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When I was a kid, I had a special appreciation for media that didn’t talk down to me and tried to tell a good story with interesting lore and backstory. Knuckles the Echidna, a 32 issue monthly comic series from Archie Comics, did just that. Given Knuckles’ 25th anniversary, I thought it would be nice to revisit the comics in some way. I haven’t read them in some time (due in large part to their lack of easy digital availability) so I will be recounting my memories of the comic’s tone and themes somewhat vaguely and broadly. Hopefully, I will be able to do a deep dive into the comics in the future. I had been reading Archie’s Sonic comics for a couple of years when the Knuckles the Echidna series got going. Knuckles was a character that got my attention before I was even exposed to his first game thanks to his cool design, his weird abilities, and most importantly his place in the story. Knuckles was that cool guest star character who only popped up occasionally, making his appearances feel special. He could not only could go toe to toe with Sonic himself, but often would, making him Sonic’s “rival,” at a time when that concept was still fresh to my young mind. To me, Knuckles was the coolest Sonic character. I must’ve not been the only kid who thought that because Knuckles became pretty popular in the comics. His occasional appearances turned into regular back story appearances, which lead to a mini series, which finally led to a monthly ongoing…which was weird as all heck, but also very neat. Enerjak, an all-powerful chaos-fuelled being [Image Credit: Sonic News Network] As I said before, the Knuckles series didn’t talk down to kids and tackled some subjects that most kids media didn’t put much focus on back then. The world had politics, including three distinct factions: the fanatical technophilic Dark Legion, the fascistic (and later racial minority) dingoes, and of course the citizens of Echidnapolis (who were predominantly echidnas, of course). The series even featured an entire arc devoted to the world’s politics and the tension building up between the factions. The comic also wasn’t afraid to deal with death and romance, going so far as to devote an entire three-issue story arc to Knuckles and Julie-Su’s budding love-life. The comic also had a lot of backstory and lore. The tension between the Dark Legion and the citizens of Echidnapolis went back hundreds of years, to events involving Knuckles’ ancestors feuding over how technology should be used in echidna society. Before that, there was Enerjak, a power-mad entity created when one of Knuckles’ ancestors absorbed eleven of the island’s twelve chaos emeralds (yes, twelve) in an attempt to return Angel Island (called simply the Floating Island in the comics) to the planet. The series would often dive into this history to give the current day plot line a greater, more epic context, since the conflicts the comic covered often had roots going back centuries. The comic had some echidna politics. [Image Credit: Sonic News Network] The comic also had loads of weird, often sci-fi concepts. The Dark Legion, who served as the comic’s primary villain faction, often sported loads of cybernetics to display their devotion to technology. These cybernetics could look kind of gruesome to me as a kid. Then there was the Brotherhood, a clandestine organization made up of Knuckles’ living ancestors, who as it turns out were inexplicably long lived, with the oldest being hundreds of years old at the start of the series (I’m not sure an explanation was ever given for that). The comic opened with the Dark Legion escaping from an alternate dimension known as the Twilight Zone, while the second arc focused on two dimensions holding the separate cities belonging to the echidnas and dingoes collapsing in on each other. Then there was Knuckles himself, who was genetically modified when his father, Locke, irradiated his egg with chaos energy to give him special powers. So yeah, the comic was cool…and weird. Putting my childhood nostalgia aside, it was also flawed. The writing could feel stiff, and many characters often sounded like they were speaking with the same voice. The comic didn’t always make use of what should have been interesting plot revelations, such as when one member of the Brotherhood turned out to be a former leader of the Dark Legion. This reveal did not have the emotional pay off one would expect: his son, who held a special hatred for the Legion, turned on him immediately, while the rest of the Brotherhood did not seem to express much emotional grief over their son/grandfather/great-grandfather/etc turning out to be a villain the whole time. We were also denied the satisfaction of a reunion between the Brotherhood and the man the Legionnaire replaced. The lineage of guardians who protected the Floating Island, and later joined the Brotherhood. The living ones go all the way back to Hawking, the one with the hat. [Image Credit: Sonic News Network] As I said before, its been a long time since I last read these comics. I don’t remember how pervasive the issues I mentioned above were, but they are there. As much as I enjoyed them as a kid, I couldn’t help but feel a bit…underwhelmed upon revisiting them. That said, there’s still plenty about the comic that did age well. The interior art was mostly done by Manny Galan, one of the best artists Sonic comics have ever seen. He nails the look of a the comic’s characters and world perfectly, and his work is still a joy to look at. The comic also employed an interesting concept with its covers: each cover of the comic’s three issue story arcs could be combined together into a single image. These covers were mostly done by Sonic comic legend Patrick Spaziante, often depicting epic scenery and action. The covers didn't go together cleanly, but would often tell their own little stories. Here we have the arrival of the Dark Legion, a past tragedy from their formation, and the climactic present-day battle [Image Credit: Sonic News Network] It’s kind of unfortunate these comics are so inaccessible in an age when nearly any comic can be bought online. This does, unfortunately, bring us to one of the reasons why I have difficulties going back to these books even when I do have access to my old copies: the Ken Penders lawsuit. This is something I’d rather not get into right here, so I will keep it brief: I think every artist should be compensated for reprints of their work, and I wish Archie had worked something out with Penders to make that happen. I hope IDW does what they couldn’t. I also think that, by copywriting the characters he created, Penders effectively destroyed this comic’s legacy. Its characters will never be able to grace any Sonic comic continuity again. They have already faded into complete obscurity and they will never again be able to interact with the game characters they were created to flesh out. I think this is very unfortunate. Though, in a sense, the Knuckles series being inaccessible does feel right to me. Back when the Knuckles comics were being made, I had difficulties getting ahold of them. My local book store didn’t carry them and the comic book stores that did kept going out of business. So to get them, I’d have to go to a Books-A-Million in Potomac, Virginia, which was an hourlong drive. I didn’t get to go often, but whenever I did and I got to see that Knuckles comic on the rack, it was always special. That reflects my feelings on the comic as a whole: special, memorable, and a series that will always evoke my childhood to me. I do hope inaccessibility does not become this series’ fate. So far as I’m concerned, it at least deserves more than this. Maybe one day.

