Warning! Spoilers ahead for Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome #2!
Ever since IDW Publishing announced Sonic the Hedgehog's Imposter Syndrome tie-in issues, fans have been anxiously waiting for the moment when the Blue Blur and Tails inevitably clash with their evil robotic replacements. Those who have just been quickly glancing at the covers of Imposter Syndrome's first two installments will mistakenly think that IDW is fooling everyone into believing that the anticipated battle begins in that particular issue. But upon closer inspection, it's clear each cover is actually part of a much larger image that undoubtedly foretells the epic conclusion of this special event by writer Ian Flynn, artist Thomas Rothlisberger, inker Gigi Dutreix, colorist Valentina Pinto and letterer Shawn Lee.
The debut issue's cover features Sonic slightly ahead of his evil counterpart Surge the Tenrec as they slide down a railing on their feet. The follow-up and latest installment now showcases Tails contending with the awesome hydrokinetic powers of his robotic nemesis Kitsunami "Kit" the Fennec. Separately, the covers are infuriating because not only do none of these events actually transpire within their respective pages but Sonic and Tails aren't even aware of Surge and Kit's existence yet.
The use of misleading covers isn't proprietary to IDW Publishing and especially not to Sonic the Hedgehog. Comic covers are notorious for not accurately reflecting the contents of their respective issues, usually as a deceptive means to entice readers. Another example, but a far less extreme one, is when covers focus on an actual event from the comic that's relatively minor or inconsequential when contrasted with the book's main focus or big reveal so as not to ruin the surprise. The first two issues of Imposter Syndrome appear to be an example of the former. The first installment follows Dr. Starline, the creator of Surge and Kit, as he tests his creations' capabilities before launching their first mission to temporarily take out Dr. Eggman, who Dr. Starline sees as a liability as far as Sonic is concerned.
Imposter Syndrome #2's cover is only deceptive when not combined with the first one as Tails doesn't appear in the issue, though, his robotic counterpart Kit plays a major role. Throughout the tie-in issues and corresponding Sonic the Hedgehog installments, Kit has been portrayed as a much more submissively pathetic version of Tails even though he possesses incredible hydrokinetic powers. But in this issue, Kit leverages water to the extreme, saving the more dominant and overly abusive Surge in the process. So, even though Tails doesn't fall victim to Kit's cold and damp special ability, it's a major focus of the issue.
Together, the two covers are part of a much larger scene that could actually foretell what the final showdown will look like. Unfortunately, IDW has revealed that this epic battle will transpire in Sonic the Hedgehog #50, as the main publication and Imposter Syndrome tie-in have been alternating back and forth as they continue the story on a monthly basis. After Imposter Syndrome #2, the adventure will continue in Sonic the Hedgehog #48, meaning there are still five more issues until the big confrontation. Hopefully, there will be smaller encounters before then but it's unlikely as Surge and Kit have yet to take out Dr. Eggman and are more focused on discovering the truth behind their existence. At least, based on how this combined cover is looking, this far-off Sonic clash is going to be quite epic indeed.