Archie Sonic the Hedgehog
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Added by Thot PradSonic the Hedgehog is an ongoing series of comic books published by Archie Comics, featuring SEGA's mascot video game character Sonic the Hedgehog. As of May 2011, the series is currently over 225 issues long. This series is the main basis of the Archieverse. The series features a mixture of characters, settings and storylines from the Sonic the Hedgehog SatAM cartoon show, the Sonic the Hedgehog video games by SEGA, and various other incarnations of Sonic. It also includes many elements unique to the comic universe.
Overview
The main focus of the comic's storyline is the title character, world-famous hero Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic is endowed with super speed and a hatred of oppression, which puts him at odds with the nefarious Dr. Eggman. Sonic is in many ways different from his game counterpart - in the comics, he is depicted as having important ties with his family and friends, a characteristic absent from other incarnations. He is also portrayed as having a deep sense of duty - in the games Sonic treats his ongoing conflict with Eggman as just an opportunity to have a fun time, whereas in the comic he holds a personal grudge against the Doctor and understands his ability to protect the world from this menace.
Although Sonic normally goes adventuring by himself in the video games (with the occasional company of other player characters), in the comic he is affiliated with the Knothole Freedom Fighters, a ragtag rebellion that was formed to counter the tyranny of Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his legion of unquestioning, warlike robots. The basis of the original issues were designed to closely mirror Sonic SatAM, as well as the names and likenesses of Sonic's allies in the Freedom Fighters. Since then, the series has integrated many elements from the video games, which has led to ongoing story arcs involving, Knuckles the Echidna and others.
Setting
At the beginning of the series, the year was 3235, though now it is 3237 (due to the relativity of Sonic's "year" in space, in which several months passed while he was gone on Mobius while only weeks passed for him). Sonic currently lives on Mobius in New Mobotropolis. It was eventually revealed that Mobius is actually a future Earth (in an alternative reality), the year being 14,015 AD by our calendar. (StH: #148, #157)
- Originally, the date the Xorda attacked Earth was the year 0 by the Mobian calendar (during the 21st century by our calendar), and that was known in Echidna theology as the first "Day of Fury". However, the date of the Xorda attack was retconned to have occurred roughly twelve thousand years ago from the current Mobian year. The reason for the Mobian date only being 3237 with the currect retcon is unknown.
At the onset of the series, Sonic's original home was Knothole Village, a secret woodland base hidden within the Great Forest outside of Robotropolis. Since then, other areas of Mobius have been featured in the series. Additional main areas of setting include Angel Island, Downunda, New Megaopolis and Station Square.
Alternate Futures/Timelines
The backstory of StH #131-144 introduce the famous Mobius: 25 Years Later storyline, providing readers with a glimpse into the future. In this future reality, Sonic is king of Knothole and married to Sally. Knuckles has attained the rank of Guardian and is (unofficially) married to Julie-Su. However all is not well as the timeline is in danger of collapsing into destruction. Sonic and Knuckles try with the help of Rotor to prevent this catastrophe. Sonic ends up saving the universe, but it is unfortunatly reset with alterations, which are seen in issues #166-167. A continuation of this universe, known as Mobius: 30 Years Later, was told in Sonic Universe #5-8, taking place five years after the events of StH #167.
Another future version of Mobius was seen in StH #103 and #104, which was home to the Freedom Fighters of the Galaxy. Taking place in the year 4235, this dark version of the future reveals that the various members of the Knothole Freedom Fighters survived, while the rest of Mobius became uninhabitable due to Robotnik's victory (which costed him his own life). Thus the surviving Freedom Fighters left Mobius in space ships, each settling on a different planet, resulting in societies being born each looking similar to the Freedom Fighter that landed there. However, a violent race simply called "The Shark" began a war against their planets, and thus a member from each of the four races gathered together and formed the Freedom Fighters of the Galaxy. Eventually they met up with that universe's version of Sonic, who had also survived, and together combated Silver Snively and later Robolactus.
Other future versions of Mobius have been seen in various issues. The future reality which NICOLE hails from was seen in the Sonic In Your Face special and StH #119. The universe Robo-Robotnik comes from which was home to Cyborg Sonic was seen in StH #19, and another future universe where Sonic and Sally were married and had a son Manik and a daughter Sonia was seen in StH #22.
- It remains unknown if the universes seen in StH #19 and StH #22 were two distinct universes or the same, given that they appear to be very different. However, Robo-Robotnik comes from them. Given the dialogue, it is possible they are both distinct universes, and Robo-Robotnik originated in one but somehow ended up in the other. This is the theory assumed by this site's canon policy, as it is supported by dialogue.
Unique Story Elements of the Chaos Emeralds
The comic's mythology surrounding the Chaos Emeralds is quite different from what is seen in the games. In the Archieverse, the green Chaos Emeralds on Mobius were the result of radiation from the Xorda's Gene Bombs reacting with beryl deposits over ten thousand years ago, resulting in the Coming of the Chaos Emeralds.
- This explanation has been considered false as it contradicts past origin tales for the Chaos Emeralds, and the storyteller Isaac has been rebuked as insane. However, other elements detailed by Isaac are considered canon as it is not contradicted by anything.
