Reading guide 08 · 9 issues
Shortfuse the Cybernik
Shorty the Squirrel tries to interfere with Robotnik's Badnik machinery and becomes trapped inside the prototype Cybernik armour. Its programming fails to erase his will, leaving Robotnik with a powerful new opponent rather than a loyal weapon. Enter the Cybernik tells that origin in three parts; a later encounter with Knuckles and the five-part Cybernik Strikes Back take the character beyond his first fight. His metal body lets him challenge Robotnik's machines, but it also turns survival into a problem of identity and freedom.
Read in order
Issue 045 · 17 February 1995
Sonic the Comic #45
- Enter the Cybernik, Part 1 Sonic's World
Short-tempered Shorty the Squirrel nearly clocks a bird for praising Robotnik before Hopper drags him off. A Troop Ship scoops Emerald Hill folk for Badnik processing; Shorty stows away, sabotages the plant computer, and is seized anyway. Robotnik declares him the first Cybernik — a Super-Badnik whose armour and circuitry will never let him free.
Issue 046 · 3 March 1995
Sonic the Comic #46
- Enter the Cybernik, Part 2 Sonic's World
Robotnik seals Shorty inside indestructible Cybernik armour and runs the brainwashing program until the squirrel's resistance seems spent. A laser demonstration shreds a Trooper; then the Cybernik is ordered to lead Badniks against Emerald Hill with no prisoners. He arrives, turns on his escorts instead, and admits stubborn will plus earlier sabotage kept his own mind — leaving Robotnik determined to erase his own creation.
Issue 047 · 17 March 1995
Sonic the Comic #47
- Enter the Cybernik, Part 3 Sonic's World
Furious at his creation's betrayal, Robotnik attacks Emerald Hill in an assault mobile until the Cybernik wrecks the gun and nearly the vehicle. A circuit-scrambler stalls the fight long enough for Sonic to drive Robotnik off; the Cybernik then smashes the device. Offered a Freedom Fighter place, he declines, names himself Shortfuse, bids Hopper farewell, and flies off to settle scores alone.
Issue 052 · 26 May 1995
Sonic the Comic #52
- Knuckles versus the Cybernik Knuckles
Shortfuse chases a Balkiry onto the Floating Island, only for Knuckles to smash the Badnik and treat the Cybernik as another Robotnik trick. After a brief scrap Shortfuse lasers an ambush of Coconuts, earning an apology and a handshake; alone, Knuckles frets how lethal Shortfuse would be if Robotnik ever seized control of him.
Issue 063 · 27 October 1995
Sonic the Comic #63
- Cybernik Strikes Back, Part 1 Sonic's World
Shortfuse the Cybernik tears into a Trooper escort marching animals to Badnik processing and shrugs off a self-destructing guard. Among the freed prisoners is engineer Tekno the Canary; Shortfuse sought her out not to escape his Megatal shell but to have her build a bomb against Robotnik's Chemical Plant factory. At the Citadel, an enraged Robotnik accepts Grimer's suggestion and unleashes the shape-shifter Metamorphia to destroy the Cybernik.
Issue 064 · 10 November 1995
Sonic the Comic #64
- Cybernik Strikes Back, Part 2 Sonic's World
Tekno takes Shortfuse to her hidden workshop, agrees to build his bomb, and upgrades his Megatal armour with fresh gloves, boots and shoulder pads. Three days later they strike the Chemical Plant Zone: Shortfuse clears the Balkiry defenders while Tekno plants the charge. Before they can flee, Metamorphia attacks in the shape of a hulking armoured warrior, with the plant set to explode in minutes.
Issue 065 · 24 November 1995
Sonic the Comic #65
- Cybernik Strikes Back, Part 3 Sonic's World
Before Shortfuse and Tekno can flee the Chemical Plant, Metamorphia attacks, slipping into gas, axe-hands that shatter on Megatal, then a colossal tentacled sea form. She finally seizes Tekno and flies off on metal wings, leaving Shortfuse beside his own bomb as the factory erupts. His armour holds, but debris pins him underwater and he blacks out.
Issue 066 · 8 December 1995
Sonic the Comic #66
- Cybernik Strikes Back, Part 4 Sonic's World
Metamorphia delivers captive Tekno to Robotnik and boasts that Shortfuse died with his own bomb, then has to admit the blast also levelled the Chemical Plant factory, enraging the dictator. Underwater, Shortfuse's oxygen runs low until his jet boots free him and he races for the Citadel. Robotnik strips Metamorphia's shape-shifting and orders her processed into a Badnik just as a Trooper reports the Cybernik is already attacking the fortress.
Issue 067 · 22 December 1995
Sonic the Comic #67
- Cybernik Strikes Back, Part 5 Sonic's World
Shortfuse storms Citadel Robotnik to free Tekno, shredding Troopers until only Robotnik remains, then Metamorphia arrives with Tekno as hostage. When she admits her powers are gone, Tekno floors her with a judo throw; Shortfuse refuses to shoot Robotnik, preferring him to suffer knowing he created his own nemesis. Back at Tekno's workshop she offers a shared base, but he stays on the move and promises to return.