The latest solicitations for Archie Sonic #132 have come in, featuring a continuation of both the 'Home' and 'Mobius: 25 Years Later' story arcs. In the former, Sonic and friends try to rally against Dr. Eggman's assault on the Kingdom of Acorn, while the latter focuses on a coming-of-age story for Knuckles' future daughter, Lara-Su. No doubt cover will come along later on, but for now enjoy the following preview for the upcoming comic. Sonic the Hedgehog #132 "Home, Part 3 - A.D.A.M. & Evil" Sonic, Knuckles and the entire Kingdom of Acorn launch a two-pronged defense against the forces of Eggman's Empire. As usual, Dr. Robotnik (a.k.a. Eggman) has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep his foes from winning the day. And then there's Shadow and a stash of deadly weapons... SCRIPT: Karl Bollers. ART: Dave Manak (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks). "Mobius: 25 Years Later - The Unveiling" Our popular look at the future lives of Sonic's friends and foes continues! This time, Lara-Su undergoes the female echidna coming-of-age ceremony. As Knuckles' daughter, this is a very big deal - everyone on the island is invited. Will Lara-Su be able to deal with her insecurities? Also, if he's not here for the ceremony, just why has Rotor come to see Knuckles?! You won't want to miss this intriguing installment! SCRIPT: Ken Penders. ART: Steven Butler (pencils) and Ken Penders (inks). SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #132, ships 1/7. 32-page, full color comic, $2.19 US. Source: ComiX-Fan

Good news! Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog #127 is out now... if you live in Canada! For everyone else, you'll need to wait until tomorrow. But for fans who are based in Canada, go out now and buy that sucker! The information on the short delay comes from Diamond Comics, who sent out this notice: Don't worry guys, it's only a day. If you're keen on learning more about what Sonic #127 is all about, check out our older news story about it which has official solicitation and cover art for the new issue.

