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!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us, give us a sub. If you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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!

SEGAbits at New York Comic Con 2016: Interview with Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Comic Colorist Matt Herms

While covering New York Comic Con 2016, SEGAbits writer FlareHabanero had a chance to talk to Archie Comics freelance colorist Matt Herms. Matt has worked on a variety of Archie’s video game books, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, Mega Man and the incredibly popular Sonic Mega Drive. Check out the interview for yourself to learn about how Matt got his start in the industry and what it’s like to work in comics as a colorist!

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After the break, check out a bonus video of Matt drawing Sonic!

Archie Comics reveals Sonic the Hedgehog origin story arc – could classic Sonic be making a comeback?

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Over the past few days, the Archie Comics Twitter account has been revealing pieces of a cover for an upcoming issue of Sonic the Hedgehog which features the 25th anniversary logo and classic Sonic doing his iconic Sonic the Hedgehog ending pose. Archie, knowing fans were most interested in the issue number and the name of the arc, kept those two details hidden until the final reveals. But now we have confirmation that following the completion of the “Panic in the Sky” arc, which is the conclusion of the larger Shattered World storyline, Archie will be jumping way back to the origins of Sonic the Hedgehog with issue 288 in the arc titled “Genesis of a Hero”.

Archie Comic’s “Sonic: Mega Drive” sequel issue announced, titled “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level”

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Back in February we were very excited to share the news that Archie Comics would be releasing a special one shot special comic in celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary. Dubbed “Sonic: Mega Drive”, the story was said to take place in the games continuity, just after the events of Sonic & Knuckles, and would feature the original classic Sonic designs. Written by Ian Flynn and drawn by Tyson Hesse, creator of the web comic Boxer Hockey, “Sonic: Mega Drive” looked and sounded like a classic Sonic fan’s dream comic.

There were hopes that if the one shot sold well, we’d see a sequel or ongoing series. But, in an interview with IGN, editor Vincent Lovallo shared some news… it looks like we won’t have to wait! Before “Sonic: Mega Drive” even has a chance to release on July 6th, Archie and SEGA have decided to move forward with a sequel entitled “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level”. Also a one shot, “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level” will follow the events of “Sonic: Mega Drive”. Also of note, when asked if the story will tie into the ongoing Sonic comics, which is a separate continuity, Lovallo said “It will, but I can’t say how at this time.”

After the break, check out a gallery of images including a peek at the inside of the first one shot.

[Via: IGN]

SEGA and Archie Comics announce Sonic the Hedgehog 25th anniversary one-shot comic book

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Via Comic Book Resources comes the announcement of a new one-shot comic book from Archie Comics and SEGA, entitled SONIC: MEGA DRIVE. The standalone story is being written by Ian Flynn with illustrations by Tyson Heese of Boxer Hockey fame. Tyson had been teasing something over the past few months, and it seems this is it!

The story is said to feature Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, and other characters from in the Genesis/Mega Drive era, and Flynn is crafting the story as though it is a never before seen Genesis-era Sonic game. SONIC: MEGA DRIVE is set to release July 6th. After the break, check out the full solicit from Archie Comics, featuring story details and more!

Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog June 2015 Solicitations – Worlds Unite continues!

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Coming this June from Archie Action its the continuation of the epic Sonic and SEGA, Mega Man and Capcom crossover Worlds Unite – which kicks off the month before in May. Courtesy of Archie, we have the latest solicits, featuring a milestone issue for Mega Man who hits the big five-oh (remember Sonic’s 50th, when Robotnik died? Seems like ages ago) and the premiere of a one shot comic Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1, which expands on the battles taking place within the crossover event. Fans of older Archie stories, meanwhile, have Sonic Archives #25 which brings us ever closer to the 100th issue of the series.

Comics to Cartridge: Comics that inspired Comix Zone

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[Sketch Turner drawn by RainDante]

It’s quite obvious that Comix Zone is a 16-bit video game tribute to the comic book medium. It takes several aspects from a variety of popular comics throughout history and uses them in its own way to create a unique world.  Here are some that I’ve noticed during play. Since the developers never talked about stories in comics that influenced them, some of these could only be coincidence.

