Dear Archie Fans

An abrupt reboot left many scenarios unsolved, and--as fans finally adjusted to the new world--it was lost too. Again, long-time comic fans were forced to make another adjustment: a world not just missing some Archie characters, but all. 

Some have enjoyed the new, IDW series. Others left quickly. Meanwhile the new canon pulled in fresh fans, too. 

Good or bad doesn't really matter. What matters is that the Archie comics had a long life. Nearly 25 years; nearly 300 issues in the main series alone. The freedom fighters may not be fighting off zombie hoards like Tangle and Whisper, but they've fought. Robotnik, other Robotniks, evil dimensional doppelgangers, magical and mystic beings, aliens, aliens, aliens...

Meanwhile characters like Scratch and Grounder, Manic and Sonia, Chris and Cosmo, Tenko the Canary--even one from Boom...their time was too short. Archie Sonic was cancelled. But the truth is Sally Acorn and the Knothole freedom fighters lasted a long time, and their fans should be thankful for that.    

It may seem as though Tangle and Whisper are getting all the attention. They are. They're new. Even Sticks got attention when she was new. If Sally--or Manic, or Cosmo, etc--had been created in this day and age, I'm sure Sega would be throwing them into mobile games too. 

But now the complexity of who the character is (and who the character is owned by) makes something like that harder. As for a comic revival or special, though, Archie characters have an advantage above the others. Many who worked on Archie migrated to IDW, and many of the fans did, too. And the fact that "bringing the characters back" has been suggested by the lead writer is a huge deal, really.  

But new fans. They always want the new fans. It may seem at the expense of the old fans. Yet in this case, it does make sense. Even though it builds up, 1 issue a month is a crawl. And just as a mega-man crossover can feel misplaced, a sudden change of pace so early or in the middle of a story-arc could be a catastrophe. And then the archie-conclusion would be rushed, too.     

Alternatively a merging of characters and ideas would be overly complex as well. Most of the characters would have to be severely changed to match the canon--those who could be used at all. 

Aside from that, the Sonic cast is already huge. IDW needed a few exclusive characters to be the face of the series; They needed to be unique. Combined, and their is little room or time for new versions of old characters. Take a look at the Sonic movie (as an extreme example). They didn't even want to risk "well known" characters like Tails or Amy. 

If Archie Sonic--or any other past Sonic incarnations--receive a new story, conclusion, or even a cameo, fans may be appeased. But even if it never happens, fans have to learn to accept the new characters and world. They don't have to like it or read it, but they have to accept that it's a new start. IDW is IDW, not the Archie. Despite some promise, the old comics may never resurface.

At the end of the battle, though, fans of Sally, Nicole, Bunnie, Antoine, and Rotor were luckier than most. Many characters have come and gone in the Sonic series. Who knows if Tangle and Whisper still be around in 10 or 20 years? Still, for better or worse, it's their time, now.  

Persistently whining about the Archie comics will not bring them back.

Sonicomics: IDW Changes...

Info

It's been announced that Evan Stanley (Creator of the fan comic "GOTF;" writer of "The Silver Age" issues/co-writer for "Victory Garden;" and a "fan favorite" Sonic artist) will be taking over as main writer for the Sonic the Hedgehog IDW comic series starting in issue 33.

The issue also features art by "fan favorite" Gigi Dutreix ("TMOM" fan comic; co-writer for "Victory Garden"), who will assumingly start penciling for the series more often. 

Current writer Ian Flynn will still be involved; it's more of a partnership. However, it is a big step in the world of Sonic comics since there hasn't been a main comic written without Ian Flynn since 2006 (and none "main" in the IDW series).

The success of "Tangle and Whisper " apparently opened the door for more spin-off material. There will be new mini-series focusing on sub-villain Dr. Starline. Written by Ian Flynn, it's titled "Bad Guys." Also, this year's Annual has been given a new release date in June (as it and most of the issues were delayed by the REAL WORLD virus).

Thoughts    

I'm happy with the change in writing. Though I don't hate Flynn, as some fans do, I've often felt that others should be involved for a better balance. I also believe that Stanley has a better grasp on how some of the characters act. Neither are perfect, but working together could turn out to be a great idea.

So many...