Six other colours of Chaos Emeralds exist but were spread across different planets throughout the universe. These major differences between the Archieverse and the games has recently been reduced. During the "The Great Harmony", Turbo Tails and Super Shadow pulled all of the universe's different coloured Chaos Emeralds to Mobius, where they sent them to the Zone of Silence. Once there, the Emeralds were combined by Feist into a single gem for each color, thus creating seven Chaos Emeralds total. The Zone of Silence was also transformed into the "Special Zone", which looks more like the games' special stages. Feist has subsequently forced people seeking Chaos Emeralds to undergo challenges to obtain them, all of them being based off versions of special stages from the Sonic games.
The origins of the Master Emerald are also significantly different from the videogames. In the Archieverse continuity, the Master Emerald was only created recently in 3236, as a result of Super Sonic, Hyper Knuckles and Turbo Tails defeating the super powerful Master Mogul, with help from Athair and the Brotherhood of Guardians channeling their powers to turn Mogul's energies into the Master Emerald.
Mobius was also home to seven colored "Super Emeralds". The Super Emeralds in the Archieverse were a result of the "Seven Server Chao" transforming into them while absorbing Chaos' power and weakening him. They transformed back into Chao after Perfect Chaos was defeated and thus the Super Emeralds no longer exist.
Storyline - Synopsis of Issues and Story Arcs
Early Issues
During the first two years, the comic consisted mostly of isolated stories. The continuity of the series was such, that only a few exceptions, the early issues could be interchanged with no noticable effect. The only ironclad continuity during this period were the introductions of characters (such as Bunnie Rabbot, Knuckles, and Super Sonic) that would become familiar and lasting faces as the series continued. With little in the way of established character development, the team of writers had a largely free hand when it came to writing them. This resulted in a large amount of verbal and visual humor, with each issue built around Sonic and his allies constantly foiling Robotnik's plans- whether it be to tear down a forest or find the hidden location of Knothole Village or to build a robots of mass destruction. These stories often carried tongue-in-cheek environmentalist messages, with many of Dr. Robotnik's plans involving deforestation and polution.
During the third year of the comic's run, the issues started to gain of sense of contenuity, as a number of ongoing story elements were introduced. This is most notable with the addition of the Mecha Sonic story in issue 39 and the Mecha Madness special. Sonic is captured and turned into "Mecha Sonic" by Robotnik and then sent out to attack Knotthole Villiage. Knuckles submits himself to being roboticized in order to defeat Mecha Sonic.
From here, the storyline would be further developed into what is now a fully continuous one. Following the defeat of Mecha Sonic, the Freedom Fighters come together in issue 46 to discuss ways to attack and defeat Robotnik once and for all. The loyalty of many of the Freedom Fighters comes into question, particularly notable in a feud between Sonic and Geoffrey St. John, who claimed to be a member of the Acorn Secret Service.
End Game and After Robotnik's Death
The series then set out on an ambitious four-part storyline, the renowned End Game saga, that would culminate in the special 50th issue and profoundly change the direction of the series.
Spanning issues 47-50, the saga begins with a mission by the Knothole Freedom Fighters and the Wolf Pack, led by Lupe, to attack Robotnik’s base deep inside his city. Sally recalls that her father, King Acorn, suspects Sonic of being a traitor and will likely reveals himself during the mission. Just as thing appears to be going according to plan, Sally is hanging from a rope- in danger of falling- when Sonic appears. Just as it seems that he's going to rescue her, he takes a knife out and cuts the rope, sending her plummeting to the ground. The mission is called to retreat, and the Freedom Fighters move back to Knothole Village.
Meanwhile, Sonic is battling Robotnik inside the base (when he apparently left Sally for dead). Robotnik escapes and Sonic leaves the base wondering where the rest of his companions have gone. He returns to Knothole only to be arrested and put on trial. He's spared the death penalty in lue of his services, and is sentenced to life in the inescapable prison, the Devil's Gulag- along with other traitors, such as Sleuth Doggy Dog. While Sonic is being transported, SWATbots attack the vessel and it crash lands. Sonic manages to escape the wreckage and sets out to clear his name- with the story taking narrative and visuao cues from "The Fugitive".
King Acorn learns of Sonic's escape and demands the recapture of Sonic by St. John. On the run, Sonic takes refuge in a cavern. Meanwhile, Bunnie and Antoine discover that Drago (a member of the Wolf Pack) has been working with Robotnik in order to frame Sonic. They're captured by SWATbots, and are sent off to a prison colony in Downunda (Run by a rebuilt Crocbot). King Acorn's increasingly eratic behavior culminates when he decrees that his new "Warlord" will be Robotnik. Sonic continues his run from St. John's "manhunt" temporarily escapes them with the aid of Dulcy the Dragon. Robotnik reveals the king is a duplicate by making it self destruct and his true plan then become evident to all. All this would lead up to Sonic's return to Knothole in issue 50, where Sonic clears his name and heads to Robotropolus for a final showdown with Robotnik.
As the issue notes, Sonic is uncharacteristically devoid of his usual humor as he approaches Robotnik's main base of operations- silently cutting through everything in his path. Sonic reaches the center of the building, where he mockingly adresses the Doctor as "Julien". During their final battle, Robotnik’s Ultimate Annihilator goes off and the room is destined for destruction, but Robotnik and Sonic remain to fight to fight to the end. A blinding white flash engulfes everything, and Sonic emerges victorious and Robotnik dies (due to Snively tampering with the weapon to only target Robotnik). Sonic returns to Knothole, where Dr. Quack that Sally's fall left her comatose, and that her "coffin" was actually a life-support system. Sonic arrives at the memorial, where he revives the princess with a kiss (and an unheard admittion of his feelings for her).
