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[[File:Sonic the Comic - Cover 001.jpg|thumb|right|Sonic the Comic Issue No. 1, released on May 29, 1993.]]
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[[File:STC UK 001.jpg|thumb|right|Sonic the Comic Issue No. 1, released on May 29, 1993.]]
  
'''Sonic the Comic''' was a UK children's comic published by [[Fleetway|Fleetway Editions]] between 1993 and 2002. It was the UK's official [[SEGA]] comic and was released every fortnight at 95 pence, later rising to £1.35 before the final issue.
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'''''Sonic the Comic''''' ('''''STC''''') was a [[Sega]] and [[Sonic the Hedgehog]]-themed comic published by [[Fleetway|Fleetway Editions]] in the United Kingdom. Beginning at the height of Sega's popularity in 1993, it continued fortnightly until early 2002, spanning 223 editions and a number of specials.
  
The comic would usually contain four stories, each usually following different storylines and being written and drawn by different writers and artists. In the earlier issues at least one of these stories would be about a different [[Sega]] game (see below), the most notable exception being issue #100, where the whole comic told a single story in four chapters.
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''Sonic the Comic'' is an entirely separate publication from the ongoing [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)|Archie comics series]], which began in the US just two months after ''STC''.
  
The comic featured the adventures of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] and his motley crew of freedom fighters as they struggled to liberate the planet [[Mobius]] from the control of the evil dictator, [[Doctor Ivo Robotnik]].
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==History==
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''Sonic the Comic'' debuted in May 1993 under the guise as the "UK's official Sega comic", capitalising primarily on the success of the [[Sega Mega Drive]], ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (and its sequels), and the vibrant Sega culture that had swept across the UK at the time. It was originally priced at 95p, with the price rising to £1.35 before the final issue.
  
==Details==
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The idea of ''Sonic the Comic'' was that an issue would typically host four Sega themed comics (occasionally just one split into four, such as in [[Sonic the Comic 100|issue #100]]), interspersed by regular editorial segments. In the early days ''STC'' doubled up as a Sega-themed magazine, providing video game news, reviews and tips, but over time these segments were dropped, usually leaving just "Control Zone" (an overview of the issue), "Speedlines" (a response to fan letters) and "Graphic Zone" (a showcase for Sega/Sonic fan art).
[[Image:STHPromoSTHPromo05.jpg|thumb|left|134px|Elements of this [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Promotional Comic)|promotional comic]] were used in Issue #8.]]The series was placed after the events of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', and so Sonic was already joined by [[Miles "Tails" Prower]] at his side and Robotnik was initially assumed defeated. Having accidentally been trapped in the Special Zone for six months, Robotnik took control of mobius, giving the comic a central plot (initial stories were merely side-stories with little or no connection to each other). An explanation of previous events was slowly uncovered via the "Sonic's World" segment, which explained the origin of Kintobor, the chaos emeralds and the events of Sonic 1 and 2.
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[[File:Robotnik-STC-2.jpg|thumb|right|Robotnik's first form, before adopting a design akin to ''[[Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.]]
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The face of the comic was "Megadroid", a cartoon robot built out of Mega Drive parts, who answered letters and acted as a liaison between the readers and the 'humes who think they're in charge'.
  
Unlike its [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)|American counterpart]], Sonic the Comic is said to have kept closer to Sega's original westernised ideas for the franchise. StC's game adaptions are often considered to be better than the ones in the Archie series as the writers strived to keep the stories as true to the games as possible. Fans consider the [[Knuckles' Chaotix]] and [[Sonic CD]]'s adaptions, featuring the Brotherhood of Metallix, to be the peak of the comic. Other popular long-running stories included the [[Super Sonic]] Saga, The Drakon Empire saga, The Shanazar Saga and the [[Angel Island|Floating Island]] saga, which depicted the events of the [[Mega Drive]] games ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' and ''[[Sonic & Knuckles|Sonic and Knuckles]]''.
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As well as covering Sonic, early editions of the comic also featured segments for ''[[sega:Shinobi|Shinobi]]'', ''[[sega:Streets of Rage|Streets of Rage]]'', ''[[sega:Kid Chameleon|Kid Chameleon]]'', ''[[sega:Eternal Champions|Eternal Champions]]'', ''[[sega:Golden Axe|Golden Axe]]'' and ''[[sega:Decap Attack|Decap Attack]]''. Of all these, only ''Decap Attack'' survived into the latter half of the 1990s due to its unexpected popularity, however it too was later pulled, with the slots instead devoted to Sonic (and friends).
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[[File:FleetwayChaotix.jpg|thumb|right|The Chaotix.]]
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A declining audience towards the end of the decade saw significant cutbacks in ''STC''. Executives at Egmont/Fleetway, believing that the audience would be refreshed every five years, forced the comic to repeat earlier stories, which in turn led to a further shedding of customers. This practise began as just one of the four segments, then two, then three, and, after [[Sonic the Comic 184|issue #184]], all the comic's content, besides the cover art, advertising and editorials, were lifted from earlier editions. ''Sonic the Comic'' was officially discontinued in early 2002, after 223 issues. For most of its lifespan the frontrunner of the comic was [[Nigel Kitching]].
  
