"I could have shot you dead just then, but that would have been ridiculously easy! You see, Knuckles, I enjoy the competition! I like an opponent who fights back!" — Hunter, Knuckles the Echidna #31
The Hunter is a character in Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog series, exclusively appearing in the Pre-Super Genesis Wave.
He was a rogue and ruthless Overlander poacher and a foe of Knuckles the Echidna. He first appeared on Angel Island, capturing Knuckles and his childhood rival Monk, only to be defeated by Knuckles. Following this, Hunter was captured and turned into a soldier by Dr. Eggman, who used him to locate and steal the Master Emerald as well as to send numerous Echidnas to the Egg Grape Chambers, only for Hunter to get killed by Super Knuckles in the process.
History[]
King of the Hill[]
Hunter first arrived on Angel Island some time in 3236, where he located Knuckles and his childhood enemy Monk. Hunter captured Monk and had him brought back to his vessel while having Knuckles accompany him. Once inside, Hunter explained that he wanted to have a sporting hunt, and that he had chosen Knuckles and Monk specifically for it. Hunter forced Knuckles to participate in his hunt by threatening to kill Julie-Su if Knuckles refused. Forcing the two Mobians to wear electric shock collars, Hunter had them attempt to escape while he chased after them. After locating them and killing Monk by making him fall off a high platform in Hydro Zone, Hunter was knocked out when Knuckles, overcome with rage, struck him with a blast from the Chaos Force. Afterwards, Hunter was imprisoned by the Brotherhood of Guardians in Haven for his crimes.
Return to Angel Island[]
Roughly one year later, Hunter was freed by the Eggman-supported Dingoes during the Angel Island Takeover. Seeing potential in the villain, Eggman enhanced his fighting abilities and armed him with a Chaos Spear that allowed him to teleport his targets into captivity in New Megaopolis, but also outfitted him with a Control Collar to ensure that Hunter could be punished for any disobedience. Hunter was then dispatched, under orders to first locate the Hidden Palace Zone and then steal the Master Emerald from it.
Successfully arriving at the Hidden Palace, Hunter immediately began madly targeting any Echidnas in sight with his spear. Seeing this, Eggman ordered him to ignore the citizens and focus on the Master Emerald, although Hunter's apparent hatred for Echidnas led him to continue in his regular violent manner. Once more however, Hunter was bested by Knuckles, who transformed into Super Knuckles and cast the Overlander into the sea, where he drowned.
Legacy[]
Before his death, Hunter captured numerous citizens of Angel Island, including Constable Remington, the Fire Ant Council, Xenin, and others.
Personality and traits[]
As one of the greatest hunters on Mobius, Hunter took a great deal of pride in said title, but never let it cloud his better judgement. Reserved and level-headed, he rarely allowed himself to panic under any circumstances, not even when being jumped by a giant gorilla. Underneath Hunter's calm exterior lay a homicidal being who made no distinction between race or gender; all looked fine on his wall. He did however acknowledge certain prey who prove worthy of the hunt, and showed disgust at a chaos-stripped Knuckles' inability to put up resistance.
Powers and abilities[]
A superb fighter in his own right along with a master hunter and formidable strategist, Hunter claimed to be able to take on Knuckles in a physical fight after studying him. He was also skilled in the use of various firearms and often used them in his hunts.
Relationships[]
Friends/allies[]
- Aryu One-Two
Enemies[]
- Brotherhood of Guardians
- Locke the Echidna
- Sabre
- Catweazle
- Dark Legion
- Dimitri
- Dr. Finitevus
- Echidna Security Team
- Remington
- Eggman Empire
- Dr. Eggman (former employer)
- Fire Ant Council
- Freedom Fighters
- Chaotix
- Charmy Bee
- Julie-Su
- Knuckles the Echidna (arch-nemesis)
- Mighty the Armadillo
- Ray the Flying Squirrel
- Saffron Bee
- Knothole Freedom Fighters
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Chaotix
- Monk (childhood nemesis)
- Xenin
Trivia[]
- Despite being an Overlander, Hunter has five fingers.
- The plot of Hunter's first appearance is based on the novel The Most Dangerous Game.
- Hunter is likely based off of Kraven the Hunter from Marvel Comics.
- Within the comic, Hunter’s redesign under Jon Gray’s pencil has him resemble Archie’s editor avatars in early Off Panel.
- Other than Robotnik and Eggman, Hunter is the third Overlander with the most casualties under his belt.
- Hunter was left out of the Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Sonic Comic Encyclopedia, along with Monk.