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This group exists primarily or exclusively within the Sonic the Comic continuity.
Information in this article may not be canonical to the storyline of the games or any other Sonic continuity.

He may be ugly, mean, and bad. He may strike fear where hearts were glad. Although he brought us grim disaster, He'll always be our rightful master! Bring back the Doctor!


— D.R.A.T.'s oath, Sonic the Comic #103

D.R.A.T. (short for Doctor Robotnik's Appreciation Tribe or the Doctor Robotnik Appreciation Tribe) is a group that appears in the Sonic the Comic series and its spin-offs published by Fleetway Editions. It is an evil organization that worships Doctor Robotnik, which was formed after he was overthrown as ruler of Mobius. Using a stash of advanced technology developed by Robotnik, which they found in his abandoned citadel, they attempt to restore Robotnik to his former position as ruler of the world. They are led by Grand Chief Whip, whose badge of office is a golden medallion in the shape of Robotnik's nose and moustache. Their motto is "Bring back the Doctor!" Ironically, despite their desire to bring back Robotnik to power, their oath acknowledges that he did horrible things and made their lives miserable.[1]

Most members of D.R.A.T. are weak-willed individuals who are only loyal to Robotnik out of fear and pose no threat to society, though some members are more dangerous, such as Sleek the Panther.[4]

History[]

Crawling from the Wreckage[]

STC103-DRAT

Grand Chief Whip and Brother Norman at a D.R.A.T. induction ceremony, from Sonic the Comic #103. Art by Richard Elson.

D.R.A.T. first appeared in the days following Robotnik's defeat, operating out of the ruins of the basement of Citadel Robotnik, where they discovered an arsenal of weapons created by Robotnik, including ex-Trooper laser blasters, from the citadel’s armory. While giving a new member, Brother Norman, his initiation ceremony, they were discovered by Amy, Johnny Lightfoot, and Tekno the Canary. D.R.A.T. fled and sought out new headquarters, though Brother Norman stayed and used a Flying Egg to fight the heroes but was defeated.[1]

Channel Hoppers[]

A short while later, three members of D.R.A.T. (Brother Barry, Brother Percy, and an unnamed third member) disguised themselves as children's TV characters the Channel Hoppers. Using a high-tech video camera, they used their TV show to broadcast subliminal messages, making young minds believe that Robotnik was wonderful. Their plan was thwarted by Tails. By this time, the existence of D.R.A.T. had become known to the general public.[2]

High in the Sky[]

D.R.A.T. attempted to kidnap Norris Wimple following a TV broadcast in which Norris claimed to have a photograph of a UFO. The members of D.R.A.T. believed that the picture could be one of Robotnik's new secret weapons, and that it would give Sonic's gang an advantage over Robotnik. They grabbed Norris off the street in broad daylight and tried to take him away in a van, but Norris was saved by Amy and Tekno. It later transpired that the photograph was actually of Tails.[5]

Riot Resolution[]

On the following New Year's Day, D.R.A.T. attempted to destroy the Control Centre in the Emerald Hill Zone. First, D.R.A.T. member Wally Dithers distracted Sonic by convincing the weak-willed, indecisive locals to attack the hedgehog, then tried to blow up the Control Centre with a tank. However, Sonic saw through the distraction and managed to destroy the tank when Dithers was unable to decide what weapon to use against Sonic.[3]

Hobson & Choy[]

D.R.A.T. was given a blueprint of several first-generation from Robotnik himself. With them, they built their own Badniks and sent them to Metropolis Zone. However, since Sonic beat those robots back in the past, they were easily defeated by him and Tails, and the D.R.A.T. members were caught by police.[6]

Fights, Camera, Action[]

Later, a group of D.R.A.T. members made a plan to conquer a Zone using a very large robot which resembled a rubber duck, only to be thwarted by Amy and Tekno.[7]

Hyper Sonic[]

Later, D.R.A.T. launched two missiles in opposite directions, one at the Hill Top Zone and the other at the Metropolis Zone just as Sonic broke in to thwart their plans. While they gloated that even Sonic couldn't be in two places at once, Sonic was able to stop the missiles by pushing his speed to the very limit.[8]

The Take-Over[]

After Robotnik's disappearance, a small D.R.A.T. group attempted to attack the Floating Island to steal the Chaos Emeralds as a gift for Robotnik on his return, but their group was infiltrated by Ms Alpha and her gang, who used D.R.A.T. to distract the Guardian Robots while they advanced further onto the Island.[9] Knuckles and Porker Lewis were able to capture both groups and leave them for the authorities.

Bite Back[]

Later, a member of D.R.A.T. known as Sleek the Panther would challenge Tails to a fight and attempt to destroy him with a pair of energy-charged boxing gloves he invented. Though he had the upper hand at first when Tails was distracted by fleas, the fox managed to defeat him with the help of a colony of ants.[4]

Forbidden Island[]

Grand Chief Whip later made another plan to destroy the Freedom Fighters. He allowed the Kintobor Computer to detect the island where D.R.A.T.’s secret headquarters were, so the Freedom Fighters would come to their island to arrest them. However, D.R.A.T. had a force-field generator which disabled any incoming electrical machines. When Shortfuse the Cybernik flew towards the island and Tails flew towards it in his plane, the force-field began to disable Shortfuse’s armor and Tails’ plane and they were forced to turn back. Later, Tails and Charmy Bee made it to the armor by flying and taking turns carrying each other. Once they reached the island, Chief Whip and his remaining followers attacked them, wearing suits of high-tech battle armor. Tails flew away during the fight, with the members of D.R.A.T. mistakenly believing that he was retreating. However, Tails had gone to their control room and reprogrammed their technology-disabling force-field generator to disable all technology on the island, disabling the armor of Whip and his minions and leaving them unable to even move. Tails and Charmy then tied up Whip and the other D.R.A.T. members and used a boat to leave the island and finally put them in prison.[10]

Uniform[]

Most members tend to wear purple robes over suit trousers and green waistcoats, though Grand Chief Whip wears a white robe.

Customs[]

When a new member joins D.R.A.T., they must complete an initiation ceremony. First, they must stick their feet in a bucket of egg yolks, then they must kiss Grand Chief Whip’s medallion, and finally, they must recite D.R.A.T.’s oath.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sonic the Comic #103, "Crawling from the Wreckage"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sonic the Comic #112, "Channel Hoppers"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Sonic the Comic #120, "Riot Resolution"
  4. 4.0 4.1 Sonic the Comic #139, "Bite Back"
  5. Sonic the Comic #117, "High in the Sky"
  6. Sonic the Comic #121, "Hobson & Choy, Part 1"
  7. Sonic the Comic #129, "Fights, Camera, Action"
  8. Sonic the Comic #134, "Hyper Sonic"
  9. Sonic the Comic #135, "The Take-Over, Part 1"
  10. Sonic the Comic #149, "Forbidden Island"

External links[]

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