However, future adaptions drifted further away from the game's stories, to the point that their [[Sonic Adventure]] adaptation was vastly different from the game's storyline, which was mostly caused by SEGA not giving them ANY info on the game- Nigel Kitching has stated the only image they had of Chaos was a small, blurry JPEG of Chaos 0. After this adaption, thanks to Egmont/Fleetway's policies regarding the market and audience, the comic stopped having new stories and went into reprints (as the executives concluded that the audience was refreshed every 5 years.) This caused the comic to lose more and more popularity, until it ended in 2002.
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Less successful variants of ''Sonic the Comic'' were produced for other parts of Europe; ''[[Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video!]]'' in France, ''[[Sonic der Comic]]'' in Germany, ''[[Sonic Videogame & Fumetti]]'' in Italy and ''[[Sonic Magazine]]'' in the Netherlands.
  
The comic did add some characters of its own, however. Key characters such as Johnny Lightfoot and Porker Lewis were introduced at an early stage and were based off the rabbit and pig animal buddies respectively. Early on the comic introduced [[Captain Plunder]] and his [[Mystic Cave Zone|Mystic Cave]] pirates. The genius Tekno the Canary was later introduced, along with Shortfuse the Cybernik, a squirrel named "Shorty" that had been trapped in the shell of an enhanced badnik but had full control over his weaponry. Sonic's team would operate from their secret base in [[Emerald Hill Zone]], protecting the townsfolk from Robotnik. The base was discovered, and so Sonic's freedom fighters had to operate from a makeshift travelling circus headed by Sonic's alter-ego "Bob Beaky". Eventually the Emerald Hill folk were moved to the Floating Island out of harms way, taking residence in [[Mushroom Hill Zone]].
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===Sonic the Hedgehog===
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''Sonic the Comic'''s adaptation of the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' franchise was the dominant force behind the comic from the beginning and was supported with new stories for 184 of the 223 issues. It is primarily based on the approved Western story of Sonic, seen in the US as [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Promotional Comic)|a promotional comic]] in the second half of 1991.
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[[File:STC Issue 80 Page 8.jpg|thumb|right|[[Super Sonic]] kills people in ''STC''. Or at least tries to.]]
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The series was placed after the events of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', with a triumphant Sonic and his buddy [[Miles "Tails" Prower]] assuming nemesis [[Dr. Ivo Robotnik]] has been defeated. Having accidentally been trapped in the Special Zone for six months, Robotnik takes control of the planet [[Mobius]], begins to turn the population into [[badniks]], and the hedgehog and his motley crew of freedom fighters are tasked with unseating the evil dictator and restoring peace to the planet.
 +
[[File:Captain Plunder.png|thumb|right|[[Captain Plunder]] became a fan favourite.]]
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Unlike its [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)|American counterpart]], ''Sonic the Comic'' is said to have kept closer to Sega's original Westernised ideas for the franchise, though still deviated from any official canon at the get go. Though much of the plot was original, ''STC'' adapted many of Sonic's games of the 1990s, including ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'', ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'', ''[[Sonic CD]]'', ''[[Chaotix]]'', ''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]'' and ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'', attempting to keep the stories as true to the games as possible.
  
Though the comic started before [[SatAM]], Sonic the Comic took some inspiration from the TV show. For example, Troopers were used instead of SWATBots, which eventually had a renegade general called [[Commander Brutus|Brutus]], who, after having Robotnik's memories implemented into its brain, fought against both Robotnik and Sonic at the same time. Snively's role was replaced by the pathologically loyal [[Grimer]], who stayed at Robotnik's side until the last issue when Robotnik's insanity had become apparent.
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The comic did add some characters of its own, however, including key characters such as [[Johnny Lightfoot]] and [[Porker Lewis]], based on the rabbit and pig animal buddies respectively. Early on the comic introduced [[Captain Plunder]] and his [[Mystic Cave Zone|Mystic Cave]] pirates, with the genius [[Tekno the Canary]] later being introduced, along with [[Shortfuse the Cybernik]]. A number of original enemies were also created for the comic, chief among those including the pathologically loyal [[Grimer]], who stayed at Robotnik's side, and the [[Drakon Empire]].
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[[File:BrootherhoodOfMetallix.jpg|thumb|right|[[Metallix]] goes rogue.]]
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Significant deviations from the official canon include the Chaotix Crew, consisting not only of [[Vector the Crocodile]], [[Espio the Chameleon]] and [[Charmy Bee]] ("Charmee" in this context), but also of [[Mighty the Armadillo]] (who is but a "traveller" in the Japanese version) and originally, [[Nack the Weasel]]. Under stress, Sonic would transform into [[Super Sonic]], a destructive creature made of pure chaos energy. The [[Metal Sonic]] design, named here as "Metallix", would go rogue and create the [[Brotherhood of Metallix]], threatening both Sonic and Robotnik, and the [[Chaos]] story is almost entirely different from what is witnessed in ''Sonic Adventure''.
  