We've already covered the preview for Archie's upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog #130, but we now have the final cover art for the issue, as well as an inked preview page of what you can expect to see inside. As you can see above, the final cover is a lot more dramatic, with added lighting and shading to build on what is looking to be a pretty tense scene in the Sonic comic world. It won't all be tears and sorrow though, as the preview page (via ComiX-Fan's interview with Karl Bollers) hints that there may still be some high-speed action involved in Part 1 of 'Home'. If you missed our previous news story on it, you can read the full solicitation for Archie Sonic #130 by clicking here. Cover Artwork courtesy Westfield Comics.

You wait ages for one comic solicitation to appear, and then two arrive at once! We now have information on the next upcoming Archie Sonic books, issues #130 and #131. Sonic the Hedgehog #130 "Home-The Blue Blur Returns" Part One (of Four): The first entry in a four-part epic finds Sonic back from his adventure in outer space-and just in time, too, as the Kingdom of Acorn and the Empire of Robotnik are about to collide head-on in their monumental struggle to control Mobius! How will everybody react to Sonic's "return from the dead?" How will Sonic react to all the changes that have occurred during his absence? If you read only one Sonic comic in this lifetime, make it this one!!! SCRIPT: Karl Bollers. ART: Steven Butler (pencils) Michael Higgins, Jim Amash and J. Axer (inks). Early Sonic #130 cover courtesy Midtowncomics.com SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #130 ships 11/12. 32-page, full color comic, $2.19 US. Sonic the Hedgehog #131 Two titanic stories in one action-packed issue! "Home-The Gathering" Part Two (of Four): Continuing the saga of the four-part epic begun last issue. The threat of nuclear annihilation by Dr. Robotnik and his new minions looms large, so Sonic and the citizens of the Kingdome of Acorn AND Station Square must ready themselves to strike the Eggman Empire before its too late! With stakes this eye, everyone joins the battle lines. Don't miss this nail-biting installment-it could be the last! SCRIPT: Karl Bollers. ART: Ron Lim (pencils) and Andrew Pepoy (inks). PLUS: Due to the overwhelming popularity of the visions of the future that have graced our pages in the past (pun intended), we proudly present a new regular feature: Mobius: 25 Years Later This far-flung-futuristic feature fast-forwards you to the future of our favorite characters... and their kids! What fates await our esteemed champions? The first installment gets off to a thrilling start with a future character most readers are familiar with: Lara-Su, Knuckles' daughter... and she's preparing for a special ceremony! Pick up this issue and find out just what she's preparing for. SCRIPT & INKS: Ken Penders. ART: Steven Butler. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #131, ships 12/10. 32-page, full color comic, $2.19 US. Source: Silver Bullet Comics

The latest issue of Archie Sonic is finally out now! Sonic the Hedgehog #126 was originally due to ship to stores on July 23, but after it received a short delay it is now available to buy at your favourite comic book store. For those of you who didn't catch our Comic Preview on this issue, get ready for a brand new space opera starring Sonic! The blue blur has travelled across galaxies and ended up on a mysterious planet. Will he get out of there alive? And will he do so without being a hero to whatever alien species is in trouble at the time (the answer to that last question is 'no', obviously). Let us know what you think of the new issue in the comments below! Source: Diamond Comics

Now this is a rare treat - the head writer of the Archie Sonic comics, Karl Bollers, has recently opened up to talk about his time with Archie so far and what's to come in the issues ahead. The interview is with ComiX-Fan (formerly X-Fan), and you can read all about the discussion they have on this link to the ComiX-Fan forums right here. Bollers covers a lot of ground, and while there isn't much in the way of new information here, it's still a fascinating read. However, there are a couple of previews included in the interview, such as a page from the upcoming Sonic #130. So it's worth checking out.

