IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog #1 releases today!

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Just a friendly reminder that Sonic the Hedgehog comics are making their big return today with IDW taking over from Archie with an all new rebooted comic book series. Each week in April will see a new issue, with issue #5 moving back into a regular release schedule (which will no doubt relieve the strain on the artist’s wrists).

Expect a SEGA News Bits covering issue #1 this week, and a preview of issue #2 in the next SEGA News Bits Extra which is our Patreon exclusive video series. You can check out the issue’s synopsis, as well as a cover gallery, after the break.

IDW teases Sonic the Hedgehog #5, the return of Dr. Eggman!

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We know that all of April will have Sonic the Hedgehog IDW comics, as they are releasing four whole issues for the month. After that its back to a monthly title with Sonic the Hedgehog #5 which is set to include the return of everyone’s favorite Sonic villain, Dr. Eggman (or Doctor Robotnik depending on your age).

“After four back-to-back weeks of Sonic goodness, fans are wondering: where is Dr. Eggman? Sonic’s greatest enemy is strangely quiet. He disappeared after his last defeat, but you can’t keep evil scientist down! So where is he? What has he been up to? Readers will get all those answers and more in Sonic the Hedgehog #5!” – Ian Flynn, writer for Sonic the Hedgehog comics

Check out the solicitations and full cover after the jump as IDW starts its ‘The Fate of Dr. Eggman‘ plot:

IDW Sonic the Hedgehog villains Rough and Tumble revealed

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IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic books are due out with one issue per week in April and then monthly after that, and in the lead up to the new series we have our first look at the villains Rough and Tumble via Kotaku. Set to debut in issue three, these skunk brothers (Rough is the little one, Tumble is the big one) are described as “independent agents” and “more bullies than masterminds” but “tough enough to maybe become someone’s henchmen down the line”, according to associate editor David Mariotte. The character creation process is also touched on in the article, noting that SEGA has final approval on new creations.

IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog #1 releases April 4th! After the break, check out some additional images of the new villains.

IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic book gets printable pre-order form

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IDW Publishing has tweeted out a printable Sonic the Hedgehog pre-order form that you can take into your local comic book shop to pre-order the upcoming series. You can check out where your local comic book shop is by clicking here. While I’m always up for everyone to support their local shops, if you happen not to live by a good comic book shop, you can always pre-order your comics at a huge discount via DCBS.

Hit the jump to get the second sheet to fill out. Who is pre-ordering it?

Preview: IDW Sonic the Hedgehog #3 & #4 – Meet Tangle the Lemur

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Yesterday we shared previews for IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog issues 1 and 2, and today we have previews for issues 3 and 4 which will round out the month of April which will see an issue released each week. While the first two issues feature Tails and Amy, issue 3 will feature Knuckles while issue 4 will feature Blaze. We will also be introduced to new characters including enemies named Rough and Tumble in issue 3, and a new hero named Tangle the Lemur in issue 4. IGN got the exclusive on what Tangle the Lemur is all about. Their preview features a quote from IDW associate editor David Mariotte who says that the intention was to create a character with a special ability tied to their features, like Sonic’s speed and Tails flight. The end result was a ring-tailed lemur who could use her tail as a whip or a fist.

After the break, check out the synopsis for issues 3 and 4 as well as the available covers!

Preview: IDW Sonic the Hedgehog #1 & #2

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IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series begins in April with an issue per week, and the publisher has been releasing exclusive previews on various sites. Yesterday, Entertainment Weekly debuted the previously revealed issue 1 cover art along with a variant cover reveal and some story details. Each issue released in April will star Sonic and spotlight a classic ally, with issue 1 featuring Tails. Issue 2, revealed today by CBR, will feature Amy Rose and – if the cover follows the story – Eggman robots from Sonic Forces as well as new characters including a pink goat girl (possibly IDW’s soon to be revealed character). Also, Amy will invite Sonic to join the Resistance, which makes me wonder if the first arc will be a Sonic Forces adaptation. The next two solicits should hit tomorrow.