The [[Chaotix]] appeared in StC, consisting of [[Vector the Crocodile]], [[Charmy Bee]], [[Espio the Chameleon]], and [[Mighty the Armadillo]]. [[Nack the Weasel]] started off as a member of the group before betraying them and becoming a reoccuring enemy. Many other sub-plots and storylines have appeared in the STC comics, such as Tails' adventures in his hometown of the Nameless Zone, Knuckles' quest for his ancestors, Shortfuse's adventures, the exploits of Dr Robotnik himself, and Amy Rose and Tekno the Canary's adventures through time and space. There were even a few occasional parodies of other icons, such as the [[Marxio Brothers]], three electricians who were a mixture of the Marx Brothers and Mario Bros..
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==Future==
 
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''Sonic the Comic'' remains a popular comic among Sonic fans, to the point where following cancellation, an online continuation (appropriately titled "Sonic the Comic Online") with the backing of Nigel Kitching was launched, and continues to this day. While building on ''STC'' as a base, the online edition attempts to bridge gaps between this fictional universe and those seen in more recent ''Sonic'' games, starting with ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''.
Other stories featured were based on various other SEGA video game titles, which included:
 
*[[sega:Shinobi|Shinobi]]
 
*[[sega:Streets of Rage|Streets of Rage]]
 
*[[sega:Kid Chameleon|Kid Chameleon]]
 
*[[sega:Eternal Champions|Eternal Champions]]
 
*[[sega:Golden Axe|Golden Axe]]
 
*[[sega:Decap Attack|Decap Attack]]
 
 
 
However, the main focus was eventually put onto the Sonic series, with only Decap Attack occasionally occuring due to its popularity. Captain Plunder occasionally had his own strip too.
 
 
 
The face of the comic was Megadroid, a cartoon robot built out of [[Sega Mega Drive]] parts. He answered reader letters and acted as a liaison between the readers and the 'humes who think they're in charge'.
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 15:39, 26 April 2016

Sonic the Comic Issue No. 1, released on May 29, 1993.

Sonic the Comic (STC) was a Sega and Sonic the Hedgehog-themed comic published by Fleetway Editions in the United Kingdom. Beginning at the height of Sega's popularity in 1993, it continued fortnightly until early 2002, spanning 223 editions and a number of specials.

Sonic the Comic is an entirely separate publication from the ongoing Archie comics series, which began in the US just two months after STC.

History

Sonic the Comic debuted in May 1993 under the guise as the "UK's official Sega comic", capitalising primarily on the success of the Sega Mega Drive, Sonic the Hedgehog (and its sequels), and the vibrant Sega culture that had swept across the UK at the time. It was originally priced at 95p, with the price rising to £1.35 before the final issue.

The idea of Sonic the Comic was that an issue would typically host four Sega themed comics (occasionally just one split into four, such as in issue #100), interspersed by regular editorial segments. In the early days STC doubled up as a Sega-themed magazine, providing video game news, reviews and tips, but over time these segments were dropped, usually leaving just "Control Zone" (an overview of the issue), "Speedlines" (a response to fan letters) and "Graphic Zone" (a showcase for Sega/Sonic fan art).

Robotnik's first form, before adopting a design akin to Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

The face of the comic was "Megadroid", a cartoon robot built out of Mega Drive parts, who answered letters and acted as a liaison between the readers and the 'humes who think they're in charge'.

As well as covering Sonic, early editions of the comic also featured segments for Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Kid Chameleon, Eternal Champions, Golden Axe and Decap Attack. Of all these, only Decap Attack survived into the latter half of the 1990s due to its unexpected popularity, however it too was later pulled, with the slots instead devoted to Sonic (and friends).

The Chaotix.

A declining audience towards the end of the decade saw significant cutbacks in STC. Executives at Egmont/Fleetway, believing that the audience would be refreshed every five years, forced the comic to repeat earlier stories, which in turn led to a further shedding of customers. This practise began as just one of the four segments, then two, then three, and, after issue #184, all the comic's content, besides the cover art, advertising and editorials, were lifted from earlier editions. Sonic the Comic was officially discontinued in early 2002, after 223 issues. For most of its lifespan the frontrunner of the comic was Nigel Kitching.

