Welcome /co/cksluts, to a very special storytime! With the recent(ish) release of Sonadow generations, and the completion of Shadow's very own manga, I thought I'd dig up what is probably the oldest comic about our favorite edgy hedgy. How old? The first issue came out July 6th of 2001, a mere 17 days after Sonic Adventure 2 released on the Dreamcast so don't expect this to follow the plot at all. Now for some caveats before we begin:
This comic is rough: While it's clear a lot of heart's gone into it, the resolution is not great. Keep in mind that most people were on dialup back then so each of these images could take over a minute to load. I've chosen not to remove the jpeg compression artefacts and also chosen not to upscale the images as I want readers to experience this comic in its original form.
This comic is incomplete: While I've spent a lot of time scouring the Internet Archive's wayback machine, many pages are simply lost to us. I've done my best, but unless the original artist has a copy, this is sadly the most complete set of images available.
Brief History of Mortal Comics >Mortal Comics started in July 2001 with 'Shadow the Comic'. It was a big hit and was the featured comic of the Mortal Comics site until May 2003, when the comic 'The Matrix' was launched. It quickly boosted interest in Mortal Comics, giving the site new life. In September of 2003, 'Ultimate Shadow' was launched, again drawing interest from Sonic fans like Shadow the Comic did two years earlier.
>By August of 2004, Matt Lenz departs from the Sonic Community, and Mortal Comics, though still up, had no releases for nearly a year. By July of 2005, Mortal Comics is officially taken down from SonicVerse Team's Servers.
>February, 2006. Matt Lenz talks with Sonic Adventurer, former owner of the SonicVerse Team, for the first time in over 2 years. The conversation leads to the discussion of creating new fan comic books - ORIGINAL ones, this time around. Leading to the creation of the first new Mortal Comics book in over 2 years, titled 'D.M.R.' standing for 'Dark-Martin-Ray'.
>I have restored what I could of Mortal Comics' various works, however a lot of data was lost over time from SonicVerse Team's various server changes. If anyone has any missing data, feel free to e-mail it to me at SolarTails at hotmail.com
Yes, I'll email them with the comics once I've finished storytiming these comics. Now, as Shadow famously said in Sonic 06 - Let's get moving!
Issue # 1 (Released 2001-07-06) Everything by: Matt Lenz
Koren City of planet Earth A city of giants. who stand anywhere from eight to fifteen feet tall. The giants had been cast out of normal society, because they were different from normal people. Now they are angry and violent. No one in their right mind would come here, unless they bad a death wish.
Gerald always knew that the military would come for him sooner of later... So he set up a default auto creation system to create me to make the humans of earth suffer in case the biolizard didn't succeed in destroying earth...
When the biolizard was destroyed, the auto creation system created me as the Ark was auto-piloted to earth. It has been 24 hours since the biolizard was destroyed. Now, I must avenge Gerald... at any cost.
No... When I tel to Earth, I still had a last surge of power from my hyper form. I used my energy shield to break through the atmosphere. When the military agency, GUN, found out about the mix up between you and me*, they came after me... so I hid away in Koren city... *Shadow Stoll a chaos emerald in SA2, and GUN thought Sonic stoll it.
So what are you doing here? I need your help. There's --
Ill explain after. Let's get rid of these two first!
To be Continued
>>17591 Yeah, my guess is they were too busy with the current ongoing plots, and still burnt out with the shitshow that was the Sonic Adventure adaption. If Spaz hadn't imported a Japanese copy and translated the plot for them, they'd only have had the few paragraphs of plot they received from Sega
This is what a person who made their personality revolve around that style Spaz had at some point looks like. Though I’m not knocking them down for this.