The full preview for the next Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comic has been released. Featuring two stories starring the blue blur, Sonic #129 wraps up the intergalactic adventures of the last few issues and introduces our hero to a different kind of Mobius than the one he left behind. More details in the official solicitation below. Sonic the Hedgehog #129 "Space Gamble" Move over, Nascar pros - Sonic is putting the pedal to the metal by entering a racing competition! Not the best thing to do with a damaged ship, but he can always use the prize money to fix it. Winning won't be that easy of course-he's only up against fastest beings of the universe! Will Sonic's ship hold together long enough for him to cross the finish line? SCRIPT: Romy Chacon. Art: Dawn Best (pencils) & Jim Amash (inks). "Welcome to Wheelworld" The new world Sonic finds himself in offers the best opportunity for to get back home to his family and friends. Too bad he's landed there right in the middle of the trial of the Bem scientist last seen in #118. Why is this trial so important and what does it have to do with Mobius? This must must-read tale features several surprises, including of Tails' parents! SCRIPT: Benny Lee. ART: Art Mawhinney (pencils) and Michael Higgins (inks). Ships 15 October. 32-page, full color comic, $2.19 USD. Source: Westfield Comics

Archie Comics writer Ken Penders has revealed that a new upcoming story arc, called 'Mobius: 25 Years Later' will kick off five issues from now - in Sonic the Hedgehog #131. The info come in the Letters page of the latest issue of Sonic, #126. It was originally called 'Knuckles: 20 Years Later', he added, so we suspect the name change means there will be stories surrounding other characters in the future, like Sonic and Sally. Apparently the arc will begin with Knuckles and move to others from there. According to a report on Sonic HQ (who managed to see Issue #126 early due to being a subscriber of the comic), we will also soon find out how Sonic will return to Mobius from his epic space trip from Issue #129. Knuckles also returns from Issue #130, too. Looks like there's a lot to look forward to with the Archie Comics!

Heads up, comic fans - the latest issue of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog is out now in stores, and you'll want to pick this one up as it's the landmark 125th issue! Issue #125 is particularly special because it apparently marks the 10th anniversary of the entire Archie Sonic comic book series. Because of that, there are loads of features packed inside, including a message from Sonic's co-creator Yuji Naka and an "all-star artist jam". Whatever that means. I'm sure you'll find out once you read it. Check out the official solicit for this issue from way back in March, here. Source: Diamond Comics

US comic fans who are looking to get back into some retro reading will be happy to know that Archie has re-released some old-school issues from its back catalogue today. Namely, the Knuckles mini-series that ran in the late 1990s. All three issues of the spinoff "Sonic's Friendly Nemesis Knuckles" comic book have been released to stores, offering a rare chance to complete your collection. Reprints of old issues like these are quite rare and tend to not be sold at all stores, so if you're interested in getting these we recommend you call up your local retailer for more information. Good luck! Source: Diamond Comics

If you're excited about the ten-year anniversary of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and want to try owning a piece of history, you may want to keep your eye on Ken Penders' website and auction page, because the writer is planning to sell a one-of-a-kind trio of pencil, inks and coloured prints for Sonic #125's cover artwork. The auction will be for three separate works, sold together - the original pencil artwork by Patrick Spaziante, the inked version of the same by Nelson Ribiero and the coloured final by Spaziante. Penders said that this would be the only pencilled cover art in existence, as usually the inker tends to work on top of the pencils of any given page. According to Sonic HQ, the starting price of the auction itself is $1,000. So we hope you have a fat wallet.

Archie Comics writer Karl Bollers has been interviewed in the latest issue of Comic Shop News, and alongside talking about his work and what it means to him, he also offers some new details about the upcoming Sonic #125 comic. Sonic #125, of course, is the tenth anniversary issue of the US comic, and Bollers is thinking big about the universe's canon for the story of this one. "[Sonic #125] reveals the true history of Sonic's planet, Mobius," the writer said, before dropping the big plot twist. If you don't want to know, you should probably click away now. He also offered some general hints about future issues as well. Again, possible spoilers for #126-129 below. So, yeah! That came out of nowhere! It seems like the Xorda/Earth will be the next big story arc for the Archie comic series, so it will be interesting to see how Bollers and team will realise that on paper. The Comic Shop News article also served as a general interview of Archie's Sonic series itself, seeings as we're hitting the tenth anniversary of the comic and all. Bollers was asked his thoughts on why Sonic has remained the success he has been all these years. Finally, the writer also talked about the audience he reaches with Sonic the Hedgehog, and the unique challenge that offers for him compared to other comic book writers that mainly create stories exclusively for older or younger markets. It's great to see so many people at Archie enjoy what they do, and we hope Karl and the rest of the team get to keep doing it for a long time to come. Source: Comic Shop News (via Sonic HQ)

