Most of us who are at least familiar with theSonic the Hedgehogfranchise have understandably always think of it as an action - thriller story , focus on the wreckage that inevitably ensue whenever the titular Blue Blur spin dashes into or just runs flop through Dr. Eggman ’s Badniks . But late stories bear witness that military action can actually slack the story down , and I do n’t intend it ’s in a good means .

InIDW Publishing’sSonic the Hedgehog , the tardy issue of the more action - mob master claim and the more introverted special releases are proving to me that the franchisefunctions more effectively when there ’s less action at law and acts more as a psychological drama .

Namely , the less " eventful"Sonic the Hedgehog : Knuckles thirtieth day of remembrance Special#1 by Ian Flynn , Aaron Hammerstrom , Rik Mack , Shawn Lee , and Valentina Pinto andSonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024 , which includes three new short narrative , have featured more brawny story than issuing # 70 - 74 of the action - heavySonic the Hedgehog .

imagery-from-The-Sonic-The-Hedgehog–

The Best Recent Sonic the Hedgehog Stories Feature Very Little Action

Knuckles’s Introspection Changes Him Forever

InSonic the Hedgehog : Knuckles thirtieth Anniversary Special#1 , the only action is relegated to a few board whenKnuckles helps cultivate the newfangled character Trip , who ab initio debuted intheSonic Superstarsgame . The vast majority of the special , however , focuses onwhat happens after Knuckles compares himself to Tripbecause they are both guardians , a itinerary that soon leads Knuckles to a very dark-skinned place where he realizes that stumble has much more than him .

Knuckles resonates with me and other fans in part because he ’s a sad , angst - fulfil loner …

Knuckles ' depressing introspection works so effectively becausehe struggle with the aspects of himself that delimitate him as a character : he ’s the last of the Echidnas and spend most of his metre guard the Master Emerald alone . Knuckles resonates with me and other fans in part because he ’s a deplorable , angst - satisfy loner with no family whose chief function in life sentence requires him to stave off connexion with others . consecrate an entire issue to that dynamic ( with a new case to boot ) was ingenious for that intellect .

Comic book art: Eggman holds Sonic in chains

Other Sonic Characters Continue to Prove That Introspection Makes for Better Storytelling

Mimic Obsesses Over His Power, Reshaping His Twisted Viewpoint of the World

TheKnuckles 30th day of remembrance Specialwasn’t some random isolated incident that never happen again . It was forthwith forego by three stories fromSonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024that put all the action on the back burner - and for the better . In fact , " For My Destiny " by Iasmin Omar Ata , Adam Bryce Thomas , and Lee alsoexplores the concept of Knuckles ' isolation , but the story take it very literally by having him mostly interact with his Master Emerald . In a stunning revelation , Knuckles realizes that , while the Master Emerald secludes him , it simultaneously has given him everything he values , including his supporter .

The springy - action Sonic the Hedgehog series has grown into a monumental saga , and here is a complete breakdown of the series ' timeline and biggest issue .

Sonic suddenly interrupts Knuckles ' reverie and translate the Echidna ’s words of thanks to the Master Emerald as being directed towards him . While comical , Sonic is n’t actually misinterpreting the spot , since Knuckles had been thanking the Master Emerald for being part responsible for bring him his friends . Having transonic tease the truth out of Knucklesrecontextualizes what Knuckles learns about himself on his own . Knuckles ' perception of the world has been forge by his friends , and visualize transonic do that in real time is very in force storytelling .

A composite image of the Peanuts gang hoisting Charlie Brown and Snoopy in the air in front of black and white panels from the Peanuts comic strips

Even Sonic Stories Starring Minor Characters Are Better Without the Action

Surge and Kit Become More Entrenched in What Makes Them So Warped

doubtless , my ducky of all four stories is " Shattered Diamonds " by Gigi Dutreix , Mauro Fronseca , Matt Froese , Leonardo Ito , Pinto , and Lee . The story delves into the underage character Mimic ’s relationship with his powers , which allow him to transform into anyone . His ability to " mimic " others actually serves asa brilliant metaphor for how he and others " mimic " what they perceive as valuable . This perception becomes more warped as Mimic recounts his descent into villainy to readers , whereby his powers finally become the very embodiment of his twisted view of the world .

