According to writer Ian Flynn, that “Sonic can’t lose” mandate doesn’t apply to minor losses, or temporary loses. Like say Knothole being destroyed in Archie Sonic #175, and Sonic losing (temporarily) to Eggman there, but coming back the next issue, and winning.
Ironically, during the “Sally gets roboticized” arc, fans were starting to get angry over Sonic not instantly winning, and not instantly getting Sally back to normal. (After complaining about how predictable the comic was getting. More irony!)
Though, it’s a shame thanks to the forced reboot, they never got to resolve that arc properly.
Its very clear that those people who are worried about the “Sonic can’t lose” mandate clearly never read a Sonic comic or just misintepreted it like if Sonic will now win a fight with relative ease.
Sonic never lost a fight againts Eggman. Even when he apparently loses he just came back and wins the battle. What the people actually wants is the struggle and the bad results after the first conflict.
Sonic lost Sally, but she revived.
Sonic’s future in Y25 was changed, but eventually took it back.
Sonic’s village was destroyed, but was recontructed into a better and safer city.
Heck, Sonic “died”, but was actually send to space and came back two years later.
The status quo will never change.
