Archie Sally Gets a Redesign [Spoiler]

[E-122 Psi]

Psi, I find it interesting that everything you described from previous artist I consider 100% artist's style, and not at all a redesign. To me, a character's design refers to their clothes, colors, relative body size, and features, but not at all how realistic, detailed, or cartoony they are; to me that is entirely dependent on the artist's style, not what traits the character has. Things like eye shape, number of fingers, and perhaps the size of certain features like ears, hands, and tails, are kind of in the middle of artist style and character feature. So for example, I think Dave Manak's work was horrendous, but I don't think he drew any of the characters "wrong," I just don't find his style appealing. Conversely, I would argue Rotor and Antoine's designs in Season 2 were "wrong," not stylistic changes, even if I like the overall animation style.

The key point here however, is that this new design isn't just the preference of a particular artist, it is something that will now be used as reference for all artists rather than the original SatAm model, and given it adds deformities and even uses some from previous designs, it means Sally will look even less like her original counterpart from now on, no matter who is drawing her in the current issue. Stuff like the merged nose and eyes, mussle change and eye reforming are now part of her 'definitive' design.

[Elisto Dragonwings]

Hmm, I see what you mean. I think I remember hearing that for a long time, the comics didn't even have standard character models, but yeah, I guess now that they have one, it is odd that they would standardize stuff like that. I actually hadn't noticed how much they changed her face. That is weird that they would do that.

[E-122 Psi]

Hmm, I see what you mean. I think I remember hearing that for a long time, the comics didn't even have standard character models, but yeah, I guess now that they have one, it is odd that they would standardize stuff like that. I actually hadn't noticed how much they changed her face. That is weird that they would do that.

Truthfully it's only really an exagerration of what Yardley did to it for me (whose design already bordered as a 'definite' version most artists at least partially referenced beforehand). Never took to her Tails/Cream-ish face compared to her more feminine SatAm, changing the facial design and expression plays a big difference in how the character is represented. The new one makes it even less original with the more Cream-ish eye and mussle pattern and the now completely rather than just partially flattened nose, but only really adds onto the problem by a little.

It's similar to how I feel about Amy's redesign, I didn't mind the attire change mostly since it was still somewhat the same character, albeit with the lankier stylisation of the other character redesigns. The only aspect that really bugged me was replacing her more docile wide eyed facial expression with more conventional 'angry cyclops' eyes like Sonic and Shadow have. That to me made her look a lot less distinctive, keeping in mind in nearly every other aspect, Classic Amy was basically just a pink Sonic.

[Jonapedia]

IMG_0984.jpeg

As seen from the above image snapped at the New York Comic-con Archie Sonic Panel, it looks as though Sally (and possibly other SatAM characters) are getting a redesign in an upcoming Sonic issue.

I think I'll have to agree with what E-122 Psi said about the key issues with the new character design. The main problem has nothing to do with the new hair or the clothes. Sure, Sally's lack of pants has been a well known unique feature of her character design up till now. It's just that the redesign makes Sally look almost nothing like who she was in the past. It's frankly quite sad.

I'm sure that more or less all of us here see the characters as "people", and the thing about people is that you can still see that it's them no matter what! On the other hand, I wouldn't have recognised this new Sally if not for the announcement. (I wonder how they're going to have Sally explain her new look to the other characters in the next few issues. ) As Psi said, the new design's issues lie in the addition of deformities. The old Sally's body naturally curved forward, her eyes were more of ovals, her face was more contoured and her posture and expression always conveyed some sort of confidence, with a twinkle of intelligence in her eyes. This new Sally lacks in what I've highlighted above (and she's different in other ways too). The overall impression has changed. When I look at the new design (nearly said new character... see what I mean?), I don't feel that intelligence or confidence anymore. Instead, I feel like it's some shy, rather uninvolved character. *sigh*

(P.S. Does anyone else feel that she looks uncannily like Amy Rose now, in some strange way? Esp. her expression?)

[Vindicator]

i agree...big gloved hands..skinny legs...and a red band on her hair...this redesign is not only terrible but use's amys features as basis...who drew this image? makes me feel bad for sally...losing all her Archie designs...like realistic body proportions and nicely designed fur

[Jonapedia]

Man, haven't checked this thread in ages... Vind, glad to see you know how I feel. About realistic body proportions, I'm not so sure, 'cos Sally's head has always been kinda big. However, I see your point, and it is a fact that the old design proportions were more sensible and believable. I think we'll seriously miss the old Sal... I mean, clothes? Fine. Headband? Too much Amy Rose, but fine. Gloves? Mildly ridiculous on the Sally we know, but...Ok? But why, of all things, change her body's physical look and shape?! It's just sad to watch.

I know there're some ppl who say that it still looks like Sally and have completed Ian Flynn on the work. To those people, just wondering: how does it still look like her, aside from her species and hair colour?

(Note: I know that my tone might seem confrontational here, but honestly, I'm just a little upset with the redesign. I'm not angry with anyone, whether it's Ian or those people who complimented him. I just want to know how or why. Don't get me wrong, I'm not flaming or raging at anyone here.)

[Vindicator]

yeah jona...those who complimented were probably looking at distance...or saw the name of thread and thought“hey a redesign can't be that bad...maybe i will peak at it real quick and say something good” at a distance you might think big hands no biggie...then if you are willing to look closer you encounter bigger problems...the people who approved might of did that just to be on Ian's good side...maybe theres something about him i am not aware...

[Gojira007]

I really dislike every last insinuation you make in that post, Vindicator. I don't know if it's intentional, but it disrespects the intelligence of any member who does like the design by implying they're either stupid or being intentionally dishonest, and I find that unfair. I don't even LIKE the new design that much, but I feel more than a little offended by what you said.

[Vindicator]

err sorry i have a bad habit of getting fired up...i try to control myself but it just creeps up on me...i just nervous about a secret i will need to reveal later about myself in order to show people some things i created in halo reach and animal crossing...do you ever wish to motivate others who have the same interests as you into going a step further? err never mind truefully i have no true friends...i try my best to be fun to be around but i am always it seems the only piece on the board that moves...its sad really