>>17612 He really was. He did a lot more work than he was ever given credit for. He's the one that came up with all the cool character designs and yet Penders insists they're his characters. Dude owes his carrier to Spaz. Oh, and fun fact: Penders originally wanted to have Spaz do the art for TLSC
How'd you guys find me in the first place?!* This tracking device.. we planted i-inside your ear when we caught you over 50 years ago*. *issue #5 **Sonic Adventure 2
So that's how they found me when I landed back on Earth* after I fought the Biolizard!** And just what happened to David? *see issue #2 for details **SA2
We arrested him and emprisoned him on Prison Island for building thoes shoes that helped you escape us* So it was for aiding and abetting a known fellen. *issue #6
Listen, I'll give you an Emerald back for the one I stoll. Eyen if you do...
>>17622 1 hour later... Welcome to South Prison Island. This is the only remaining part of the island, since bombs were set off by terrorists aweek back. It totaled the island* Heh... *See Sonic Adventure 2
...take me to David.
Inside... David! Hello...
You want to get out of here, don't you? Yes...
If you give me that Emerald I have you, they said they'll let you go.
There's far too many rooms, and the passageways are like a maze... there's no way we can find a specific room without a schimatic of the space station. Wait... what's that sound?
>>17629 And that's it for today. It turns out typing up all these pages takes way longer than I expected. Oh Mavis Beacon, if only I had listened! But before I go, here's the history page of Mortal Comics as of December 2003:
History https://web.archive.org/web/20031204233513/http://www.sonicverseteam.com:80/~mortalcomics/history.html
July 6th, 2001 >Shadow the Comic launches - first Mortal Comics feature.
February 12th, 2002 >Shadow the Comic becomes a massive hit - Mortal Comics begins to form its own label.
September 30th, 2002 >Mortal Comics officially launches its own website : Hosts 8 brand new comics.
December 26th, 2002 >Mortal Comics cancels 5 comics - continues with Shadow the Comic, Halloween and Red & Black.
February 13th - May 29th, 2003 >Mortal Comics is in a state of "hybernation". No comics released for 4 months.
May 30th, 2003 >The Matrix is launched. Becomes an instant hit, and jump-starts Mortal Comics once again.
June - Early September, 2003 >The Matrix sustains Mortal Comics as its only premiere comic book for 3 straight months.
September 18th, 2003 >Ultimate Shadow is released. Begins to draw interest once again from Sonic fans as The Matrix is on a 2 month break.
>More info will come as the history is in the making as we speak... ;)
>>17941 We here are groups of overlanders and mobians who wanted to live in peace together. Our leaders rejected the thought, and so we banded together and formed this village.
With no money for weapons and such, we're vulnerable to attack. As you can see, we're all carrying food.
Yeah. Why?
Because a group of mobians threaten us harm we don't provide food for them.
>>17944 Issue # 13 (Released 2002-02-15) Everything by: Matt Lenz
>>17943 That's a good point! You could already see Penders starting to make Shadow's already messy backstory even more complicated towards the end of his run. I still crack up at him having Locke exclaim that Shadow's neither animal, mineral, nor vegetable!
>>17944 I'm shocked it's not the Sand Blasters doing the oppression. >>17945 1)Locke isn't as smart as he thinks he is, 2)Penders' mess can be either ignored, destroyed or somehow streamlined.
I just had a nightmare... the Biolizard was chasing me, then, an Echidna appeared and told me to go to the Ark to "Find what I seek." Well let's go! I mean, what do we have to lose?
>>17951 Good call.. well then, pack your bags, 'cause we're going to the Ark!
>>17950 >I'm shocked it's not the Sand Blasters doing the oppression. lmao, they aughta Lara-Sue them for copying their thing! >1)Locke isn't as smart as he thinks he is, Locke (and the entire council of secret grandpas) have got massive blindspots. They're absolutely unable to see beyond their outdated traditions. Knuckles isn't like that, and that's why he's able to save the day when they can't. >2)Penders' mess can be either ignored, destroyed or somehow streamlined. Ian I think did a great job of doing this
>>17951 >Echidna appeared and told me to go to the Ark to "Find what I seek" Shadow. Don't. You do NOT want to get entangled with Echidna Bullshit. It's the path to ruin.