I'm less pleased with this "Bad Guys" idea. The Sonic cast is large and there are many amazing characters to base a story around. Most probably deserved a story more than Tangle/Whisper, but they were new, very popular characters. It made sense for IDW to show-off it's original characters in a original story.

But Starline? I don't think he's done anything to deserve a series. He's rather bland and lacks the popularity to support him. What's more, the series will deal with "the aftermath" of the Metal Virus saga...MORE OF THE D@^# M@%$@! F*&$!^% METAL VIRUS SAGA?!

Starline and fellow worthless characters (excluding maybe Mimic)

Look, Flynn has managed to make unique stories about villainous characters before. But it's defiantly not the angle I'd choose for the series' second spin-off, and I'm not interested.

This Year...(2019)

Games

A racing spin-off, 2019 saw the debut of "Team Sonic Racing." Although their had been both car-racing games (with the Sega "All-stars") and racing games mixed with plot (the Riders series), this game saw the first combination of the two (excluding the somewhat-obscure 90s ones like "Sonic Drift").

It's gameplay also set to make itself unique by adding it's "team" element, a feature similar to Sonic Heroes.

TSR has been the only game recently and seems quiet about future games, leading to speculation and dreams of "Sonic Adventure 3." I wouldn't go that far. 

Animations

The spring saw two surprising shorts created for TSR, similar to last year's Mania Adventures. Comical, they featured Knuckles, Big the Cat, Shadow the Hedgehog, Eggman, and other characters. 

Even more surprising was the "Chao in Space" animation that Sega posted just this month. Cute and nostalgic, the focus is shared between Sonic in a Chao Garden and a Chao in a dream space-battle.

Comics

The main focus of IDW's fairly new Sonic comics this year has been the "Metal Virus," a metallic pathogen that's turning the planet into a group of Zombie-like robots. Many characters have unwillingly transformed and tension has continued to boil. Unfortunately, the "Zombot" plot has gotten tiresome for some, and it's continuing into next year.

Meanwhile IDW's new heroes, Tangle and Whisper, have taken on a different threat in their 4-part mini-series. The spin-off explored the duo and could be a sign that IDW might expand on alternate stories (Tangle/Whisper or other characters) in the future. There are plans for a new "annual" already. 

Movie

In the summer an unforgettable horror was released upon the world: "movie" Sonic.

Paramont responded to the backlash and took pains to have the CGI-character revised, including enlisting help from Sega's comic/animation go-to-guy, Tyson Hesse.

The cuter Sonic meant the movie would be pushed to February, but it was well worth the wait. 

This Year...

10 Super-Sonic Moments to Remember From 2018

Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces

Although released in 2017, these games were still "new" to gamers. Sonic Mania Plus was released later, and Forces kept players busy with Avatar skins/accessories.  

1 Mania's insane amount of Easter eggs and classic goodies: Super-Peel Out; CD-like opening sequence; small Amy appearance; Mean Bean; Bark, Bean, and Nack; the Metal Sonic projector and the machine in the past...the list goes on and on. 

2 It's retro style was what Sonic 4 should have been, and it pleased many.   

3 Plus re-introduced Mighty and Ray, who haven't been around since the 90s, (SegaSonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles' Chaotix). Other Note: Ray's shoes redesigned blue, in honor of his appearance in the Archie comics. 

4 Forces saw a new concept come to light: designing a character. Inspired by the amount of fan creations out there, Forces lets players customize the "Avatar," who would have their own ability and a unique look. 

5 Forces saw the return of the most characters since Sonic Generations. The only major characters absent (that had been in Generations) were Blaze (who, remember, is from another dimension) and Cream.   

6 Forces may have centered around Sonic, Classic, and the Avatar, but it also was the first time Shadow had been playable in a Sonic game since 2010 (Free Riders) and playable in a "main-game" since 2006 (Sonic 06). In addition to being playable in certain Sonic levels, he has his own "episode" (although it's very short) which serves as a prequel.   

IDW's New Sonic Comic

IDW released their new Sonic comic this year, which was released every week for 4 issues, then monthly. 

7 Sonic and friends deal with the "Fallout" from Sonic Forces. The comic slowly introduces the characters to new readers (Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Blaze, the Chaotix, Eggman, Team Dark, etc).  

8 New characters are introduced, including Tangle the Lemur, Whisper the Wolf, and (LAAAAME) trouble makers Rough & Tumble. It should be noted that Tangle will become a major reoccurring character. 