It's that time once again. Every Sonic comic fan's favourite moment - release day! The latest issue of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog (issue #123) is now available in store shelves. This issue wraps up the love-triangle story, "Heart Held Hostage" and offers a more reflective story for Knuckles in the continuation of the "Afterlife" arc. You can read more about all of that in our comic preview that we published back in January. But if you don't want to get spoiled, stop reading and get buying! Source: Diamond Comics

If you live in the US and are into your Sonic comics, you better get down to your comic book store today because the latest issue of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog series, #122, is on sale now. Check out our synopsis of this issue by looking back on our Comic Preview story from back in January. To recap, there's the beginning of a love triangle dispute between Sonic, Mina and Sally in "Heart Held Hostage", while Knuckles engages in some deep ancestral reflection in the second part of "Afterlife". Source: Diamond Comics

New solicitations have come in for the next issue of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog, but surprisingly there's also a fresh addition to the comic's library. Alongside Issue #126, Archie is also preparing a paperback collection of classic stories titled Sonic the Hedgehog: The Beginnings. Sonic the Hedgehog #126 Ships 23rd July / 32-page, full color comic / $2.19 US "Tossed in Space, Part 1" After last issue's pulse-pounding events, Sonic finds himself on a strange planet on the other side of the universe. While seeking a way home is his initial priority, his heroic instincts soon take over as he helps defend an alien race from their aggressors. By issue's end, Sonic will be forced to fight the last person he ever expected to face! You'll have to read it to believe it! SCRIPT: Benny Lee. ART: Steven Butler (pencils), Jim Amash (inks). ALSO!: the Off-Panel strip graduates from the letters page to become its own five-page story in "Better Read Than Dead": Read in awe as Sonic and The Editor face the evil of... Deadline! Can they get the issue done on time before Sonic is erased from existence? SCRIPT: Mike Gallagher. ART: Dave Manak (pencils) and Josh and Aimee Ray (inks). Sonic the Hedgehog: The Beginnings Ships 2nd July / 96-page, full color squarebound paperback / $10.95 US; $15.95 CANADA In 1993, Sonic the Hedgehog sped his way from video games to comic books. Hundreds of issues later, "the blue blur" can lay claim to having the most successful comic book career of all video game heroes! Now you can enjoy his earliest comic book adventures with this special edition that reprints his first, difficult-to-find mini-series, Sonic #0 through #3. Collected together for the first time are the first appearance of Tails, Princess Sally, Antoine, Rotor, Uncle Chuck and Muttski. Put on your favorite pair of sneakers, grab a chilidog and see where the legend began! SCRIPTS: Michael Gallagher. ART: Scott Shaw! and Dave Manak. Source: Silver Bullet Comics

Looks like Archie skipped ahead in its regular comic solicitations, as we've got news on Sonic #125 instead of #124. We're still waiting for #124 details, but it probably won't come as this next issue is more important - it marks Archie Sonic's 10-year anniversary! Full details and cover art below. Sonic the Hedgehog #125 Written by Karl Bollers and Ken Penders, art by Dave Manak, Art Mawhinney, Ron Lim, Steven Butler, J. Axer, Pam Eklund, Andrew Pepoy, Nelson Ribiero, Jim Amash, Conor Tomas and Dawn Best, cover by Spaz. Special 10-year anniversary issue featuring an all-star artist jam. The celebration of Sonic's 10th Anniversary in comics might also be the beginning of the end for the blue blur, his friends and their enemies as well. The action picks up from the previous issue; Shadow returned to help in the fight against the alien Xorda who want nothing more than the destruction of Mobius. After reasoning and bargaining fail, the denizens of the planet must band together for their very survival! In the end, a hero will fall and the future of Mobius will be changed forever. Plus: Another Knuckles solo story. 32 pages, $2.19, in stores on June 25. Source: Comics Continuum

