Remember when we used to have a Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and a Knuckles the Echidna comic series? I think it would be if Archie Comics made another Sonic the Hedgehog related comic series that took place in the same universe as the regular Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. But who would it focus around?
as much as i'd want a new knuckles comic i know it wouldn't happen. but the one character that is the biggest candidate is definately shadow. (come to think of it, he's still allied with robotnik isn't he? random i know. but it pertains to #175 at least.)
he's a sega character (erinaceus, lay off. seriously don't even start.) and he's still got a few mysteries left as a character in archie. so he's the biggest candidate i'd say.
The odds of that happening right now are slim to none.
Either way, if (lolz) such a series was to happen, instead of having it based on one character in the Sonic Archie universe, I'd probably have it focus on short stories of various characters.
Gives it more variety that way.
Here are some quick ideas I just came up with:
Tails: Not too much to tell about this little guy. He's always with Sonic, so there's not much solo potential for him. Wouldn't really work, unless he went on a trip to Downunda, or there were more to the Chosen One legecy to fulfill, or something like that.
Knuckles: Sure! Echidnaopolis is being rebuilt, and meanwhile, there are threats to the Master Emerald such as Finitevus, the Destructix, Enerjak, Lien-Da, the Flame and Frost Legions, etc. that need a guardian to keep an eye on. It seems like there are far too many stories to tell on Angel Island to fit into Sonic's book. There's a LOT of story potential here.
Shadow: Also has a lot of potential, and he's certainly got a fanbase with the little kiddies. What about his story? Shadow still has a lot of questions to answer. He wants to find out what his Grandfather's intentions were. He wants to rescue his friend, Maria, whether it be wishing her back with a power ring, or traveling into the past with chaos emeralds. Not to mention, the Black Arms are due to head back to Mobius for the chaos emeralds he was supposed to bring them. Plenty of story potential here, too.
Silver: Silver and his best friend Blaze are living in the future fighting Iblis. A whole new storyline could be formed. Blaze's search for the Sol Emeralds, Eggman Nega, and elements from Sonic06 could be adapted. I see potential here, but it would be a long drift away from Sonic the Hedgehog. Sure, it's the same universe and continuity, but it's 200 years down the line.
Anyway, those are some ideas. Comments?
An Eggman mini series where we see what the good Doctor Robotnik does when he is'nt attacking Knothole. I'd buy a kajillion issues.
Shadow.
Though perhaps there are others far more deserving, from a business standpoint it makes sense for Shadow to get his own book. The guy's popular, you can't deny it. He's Venom to Sonic's Spider-Man, but without the brain-eating.
Maybe something more with the Chaotix.
Any new regular series would involve either new talent or stretching the existing talent across two books, which would possibly stretch the original short.
Enough people bicker about the quality of storylines as it is without having two sets to think up and another pile of crossovers.
I'd actually like to see the return of the Super Sonic Specials as a non-regular thing. I used to like the way that the larger format could be used for set pieces and plot development, rather than squashing often monumental storylines into the standard sized slots in the regular comic.
As far as I was concerned, the problem came when they were given a regular publication date, stopped being "special", and started being filled by third rate vanity projects and Archie's attempts to plug other series (*coughSonicLiveEchidnas25FreakinIssuesLaterpointlesscrossoversMonkeyKhancough*), rather than anything to do with the continuity).
o.O Frost legions? Um I'm really missing something here.
The Dark Legion had a split a while ago. So it's currently the Flame half and the Frost half.
I wouldn't want to see Shadow in his own series.
Aside from his popularity, what else does he have? What would the stories be about? Which characters would be regulars?
I could almost see something along the lines of the Black Arms and Rouge and Omega, but I don't think that's enough to sustain an entire series. A mini-series, perhaps.
If Archie were to decide to start another series, I think the MOST logical answer would be to start the Knuckles series up again. Not only would that make multitudes of people squeal with glee, it would clear out a ton of characters and storylines from the Sonic comic.
Imagine what could get done if Knux, the Chaotix, the Dark Legions, Brotherhood, Finitevus/Locke/Dmitri/Enerjak, and all the Echidnas and Dingoes were separate from the current Sonic comic. Imagine how many great stories we'd see, and imagine not having to wait years for their "turn" to come up in the Sonic comic.
I wanna see a mini-series, at least. They haven't done one of those in a while either.
