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Sonic the Hedgehog has been around a whopping 30 years, and according to WonderCon@Home 2021, his comics by IDW are celebrating all year long. Whether video games, cartoons, comics, or movies, Sonic has proven himself a mainstay of pop culture, and if his multimedia track record is anything to go on, he’s here to stay.
Since 1991, Sonic has captured the hearts of people worldwide, so it’s only fitting the Blue Blur gets a year-long bash in the pages of is his 29-year-old comic series at IDW (*that’s right, Sonic has been in comics nearly as long as he’s been in video games). The details were highlighted at by the creative team during WonderCon@Home 2021.
What Can We Expect From The 30th Anniversary Special?
This June, IDW will be publishing an 80-page giant chronicling multiple adventures in the Sonic universe. The lead story, “Seasons of Chaos,” is written by Ian Flynn with art by Aaron Hammerstrom and Reggie Graham. Not too much is known about the cryptically titled tale, but Flynn confirmed at the WonderCon@Home 2021 Sonic panel that for people who were fans of the Sonic Mania cartoons of 2018, this story will be a spiritual successor. Set in the classic Sonic world, the story is said to be brimming with a bunch of beloved characters, so readers should buckle up.
“Dr. Eggman’s Birthday” is another featured story that comes to us from Gale Galligan with art by Thomas Rothlisberger and Nathalie Fourdraine. Galligan hinted that the tale revolves around the closest people in Eggman’s life trying to cheer him up on his birthday after years of failing to catch Sonic. The problem is they are not very good at it. Thus, readers can expect a splash of heart in this humorous story about the dastardly doctor.
Last, the 80-page comic will feature a story from Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy (of My Brother, My Brother, and Me fame) with art by Mauro Fonseca. The creative team working on this story was not at the WonderCon panel, but with a title like “Sonic Learns to Drive,” readers can be sure hilarity ensues.
Sonic Is Showing Up For Free Comic Book Day Too?
The festivities continue just one month later on Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), which will be on August 14th this year. WonderCon@Home revealed the Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special Free Comic Book Day Issue will be produced by the same team behind the “Dr. Eggman’s Birthday” story in the main book.
As announced at WonderCon@Home, The FCBD issue will focus on Amy Rose as she tries new hobbies, including drawing comics herself. The metatextual issue will be free to pick up but limited at participating comic shops, so fans should stay on the lookout when August 14th rolls around.
How Do We Get Our Sonic Fix In The Fall?
IDW has Sonic fans covered in late 2021, with the deluxe edition of June’s 30th anniversary special will be available in hardcover come October. This book will contain both the 80-page comic and the FCBD issue together in one massive tome, as well as bonus content including a cover gallery, a script feature, a section on how comics are made, and more. October is a long way away, but such a complete collection is the perfect thing for Sonic fans to look forward to.
What If I Am New To Sonic?
Speaking of collections, IDW wants there to be no barrier for fans of Sonic from other media to jump into his adventures in the comics, and so are releasing Sonic the Hedgehog: The IDW Collection Volume 1 in May.
As revealed at WonderCon@Home, This collection holds the first 12 issues of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic all in one package. And with the collection conveniently out May 26th, anyone interested in following Sonic’s escapades after reading the 30th anniversary special will have an easy access point.
Sonic Has Even More Love Going Around?
At this rate, the year is no longer 2021; it’s twenty-twenty “run” (Because Sonic runs, you see. No? Okay.) Sonic’s comics don’t just kick off in June; they are happening right now! Currently, the first two issues of the 4-part story “Test Run” are available to grab. According to writer Evan Stanely during the WonderCon@Home panel, “Tales, Amy, and Sonic investigate a weird tower created by Dr. Eggman and get trapped within it…. running through this weird gauntlet of traps and tests that Eggman has prepared. Meanwhile, Tangle and Bell (a new character) are sabotaging the tower from the control side.”
She adds, “the intention for this season [of comics] is to tell smaller, more self-contained arcs that have powerful character-interpersonal motivations as a contrast to our last two seasons that were broad ensemble stories.”
Happy 30th Anniversary Sonic!
Sonic the Hedgehog has a lot going on at IDW this year, and if you are a Sonic fan on any level, there’s bound to be something for you to check out and enjoy for Sonic’s 30th Anniversary. During the WonderCon@Home panel, Ian Flynn teased big things were coming in the comics as they lead up to the 50th issue, so the time to jump in is now. And if you’re interested in more incredible news and updates from WonderCon@Home 2021, you can’t go wrong running with The Daily Fandom.