New to Sonic the Comic?

[The Stiv™]

Thought I'd make a separate topic to post STCO's timeline, because technically, it's a different project to the actual comic.  Plus it's a nice way to keep you all updated!

I'm also copying the panel synopses from STCO's Chigs, who's doing this topic on the STCO forum:

 

 

 

Just thought I'd start a separate thread to highlight the fantastic work on this new project, a collaboration with loads of exciting artists to re-tell a potted history of the STC universe! Hopefully this will build into a great library of artwork to both delight nostalgic fans and educate new readers to the comic. So, without further ado...

Art by Adam "T-Bird" Tuff
This is the Kintobor computer, part time narrator and super computer of the freedom fighters. he made his first appearance in issue #6 and who better to guide us round the history of the STC Universe than the original star of the Sonic's World strips? You can read up more about the Kintobor computer here: http://stc.wikia.com/wiki/Kintobor_Computer



Art by Michael "Stiv" Stephenson
This panel represents the story "The Origin of Sonic" (http://stc.wikia.com/wiki/The_Origin_of_Sonic) from issue #8 - but what could those be lurking off to the left there? More importantly, what might they be doing here...?



Art by Michael Corker
This is also referencing the classic moment in issue #8's "The Origin of Sonic" where the letters on the kindly Ovi Kintobor's lab coat rearrange (along with the rest of him!) into the diabolical Doctor Ivo Robotnik! Don't have nightmares kids... :S For all you fact fans out there, Sonic and Robotnik's origin stories are adapted from the guidebook "Stay Sonic" published in the UK in 1993 by Fantail. (http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Stay_Sonic)

 

 

Art by Jin Chan Yum Wai
Miles "Tails" Prower (Miles Prower? Geddit? ) is here referencing the first time he met sonic, recounted in issue #27's Sonic's World Story "A Tale of Tails" which very loosely adapts some of the events in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, hence the Death Egg looming in the background. Sonic is using one of his more well known put downs for Tails in the form of "pixel Brain" to demonstrate his charming personality quirks. The Cameo at the bottom right there is a little piggy we'll be seeing more of later - Porker Lewis!

 

 

Art by Jon Gray with Pete Murphy
Well, as some of you might be aware of already, this panel features art by Jon Gray, most notable to us lot as a penciller for the Archie produced Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. His first issue for Archie was way back in 2003, (Hey! Same year as STCO kicked off! ) and we're very grateful for his contribution to our little project! Who better to let him loose on than probably the one character that even fans who aren't that familiar with STC have heard of, its ol' "Fleetway" himself: Super Sonic!

 

 

Art by Pete Murphy
Here we have the debut of the Omni Viewer who made his first appearance in issue #8's "The origin of Sonic" helping the cool blue one retell the stories of himself and Dr Robotnik to Tails, Porker and Johnny Lightfoot, before seemingly betraying them to old egg breath! Issue #9's follow up strip "Back to Reality" revealed that while he was under Robotnik's rule at this time, he was still able to subvert the order to get rid of the gang, hence only moving them 6 months into the future. See? He's a good guy really!

 

 

Art by Dean Shanghanoo
This panel encapsulates Robotnik's reign of terror as the dictator of Mobius, a period of time commonly referred to as RBR (Ruled by Robotnik). This was the comic's status quo from issue #9's "Back To Reality" all the way up to issue #100's "The Final Victory." Robotnik had many bases of opeations during this time but seen here is Citadel Robotnik, which made its début in issue #55. Trooper Badniks were also first seen in issue #9 and appeared more often than the game badniks as Robotnik's primary cannon fodder in the comic through this period.

 

Art by Marcus Stockley
The founding members of the Freedom Fighters are represented here, Sonic and Tails we've talked about a little bit already - Porker Lewis made his debut in the very first issue story "Enter: Sonic", while Johnny Lightfoot didn't get a named appearance till issue #8, although an unnamed rabbit character which might be interpreted as him did crop up back in issue #5's story "Lost in the Labyrinth Zone". Both Porker and Johnny are based on the animals critters rescued at the end of the classic game levels, and owe some of their design to early concept art for the "Sonic the Hedgehog" Saturday morning cartoon series (or SatAM for you acronym fans!)

 

Art by Matthew Bramble
Here we have a cavalcade of STC stars, starting with Amy Rose, inspired by the character who first appeared in Sonic CD, and who made her STC debut in issue #21's "Girl Trouble. Next is Shorty the Squirrel who becomes the doomed (to repeat himself) hero Shortfuse the Cybernik in issue #45's Sonic's World strip "Enter the Cybernik" and Last but by no means least is Capatain Plunder and his first mate Filch the ghost, who both made their first appearances in issue #23's "Pirates of the Mystic Cave."
 

Edited June 18, 2013 by The Stiv™

[iDEATH]

The art in those panels is wonderful. I'm so jealous of the skill that went into them. Robotnik and Super sonic Panels especially.

[EuroMIX]

This should just be its own super comic to cover all the basics. Maybe it could be in parts to cover different sets of the timeline?

[Your Vest Friend]

Bear in mind how many artists will be working on this thing. Organising them all so that there's a comic would be a nightmare.

[DocAzure]

It's been said already, but that art really is nice.

 

When I'm reading the dialogue, Sonic has a generic English accent in my head

[Mando-Whirl-Wind]

Ya, this is cool, and it will be nice to see what this is all about, all cant wait to see this take on chaotix mighty(and nack!)

[Rabid-Noodles]

Really cool project. Looking forward to seeing more!