Story lines continue after the End Game Saga. Mobotropolis is retaken in Super Special #2 and reconstruction soon begins. Ixis Naugus makes his first appearance in issue 53. Although temporarily defeated, he would return in Super Special #4, which lead into Sonic and Tails' world tour of Mobeus- chasing down Naugus. He reappears in issues 64-66, along with the first appearance of Nate Morgan, who would go on to become a member of the regular cast. Ixis is defeated this time by Ultra Sonic and Hyper Tails and re-imprisoned in the Zone of Silence.
Following this, Sonic and Tails return to Mobotropolus, only to be surprised by the return of Prince Elias Acorn (who was brought back by St. John and his Secret Service in the now ongoing Knuckles the Echidna series issues #19 - #21). The next several issues involve numerous strange incidents by a mysterious figure on board a satellite which bears striking resemblance to the late Dr. Robotnik. In issue #71 Sonic's appearance is altered to resemble his Sonic Adventure game counterpart and Knothole is returned to regular time and space (since the Ultimate Annihilator was fired, it was trapped in its own zone 3 hours in the future).
Arrival of Eggman and Aftermath
Issues #74 has the Freedom Fighters go to outer space to discover the nature of the mysterious satellites and destroy them. Once on board, they are greeted by what they all believe is the original Dr. Robotnik. However, after being hit by corrosive acid, his fake exterior is melted and it is revealed to be Robo Robotnik (first seen in issue #19 and later #22). Robo Robotnik explains how he killed his enemies in his own reality, and decided to replace the late Dr. Robotnik in this one, having nothing left to do in his own universe. Robo Robotnik is defeated and his satellites destroyed with help from Snively, but his "conscience" is downloaded to a new body below Mobotropolis, thus giving him his Sonic Adventure and "Dr. Eggman" appearance for the upcoming game adaptation.
Issue #76 marks Mobotropolis falling to "Eggman" and everyone forced to return to Knothole. Sonic Adventure is readily adapted into the series with the appearance of Chaos, beginning in issue 79. The saga ends with Sonic successfully defeating Perfect Chaos, the final form of Chaos after absorbing all of the emeralds, by transforming into Super Sonic in issue 84. Chaos returns to his imprisonment in the Black Emerald along with Tikal.
Issue 85 features Silver Sonic II, a scaled down version of the Silver Sonic seen in the Death Egg Saga. The next two issues (86 and 87) feature the return of Metal Sonic (first seen in Sonic the Hedgehog issue #25 and once again in the Knuckles Chaotix Special). Despite being able to defeat Sonic and Tails with ease, Metal Sonic realizes he can be more than his programming, and sacrifices himself to save Sonic and Tails from a lava flow.
The next several issues deal with the return of the Overlanders, including Robotnik's brother and Snively's father Colin Kintobor. They also launch the Chaos Knuckles saga in the back stories, beginning in issue #94. Sonic Adventure 2 comes into adaptation for one issue (#98) featuring Shadow the Hedgehog and his backstory. The majority of the issue leads up to the events of the game, and brings back Silver Sonic II, only to have him destroyed by Shadow.
Issue #100 marks the death of Nate Morgan and the restoration of the roboticized Mobian's free will via the Sword of Acorns. It also introduces Dr. Eggman's ability to roboticize individuals with a mere touch. In the issues leading up to #125, Dr. Eggman is transformed into an organic life form, all of the roboticized Mobians are restored to their organic state (with the exception of Sonic's father Jules and Bunnie, neither of which could survive in an organic state).
Issues #124 and #125 introduce the Xorda and establish Mobius as Earth, albeit thousands of years in the future. The Xorda attempt to wipe out all life on the planet, but Mobius' inhabitants unite and fight back, successfully defeating the Xorda. However, Sonic is subsequently transported thousands of lightyears off Mobius when he prevents the Quantum Dial from going off, resulting in everyone believing him to be dead. The final scene depicts dozens of characters gathered in mourning at his funeral (including the President of the United Federation in his only in-person appearance in Knothole).
Change in Status Quo
Sonic's journey through space leads up to many interesting story lines, such as the return of Super Sonic in issue 126, and Sonic's discovery that Tails parents are still alive on a far off planet. Sonic returns in issue 130 where he reveals to everyone that he is indeed alive and well. He learns that Eggman has engaged in all-out war with the Kingdom of Acorn and the United Federation (Station Square's population), the status quo having severely changed as a year has passed on Mobius since his presumed death, Angel Island having fallen to the Eggman Empire and Knothole a technological mobotropolis.
Issues 138 through 141 feature the Return to Angel Island arc, where many Echidnas from the Knuckles series are featured or killed off, Hunter returns as an operative for Eggman, the Brotherhood of Guardians and Dimitri are revealed to be missing, Lien-Da controls the Dark Legion and Knuckles regains his powers of gliding and his knuckles, which he'd lost after returning from the afterlife in issue #124.
Issue 145 features the return of Shadow, who continues to be a player, fighting both Sonic and a newly created Metal Sonic, in issues 146 through 149. This arc heavily touched on the history of Mobius (from the original conflict with the Xorda on Earth to prehistoric Mobius), all provided by the ancient robot Isaac which has existed since the 21st century, prior to the first Xorda attack.