After the break, check out the newly revealed covers and solicitation information.

TOMY reveals new Sonic the Hedgehog action figures, plush toys and comic books for 2018

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2018 might be a quiet year for Sonic the Hedgehog games, but the world of merchandise appears to be heating up. Not only will IDW debut their spin on the Sonic franchise, but TOMY will be releasing many more action figures and plush toys from the modern, classic and Sonic Boom character lineups. TOMY has been in the Sonic action figure business for two years, so they have released some figures but there are still several characters that they have yet to release. Let’s take a look at what collector’s can expect in 2018!

Knuckles and Silver team up in second Sonic Forces prequel comic, titled “Stress Test” – Read it now!

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The Sonic Forces free digital prequel comics from Ian Flynn and Adam Bryce Thomas continue with the surprisingly enjoyable “Stress Test”. It seems our guesses were wrong, as each prequel comic is not focusing on a different custom hero. Instead we see Knuckles and Silver battling Chaos. What is so exciting about this one is all the Sonic Adventure plot elements, including a jump back in time to the echidna village and the appearance of Eggman and The Phantom Ruby, last seen in Sonic Mania. It’s exciting to see the various Sonic games tying together and hopefully some of these plot elements are referenced in Sonic Forces.

After the break, read the full issue!

Sonic Forces four-part free digital comic debuts today, written by Ian Flynn

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This is a surprise! Coming off of the IDW panel last week which revealed former Archie Sonic writer Ian Flynn was heading up writing duties of the new IDW series, fans were wondering if we would see a Sonic Forces adaptation and… we are! Today! SEGA and Sonic Team have announced a four-part digital comic series scripted by Ian Flynn which serves as a prequel to the upcoming Sonic Forces. The first part is titled “Moment of Truth” and stars the Chaotix and the Custom Hero Character, and can be read after the break. More chapters release later this month.

Sonic the Hedgehog comics returns in April 2018, Ian Flynn confirmed as writer

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The IDW Sonic Comic Town Hall panel has just went down, where they discussed the future of the Sonic the Hedgehog comics. If you guys didn’t hear, SEGA ended their license agreement with Archie comics, who prior to this IDW deal had been publishing Sonic the Hedgehog comics since April 6, 1993. Seems that IDW knows that April is  an iconic month for Sonic the Hedgehog comics since the first IDW Sonic the Hedgehog issue will be launching on April 4, 2018! IDW also confirmed that they will be publishing the book weekly throughout April (which means 4 issues then after April it will go back to monthly. The release dates for the first four issues are as follows:

  • Issue #1: April 4, 2018
  • Issue #2: April 11, 2018
  • Issue #3: April 18, 2018
  • Issue #4: April 25, 2018

IDW and SEGA also confirmed that Ian Flynn, who took over writing duties on Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog since issue 160 back in March of 2006 will back as head writer. While Ian Flynn is the only name that has been confirmed for IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic, they did give attendants of the Sonic Comic Town Hall panel a printed copy of Tyson Hesse Sonic the Hedgehog artwork. Maybe teasing him returning to the Sonic comics? IDW also said they are aware of fans wanting to see the return of the Freedom Fighters and told them to stay tuned. As far as content goes, IDW confirmed that they are allowed to use anything from the Sonic the Hedgehog games and has confirmed that there is no Sonic Forces comics in the works ‘as of right now’. As far as original characters, IDW said they may create some and are considering crossovers.

You can read the press release after the jump.

[Via: TSSZ News]

IDW to start Sonic the Hedgehog comic series in 2018

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Just announced at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, IDW broke the news at their press conference that they will start publishing Sonic the Hedgehog comics starting 2018. It seemed to be quite obvious that SEGA wasn’t happy with how Archie Comics had been handling the Sonic license when it came to comic books and has now started a publishing partnership with IDW which has quite the in-depth comic licenses including Transformers, TMNT, Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and a lot more.