I love Knux, but as long as he & the Chaotix are hanging out with FFs (which has been going on since Sonic #130), it wouldn't make sense for them to have a series. Yes, there's a ton of stuff obviously going down (re: being set up) with regards to Angel Island, but that's all being tied into becoming a "Sonic problem" almost as much as a "Knuckles problem." I don't think it's necessary unless there's a clean a break--and that would require Knux changing his stated mind/opinion from #141 & #165 (which based on Knux' stubborn attitude would require something major to happen before it changes IF it changes).
As for Shadow, it depends on how one looks at it. While I only glimpsed through #171, I believe Shadow is still a "semi-good guy" without a home. I don't want to hear about #175 spoilers. I haven't gotten it so don't use whatever has happened in #175 to "correct" the rest of this post.
Shadow has the name recognition and possibly the popularity to allow for "round robin" situations. Where Sonic & Knuckles are both relatively stationary (they have set "homes" that they're going to be drawn to at the end of the day), Shadow can technically show up anywhere. So, Shadow can be in Downunda, Kingdom of Mercia, Station Square, etc. from one storyline to the next. It could allow characters not seen that often some screen time.
There is the simple solution.
Do what the Pokemon anime series did.
Pokemon Chronicles. Write a SEPARATE series for ALL those minor and side stories for the ones that don't directly involve Sonic.
(erinaceus, lay off. seriously don't even start.)
What are you coming after me for? I personally would like to see a Shadow mini-series come about. Sega's ruined all the perceived "coolness" he had in SA2 with convoluted emo stories involving idiotic characters and hackneyed plots. But I'd like to think someone at Archie could assemble some semblance of a sane story arc from the fella. I'm not that much of a SatAM fanatic that I would object to a SegaSonic character going solo (I already stated that Knux, who isn't a SatAM character, had a better comic than Sonic).
Snively mini series! as Well as an Eggman mini series. its time to see the comics in the perspective as the villains instead of the heroes.. snively had one back up story and it was really really good i thought and with Ian doing the writing its a sure-fire winner im sure..
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Sega's ruined all the perceived "coolness" he had in SA2 with convoluted emo stories involving idiotic characters and hackneyed plots.
THAT RIGHT THERE. do NOT turn this into a sega argument. i knew you would that's why i put it there.
THAT RIGHT THERE. do NOT turn this into a sega argument. i knew you would that's why i put it there.
What's wrong with it? You have to admit, Sega's not doing the character any favors with all these stupid turns in plot development. I remember back when SA2 was first released, fans and reviewers saw him as the coolest entry into the series this side of Metal Sonic. Three disappointing console sequels later, and these same people are the ones saying that if the series is to be saved, Shadow is the first thing that needs to go. They're sick of Shadow and his forced "edgeiness".
Aaaaand he's off ladies and gentlemen!
Was'nt the reason for the Knuckles comics being cancelled low sales? If that's the case, why would Archie risk publishing the title again?
Knux was cancelled due to low sales and the market conditions of the time. Under the right circumstances, it may have a chance of returning.
I'm just saying...if Archie were to do a Shadow mini-series, they shouldn't take him down the same road Sega took him...with guns, generic black aliens (which could be misconstrued as racist), and a continuing search for that DAMN fourth Chaos Emerald.
Archie does'nt use guns, against the comic code authority and all.
Guns have been used in the comic before...they weren't traditional-looking guns...but they were projectile shooting weapons.
The CCA guidelines warn against "unnecessary" gun and knife use - they don't prohibit it altogether.
Does nobody else remember the explanation of how the Great War started in The Shot Heard 'Round the World, or even Mina getting shot by Nack?
Guns and bullets are used sparingly, but I wouldn't call them taboo.
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You have to admit, Sega's not doing the character any favors with all these stupid turns in plot development.
No I don't. As far as I've seen, people like Shadow's twisty past and general emo angst - and the people who don't like it don't appear to have been fans of him in SA2.
And frankly, he had emo angst and a messy backstory back then too. All Sega did was add some aliens in, which makes no less sense in Shadow's origin than Biolizard. (I actually prefer Biolizard to Shadow due to it being a big lizard going 'RARRRRRRR!'.)
They swore off any sort of realistic semi-realistic gun after HHH. And gave Nack lame-o-lazer(TM) gun.
This greatly offends me }:O
HHH?
Heart Held Hostage.
HHH = Heart Held Hostage. It was a story arc that went from 122 to 123 and Nack got kneed in the groin by Sally, and Mina nearly died saving Sally from Nack when Sally had just appearently taken her crush, Sonic. And Sally didn't even say "thank you". Plus Nack had a sexy realistic gun given to him by Axer. But that didn't make the Comic Authority, or Archie, or the parents, or someone or other happy, and no more cool (as in realistic) guns could be used. They even cut out a pannel with Nack reloading his gun. If only I could see it!