9 In addition to starting a new story arc involving a familiar mechanical villain, IDW released it's first one-shot, which is a prequel to Team Sonic Racing, the up-coming 2019 game. Curiously, it's set "in the world of Team Sonic Racing," not the "main" IDW story (why am I getting "in another time, another place" vibe?*). 

Sonic Mania Adventures

To support the release of Mania plus, a short animated series was made in the style of Mania's opening. On Youtube, it picked up directly where Forces left off (from Classic's point of view).    

10 Mania Adventures brought the entire "classic cast" of Mania together. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Ray, Mighty, Metal Sonic, and Eggman.**  

*"In Another Time, Another Place" was Archie's way of adapting the videogames. Luckily, IDW isn't just copying the game's opening cutscene and slightly shortening it. 

**Update: Mania recently added an extra addition to the series that features (previously sidelined) Classic Amy Rose.

2019

Next year we have more comics to look forward to, as well as Team Sonic Racing. What else will happen? 

• What other games will Sega be making? 
• Is Classic strictly an anniversary character or will he have his own spin-off series now that he's "from another dimension" and not just time-travelling? 
• Are they ever going to replace the current voice actors? 
• How long will Sonic Boom last? 
• Will the Archie comics be revived or left in the shadow of IDW? 
• Are we going to get more on the Sonic Movie (please, no!)? 
• Sega, can you please, please, please make a game were Sonic, Shadow, and Blaze have playable stories?

Ah, well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! 2019, here we come. 

Sonic Comics: Tangle the Lemur Takes Things Over for Sally Acorn.

Sally Acorn (left) and Tangle the Lemur (right)-art by me

Sally Acorn was the co-star of the Sonic the Hedgehog Archie Comic series. Now that Sonic's ditched Archie for IDW, a new girl character has been introduced: Tangle.

A ring-tailed lemur, she is somewhat inspired by early Sonic ideas--the stretchy rabbit ears that became Ristar's stretchy arms are now Tangle's stretchy tail, if that makes any sense. Designed to look cool in general and while fighting, she debuted in IDW's fourth issue.

When I first heard about Tangle and her creation, I could only think "why." We had plenty of female characters for Sonic to hang out with/take down Egghead with/casually flirt with. Amy takes the girly side, but if her hedgehog's in trouble she pulls out that hammer and teaches the good doctor a lesson. Rouge is a spy, thief, and treasure hunter--an odd combination of James Bond, Catwoman, and Indiana Jones. And there's the best option, Blaze the Cat, who has an interesting back story and awesome powers. I just figured Flynn (AKA the writer) wanted someone to fill in "the Sally role" of having someone willing to take charge and plan out attacks (and casually flirt with Sonic).

But then I thought about it a bit more. Rouge is too busy with Shadow and Omega to fill in as the "extra" for Sonic. Amy's always there, so it not anything new--plus in most cases Sonic is trying to get away from her. Blaze would defiantly make sense, but she's from another dimension, so she can't be there 24/7 like the rest of the group. And after I forced my self to read (ahem, skim) Flynn's interview on GameInformer*, I began to understand why a new character would be necessary. She can fight with Sonic and join up for few plots now-and-then, but can step aside for more important character when the situation demands it.

An IDW advertisement. 

I also figured that Sega or IDW wanted an original character to be a sort of mascot for the series. Like how Sticks the Badger represents Sonic Boom. Where as Sally represented Archie, Tangle now represents IDW.

Still, I have to wonder what kind of character Tangle will become. When first introduced, I was questioning who she might be like, but so far we've seen that Tangle is closer to Sonic than anybody. She loves to take on a foe, but she can be a bit reckless, too. I think that Tangle's her own character, and though she's sort of filling Sally's role as Sonic's FFF (female fighting friend), she'll prove to be an interesting part of the cast.
...But Blaze is better.

Yes she is.

Sidenote: When I was drawing the picture for this article I thought that Sally and Tangle where drawn kind of similar. So I experimented with photoshop to prove my point, and this is Sally the Lemur. 

SEE IT NOW?

Nothing like a good old re-skin to sharpen my photoshop skills.

*The reason I was hesitant to read up on new info was because GameInformer is on my hate list, along with IGN, Roger Craig Smith, and who ever is currently voicing Jet the Hawk (bring back Jason Griffith!).