The backstories of issues #149 and #150 deal with Tails being the Chosen One and defeating Mammoth Mogul (who at this point has the ability to destroy entire universes and realities), trapping inside his own Chaos Emerald. The main stories deal with Anti Sonic and his attempt to impersonate the real Sonic in the primeverse. Following this, the next few issues deal with Anti Antoine and his attempts to take over the Kingdom of Acorn by poisoning King Max. It is finally revealed that Patch has been impersonating Antoine for almost a year, having replaced him some time during Sonic's absence in space and only now has been discovered. He is sent back to Anti Mobius and the real Antoine is returned home. After this, Sonic and Fiona Fox begin a relationship.
Issues #160 and #161 deal with Sonic's eighteenth birthday and Anti Sonic's transformation into Scourge. Following this, Fiona disappears frequently, her shady past brought to light, as well as Dr. Finitevus's plans slightly touched upon. Issues #162 - #164 main story once again bring a major change to the status quo, with the Ancient Walkers and Sir Connery killed off, Naugus returns and becoms a loyal minion to Mammoth Mogul along with the Arachne and Destructix, the Source of All is totally destroyed, and by the end of the arc, Mecha is killed, Mogul, Naugus, the Arachne and the Destructix are all prisoners in the Egg Grape Chambers. It is revealed in issue #165 and #173 that the Arachne die in the Egg Grapes while the Destructix are freed and begin working for Dr. Finitevus, while Mogul looses his Chaos Emerald and is freed with Naugus, the latter having been reduced to a mindless beast.
Issues #168 and #169 finally reveal the mysterious identity of Anonymous, turning out to be A.D.A.M. instead of the suspected original Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Tommy Turtle is killed in this arc as well. Another significant change in the status quo is that Tails and Shadow send all of the Chaos Emeralds (except the Master Emerald) in the galaxy into the Zone of Silence, which is transformed by Feist into the Special Zone in the following issue.
Once again the status quo undergoes a massive change in the "Eggman Empire" arc spanning issues #175 - #177, in which Knothole is completely destroyed by the Egg Fleet and Sonic suffers a major defeat, with only him, Knuckles, Tails, Amy and NICOLE haveing not been captured. Things quickly turn around when they five free everyone and NICOLE has them transported to New Mobotropolis, which acts as their new home.
Issues #178 and #179 feature Tails and Sonic fighting and Amadeus and Rosemary Prower, Tails' parents, initiating a revolution and a fight for political change. The arc ends with King Elias agreeing to the creation of the Acorn Council, which transforms the Kingdom into the Republic of Acorn.
Issues #180 through #184 mark the long-awaited return of Enerjak, this time being Knuckles instead of Dimitri however. Major changes occur in this arc; the history of Finitevus is finally explained, along with Albion's destruction, what happened to the missing Brotherhood members and Moritori Rex, and the death of Kage Von Stryker and the end of the Dingoes control over Angel Island. Additionally, the Egg Fleet is totally destroyed and along with New Megaopolis. Enerjak is finally defeated by Super Sonic, but only due to Locke, Knuckles' father, sacrificing his life.
Turning of the Tides
Following the Enerjak arc, Mammoth Mogul is featured in the next four issues, once again becoming immortal by obtaining a Chaos Emerald, provided by Sonic after Mogul threatens to kill off Tails, Mina and Mighty. Following this he takes over the former Casino Night Zone and employs former Badniks from the early days, including Scratch, Grounder and Coconuts, along with original SWATbots and other badniks like Crabmeat and Motobug.
Issues #189 and #190 reintroduce the former Anti Freedom Fighters as the Suppression Squad, now subserviant to Scourge who has made himself king of Anti Mobius (now called "Moebius") and made Fiona (who betrayed Sonic and became Scourge's girlfriend in issue #172) his queen. The Suppression Squad attacks and takes over Freedom HQ, while the Chaotix attack the Dark Egg Legion in the ruins of New Megaopolis. Dimitri explains to Knuckles his true intentions for joining the Eggman Empire, hoping to weaken it from the inside.
In issues #191 and #192, Sonic returns to Freedom HQ, to briefly fight Scourge, and Metal Sonic, who was sent there before Sonic's arrival, and later on Metal Scourge, as Dimitri's plans are complicated when it is revealed that there are bombs implanted inside the cybernetics given to the Dark Legion members.
Issues #193 - #196 deal with the Freedom Fighters combating the Suppression Squad and eventually working with them when they mutiny against Scourge and Fiona. Scourge ends up being sent back and trapped in Moebius with Sonic and Amy by the Suppression Squad, giving Sonic a chance to defeat him. Meanwhile Silver the Hedgehog arrived in Mercia where he told Rob O' the Hedge he needed to find Sonic. The two then travel to Moebius and a massive brawl between Sonic, Shadow, Metal Sonic, Amy, Rosy the Rascal, Scourge and Silver ensue, though Scourge triumphs after transforming into Super Scourge. The Suppression Squad returns to their home zone and are beaten by Super Scourge, but Sonic manages to trick Scouge into de-powering and defeats him finally.
