needs more help, not less. By the end of this adventure, their main focus was to get back home safely and hope that they didn't get caught in the meantime. Not exactly glorious. King Charmy's concern for his people overrules even his own ties to his parents. Ironically, he is binding them down by submitting to the will of the Guardian, but his own sense of duty blinds him to their despair. I wonder if any of those spies sympathize with the rebels, whether they would willingly join the fight if given the chance. I also wonder who exactly Charmy's wife and queen is, since I kind of like her despite only getting this one chance to see her. (Note by Ian Potto: That's Saffron) After seeing this issue's terminal visit, I look back at my memories of previous occasions where Julie-Su has been put into action, and I recall now that her actions have been somewhat erratic. For example, much earlier in the Other-M series, when Remmington was under interrogation by the Guardian as to the rebellion's sudden new effectiveness, Julie-Su was sent with the other Chaotix for a terminal visit. She was apparently disgusted by the death of their target to the point where she tossed her cookies. On other occasions, like the issue that focused primarily on her, she proved to be a capable yet vulnerable woman. And in this issue, she was portrayed as a confident and seductive assassin, draped across one of the chairs in Quinn's apartment while keeping a gun locked onto him. I personally see this as a bit irregular, although I'm pretty sure that it depended entirely upon the situation to reflect her attitude. We all react differently to various situations, and naturally in an ambush situation like in this issue, where they would clearly have the advantage, naturally she would be far more confident. Earlier on, she probably grew sick to her stomach because of the grisly nature of the death inflicted onto their target. Anyone caught off their guard probably would do the same seeing that sort of thing. This only comes to my mind at this time as I am writing this review, after seeing her in action at least five times since the beginning of this series. I'm glad that Bunnie isn't blaming Sonic for Bean's death, that she holds no great grudge in her heart. She understands that Bean was fighting for her, as well as for the freedom of the Acorn Kingdom. They both knew that it was possible that either one of them could die, and they had settled it between themselves beforehand that in case either one of them should die, the other should not waste time in mourning while there was yet work to be done. Plenty of time to mourn after the victory is won. And the hug scene reminds me of a very similar scene, back in issue #5 when Sonic was hugging Bunnie in just about the same way he is in this issue. The primary difference is that the person who silently watches isn't Bean, but it is Fiona in this scene, and it is not Bunnie but Sonic who sees the bystander. And despite the scene's serious tone, I can't help but think that this scene could have turned out very badly if Fiona had misinterpreted what was going on. I guess I've got a one-track mind when it comes to scenes like this. And finally, I wonder if the parallel was a direct intention of Ian's or whether it was merely coincidental. Artwork: The cover for this issue was done by Tarik. The cover depicts the meeting with King Charmy, with Sonic, Fiona, Antoine, Rotor, and Perry Quinn all facing toward us, or rather the throne that has its back toward us, hiding King Charmy from sight and adding a bit of mystery to the scene. Toward the back are two bee guardsmen, equipped with polearms that have these glowing round heads on them, which strike me as a rather interesting and exotic style for a polearm. I'd imagine that they provide light as well as a possible electric shock. Too bad they didn't show up in the actual issue. And I do kinda like Tarik's depiction of Sonic, I think he got the proportions done pretty well. However, Sonic's hands seem a little off, Fiona looks kinda boyish, and it looks like Perry's gained some weight, even around the beak. This issue's artwork was done by Jeremy Acorn. Simple crisp lines have been the hallmark of his work on the Other-M series. I noticed that this issue used less of the cartoonistic expressions that he has used on previous occasions, which was a good choice to make the mood more serious. I liked the tiny detail of the swinging light switch from the lamp next to Julie- Su on page 15. And then using a lot of shading in the last panel of this issue, emphasizing that scene as well as almost "coloring" it in for us, struck me as appropriately done. The one thing that I noticed in error was inconsequential to the story and to the artwork in general, but one I'd like to point out nevertheless because I guess I'm picky and I honestly can't find anything else I'd like Jeremy to improve upon based on this issue. On page three, the guards are holding their polearms in their left hands while their rifles are slung onto their right shoulders. On page ten, these positions are inexplicably reversed. It's a mistake that I'd probably make myself if I could draw worth anything, since it's switching perspectives from in front of the throne to behind it. And there's your daily requirement of nitpicking. Who says comic reviews aren't nutritional? Plus, there's a little humor comic that Jeremy added for this issue. According to what I heard, he apparently did have an accident of some kind in real life that put him out of commission for a while, and the humor comic was based on that. Good show. Final Word: Grimmer and grimmer is the lonely outlook of the rebellion in these trying times. Although the rebellion is drawing closer together, it is primarily because of the trials that they are facing, forcing them to work with one another or to fall apart, scattered and rendered impotent as a fighting force. Sonic is taking his role as a leader seriously. He felt responsible for Bean's death, and by extension for Bunnie's loss, even though he was also prepared to continue onward despite that loss. There are many things that make a good leader, and compassion for one's own is one of those traits. He's going to have to do his best for the rebellion as a leader and as a friend if they're going to have an even chance at winning this war and ending the unrighteous dominion of the Guardian.