Dr. Ivo Robotnik is obviously such an integral part of the Sonic universe that any installment without him would feel like something was missing, including Sonic the Hedgehog 4. However, those who are also reading IDW Publishing's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series are hoping that Robotnik is still alive - because it would make it more likely they'd get Belle the Tinkerer in the movie.

Belle would definitely be an asset to any Sonic story just because of her relationship with Dr. Robotnik, or as he's called in IDW's lore, Dr. Eggman. Belle is one of Robotnik's creations who can be interpreted as his daughter.

Even though none of Robotnik's Badniks have such a relationship with him, Belle is special because she looks up to him like she woud a father figure. In addition, the reason that most people think she's special serves as another explanation as to why she's so important overall. In IDW's Sonic continuity, Belle was actually created by Dr. Eggman's good alter ego, Mr. Tinker.

Dr. Eggman's Good Alter Ego Created Belle the Tinkerer

First Full Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog #34 by Evan Stanley, Reggie Graham, and Shawn Lee

Just the concept alone of Dr. Eggman having an alter ego is exciting. Moreover, the fact that Dr. Eggman created Belle when he was in this altered state is equally compelling. As Dr. Eggman, he constructs Badniks out of futuristic technology, and their purpose is to destroy. As Mr. Tinker, he made Belle out of wood into a marionette who builds (or tinkers), which is an intriguing development that satisfyingly explores one aspect of how Mr. Tinker changed Dr. Eggman.

Since Belle was built by a kind person, she always struggled with the idea that the man she viewed as a father figure was gone forever and was replaced by a maniacal monster.

IDW also masterfully capitalized on how Dr. Eggman's true identity negatively impacted Belle. Since Belle was built by a kind person, she always struggled with the idea that the man she viewed as a father figure was gone forever and was replaced by a maniacal monster. One of the most touching scenes occurred when Belle comes across a stunningly tragic goodbye note that Mr. Tinker wrote right before he became Dr. Eggman. It was the perfect precursor to her eventual rejection by Dr. Eggman soon afterward.

Sonic 3 Set the Stage for Belle the Tinkerer to Appear in Sonic 4

Sonic 3 Was About Family - And Also Introduced Metal Sonic

Fortunately, where Sonic 3 leaves off presents ample opportunities for Belle to be convincingly introduced in Sonic 4. A big theme in Sonic 3 was familial bonds, which was explored through Dr. Ivo Robotnik's rejection of Agent Stone in pursuit of his grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik. Although Ivo eventually embraced Agent Stone after Gerald's betrayal, it would be fitting if Ivo later attempts to create a family member following Gerald's death. It would also make sense that Ivo would have sustained an alter-ego-inducing injury like he did in IDW lore if he survived the destruction of Gerald's space-faring superweapon.

The fact that Sonic 3's post-credits scene introduces Metal Sonic to the movie franchise as well is another perfect excuse to include Belle. Not only do Metal Sonic and Belle represent the different egos of Dr. Eggman, but IDW's comics delve into the relationship between Belle and Metal Sonic in an impressive way when they meet for the first time in Sonic's 50th issue. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 giving fans the opportunity to bear witness to how Belle the Tinkerer and Metal Sonic interact on the silver screen would be a treat, just as it would be touching to see the relationship between her and the new movie's version of Dr. Robotnik.

Sonic the Hedgehog #34 is available now from IDW Publishing.