Issue #197 has Sonic take Scourge to No Zone where he was imprisoned. While in the No Zone, Zonic explained that Mobius Prime Sonic needed to fight some version of Dr. Robotnik for the zone's stability, and thus he would not be taking Dr. Eggman away. Learning this, Sonic is convinced to defeat Eggman once and for all. Sally was also charged with treason for focusing on the Suppression Squad earlier, despite the Council of Acorn's ruling to focus on fighting the remains of the Eggman Empire. Hamlin led the prosecution, but ultimately the charges against Sally were dropped.
Issues #198 - #200 deal with the combined might of the Knothole Freedom Fighters and Chaotix launching an all-out assault on the Eggdome. Despite Eggman and the Dark Egg Legion's efforts to fend them off, the two groups break into the Eggdome. Snively, scheming with Dimitri to betray Eggman and wait for his girlfriend, the Iron Queen, to show up, orders the Dark Egg Legion to let Sonic through to fight Eggman alone. Sonic managed to defeat Eggman's Egg Tarantula, though this defeat ultimately results in Eggman going into complete insanity. Snively informs the Freedom Fighter's they've won and they return to New Mobotropolis. Meanwhile, Snively locks the maddened Eggman in a padded room, and following this, welcomes the Iron Queen and her cohort to New Megaopolis.
New Faces of Evil
Issues #201 - #202 reveal the new face of evil which has usurped the Eggman Empire: the Iron Dominion. Having taken over the ruined capital of New Megaopolis with no resistence, the Iron King and Queen gain control of the Dark Egg Legion, as they fail to provide a means for them to disable the explosives Dr. Eggman placed in their cybernetics. When Sonic and Monkey Khan attempt to defeat the new threat, they are easily forced back by the combined might of the Dark Egg Legion, the Yagyu Ninja and the Iron King. Issue #203-#204 has the Iron Queen and Snively go on the offensive, as the Iron Queen uses her Magitek powers to control Bunnie Rabbot first, then Monkey Khan, having them attack the Freedom Fighters from within New Mobotropolis. Issues 205-206 show Eggman escaping from his cell and a failed attack on Sonic. These issues also show Lien-Da's past and her taking the Grandmaster title away from Dimitri. Issue #208 New Mobotropolis is taken over by the Iron Dominion after the Iron Queen takes control of NICOLE through her nanites, though in the next issue NICOLE regains control of herself and pretends to be controlled, through her Iron persona, so that Sally, Sonic, Tails, and Monkey Khan can defeat the Iron Dominion's forces. After Amy Rose, Geoffrey St. John and Antoine D'Coolette attack a public Legionization, in issue #210, the four heroes return and bring news of the four clans breaking ties with the Iron Dominion. The combined might of the heroes defeats the Iron Dominion in issue #211.
Freedom Fighters Around The World
In issues #213 - #218 , Sonic will travel to different locations to aid local Freedom Fighter groups against the Dark Egg Legion chapters , travelling with Sally to the Cat Country to reconcile with the Wolf Pack, going to the Northern Toundra to help liberate the Walrus horde (with help from Silver & Rotor) and take Bunnie on a trip to Sand Blast City to destroy the Oil Ocean Refinery . Little did Sonic know that most of the problems he encountered where related to Eggman and his newest plan ...
Return of Old Enemies
After coming back to New Mobotropolis , Sonic was tasked to retreive a Chaos Emerald from the Special Zone with Geoffrey to simingly aid King Max . While travelling to the Zone (and encoutering Feist again) , they succeded in claiming a Chaos Emerald , only for Geoffrey to shoot Sonic in the back and take the Emerald for himself , leaving Sonic astray in the Special Zone . This act was none other a ruse from Geoffrey to restore Ixis Naugus to sanity . Sonic managed to escape the Zone , but Geoffrey was nowhere to be found . While Naugus & Geoffrey where preparing their plan to take over New Mobotropolis , Sonic & the Freedom Fighters enjoyed some "peace" , having no enemies around. The people of New Mobotropolis grew scared of Nicole's power due to the Iron Dominion invasion , and their fears were amplified by Naugus' magic , causing tensions around the city .
In the meantime , Eggman finished his preparations for his latest plan and recovered a Chaos Emerald from the Special Zone to power up his latest creation.
Naugus & Geoffrey started their attack , with the former heading for the Castle Of Acorn to "discuss" with the Republic Council and the latter fighting the Freedom Fighters . Sonic rushed to confront Ixis Naugus, only for the Council to decide that this new matter should be dealt with words and not with fists .
When an earthquake shook the ground , noticing that Naugus had nothing to do with it , a truce was established and everyone discovered with horror that Eggman was back ... in the Death Egg Mark 2 (which was the Eggdome) .
