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Archie comics

Opinion, Podcasts

SEGA News Bits: Sonic the Hedgehog Comics Return April 2018 Discussion


We all know the long story about how SEGA and Archie had a disagreement with the Sonic the Hedgehog license and that they are now relaunching the long running comic book series under publisher IDW. Thanks to the New York Comic Con ‘IDW Sonic Comic Town Hall panel’ we now know new information on the relaunch that has been confirmed for April 2018. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we talk about getting four issues in April 2018, Ian Flynn being named head writer, Tyson Hesse doing promotional art for the event, and… the return of The Freedom Fighters? Tune into the episode and let us know your thoughts on the IDW Sonic the Hedgehog comic book relaunch in the comments below!
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Opinion, Podcasts

SEGA News Bits: Sonic the Hedgehog comics coming to IDW in 2018


While we are a bit late on talking about this due to the long weekend away from technology, we are covering the big news that Sonic the Hedgehog comics are back but this time with IDW as a publisher. If you guys didn’t hear, Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog series ended less than a week ago and SEGA was quick to announce their new partnership with IDW! If you guys watched our previous SEGA News Bits episodes discussing all things Sonic the Hedgehog comics related, you’d know that we have wanted the Sonic the Hedgehog brand to end up at IDW for a long while. So on this episode of the SEGA News Bits we talk about Sonic joining IDW, the potential crossovers, and our hopes for how the transition is handled. There is still a lot of details to hash out on how IDW will be handling their own series, but what do you wanna see? Let us know in the comments below and will you be picking up the new IDW Sonic the Hedgehog series come 2018?
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.

Opinion, Podcasts

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Mania Vinyls and The End of Archie


On this SEGA News Bits we discuss the news that spread through social media like wild fire. SEGA has announced that they would be moving on from licensing Sonic the Hedgehogcomics 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 happened 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.
After the break, check out our video covering Sonic Mania‘s limited edition vinyl!
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Comics

Sonic the Hedgehog Archie Comic Book Series Cancelled After 24 Years


After 24 long years with plenty of ups and downs, the Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter confirmed today that the Archie Sonic series has finally been put to rest. This comes after months of silence from both parties as the series was put on hiatus after 290 at the end of 2016. The comic has run alongside Sonic since 1992 and featured characters from both the video games and the Saturday Morning Cartoon.
For those wanting to reminisce on Archie’s take of the games, check out “How Archie Played the Games”  and “Mobius: 25 Years Later,” by our very own David the Lurker.

Comics, Opinion, Podcasts

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!
SEGA News Bits is a production of SEGAbits, covering all things SEGA and Sonic the Hedgehog. When we touch on Sonic stories, you’ll be seeing them here on Sonic Retro as well. If you enjoyed this episode of the SEGA News Bits, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and never miss an episode!

Comics

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

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.
Megaman50wrap
MEGA MAN #50
Celebrate 50 issues of Mega Man with the latest chapter in the globe-smashing SONIC/MEGA MAN crossover event! “Worlds Unite” Part Four: Act One comes to its mind-blowing conclusion! Sigma’s plan reaches its first stage, and the worlds of Sonic and Mega Man have fused! It’s definitely going to take more than one hero to stop the threat from the future—maybe even ten! Sonic, Mega Man, X, Sticks, the Freedom Fighters, Robot Masters and Maverick Hunters—UNITE! PLUS: Stick around for a special bonus anniversary story as Mega Man and X meet for the first time! Featuring a wrap-around cover from the legendary Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante! PLUS 5 variant covers from Edwin Huang, Irvin Rodriguez, Patrick Thomas Parnell, Roger & Idalia Robinson and part 4 of the epic 12-part connecting variant cover series by artist Ben Bates!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Dan Schoening, POWREE, Rick Bryant, Jack Morelli and Luis Delgado
Mega Man #50 Wrap-around CVR A Reg: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Mega Man #50 CVR B Variant: Roger and Idalia Robinson
Mega Man #50 CVR C Variant: Edwin Huang
Mega Man #50 CVR D Variant: Irvin Rodriguez
Mega Man #50 CVR E Variant: Patrick Thomas Parnell
Epic Poster Variant (pt 4 of 12): Ben Bates
On Sale Date: 6/17
48-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S
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Comics

Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog May 2015 Solicitations – Worlds Unite begins!

Archie Comics have sent out the latest comic solicitations, highlighting what SEGA and Sonic fans can expect from the publisher in May! With the epic Sonic and Mega Man crossover incoming, Capcom’s Mega Man books will be a must read for those who want to follow the event, meaning throughout the crossover we’ll be highlighting the Mega Man titles that fall under the Worlds Unite umbrella. After the break, check out the covers, synopsis, and story details direct from our friends at Archie.
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Comics

How Archie Played The Games, Part 8: Of Abandoned Bases and Obscure Characters

knuckles26
Long before Sonic the Hedgehog was their mascot, SEGA was known the world over for their fantastic arcade outings. Space Harrier. Hang On. Out Run. Each game compelled whatever young mind was near to slide quarter after quarter into the cabinet, keeping the company relevant even while their home content, featured on the Sega Master System, was overtly eclipsed by the competition. Finally finding success in the console market in 1991 didn’t slow the videogame maker from producing titles for the arcade circuit, but it did raise the question of whether or not SEGA would deliver Sonic outside of the Mega Drive, making those crazy about The Most Famous Hedgehog In The World to venture outside the home and hunch over a static arcade cabinet.
Wanting to exploit the character that was to define them, SEGA was immediately aware of the demand. In 1991, they released a pair of early games exclusive to arcades, Waku Waku Sonic Patrol Car and its spiritual successor, SegaSonic Cosmo Fighter Galaxy Patrol, two early attempts that were geared directly at a younger demographic. The first two 16-bit titles would also be retooled for arcade consumption, released on the Mega Play platform where players were given the same levels as the home version but with far shorter time limits.
It wasn’t until 1993 that the first dedicated arcade experience featuring the hedgehog was released, the aptly titled SegaSonic the Hedgehog. One look at the title screen made it clear it wasn’t just a rehash of home content, featuring two brand new characters joining Sonic in an isometric world where players had to use a trackball to get Sonic and his friends out of the never-ending trouble following them. Released at the height of Sonic’s popularity, the game was virtually ignored, in part because it was almost exclusively a Japanese title. Those few that were exported to the west came with Japanese vocals and text intact, and as such was overlooked by the writers of both Sonic comic books being published at the time.
In 1999, that all changed.
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Comics

How Archie Played The Games, Part 7: Of FLiCKIES and Remote Atolls

SonicBlastCoverBlue is Back!
Or at least, that’s how Sega of America wanted you to think back in 1996. Five years after the release of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the western branches of the company were scrambling to celebrate Sonic’s first semi-prominent anniversary. The original plan was to release Sonic X-treme, the first true 3D game featuring everyone’s favorite hedgehog. The story behind that title’s cancellation has become the stuff of legend, not just infamous in this here part of the world but in the general gaming community. Without that title, Sega decided to heavily promote Sonic’s swan song on the Mega DriveSonic 3D: Flickies’ Island, also known as Sonic 3D Blast in the United States. With a port of the game hastily developed for the Sega Saturn, along with a similarly titled Game Gear game that was otherwise unrelated, the marketing blitz began.
It was only natural for Archie Comics to craft a comic adaptation of the newest game in the franchise. Not since issue thirteen’s “This Island Hedgehog” had Archie released a comic at around the same time as the source material it was promoting, SEGA’s huge push filtering into the otherwise left alone plotlines of Archie. Did this unique timing help the 48-page special become a masterpiece? Well, that would be giving it away, wouldn’t it? Either way, let’s strap ourselves in and experience the very last of Archie’s stand-alone specials. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I present to you our seventh piece of evidence…Sonic Blast.
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Comics

Mobius: 25 Years Later: The Review, Part 16 – Whatever Happened To Ken Penders?

SonicLiveCoverWhen Ken first wrote the ending to Princess Sally’s Crusade, it’s doubtful that he thought beyond that simple page of a happy ending. A moment where Sonic and Sally were able to find peace, years after their battle with the evil Dr. Robotnik had come to a close. Back when the Saturday morning cartoon still reigned supreme, before Sonic Adventure and the Japanese continuity became commonplace, even before most Americans realized there was another comic book being published in the U.K. that tried to be closer to the games, albeit the Kintobor storyline that no longer is considered canon by anyone who works in the halls of SEGA. It was a just a moment where Ken thought he’d be clever, coming up with an interesting spin on the origins of NICOLE, something the TV show never got the chance to cover.

By the time Sonic the Hedgehog #131 hit newsstands, no longer was the comic book storyline the simple tales of good versus evil. The main story had taken on numerous twists and turns, incorporating elements from other shows, other games, a hodgepodge of Sonic the Hedgehog that didn’t always gel correctly. If Ken were to make a comprehensive future of every single character, of every single possibility, he may have gone mad. Indeed, sometimes it felt like his own mental state was in danger, with all the rumblings of internal strife happening in the halls of Archie Comics. Sometimes, it was a miracle the book was published at all, regardless of the quality.

As stated before, when Ken’s final installment of Mobius: 25 Years Later saw print in Sonic #144, that was never the intended ending. Ken had not gone through all that effort to leave the future as a perpetual cliffhanger. There were plans for more, though they never saw fruition. The happy endings for Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Lara-Su and the rest instead remained only in Ken’s mind, until Ian ushered his own interpretation of the future.

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