The retail incentive covers for IDW’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special” have been revealed, and they’ll mark the return of a legend: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziente, once one of the most prolific Sonic artists around, is returning! The cover is reminiscent to Spaziente’s Sonic Archives covers:
Spaziente isn’t the only legend doing a cover though, as Tyson Hesse is doing the special’s other retail incentive cover:
According to Ian Flynn, longtime writer of the Sonic comics, Spaz’s return “just the tip of the iceberg,” for IDW’s 30th anniversary plans. Yesterday, IDW itself revealed that they had a major announcement in store early next month.
What does IDW have in store for us? Stay tuned!
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IDW have released their solicits for June, which means more exciting news on upcoming Sonic comics! First, Sonic the Hedgehog #42 sees Zavok having brought the Deadly Six back together, and planning to make a move that will undoubtedly not go down well for the heroes! Jewel has called on Sonic, Tails and the Chaotix to interfere with whatever they have brewing, but will their team-up be enough to stop the Zeti? This is “Zeti Hunt”; part 2.
Sonic the Hedgehog #42—Cover A: Priscilla Tramontano Ian Flynn (w) • Adam Bryce Thomas (a) • Priscilla Tramontano (c) “Zeti Hunt,” part two! Now that Zavok has his pack, it’s time for them to make a big move. But Jewel the Beetle, newly appointed Restoration leader, has called on Sonic, Tails, and the Chaotix to run interference. Will they be able to stop the Zeti and make it home in time for spaghetti!? FC • 32 pages • $3.99 Sonic the Hedgehog #42—Cover B: Abby Bulmer Ian Flynn (w) • Adam Bryce Thomas (a) • Abby Bulmer (c) *Retailer incentives: Order 10 copies and get one free variant cover by Nathalie Fourdraine!
In addition to this, there’s more information on the Sonic 30th Anniversary Comic celebration, with a special being released in time for his birthday! Have you wanted to see longtime Sonic comic writer Ian Flynn show the classic heroes together on a quest for the Chaos Emeralds? Does the idea of Eggman celebrating his birthday from ‘The Babysitters Club’ author Gale Gilligan interest you? Did you desire for a story from the McElroy Brothers about Sonic learning to drive? All topped off with art from a slew of excellent artists, and covers by the likes of Sonic Team and Tyson Hesse? As oddly specific as some of those are, this one-shot special has you covered!
Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special—Cover A: Sonic Team—Gem of the Month Ian Flynn; Gale Galligan; Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy (w) •Aaron Hammerstrom & Reggie Graham, Mauro Fosenca, Thomas Rothlisberger (a) • Sonic Team (c) After 30 years of going fast, it’s time for fans to celebrate the speediest hedgehog of all time! It’s an unbelievable birthday celebration for Sonic the Hedgehog with his first Classic Sonic special! First, in “Seasons of Chaos” by longtime Sonic scribe Ian Flynn and artists Aaron Hammerstrom & Reggie Graham, Sonic goes on an adventure from pleasant spring valleys to wintry wonderlands in search of the Chaos Emeralds. But Sonic’s not alone, with a little help from his friends Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Mighty the Armadillo, and Ray the Flying Squirrel, they’ll race, fight, and fly their way to victory against the baddest of baddies! Then, in “Dr. Eggman’s Birthday,” the vile, villainous Dr. Eggman takes center stage in a story written by New York Times bestseller Gale Galligan (The Babysitters Club)! And how does the bad doctor celebrate the occasion? Only his Badniks know for sure… Finally, in “Sonic Learns to Drive,” Sonic’s up against a tough challenge: Driving! When the fastest thing alive can outrun any car, will Sonic have the patience to learn… or will he finally get left in the dust? Written by the hosts of My Brother, My Brother, and Me, The Adventure Zone, and New York Times bestsellers, the McElroy Brothers! Grab a slice of chili dog cake and don’t get left in the dust on the most way past cool book of the year! FC • 80 pages • $8.99 Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special—Cover B: Christina-Antoinette Neofotistou—Gem of the Month Ian Flynn; Gale Galligan; Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy (w) •Aaron Hammerstrom & Reggie Graham, Mauro Fosenca, Thomas Rothlisberger (a) • Christina-Antoinette Neofotistou (c) *Retailer incentives: Order 10 copies and get one free variant cover by Patrick Spaziante! Order 25 copies and get one free variant cover by Tyson Hesse!
Sonic’s birthday is certainly shaping up to be jam-packed, with both of these issues slated for June. As always, we will have more info on them closer to their release, so stay tuned to see what’s in store for the big 3-0!
The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.