Oh. I missed that.
In my opinion, it was a WAY overrated story, but eh. Opinions and all.
And again - in issue 72, we actually had a character die from being accidentally shot (an issue which, annoyingly, SHQ has no scans from) and actually kick off the entire Great War.
I always did wonder what changed between then and Heart Held Hostage.
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I always did wonder what changed between then and Heart Held Hostage.
Several years of comics.
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What's wrong with it?
because you turn literally every topic into a sega argument and there's no denying it either. if you actually don't think you do, then go look at some of your other posts.
No I don't. As far as I've seen, people like Shadow's twisty past and general emo angst - and the people who don't like it don't appear to have been fans of him in SA2.
I liked Shadow when he was brought into SA2...but the book on him should've either closed there, or Sega should've drafted a better story with which to bring him back...I didn't mind him resurfacing in Heroes, but that's because I thought the real character was dead and the Shadow in the game was a prototype clone of Eggman's. But after Shadow the Hedgehog, and the VA switch where Shadow was now being portrayed through Jason Griffith's cliched Clint Eastwood rasp, I honestly was hoping to never have to play as the character ever again.
because you turn literally every topic into a sega argument and there's no denying it either. if you actually don't think you do, then go look at some of your other posts.
Can you blame me? Sega's become an easy target when considering almost everything they've done as a company post-Dreamcast. And the blunt truth is, that in regards to writing compelling narratives, Sega could not tell a decent story to save their lives. That's why I'd prefer Archie steer clear of their lame plotlines. Sega's stories are toxic to any continuity that's trying to be taken seriously by its readers.
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And the blunt truth is, that in regards to writing compelling narratives, Sega could not tell a decent story to save their lives.
The blunt truth is that Sega don't need to tell decent stories because they're making video games. All a story needs to do in a platform game is give a reason for the character to go to the next level, if that.
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Can you blame me? Sega's become an easy target when considering almost everything they've done as a company post-Dreamcast. And the blunt truth is, that in regards to writing compelling narratives, Sega could not tell a decent story to save their lives. That's why I'd prefer Archie steer clear of their lame plotlines. Sega's stories are toxic to any continuity that's trying to be taken seriously by its readers.
That's debatable, but the fact remains you don't need to raise it in every single topic you post in. Use the thread to discuss the actual topic, not how crappy Sega is and why their plotlines shouldn't affect Archie.
The blunt truth is that Sega don't need to tell decent stories because they're making video games. All a story needs to do in a platform game is give a reason for the character to go to the next level, if that.
Well...that was true in the 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit days...but now on supercomputers like the PS3 and 360, I'm not so sure of that. Besides, Sega has stated that they've wanted to go somewhat darker in regards to console Sonic games. Going darker would inherently require them to tell a story that goes at least a little beyond motivation for getting to the next level.
Where is the source of that statement? The only thing I've heard of about the direction Sonic would be taken was from the guy who was in charge of Secret Rings, who said he felt Sonic was best suited to not being realistic and dark.
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but now on supercomputers like the PS3 and 360, I'm not so sure of that.
I don't see why it'd have to be any different. The primary purpose of buying consoles is still to play games. Gameplay is going to be more important than the story, and so it should be - look at bad reviews for Sonic games, they all mention things like level design, cameras, whether the gameplay was any fun. They don't mention the story to the same extent; SA2 had a tightly-woven story but that doesn't matter if you don't like playing the shooting & treasure-hunting levels.
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Can you blame me?
yes actually.
knuckles is by far the best candidate and i was sad to see it go. like someone else said, there is so much potential for story on angel island and the sonic comic just can't give it the attention it needs. i believe it could work again if the marketing is right and the stories are there.
The primary purpose of buying consoles is still to play games.
For the time being...yes that's true. But Sony and Microsoft seem hell-bent on converging the console industry with other forms of entertainment. And developers are still trying to get their works to be taken seriously as an art form. A game that can be played from start to finish in fifteen to twenty hours is seen as too short these days. To make a game longer, to make its lasting appeal go beyond that of children, a game would need more of a story. And don't throw games like Brain Age and WarioWare at me...they're just abberations. And they're from Nintendo, whose philosophies are opposite that of their rivals.
yes actually.
Well that's your problem. Personally, I think Sega deserves every bit of criticism they get from the gaming community. They went on record as promising StH 2006 would be the 3D Sonic that silenced all the naysayers about Sonic and 3D, and what they delivered insead was the whiners' biggest piece of ammunition yet.