>>17961 Officer Riley, G.U.N. Missionary Task Force. Digital diary, Record #4465032.01 June 23rd, 1991. I have been keeping this secret for 40 years, but I cannot keep it any longer. This will be my last entry in my digital diary... As I am to be executed in mere minutes. Whoever gets this... Release the on the Ark (release this on the Ark?, Realize that on the Ark?). 40 years ago G.U.N. invaded the Ark in order to capture the ultimate life form codenamed: Shadow.
They killed many who stood in their path, and wounded one girl, the granddaughter of the great scientist... Professor Gerald Robotnik. Just to make Gerald suffer more before they executed him, they told him they had killed her and even forged a death certificate for her, and placed her in a cryogenic tube aboard the Ark.
I don't know why they didn't kill her, as ruthless as they are, but they didn't... and because of this, I cannot keep their ruthlessness a secret any longer. They are going to execute me. Good bye.
Whoa whoa whoa! You're not coming with us! I don't even know if I can trust you!
You've done exactly what I've done! You plotted to destroy Earth, then stopped the Biolizard from destroying it! How is my story any different?! How can you even trust YOURSELF then?!
>>17967 NOT Dark, I still don't (know) if I can trust him! !
I mean... he killed those two cops.
Ha ha! How little you know Shadow! He didn't kill them! They're not dead!
Dark had actually paid them to act, just to fool you! Yes he HAD evil inside him, but he's always been good in his heart... that's why he escaped from the ARK in the first place. However, he's decided NOT to destroy the planet or anything else even BEFORE knowing MAria was still alive.
ARK ALL SYS OPERATION ECLIPSE CANON OFFLINE PHANTASY STAR ONLINE RULES!
"My progress in creating the ultimate lifeform is coming along fantastically. My first prototype, the Biolizard, wasn't even close enough to the strength of the real ultimate lifeform I'm trying to create should have! However, by mixing the DNA of a mutated slug with ring energy, I've created 3 of the same type (of) creature, which I simply call 'Prototype 2.' However, THEY are even weaker than the Biolizard. So I've decided to go with the DNA of a Hedgehog and Chaos Emerald energy. I've finally done it! I've codenamed him Shadow! HE is the ultimate lifeform...."
God... All the lies he told me and Maria...
Let us depart...
TP's note: It wouldn't be until 2005 that we got the Black Doom origin for Shadow
I am mayor Raymond of Wind City! Our scanners detected you! So we came to rescue you from the heat! Anything for a fellow creature, I always say. And since the honorable Shadow the Hedgehog who saved the Earth from the Ark a year back is here... I'd like to offer you a home in our fair city, all of you!
>>17982 In Wind City... SHADOW, SHADOW! You were right Martin... this is our homeland. I should've kept the faith all along... I never should've misjudged you, Martin.
Do not worry brother Shadow. Now isn't the time for apologies. Now is the time for happiness.
>>17983 We've been preparing for this day for centuries. Our forefathers before us, and our forefathers before them. Now, the day has finally come. We must stop this... hedgehog and his friends before they destroy the city. WE are the group the Book of Faith talks about. WE will stop these bastards. We, 'The Saviors', will destroy this... disease, and rid it from our city. The mayor is already planning a huge celecration tomorrow night in honor of the Hedgehog. That is when we strike.
Now as you all know, we very recently discovered 5 people outside our fair city, and we've brought them in. Ladies and gentlemen of the city of Wind, please welcome... Martin the Echidna, Sara the Fox, Maria Robotnik, Dark the Hedgehog, and SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG to our city!
>>17993 We jsut want to say thanks for letting use come here. We've been traveling for over a year to find our home... and we've finally found it. Thank you ALL!
20 stories above Shadow and the crowds of people, a member of 'The Saviors' aims a grenade launcher.
