Prior to his first appearance in Sonic the Comic, Blockhead Bill and Society Max were in the Mandrake Swamp, searching for the root that transforms Max into a raging beast. Whilst there, the pair were captured by Root and subjected to the Mind Root, a plant that brainwashes its host and forces them to obey Root. Their mission was to return to New Tek City and pollute the waters with a chemical compound designed to transform the city into a swamp. Unfortunately, Bill was sidetracked when he spotted who he thought was the Crimson Cobra (actually Sonic the Hedgehog) and attacked him. Bill and Max promptly destroyed the home of Maude and Harold Mudd, before fighting off the Chaotix Crew and destroying a road bridge. They were soon stopped by Sonic and Bill was informed by Mighty that he was re