Less successful variants of Sonic the Comic were produced for other parts of Europe; Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! in France, Sonic der Comic in Germany, Sonic Videogame & Fumetti in Italy and Sonic Magazine in the Netherlands.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Comic's adaptation of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise was the dominant force behind the comic from the beginning and was supported with new stories for 184 of the 223 issues. It is primarily based on the approved Western story of Sonic, seen in the US as a promotional comic in the second half of 1991.

Super Sonic kills people in STC. Or at least tries to.

The series was placed after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a triumphant Sonic and his buddy Miles "Tails" Prower assuming nemesis Dr. Ivo Robotnik has been defeated. Having accidentally been trapped in the Special Zone for six months, Robotnik takes control of the planet Mobius, begins to turn the population into badniks, and the hedgehog and his motley crew of freedom fighters are tasked with unseating the evil dictator and restoring peace to the planet.

Captain Plunder became a fan favourite.

Unlike its American counterpart, Sonic the Comic is said to have kept closer to Sega's original Westernised ideas for the franchise, though still deviated from any official canon at the get go. Though much of the plot was original, STC adapted many of Sonic's games of the 1990s, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic CD, Chaotix, Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island and Sonic Adventure, attempting to keep the stories as true to the games as possible.

The comic did add some characters of its own, however, including key characters such as Johnny Lightfoot and Porker Lewis, based on the rabbit and pig animal buddies respectively. Early on the comic introduced Captain Plunder and his Mystic Cave pirates, with the genius Tekno the Canary later being introduced, along with Shortfuse the Cybernik. A number of original enemies were also created for the comic, chief among those including the pathologically loyal Grimer, who stayed at Robotnik's side, and the Drakon Empire.

Metallix goes rogue.

Significant deviations from the official canon include the Chaotix Crew, consisting not only of Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon and Charmy Bee ("Charmee" in this context), but also of Mighty the Armadillo (who is but a "traveller" in the Japanese version) and originally, Nack the Weasel. Under stress, Sonic would transform into Super Sonic, a destructive creature made of pure chaos energy. The Metal Sonic design, named here as "Metallix", would go rogue and create the Brotherhood of Metallix, threatening both Sonic and Robotnik, and the Chaos story is almost entirely different from what is witnessed in Sonic Adventure.

Future

Sonic the Comic remains a popular comic among Sonic fans, to the point where following cancellation, an online continuation (appropriately titled "Sonic the Comic Online") with the backing of Nigel Kitching was launched, and continues to this day. While building on STC as a base, the online edition attempts to bridge gaps between this fictional universe and those seen in more recent Sonic games, starting with Sonic Adventure 2.

External links

Sonic the Comic
1993 001 | 002 | 003 | 004 | 005 | 006 | 007 | 008 | 009 | 010 | 011 | 012 | 013 | 014 | 015 | 016
1994 017 | 018 | 019 | 020 | 021 | 022 | 023 | 024 | 025 | 026 | 027 | 028 | 029 | 030 | 031 | 032 | 033 | 034 | 035 | 036 | 037 | 038 | 039 | 040 | 041 | 042
1995 043 | 044 | 045 | 046 | 047 | 048 | 049 | 050 | 051 | 052 | 053 | 054 | 055 | 056 | 057 | 058 | 059 | 060 | 061 | 062 | 063 | 064 | 065 | 066 | 067 | 068
1996 069 | 070 | 071 | 072 | 073 | 074 | 075 | 076 | 077 | 078 | 079 | 080 | 081 | 082 | 083 | 084 | 085 | 086 | 087 | 088 | 089 | 090 | 091 | 092 | 093 | 094
1997 095 | 096 | 097 | 098 | 099 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120
1998 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146
1999 147 | 148 | 149 | 150 | 151 | 152 | 153 | 154 | 155 | 156 | 157 | 158 | 159 | 160 | 161 | 162 | 163 | 164 | 165 | 166 | 167 | 168 | 169 | 170 | 171
2000 172 | 173 | 174 | 175 | 176 | 177 | 178 | 179 | 180 | 181 | 182 | 183 | 184 | 185 | 186 | 187 | 188 | 189 | 190 | 191 | 192 | 193 | 194 | 195 | 196 | 197
2001 198 | 199 | 200 | 201 | 202 | 203 | 204 | 205 | 206 | 207 | 208 | 209 | 210 | 211 | 212 | 213 | 214 | 215 | 216 | 217 | 218 | 219 | 220 | 221 | 222 | 223
Sonic the Poster Mag
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Specials
Sonic the Summer Special | Sonic Holiday Special (1995) | Sonic Holiday Special (1996) | Knuckles Knock-Out Special | Total Sonic Special
Miscellaneous
Book 1: Sonic Beats the Badniks | Book 2: Sonic Spin Attack