>>17995 And that's it for this week! So far we've finished the first arc, "DARK MYTHS." Next week we'll start the second arc, "RETURN OF THE BIOLIZARD"
Issue # 26 (Released 2002-05-10) Main Story Plot: RyanPoe Script: Matt Lenz Art: Scott Hedgehog Back-Up Story Story: Matt Lenz Art: Tarik COVER: MATT LENZ
>>18245 While on a hike around the forest northeast of the city, the scientists soon took a break on the beach. When one noticed THIS EGG getting washed in with the tied. He quickly picked it up and brought (it) here, (to) the Wind City Hall of Science for further study.
Unbelievable, Sara, did you see the markings on that egg? They remind me of...
>>18247 C'mon! Let's get the others! We're going to the Hall of Science to see this OURSELVES! >>18246 Yeah, it 's nice to see that even the earliest fancomics didn't just make him a joyless edgelord
>>18250 Issue # 27 (Released 2002-05-24) Main Story Plot: RyanPoe Script: Matt Lenz Art: DuoMaxwell Cover: Duomaxwell Back-Up Story Script: Matt Lenz Art: Tarik COVER: DUOMAXWELL
>>18249 Yeah, there's some interesting cameos in this. IIRC, it was fairly common in webcomics from this era to just use videogame characters as newsreaders
>>18251 Issue # 28 (Released 2002-05-31) Main Story Plot: RyanPoe Script: Matt Lenz Art: Scott Hedgehog Back-Up Story Story: Matt Lenz Art: Tarik Bonus Picture: Sega Hedgehog Cover: DuoMaxwell
TP's note: We don't actually have anything but the cover of the previous issue
>>18256 >lmao, I was thinking the exact same thing! Echidnas, eggs, and microwaves are the bedrock of Archie canon They're also about the cause of 35% of the bullshit on Mobius. Eggman accounts for 55%, everyone else is worth 10%.
>>18261 The Chaotix!!! What are you guys doing here? We've been bored... Figured we'd come find ya, man! Hoy ya been, Knuckles? Oh, I've been pretty good. I've been on some wild adventures since we last hung out. *
What kind of adventures?
They're too long to tell at the moment
* See Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 video games!
>>18282 Uh oh... this place is definitely built so anyone who enters doesn't leave... the whole pyramid is coming down! I've got to find what I'm looking for and gget out of this place!
>>18288 In a conference room, Shadow, Dark, Maria, Sara and Martin sit. Shadow has called for a meeting with the Mayor, to discuss the recent discovery of the mysterious egg...
>>18290 Why did it want to destroy the Earth? Because of Maria. 50 years ago, Gerald Robotnik had thought she had been killed. He set up different things to destroy Earth to have his revenge. The Biolizard, trying to crash the Ark into the planet, DARK, even... me. The Biolizard releasing that egg must of been one final attempt, and now that you've found it, who KNOWS what it holds! It must be destroyed, NOW!
>>18307 Even though I'm in here, the case is still bolted down, and it'd need a security pass to get into... good thing I brought my cutting edge to get to them.
Give a description of the bat to all troops. Make sure every detail is down. We MUST find the bat. At least we still have one more emerald, and it's hid elsewhere on Earth, where NO ONE will be able to find it except for the few who know where it is. Get to work on this PDQ, general. Yes sir.
*SLAM*
THE END, and TO BE CONTINUED! Next, Shadow returns, along with some friends... Sonic and Tails.
>>18313 And I think I'll end here for today. I really wanted to get up to that Dawn Best cover! I'm going to do the Klonoa storytime now, and will link to it in the main thread. Until next week! >>18311 A good spy knows to use all of her assets to her advantage
>>18313 >Give a description of the bat to all troops >Yeah, she has some top notch tits! Probably the best I've ever seen. And some DSLs that looks she knows how to use 'em! >>18314 Thanks, TP.
>>18316 >Yeah, she has some top notch tits! Probably the best I've ever seen. And some DSLs that looks she knows how to use 'em! lmao >Thanks, TP. And thanks for participating!