Where is the source of that statement? The only thing I've heard of about the direction Sonic would be taken was from the guy who was in charge of Secret Rings, who said he felt Sonic was best suited to not being realistic and dark.
When Ogawa stated that, he was criticizing the design philosophy of his coworkers over at Sonic Team. It's his opinion...and ST hasn't officially gone on record as stating that they intend to make the series darker, but you can infer their intentions by playing games like Shadow and 2006.
Now back to topic...I would like to see another mini-series pop up that starred an ancillary character. If not Shadow or Knuckles, then perhaps Amy? The last mini-series we got that starred a female was Sally...I think it's time they give attention to some other girl.
Woah, woah, woah. A different thread for another time guys, please.
While I'm here, I might as well elaborate on my first post. Out of all the characters to get their own series, mini-series, one off comic, whatever, it would be either Knuckles or Shadow. This is going from a profit POV. This is because those two are, let's face it, pretty big players in the Sonic 'verse, games and comics. They're pretty darn popular.
Knuckles
There are so many unresolved issues left abroad on the Floating Island. The refugees, the Frost Legion, the Flame Legion, the Dingo Army, the missing Brotherhood, Finitevus. Everything's just gone downhill. Let's throw back Knux and the rest of the Chaotix, and have them sort out that mess back in their series again! (But, y'know, without Penders.)
Shadow
There's a lot of his past which remains uncertain, especially in the Archie comic. C'mon, a mini-series would be great for Shadow, what with the Black Arms who're supposedly on their way to Mobius even as we speak. There's a lot of potential there.
All right, that's enough about those two. What I'd personally like to see, is what I stated in my earlier post. Short stories. We all know the comic has too many characters, right? Right. Well, let's have, I dunno, a mini-series, or whatever, cover this, with "Mobius Chronicles" or something, something which gives much needed characters their desperately needed screeen-time. Plus, we also get to see what else is happening outside of Knothole and Robotropolis.
C'mon. C'moooon.
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A game that can be played from start to finish in fifteen to twenty hours is seen as too short these days. To make a game longer, to make its lasting appeal go beyond that of children, a game would need more of a story.
No, it needs replay value. That means being a good enough game that you'd want to play it again, or having features that encourage or reward replay. The story is not going to get people replaying the game if the game itself isn't fun to play.
Let's be blunt here - if you're a game manufacturer who decides the story is more important than the gameplay, you're a crap games manufacturer and have forgotten what your job is.
Replay value is important...but, to be blunt again, story is becoming more and more important as well, as the industry and its technology evolve.
Most any character could be made into a protagonist for a comic. Just as many have had command roles in the games, and some had games of their own that branched from the franchise.
Shadow is an obvious choice, but he's really more closely geared towards guest appearances that don't dilute the essentials of his character, those being: his past, his general angst, and his typically aloof attitude.
Knuckles had a comic for some time as we all know. It wouldn't be difficult at all to just pick up where that left off.
Tails has had his own games, and has as much continuity surrounding him as Knuckles does (or did, before SA1, primarily). While in Knuckles original incarnation he is akin to S1-era Sonic, Tails presents a rather different approach by this point in the continuity. A Tails comic where his tech comes into its own, and portraying a protagonist who relies more on insight and preparation would be a nice change of pace (More Nightwing, Batman or Steel than Superboy, Superman or Green Lantern) ...
But I am rather bias.
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Well that's your problem. Personally, I think Sega deserves every bit of criticism they get from the gaming community. They went on record as promising StH 2006 would be the 3D Sonic that silenced all the naysayers about Sonic and 3D, and what they delivered insead was the whiners' biggest piece of ammunition yet.
no it's your problem. this is what i was trying to prevent in the first place. you whine about sega ALL THE FRIGGIN TIME and when i first said shadow because he was a sega character, i knew i was going to get a response like "well SEGA screwed him up" from you, hence why i said don't even start, but you did anyway just because you felt like we should listen to your excessant whining.
TIME OUT!
I've been hoping that this would blow itself out - but it's apparently feeding on itself.
If you want to discuss the games, go to South Island. You've all made your points ad nauseum - what you're doing now, whether you realise it or not, is banging your heads together and hoping that someone'll cave in if you post for long enough.
We know what you think now. You won't convince anyone any harder by repeating it over and over.
Toby and HS, and anyone else tired of the Sega arguments: If Erinaceus is bothering you that much, why not just not get into the argument and keep the posts going?
But give it a rest, guys, on all counts. This is starting to remind me of the way that relationship discussions went before the embargo.