Sonic , Naugus & the Freedom Fighters rushed to fight the battlestation . Naugus' magic was uneffective , but Sonic & Sally managed to get inside . They followed the opening doors to a big room where Eggman greeted them , and sent them a newly created Silver Sonic III to fight the heroes . Sonic engaged the robot , and Sally understood that it was just to stall them . She rushed through a hallway , and was simmingly shot down by a hidden turret . Sonic rushes in tears to Sally , only for the world to be washed in white ... Eggman had succesfully launched Operation : Clean Sweep . (#219-#225)
Genesis
In a new strange world , Sonic is looking for missing people and animals , stumbles accross Snively who is capturing them , saves Sally, Rotor & Antoine in Green Hill Zone , and confronts Eggman in Marble Zone before chasing him with the group in Labyrinth Zone & Scrap Brain Zone . Sonic then brings the Freedom Fighters to Emerald Hill Zone to introduce them to his friend Tails, and after a new powerful earthquake, the group leaves to shut down Eggman's power sources , beginning with Chemical Plant Zone. After having a flashback from Sally being shot, Sonic decides to leave the group to confront directly Eggman (while Tails followed), so that all the others could be safe elsewhere .The rest of the Freedom Fighters went to Oil Ocean Zone to shut it down, being secretly spyed on by Acqus . Sonic & Tails went to Metropolis Zone for the final showdown with Eggman . In the meantime , we learned that the Death Egg Mark 2 had its energy drained because of the launch of Operation : Clean Sweep and that when recharged by the 7 Chaos Emeralds Eggman collected through unknown means , it will be able to roboticize the whole planet in one shot . The earthquakes that have been shaking the planet throughout the saga are a result of reality being stretched by Operation : Clean Sweep and fighting to snap back (Snively quotes this as a falling appart of all space-time continuum) . Sally, Rotor & Antoine manage to shut down Oil Ocean Zone, depriving Eggman's bases from fuel and power . Eggman escapes to the Death Egg Mark 2 with Sonic hopping on his shuttle . The two fight aboard the flying fortress with Eggman gaining the upper hand until Sonic uses the Chaos Emerald powered cables to transform into Super Sonic . He defeats Eggman with ease , and realising that this world is falling apart , uses Chaos Control to change everything back to normal.(#226-#229)
End Of The Freedom Fighters
Sonic's Chaos Control managed to change the world back how it was , ten seconds before Eggman hit the Cosmic Reset Button , hence before Sally was shot down by the turret . Sonic acts fast and saves her , with the turret hitting Silver Sonic 3 instead . They go through the Death Egg to find the World Roboticizer . They are greeted by Eggman , and a big fight ensues opposing Sonic to Eggman,Metal Sonic and Silver Sonic 3 (who just arrived, damaged) . Sally uses the distraction to get into the systems of the Death Egg to try and stop the roboticizer , but Nicole can only convert the beam to her exact location . As Sally says her goodbyes , she presses the button , and the roboticizer blows up , destroying Metal Sonic & Silver Sonic 3, and severly damaged the Death Egg . Sonic & Eggman come out of the rubble, and as Sonic prepares himself to stop Eggman,Mecha Sally emerges from the rubble.(#230)
She grabs a still shocked Sonic by the throat , and throws him out of the Death Egg under Eggman's orders . He is caught by Tails on the Tornado , and with the Freedom Fighter Special , they try to get back on the Death Egg. Eggman releases Projects Titan and Deadly Cuddles ( Titan Metal Sonic and Tails Doll respectively ) on the city . Bunnie and Naugus fight Titan Metal Sonic , and while Naugus crystallizes the monster , Bunnie is caught in the cross-fire . Eggman fire the Annihilator Beam at the city , but Naugus uses the now crystallized Titan Metal Sonic to take the hit , destroying it and saving the city . Sonic and the Freedom Fighters and forced to bail out of the planes , pinning them down on the ground . They are forced to let the Death Egg retreat and go back to the city to see Naugus being praised by the people . (#231)
Naugus is elected King by the people due to his recent actions in Elias' place . He decrystallizes Bunnie , but her cyberneticts dissapear as a side effect .Sonic goes to Angel Island to see if Knuckles can lend him a Warp Ring to get to the Death Egg, but they have a fight and Sonic goes back home empty handed, just in time for Geoffrey's trial. But they are cut short by the Battle Bird Armada who attack the city to dig up the Babylon Garden . Sonic & the Freedom Fighters push off the attack at the price of the city which is destroyed . Nicole & Rotor slowly rebuild the city for the trial to occur. Geoffrey is accused of treason and found guilty thanks to Antoine, but Naugus gives him the annual royal pardon and let's him go scott free , much to the displeasure of everyone.(#232,SU #35,#36,#233)
Elias decides to leave the city with his family to move to a safer place, but not before approaching Harvey Who to find a means to get his crown back. He is escorted by the Freedom Fighters but thanks to Naugus plotting in the shadow with Eggman, they are attacked by the Death Egg. Eggman sends his new Egg Swats , Mecha Sally and Metla Sonic to fight the heroes. Sonic stalls Sally but Metal Sonic goes for Elias' vehicle , only to have Antoine jump in to get him away. Eggman detonates Metal Sonic , critically injuring Antoine. (#234)
Antoine is taken to the hospital, and in the meantime Amy tries to confort everyone in the city. Silver arrives from the future, having clues to who is the traitor. Bunnie leaves the city, blaming herself for what happened to Antoine, saying she will find a solution. While Amy is being conforted in turn by Sonic's parents, Sonic sees Silver outside the window and calls him. Silver says he is looking for the traitor who he thinks is Antoine. Sonic spin dashes through his window right to Silver and rushes him to the hospital to throw him against Antoine's bed, who is in a coma . After arguing with Silver and sending him away ( as well as Geoffrey ) , Sonic realises that the Freedom Fighters are gone. (#235)
The Rise of Teams Freedom and Fighters
Things begin to look up again when two new teams are formed to replace the collapsed Freedom Fighters: Sonic, Tails, Amy and T-Pup join together to create Team Freedom, while Rotor, who had recently resigned from the council in protest of Nicole's exile, assembled Team Freedom, made up of Big, Cream & Cheese, and a newly rebuilt and reprogrammed Heavy and Bomb. Team Fighters set off to chase the Death Egg across the planet, rescue any civilizations that are terrorized by the Doctor along the way, and eventually rescue Sally. Meanwhile, Team Freedom remain in New Mobotropolis to protect the city from any local threats (unaware that "Operation Deadly Cuddles" is causing trouble right under their noses). Unbeknown to the heroes and citizens, a secret third team is also being put together by Harvey Who, consisting of Silver, Elias, Larry Lynx, the Wolf Pack twins Leeta and Lyco, and Shard: the original Metal Sonic, salvaged and rebuilt. The teams purpose: to secretly keep tabs on the actions of King Naugus and his apprentice.