“Creative teams are currently being formed and a publishing plan is now underway with more details to come at a later date. Writers and artists will be bringing their considerable talents to the comic book world of Sonic. We’ve been speaking with beloved Sonic fan-favorite creators and new creators alike, and are excited to be able to spread specifics about our plans for the comic in the near future,” – Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer

As you can tell, we don’t know if Ian Flynn will be joining Sonic the Hedgehog comic book come 2018, but we do know that Ian Flynn does have a working relationship with IDW as he worked on some of the CGI TMNT books. What are your thoughts? Will be checking out the new Sonic the Hedgehog comicbooks come 2018?

[Via: CBR]

SEGA News Bits: The End of Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog Comic Discussion

Today on the SEGA News Bits we discuss the news that spread through social media like wild fire earlier today, SEGA has announced that they would be moving on from licensing Sonic the Hedgehog comics to Archie. It has been about six month since Archie Comics released a brand new issue of Sonic the Hedgehog and its multiple side series, but now with  San Diego Comic Con closing in they finally let the cat out of the bag. On this episode we discuss what leaving Archie Comics could mean for Sonic the Hedgehog comics, what happen in the last story arc, what comic book publishers should take over, and what Archie Comics original characters we will miss if the series continues without them. But you let us know what you think of SEGA ending their publishing partnership with Archie Comics in the comments below! Thanks for watching.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a like so it shows up on more like minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog publishing partnership with Archie Comics comes to an end

SEGAArchieCancelledArchie Comics and Sonic the Hedgehog are splitting up, it was just confirmed on the Sonic the Hedgehog twitter account. Sonic the Hedgehog Archie Comic was known as the longest running video game based comic book, spanning over 24 years! We did a SEGA News Bits about this whole drama and we basically guessed that SEGA and Archie Comics wouldn’t come to terms with a licensing agreement. Guess what? We where right. As you can see, SEGA isn’t done with the Sonic the Hedgehog comic books, as it says they are heading in a different direction.

“After 24 years of memorable storytelling, SEGA of America will conclude their Sonic the Hedgehog publishing partnership program with Archie Comics. This does not mark the end of Sonic in comics, but signifies, SEGA of America’s decision to take a different direction for the series that will be announced at a later date. SEGA would like to thank Sonic’s amazing fans for their loyalty and passion over all the years. SEGA looks forward to providing more information soon.”

So what would that direction be? In my opinion, San Diego Comic Con would be the perfect time to announce that SEGA will be doing license comics with IDW, which has a plethora of great IPs, great staff and have delivered some amazing stories to licensed properties. What is your opinion on the whole thing? Are you glad SEGA is moving on from Archie or do you wish there was a resolution between the publishers? Let us know in the comments below.

SEGA News Bits: Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Comic Cancelled Rumor and Analysis

On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George share their analysis of the rumor that Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comics are cancelled. How did this rumor spring up? Is there any validity to it? What could happen to the Sonic comic books should it happen? Give the video a watch to find out!

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Sonic: Mega Drive trade paperback releasing this summer

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Sonic: Mega Drive is fast becoming one of Archie’s most popular Sonic the Hedgehog comics series. Fans enjoy the classic Sonic steeped storytelling of Ian Flynn, the beautiful and hilarious art of Tyson Hesse and of course the colors of Matt Herms and lettering of Jack Morelli. Archie, meanwhile, has enjoyed the success the two (soon to be three) one shot specials received in sales – the first installment became the first Archie Sonic comic to sell out!

Fans who were late to the Sonic: Mega Drive party, or who just want a handy collection of all three comics, will be happy to learn that Archie plans to release a trade paperback of all three July 18th, 2017. The paperback is available to pre-order now on Amazon, or you can order it from your favorite comic shop. It’ll be great to have the full story in one handy book, and no doubt there will be bonuses including a covers gallery, pencil sketches and more!