Let’s have a look.

Unboxing: Not Enough Rings – A Sonic the Hedgehog Parody Comic


 
2013 was a big year for SEGA related Kickstarter projects. We saw the successfully funded SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works, as well as unsuccessful attempts at relaunching the Boogerman and Ecco franchises. Not Enough Rings joins the ranks of the former projects, as it was not only a success, but it is among the projects seeing completion in 2014.

Collecting all 93 strips from the online parody comic of the same name, Not Enough Rings follows Sonic as he speeds through his SEGA Genesis adventures. The strips are packed with funny nods to gameplay quirks, plot points, and character traits. The whole collection is really a love letter to the classic Sonic games with just enough naughtiness to retain that SEGA edge. Thanks to going over their goal, several improvements were made to the originally planned book, including a hardcover and higher quality paper. The book even includes a nifty little red and white placeholder ribbon, which resembles the one seen in the Sonic logo. Overall, despite what the cover image may say, we give the Not Enough Rings book a well deserved thumbs up!

Sonic Lost World official comic prequel to hit stores October 26th-27th

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Sonic comic book fans will have the chance to learn more about new villains The Deadly Six in what’s being deemed “The Official Prequel” to Sonic Lost World.

The comic book will see release, (interestingly, after the game itself) on October 26th-27th during Halloween ComicFest, and will be disappearing from retailers after that. Needless to say, those interested should head down to their local comic book shops that weekend to snag a copy.

For Archie’s official description of the Sonic Lost World-themed issue, hit the jump.

Sonic Talk #22 Getting fat from eating your black hearts

We got some communications problems in this weeks Sonic Talk. Makes for some humorous moments though. In this episode, we talk about the latest movies we’ve seen and our time at the San Diego Comic Con. We also talk about the controversy surrounding the dark, violent dialogue in Sonic Lost World and speaking of dark dialogue, Alex goes on a rant about Ken Penders and the Ouya.

[ MP3 Download ] [ iTunes ]

“Not Enough Rings” Sonic parody comic attempting a book release on Kickstarter

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The hilarious Sonic the Hedgehog parody comic “Not Enough Rings” has turned up on Kickstarter to fund a physical book release of the series. We’ve backed it! Why don’t you do the same? Creator Veronica Vera describes the series best: “We know video game webcomics are a dime a dozen. Especially Sonic ones! But in all our years on the internet, we never came across the comic we wanted. No sprite recolors, no tribal Echidna warriors, definitely no werehogs — just a real comic retelling of the remarkable games we grew up playing.”

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For just $25, fans get a slick looking copy of the book, featuring comics covering every stage from Sonic 1 through to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. As a special perk to buyers, many of the Sonic 3 & Knuckles comics will release in the book long before appearing on their website. Other goodies include a barrel of death t-shirt, signed copies of the book, original art, and more! So what are you waiting for? Spin dash over to their Kickstarter page and help them out.

Preview the Sonic and Mega Man crossover “Worlds Collide: Part One”

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Courtesy of Comic Book Resources comes an exclusive five page preview of the Sonic and Mega Man crossover event, Worlds Collide: Part One, which kicks off this month in the pages of the Archie Comics series Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, and Mega Man. The crossover event, which will span twelve issues from three different series, concludes in August. In November, Archie plans to release the first of three trade paperback books, Sonic / Mega Man World Collide Vol. 1: Kindred Spirits, which will collect the first four issues and will undoubtably include extra goodies like pencil sketches and varient covers.

Check out the full preview over at Comic Book Resources

Archie giving away $50,000 dollars worth of stuff at NYCC

If you are a fan of Sonic’s Archie comic book series run, you will want to attend two panels they are having later this week at the New York Comic Con. The first panel is on Friday and the second one will be on Saturday. There is limited seating, so make sure you show up early if you want one of the cool gift bags.

How limited? Friday’s panel will seat 200 people and Saturday will seat only 100. Check out the source link for more information.