When Worlds Collide
Story Arcs
- The bolded titles are major and significant story arcs
- First Adventures (#1-8)
- Zone Hopping & New Faces (#9-24)
- Other Problems (#25-35 + Super Sonic vs Hyper Knuckles)
- Retreiving The King (#36-38)
- Mecha Madness (#39-40 + Mecha Madness Special)
- Preperations For War (#41-46 + Sonic Quest Miniseries + Sonic Live!)
- End Game (#47-50)
- Effects Of Victory (#51-57 + KtE#9, 11-12 + Sonic Super Special 1-2-4)
- Tales of the Freedom Fighters (#58-65, #67-69)
- Icon (#62-63)
- Enter The Eggman' (#62-78)
- The Naugus Trilogy (#64-66)
- Tales of the Great War (#71-74, #76-79)
- Sonic Adventure (#79-84 + Sonic Super Special #13)
- Heart of the Hedgehog (#86-87)
- Negative Relations (#88-97)
- Sonic Adventure 2 (#98 + SU #2)
- No Rest For Heroes (#99-102)
- Freedom Fighters of the Galaxy (#103-104)
- Myth Taken Identity (#103-105)
- Crouching Hedgehog, Hidden Dragon (#106-107)
- Cleaning Time (#108-112)
- When A Mammoth Returns (#114-118)
- Prelude To Crisis (#119-121)
- Heart Held Hostage (#122-123)
- Sonic Adventure 2.5 Omega (#124-125)
- Tossed in Space (#126-129)
- Home (#130-134)
- Mobius: 25 Years Later (#131-144, #166-167)
- The Tommy Trilogy (#135-137)
- Return to Angel Island (#138-141)
- The Original Freedom Fighters (#142-143)
- Shadows Of Hope (#145)
- The Good, the Bad and the Unknown (#146-149)
- The Chosen One (#149-150)
- Evil Sonic Havoc (#151-152)
- Songoose (#153-154)
- Line of Succession (#155-156)
- System Shutdown, Reconfiguration, and Reboot (#157-159)
- Birthday Bash (#160-161)
- The Darkest Storm (#162-164)
- Leak (#166)
- Order From Chaos (#168-169)
- Family Meetings (#170-171)
- Joy Before Cry (#172-174)
- Eggman Empire (#175-177)
- House of Cards (#178-179)
- Enerjak Reborn (#180-184)
- Mogul Rising (#185-186)
- Mister Popular/Beating the House (#187-188)
- The Bold New Moebius Saga (#189-197) (Made into 4 two-part arcs + 1 Issue)
- A Bold New Moebius (#189-190)
- Metal and Mettle (#191-192)
- Otherside (#193-194)
- Hedgehog Havoc (#195-196)
- Consequences (#197)
- The Battle to Bring Down the Eggman (#198-200)
- Egg Phoenix Down (#198)
- Knocking on Eggman's Door (#199)
- Turnabout is Fair Play (#200)
- The Iron Dominion (#201-212 + Sonic Universe #13-16)
- Change in Management (#201)
- Dangerous Territory (#202)
- Heavy is the Head (#203-204)
- On The Run (#205-206)
- Blackout (#207)
- Iron Dominion (#208-209)
- Journey To The East (Sonic Universe #13-16)
- Home Invasion (#210-211)
- The Roads We Take (#212)
- Problems Abroad (#213-#218)
- Naugus & Eggman Return (#219-#225)
- Genesis (#226-229)
- Fall of The Freedom Fighters (#230-235)
- ...Two Steps Back (#230)
- Lost In The Moment (#231)
- Dark Tidings (#232)
- The Trial Of Geoffrey St.John (#233)
- Unthinkable (#234)
- Remember The Fallen (#235)
- New Teams To Cry Freedom (#236-241 + Sonic Universe #41-44)
- Cry Freedom ! (#236)
- Loyalty (#237-238)
- Heroes (#239-240)
- Secret Freedom (Sonic Universe #41-44)
- Unraveling (#241)
- Endangered Species (#242-246)
- Unfriendly Skies (#242)
- Endangered Species (#243-246)
- At All Costs (#247-252)
- At All Costs: Part 1 (#247)
- When Worlds Collide (#248-251 + Sonic Universe #51-54 + Mega Man #24-27)
- Kindred Spirits (MM#24, SU#51, StH#248, MM#25)
- Into the Warzone (SU#52, StH#249, MM#26, SU#53)
- Chaos Clash (StH#250, MM#27, SU#54, StH#251)
- At All Costs: Part 2 (#252)
Milestones
- Sonic the Hedgehog #25: "Go Ahead, Mecha My Day" (Amy Rose and Metal Sonic's Debut; July 1995)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #50: "The Big Goodbye" (Final Sonic/Dr. Robotnik Battle; Robotnik's Death; June 1997)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #75: "I Am The Eggman" (Dr. Eggman's Debut; July 1999)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #100: "Reunion" (Robian Liberation; August 2001)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #125: "Sonic Adventure 2.5: Omega" (Sonic's Alledged Death; July 2003)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #150: "From Hero To Zero In No Time At All" (Revelation of Patch/Anti-Antoine; June 2005)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #175: "Eggman Empire" (Destruction of Knothole; May 2007)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #200: "Turnabout is Fair Play" ("Final" Sonic/Eggman Battle; Eggman's Breakdown; May 2009)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #225: "One Step Forward..." (Prologue to Genesis; Return of Death Egg; June 2011)
- Sonic the Hedgehog #250: "Worlds Collide: Part 9" (Ninth part of the twelve part Sonic/Mega Man crossover; July 2013)
Specials, Miniseries, and Knuckles Series
Sonic the Hedgehog was originally published as a four issue mini-series, with the first issue labeled as "issue 0" and the second as "issue 1" (despite the note on issue 1 that it was the "first issue"). At the end of issue 3 (the fourth issue of the series), it was announced that Sonic would return in a regular series, and the next issue was published as "issue 1" of the regular series.
