This article has been updated, and will be updated as new information is revealed. Last updated 2/1/2018.
The solicitations for all four issues coming in April have been released in Previews magazine ahead of its physical release next month. Let’s take a look at the solicitation for each issue and see what can be gleaned about the new IDW Sonic Universe!
SONIC’S RACING INTO A NEW ADVENTURE! After defeating the evil Dr. Eggman’s latest plot, Sonic is racing around the world to shut down the robotic Badnik forces that are still attacking villages. But it’s a big job for one hedgehog—even Sonic! Fortunately, he’ll have some help from his best friend: Tails!
- Issue: #1
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Pages: 32
- Release Date: April 4th, 2018
- Writer: Ian Flynn
- Artist: Tracy Yardley
- Covers
- A: Tyson Hesse (Unrevealed)
- B: Tracy Yardley
- RI-A: Nathalie Fourdraine (10 Copy Incentive)
- RI-B: Rafa Knight (25 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
- RI-C Kieran Gates (100 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
Issue #1 will reintroduce readers to the world of Sonic the Hedgehog. It would seem that the comic picks up in a world inspired by Sonic Forces, starting the book out with stronger ties to the video games than its Archie predecessor. It seems Sonic will pair up with his buddy Miles “Tails” Prower for the first of four promised team-ups. Together they begin hunting down the remaining Badnik forces.
The classic pair of Ian Flynn and Tracy Yardley will also be back in action as writer and artist respectively. The book will have 5 different covers, some of which seem to be incentives for stores to buy certain quantities of the book. The solicitations reveal that Rafa Knight and Kieran Gates will be joining the artists doing cover work for IDW Sonic.
Sonic’s new adventure continues, and when he comes across another town in need of saving, his old pal Amy arrives just in time to join the fight! The banter is fun, and the stakes are high, but things get really serious when Amy presents Sonic with a big request: rejoin the Resistance!
- Issue: #2
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Pages: 32
- Release Date: April 11th, 2018
- Writer: Ian Flynn
- Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas
- Covers
- A: Tyson Hesse
- B: Adam Bryce Thomas
- RI-A: Nathalie Fourdraine (10 Copy Incentive)
- RI-B: Jonathan Gray (25 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
Issue #2 teases the fun and action packed reunion of Sonic and his biggest admirer, Amy Rose! The two must team up to defend a small town besieged by Badniks! Adam Bryce Thomas’s cover shows the duo surrounded by versions of Egg Pawns as they appear in Sonic Forces, reinforcing the idea that these are events directly following those of the game, along with Amy’s plea to rejoin the Resistance!
Yardley tags out for Adam Bryce Thomas in issue #2, bringing his signature style from the Forces comics to the ongoing IDW run. Four covers will be released, including Jonathan Gray‘s IDW Sonic debut.
Sonic and Knuckles team up, and it’s just like old times-until two new villains show up. With a group of villagers under attack, will even the combined forces of these two heroes be enough to take down Rough and Tumble???
- Issue: #3
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Pages: 32
- Release Date: April 18th, 2018
- Writer: Ian Flynn
- Artist: Jen Hernandez
- Covers
- A: Tyson Hesse (Unrevealed)
- B: Jen Hernandez (Unrevealed)
- RI-A: Nathalie Fourdraine (10 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
- RI-B: Jamal Peppers (25 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
Issue #3 brings back Sonic’s friendly nemesis, Knuckles the Echidna, when the pair must combine forces to defeat a new duo of villains, Rough and Tumble! Who this nefarious duo is and what their goals are remains to be seen.
Jen Hernandez takes her turn illustrating this issue, bringing to life the two new baddies. Four covers will be availabe for issue #3 as well, introducing Jamal Pepper‘s cover work! So far, issue #3 is the only one without any cover art revealed, likely so they can tease the new villains at a later date.
Sonic comes across a town under attack from the biggest Badnik force he’s ever seen. Luckily, help is on the way from his old friend Blaze, as well as a new hero! Get ready for the debut of Tangle!
- Issue: #4
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Pages: 32
- Release Date: April 25th, 2018
- Writer: Ian Flynn
- Artist: Evan Stanley
- Covers
- A: Tyson Hesse (Unrevealed)
- B: Evan Stanley
- RI-A: Nathalie Fourdraine (10 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
- RI-B: Tyson Hesse (25 Copy Incentive) (Unrevealed)
Not only will issue #4 see the return of Blaze the Cat, but the introduction of an exciting, all-new character, Tangle the Lemur! The three of them will team up to conclude the month long intro event by taking down a seemingly insurmountable army of Badniks!
Creative Team Breakdown
- Writers
- Ian Flynn: #1-4
- Artists
- Tracy Yardley: #1
- Adam Bryce Thomas : #2
- Jen Hernandez: #3
- Evan Stanley: #4
- Covers
- Tyson Hesse: #1-4 – 5 Covers
- Tracy Yardley: #1 – 1 Cover
- Nathalie Fourdraine: #1-4 – 4 Covers
- Rafa Knight: #1 – 1 Cover
- Kieran Gates: #1 – 1 Cover
- Adam Bryce Thomas: #2 – 1 Cover
- Jonathan Gray: #2 – 1 Cover
- Jen Hernandez: #3 – 1 Cover
- Jamal Peppers: #3 – 1 Cover
- Evan Stanley: #4 – 1 Cover
Ian Flynn will be writing all four of the first issues and oversee the continuing story, while the art team will rotate with each arc after the initial releases in April. Tyson Hesse will be doing the main cover art , while the B alternates will be done by the interior artist of that issue. All four of the issue’s 10 copy incentive C covers will feature the art of Nathalie Fourdraine while the 25 copy incentives will feature a different guest artist. Issue #1 will have a special 100 copy incentive E cover by Kieran Gates.
Conclusions
April is shaping up to be a monumental month for Sonic fans. IDW has put together an all star line up of creative talent composed of Sonic veterans and fresh faces. Moreover, Sonic and friends have a blank slate free of all the past drama to build an awesome new comic universe that can truly intertwine with its game counterparts and strengthen the community all together!
Sonic Source 
2 Comments