 

And holycow Jon Gray. I knew you had someone from Archie but didn't expect him! So awesome.

[Sonic The Badass]

I have a question, I'm in america and been wondering for a while. is sonic the comic still running? i been reading Sonic The Hedgehog.

[Badnik Mechanic]

I have a question, I'm in america and been wondering for a while. is sonic the comic still running? i been reading Sonic The Hedgehog.

 

Unfortunately not. It officially stopped running in 2002 I think?

 

Although there is a fan continuation.

[Abominal SnowTaz]

Y'know I never got a chance to read any of the old Fleetways. I always took the Archie route because my uncle started me on Archie. I didn't learn about Fleetway until 2002, ironically when the comic ended.

[TCB]

I've always been dangerously curious about StC; yet I never really went 'into' it.

 

The art for this so far has been stellar. Personal fav to Super Sonic and the poor, poor Death Egg Robot.

[Emerald Chaos]

Loving Dubs' take on STC's Super Sonic. This should be a fun trip down memory lane.

 

I don't suppose you'll manage to get any other Archie artists in on this?

[Tani Coyote]

I really applaud this effort! It's a nice, simplified way to explain the continuity and loads of fun to read with how it breaks the Fourth Wall and admits some parts make no sense or are just ridiculous in hindsight.

 

Interesting to see Jon Gray's work on the comic as well; his style fits comedic things better but I think Super Sonic's design is crazy enough he actually works really well with it.

[MamboCat]

As I've said elsewhere, I think this is a fantastic idea for both new and older readers.

 

For me as an oldie it's really nice to see these classic STC moments redrawn and summarised, they're sort of like a revision card! The humour is very fitting as well. For new readers it's telling them that STC's history is very different from all other Sonic media, and it's introducing them to the STC-specific characters as well, such as the Kintobor computer.

 

The artwork by the usual STCO team is awesome as always, but getting Archie artists involved as well is bloody fantastic! Jon Gray's Super Sonic works so well!! Look at him, he looks proper insane!

 

Well done guys, this is a great idea and has been executed brilliantly!

Edited June 6, 2013 by MamboCat

[Your Vest Friend]

Loving Dubs' take on STC's Super Sonic. This should be a fun trip down memory lane.

 

I don't suppose you'll manage to get any other Archie artists in on this?

Word is that there are more Archie artists to come. Maybe just one, maybe more, I dunno. The only thing I managed to wrangle in terms of info is that Evan Stanley was not one of them.

I'm hoping for Yardley, personally.

[Tani Coyote]

That's fairly interesting Miss Stanley isn't one of the artists involved. She's a major Sonic fan outside her official work so I find it surprising she'd turn it down. Therefore my guess is she's just being worked so heavily between Archie and her own projects she just can't find the time.

 

Darn shame, really!

Edited June 6, 2013 by Ogilvie Maurice

[MamboCat]

I'm not sure if she's specifically a fan of STC, though.

 

Also she's working hard on Archie work and Ghosts of the Future. Which is awesome. :B

[richardandjudy]

Unfortunately not. It officially stopped running in 2002 I think?   Although there is a fan continuation.

Unofficial continuation… given the sorts of people who've been contributing material of late… I'd be loathe to describe Nigel Kitching as a "fan".

[Badnik Mechanic]

Unofficial continuation… given the sorts of people who've been contributing material of late… I'd be loathe to describe Nigel Kitching as a "fan".

 

I'm really not going to be drawn into an argument over this so lets just stick to the facts.

 

It's started by fans, its not endorsed by Sega, nor is it paying a fee to Sega for the Sonic license, nor has it a license from egmont fleetway either. if I'm wrong on any of those things feel free to correct me.

 

If I'm not wrong with those things (especially the license fee point), it's a fan continuation, not an official product. Doesn't matter who works on it. .... and... also the fact it says so on STCO's own website is kinda a giveaway.

[MamboCat]

"Unofficially official" is the term they like to use, I think...

[Tani Coyote]

"Unofficially official" is the term they like to use, I think...

 

Indeed!

 

All the original comic higher ups (Kitching, Dobbyn, Elson) give moral support to it as well, which is where the "official" comes from, as memory serves!

[richardandjudy]

I'm really not going to be drawn into an argument over this so lets just stick to the facts.   It's started by fans, its not endorsed by Sega, nor is it paying a fee to Sega for the Sonic license, nor has it a license from egmont fleetway either. if I'm wrong on any of those things feel free to correct me.   If I'm not wrong with those things (especially the license fee point), it's a fan continuation, not an official product. Doesn't matter who works on it. .... and... also the fact it says so on STCO's own website is kinda a giveaway.

Not quibbling over any of those things (although I don't see how Egmont could issue a license given it doesn't legally own any aspect of STC, which is more than can be said of the original creators). Do you consider Nigel Kitching, who wrote most of the original run of STC and wrote the lead strip in the most recent issue, to be a "fan"?

[Your Vest Friend]

It's a fan product that's endorsed by prior official writers. That's a much better accolade than most fan projects get, but it doesn't mean that it's not a fan product.

And I speak as someone who enjoys StCO.

[Badnik Mechanic]

Do you consider Nigel Kitching, who wrote most of the original run of STC and wrote the lead strip in the most recent issue, to be a "fan"?

 

Oh for crying out loud.

 

"I hire the Ford workers to build me a car. I Now have a Ford car"

 

It's a fan product.

[richardandjudy]

Oh for crying out loud.   "I hire the Ford workers to build me a car. I Now have a Ford car"   It's a fan product.

What if those Ford workers owned some of the IP?