It's that time again, folks - head down to your local (US-based) comic book store, because the latest issue of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog should be on the shelf ready for you to buy! You can catch the full synopsis of Sonic #119 in our advance preview story here, but it all sounds like Sonic's fellow Freedom Fighters get some attention here. Which can only be a good thing - the blue blur can't hog the entire limelight all the time. Thanks, Diamond Comics

There's been no official confirmation of a SatAM/Archie-based Sonic movie as of yet, but comic writer Ken Penders is still planning ways to make the project interesting. The latest is fan participation, with competition winners potentially scoring a role in the film! On his website, Penders says that the idea - which is only "being batted around" at this stage - involves a "contest where some lucky guy and girl will each win a small part in the Sonic film." "Not only that, but we may also do a runner-up contest where a character designed by a fan may end up in one of the Robotropolis segments," Penders also wrote. "Needless to say, any drawings submitted would become the property of the production, waivers would have to be signed, especially if we wanted to include them on the eventual DVD release." Penders warns fans that they should not send anything in yet. "At this moment, do not submit anything... I will post all the information once all the details are ironed out. This is more or less to let you guys know the fans are being listened to, and we do want to involve you guys where we can." Finally, some good news for Freedom Fighters fans as Penders added, "Oh yeah, one other thing: Amy Rose, Rotor and Antoine do appear in the script. They're just not major characters this time out." If we hear any more on this, we'll be sure to let you know.

Happy New Year! It's a double-whammy with the Comic Previews today! We're getting a heads up on Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog Issue #122 and #123 in one big update. Both issues start and continue the ongoing dramas in Sonic and Knuckles' respective worlds; the former is coming to a crossroads with his love triangle between Sally and Mina, while the latter continues to look towards his past. Sonic the Hedgehog #122 Written by Karl Bollers and Ken Penders. Art by J. Axer, Conor Tomas, Art Mawhinney and Dawn Best. “Heart Held Hostage, Part One” The Sonic/Mina/Sally triangle comes to a head in this intriguing tale. Sally has been noticing Mina's attraction towards Sonic for many months now - and unfortunately she suspects that the feeling is mutual. Before she can confront them about their relationship, however, bounty hunter extraordinaire, Nack the Weasel, kidnaps her. “Afterlife, Part Two” This introspective story finds Knuckles pondering the early events of his past - from his parent marriage to his infancy. Finally, Julie-Su and Vector the Crocodile have - a heart to heart? [32 pages, $2.19, in stores on April 2] Sonic the Hedgehog #123 Written by Karl Bollers and Ken Penders. Art by J. Axer, Conor Tomas, Art Mawhinney and Pam Eklund. "Heart Held Hostage, Part Two" After Nack the Weasel and his bounty hunter crew kidnap Sally, Sonic and Mina set out to rescue her together. Things get dicey as danger levels get high for the two girls Sonic cares about most in life. The conclusion to last issue's story will force Sonic to choose between Mina and Sally once and for all in a tale that can't be missed. "Afterlife, Part Three" Knuckles continues to reflect upon his past and how he was groomed to become the Guardian of the Floating Island. "The Last Robian" A mystery has engulfed the entire planet of Mobius - all the Roboticized Mobians have disappeared. [32 pages, $2.19, in stores on April 30]

After spending an awful lot of time talking about his planned Archie Sonic animated movie series, writer Ken Penders has detailed more about his intentions for the project on his official website. Character inclusions, the pacing of the movie and not paying off Disney executives are all mentioned across two posts made on his message board. Sonic HQ reports on the two posts that Penders made about the movie, which seems to give fans a lot of hope that this will be the start of a series of movies about the blue blur. We've included them in full below. Post 2: Source: Ken Penders

We know it's still Christmas holidays and all, but in the US the comics industry never sleeps. Today marks the street date of the latest issue of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog book. Issue #118 is now available to buy from all good comic stores. Go out and get it! We previewed this issue back in August, and to quickly recap that synopsis... it looks like big things are going down as Sonic gets to face off against Robotnik once again. But... he and Snively are meant to be destroyed, right? Well, quite why the Egg man is back is something you'll need to find out by reading the comic, isn't it? Also, green Knuckles. Source: Diamond Comics