KING OF THE HILL, Part 1: BAD TO THE BONE
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Ken Penders
Inker: Harvey "Harvo" Mercadoocasio
Colorist: Frank Gagliardo
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

An overlander is on the Floating Island and puts together a gun. He takes aim at a bird flying in the sky and it's obvious that he shoots the bird out the sky.

Elsewhere, on top of Mount Kobiyunjaro, a gorilla throws a rope onto the Floating Island. He climbs up the rope onto the island and calls himself "Monk" and says he's no echidna is going to get the best of him this time, namely Knuckles.

In Knuckles' home, Knuckles is reading a book about the history of the echidnas that Locke gave him when Catweazle flys in. Catweazle tells him that there's a wacko on the loose with a weapon. Knuckles asks for a description, but all Catweazle tells him is that he's at the north end of the island and it's not a native.

Knuckles starts gliding toward that end of the island, when he's hit by a rock, which causes him to lose his balance and fall to the ground. Knuckles looks up to find Monk staring him in the face. Flashback to when Knuckles was ten, Monk stole his yo-yo. Knuckles tried to get it back by trying to beat up Monk, but Monk is too strong. Monk lets Knuckles go after Knuckles says "Uncle." Knuckles remembers that Catweazle said the "wacko" had a weapon and that means Monk can't be the one. Monk, meanwhile, also has a flashback. One night he couldn't move and "mysterious robed figures" tossed him off the Floating Island into the sea (those robed figures were the Brotherhood--they did watch Knux all the time). Knuckles asks Monk to let bygones be bygones, but Monk replies by trying to punch Knuckles, who dodges. After dodging another punch, Knuckles shows Monk how it's done by punching Monk in the face. Monk says, "My @#$!&* nose!!!" (I think that's the only time a curse has been put in these comics). Monk is angrier now and a fight ensues. Knuckles hears someone coming and tells Monk to cut it out, but of course Monk isn't listening as Catweazle's "wacko" approaches the scene.


HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Colleen Doran
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Barry Grossman
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Julie-Su is riding her pasha, Thunder, and sees Espio, Mighty and a yellow squirrel. Espio introduces Ray (the yellow squirrel) to Julie-Su, who is looking for Knuckles. Mighty and Ray go to check out Echidnaopolis, while Espio joins Julie-Su in her quest to find Knuckles. After about an hour, they still haven't found a trace of Knuckles, when Espio suddenly pulls on the reins. Espio stopped the pasha because he saw Barney, an elderly chameleon, hurt in the bushes. Julie-Su takes Barney to the Echidnaopolis Med Center. Once she's out of sight, Espio tells the chameleons that it's okay to come out now. Liza tells Espio that someone wants to see him and thanks Espio for saving them the trouble of searching for them. Espio finds out that the person looking for him is a roboticized Valdez accompanied by some Swatbots.

To Be Continued in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #31