Sonic Comics: Explained

After my post about the different cartoons and "movies," I thought I'd explain the other huge chunk of Sonic media: the comics. I own a few--which were great--and I've kept up with some of the main events online, but I know that with all the changing companies and series it can get confusing, so this time I'm clarifying who's-who. 

There are 3 main Sonic comics...

HE WAS NUMBER ONE.

Archie

Sonic is cocky hero with a love of adventure. Joining the main cast is Sally Acorn, a tomboy princess and born leader who's Sonic's on-again-off-again girlfriend; Bunnie, a part-cyborg with a Texas accent--one tough cookie; Antoine, a scared-y-cat swordsman with a french accent who is usually paired up (romantically) with Bunnie; Rotor, a large walrus who is known for his mechanical work; and Nicole, a smart and purposeful AI. They form the freedom fighters, ready to save their world from Dr. Eggman.

Some Basic Concepts

• Super Genesis Wave--an event which reset the world (rebooting it in the real world).
• Freedom Fighters--those who take on Robotnik/Eggman and help Sonic out. 
• Julie-Su and other Echidnas--usually involved with Knuckles before the Super Genesis wave. 
• Scourge, Fiona, and Moebius--an alternate dimension where Sonic's bad (and a little nuts). Fiona dated Sonic but was really hooking up with his alternate (Scourge). 
• Nicole--originally only a handheld computer for Sally, she developed her own AI and started playing a role as a hologram ("holo-lynx").            
• Uncle Chuck and Sonic's family--Sonic was mostly raised by his Uncle. He was reunited with his parents but things weren't perfect.    
• Mega Man--Sonic frequently crossed over with Mega Man and other characters. Yes, at one point he did meet Sabrina the Teenage Witch. 

Forget Dark Sonic, this is THE TRUE evil Sonic.

Fleetway

The British Sonic comic, Sonic the Comic, was followed Sonic and the freedom fighters as they protected the world from Dr. Robotnik (it was a common plot back then). New to the series was Johnny Lightfoot, Porker Lewis, and Tekno the Canary. Amy was protrayed a bit differently--with a crossbow as her signature weapon. Sonic himself was more cocky and self-absorbed, but that lead to interesting interactions with his friends. The comic explored the different personalities and grew them. It was cancelled after their Sonic Adventure adaptation, but the fans continued it online.

Some Basic Concepts

• Sonic turned blue breaking the sound barrier (and was brown before). 
• Dr. Ivo Robotnik--he was Dr. Ovi Kintobor and a good man...before a tragic egg accident. 
• Super Sonic--the transformation was actually an evil alter ego, turning Sonic's bad traits worse. He destroyed whatever was in his way--but it was necessary at certain points.    

That Boom-Boom Pow. 

IDW

The new comics, which supposedly are "close to the game's canon." The main cast includes Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and a new girl/lemur character called Tangle. So far it's sort of been an afterward to Sonic Forces, but Blaze, Shadow, Rouge, and the Chaotix have all shown up; Silver is on his way.

Some Basic Concepts

• The series starts after Sonic Forces.
• Tangle the Lemur uses her stretchy tail to attack. 

Other appearances...

Detectives you want on your side.

Sonic Forces: Digital Comic

A small and short comic series exploring other points of view pre-Sonic Forces. It focuses on the avatar (or a avatar), the Chaotix, Knuckles and Silver, Team Dark, Eggman, and Infinite.

Some Basic Concepts

• The Phantom Ruby (magic, reality distorting gem) from Mania and Forces plays a role. 
• Wispons (weapons that use Wisp powers) from Forces are used.

Nice going, Chaos.

Sonic Comic

A short, mini-comic series on Sonic Channel revolving around different characters. Unfortunately, they were all in Japanese, so one has to read a translation.

Archie Spin-offs.

Knux, such a gentleman. 

Knuckles the Echidna

A series that followed Knuckles. And Echidnas. Yeah.

Some Basic Concepts

• Knuckles liked to hang out with the Chaotix.
• Julie-Su--Knuckle's love interest.
•  Knuckles discovers more about his past, like his parents. 
• The plots would continue in the main series once the spin-off ended. 

EL GRANNNN GORDO

Sonic X

An spin-off of both the main Archie comics and the TV itself, Sonic X was a comic set between the episodes during seasons 1 and 2. It included typical Eggman ploys, a group called S.O.N.I.C.X. that was after Sonic, and even some old-fashioned Genesis references. Strangely, Chris' world is shown as Earth in real life while it was not in the show.

Some Basic Concepts

• Most issues were set between episodes, never making it to the third season. 
• It finally met the real series at it's end which led to Sonic Universe. 

YOU JERK

Sonic Universe

Originally intended to explore other Sonic continuities (universes), it ended up following other characters so that the main series could focus on Sonic and his close friends. Early on stories included Scourge breaking out of prison and Blaze, Team Rose, and other teams fighting over the Sol Emeralds. Later it showed Silver's future, reintroduced the Black Arms, followed Knuckles and Amy tracking down emerald pieces, and centered on the Chaotix as they took a new case.

Some Basic Concepts

• Genesis Portals--some-what disastrous portals caused by the "Super Genesis Wave."
• The Shattered World Crisis--actually taking pace in the main series but often mentioned, it is the in-comic name for the world-wide events of Sonic Unleashed.
• Eclipse--the Black Arms left over after their defeat in Shadow the Hedgehog created him to take down Shadow. Eclipse can manipulate what Shadow sees and can match him easily, but he'd rather convince Shadow to take his side. It doesn't work.   
• Shivron. The sound it makes when Silver closes a Genesis Portal ;)

Cause Amy is nothing without her hammer, right? 

Sonic Boom

Another TV-show based comic, the short-lived series explored the "Boom" world: Scarf-Sonic, Confident-Tails, Beefy-Knuckles, Social-Amy, and Nutty-Sticks. Like the show, it had a comedic and easy-going tone.   

Manga

Yes, that's Charmy down there.

One early Japanese series (where Sonic was a boy named Nikki/Nicky who transformed into Sonic without even knowing it) inspired Amy and Charmy. Sonic had a normal but shy life with parents and friends, but doubled as a confident hero.

There have been a few others made to go along with games such as Sonic and the Black Knight and Sonic Colors.

So...

The Off-Panel, Archie Sonic's chance to discuss background thoughts--or jokes. 

The comics are a pretty important part of Sonic media. They've inspired characters and ideas that have shown up in the games (just look at Ray's shoes...), and like the cartoons, they are a great way of introducing others to the franchise. Seeing the different expressions and voices really shows how great the comics can be.