Interestingly , the yearly ’s opening story , " Hero ’s Calling " by Flynn , Thomas Rothlisberger , Mack , and Lee , might begin with action , but legal action does n’t help as the master drive personnel . After saving some civilians from a likely disaster , the villains Surge and Kit , who have been flirting with valiancy in the primary series , lead off to contemplate their place in the world and with Sonic ’s Restoration . In a continuation of whatthe fiftieth issue of IDW’sSonicstarted , " Hero ’s Calling " pushes Surge and Kit ’s boundaries by cementing them even further as very warped individuals .

While Surge want to bask in valiancy , she feels her valiancy can only be accomplished by twisted means , such as put down Sonic and Dr. Eggman herself . Meanwhile , Kit ’s fall from grace , which has also been document in the main persistence , becomes even more certain here . Kit ’s desire to give what Surge need despite how she mistreats him takes the physical body of him resolve that the good way to achieve this is to anguish others so Surge can be the zep . It ’s truly masterful how conflict both of these characters present themselves as at this import .

Comic book art: Sonic raising with Tails in the comics

Sonic’s Main Continuity Has Been Seriously Lacking Good Drama

Nothing of Substance Has Happened in the Last Five Months

As I mentioned sooner , the strength of " Hero ’s Calling " reveals where the mainSoniccontinuity has gone wrong in recent months . Although there have been some standout moments , I believe that IDW’sSonichas dropped in quality ever since that aforementioned 50th issue that center on Surge and Kit , primarily because it has n’t been focus enough on character , alternatively prioritize pure action . Although that issue alone revolved around legion battles , they stood outbecause of how well the fighters complemented each other .

Each battle in the emergence was fuel by the psychological drama that connected each fighter together . Now , more latterly , the last few issueshave followed a random raceand have had little time to explore each character ’s strength .

While the Sonic the Hedgehog comics are colorfully fun escapade , there is a serious and threatening tinge that nonplus horrifically disconsolate at prison term .

Comic book art: Sonic and Shadow race in cars.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that began with Sonic the Hedgehog’s release for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends, family, and the world. The series has expanded into several video games, multiple comic book series, television shows, and a Hollywood feature film series.

While Surge first shows signs that she wants to be a heroinSonic the Hedgehog#70by Evan Stanley , Hammerstrom , Matt Froese , Reggie Graham , Mack , Jonathon Dobbs , and Lee , the action did n’t give the lineament any circumstance , make me experience as though Surge ’s inevitable journey to becoming one of the adept guys has already finish after just beginning . The story that focalise primarily on psychological facial expression of each type inSonic the Hedgehograther than pure action are what make me have intercourse this series , and I desire the serial publication will go back to prioritize that self-examining dramatic event .

Recent issues ofSonic the Hedgehogare available now from IDW Publishing .

Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that begin with Sonic the Hedgehog ’s passing for the Sega Genesis in 1991 . The dealership follows the risky venture of the titular Blue Blur , Sonic , as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends , family , and the reality . The series has expand into several video games , multiple comic book serial , telecasting appearance , and a Hollywood characteristic film series .

Comic book panels: Knuckles confesses to Trip in 30th anniversary issue

Comic book panel: Mimic gets twisted in Sonic the Hedgehog

Comic book art: Sonic characters Surge and Kit looking evil

Comic book art: Sonic 69 cover with Sonic, Tails and Amy Rose on Extreme Gear

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Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that began with Sonic the Hedgehog’s release for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends, family, and the world. The series has expanded into several video games, multiple comic book series, television shows, and a Hollywood feature film series.

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Sonic the Hedgehog