In addition to the main Sonic series, Archie Comics published various special issues. Longer than typical issues of the comic, these specials feature stories involving Sonic and other related characters. Several miniseries have also been published, featuring characters such as Sally, Tails and Knuckles.
Because of the popularity of the specials and Miniseries featuring Knuckles, in 1997 Knuckles the Echidna became an ongoing series. Knuckles's stories featured its own cast of Characters, including the Chaotix and Knuckles's romantic interest, Julie-Su. Like the Sonic comic, Knuckles's comic is filled with background information about Knuckles's family history. Knuckles's family has split into two factions: the Brotherhood of Guardians and the Dark Legion. Knuckles is a member of the former, and Julie-Su used to be a member of the latter. Much of the conflict of the comic surrounds the relations between these two warring factions.
In 1999, the series was cancelled, but the stories were continued in the pages of Sonic the Hedgehog. After Knuckles's cancellation and until issue 125, a typical issue of Sonic included a Sonic story and a Knuckles story, sometimes even including a third story. This led to each story getting considerably less space than it previously had. Recently, Knuckles's appearances have been infrequent but his story continues within Sonic's stories.
The creators also have a comic strip similar to those found in a newspaper at the end of some issues called Off-Panel. Off-Panel was in every issue for a long time and continues infrequently in the comic series. The strips parody the lives of the editor and the writers as they walk around the office and interact with characters from the comic in various ways. However, it has recently return in Sonic Universe and is focusing on the characters themselves and their interactions Off-Panel.
Sonic and other characters from the series have also made guest appearances in other Archie Comics publications. Sonic has appeared in three crossovers with the main Archie Comics cast (all of which are considered non-canon), the most notable of these being his crossover with Sabrina the Teenage Witch, a story which began in an issue of the latters comic series, and concluded in Sonic Super Special #10. Most recently, and more notably, Sonic has appeared in a 12-part crossover with Archie's Mega Man series (based on the CAPCOM video games). The story spans over 4 issues each of both characters books, as well as the Sonic Universe spin-off series. Unlike the above crossovers, this one is considered canon.
Main Characters
Production Staff
List of Writers
- Karl Bollers
- Paul Castiglia
- Romy Chacon
- Angelo DeCesare
- Joe Edkin
- Clayton Emery
- Danny Fingeroth
- Ian "Potto" Flynn
- Mike Gallagher
- Mike Kanterovich
- Benny Lee
- J. Oliveras
- Ken Penders
- Tania del Rio
- Tom Rolston
- Evan Skolnick
- Frank Strom
- Kent Taylor
List of Pencillers
- Chris Allan
- Jeff Axer
- Ben Bates
- Gary Bedell
- Dawn Best
- Al Bigley
- Steven Butler
- Renae De Liz
- Colleen Doran
- James Fry
- John Hebert
- Michael Higgins
- Kyle Hunter
- David Hutchison
- Manny Galan
- Jon Gray
- Sanford Greene
- Ron Lim
- Dave Manak
- Art Mawhinney
- Sam Maxwell
- Harvey "Harvo" Mercadoocasio
- Nelson Ortega
- Ken Penders
- Jamal Peppers
- Nelson Ribeiro
- Tania del Rio
- Scott Shaw!
- Tom Smith III
- Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
- Frank Strom
- Brian Thomas
- Jim Valentino
- Todd Wahnish
- Tracy Yardley!
List of Inkers
- Jim Amash
- Saleem Crawford
- Jon D'Agostino
- Pam Eklund
- Mike Higgins
- Rich Koslowski
- Harvey "Harvo" Mercadoocasio
- Al Milgrom
- Jay Oliveras
- Ken Penders
- Andrew Pepoy
- Jeff Powell
- Aimee Ray
- Josh Ray
- Nelson Ribeiro
- Henry Scarpelli
- Phil Sheehy
- Brian Thomas
- Conor Tomas
- Bill White
