The Curious Case of the Archie Graphic Novel and Reprint Delays and other GN Hyjinks (Sonic/Mega Man GN and Reprint Release Guide inside)

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

Alright, before anyone jumps on my back and starts asking why this isn't in the Archie Sonic thread, I honestly felt it's enough to warrant it's own thread, especially since it's effecting both Sonic and Mega Man at this point, so in general, I feel this thread is good to discuss those GN delays, as well as hopefully provide a guide on which GNs are still to come, and which series aren't. 

So first off, a guide.

SONIC/MEGA MAN GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASE GUIDE

Sonic Archives: Status: Hiatus/Cancelled(?)

Spoiler

Released:

Archives 1-24: Status: Released

Last Book Release Date:

Archives 24: February 2015

Delayed:

Archives 25: Status: Delayed: Current Listed Release Date: Unknown

Archives 26: Status: Delayed: Current Listed Release Date: Unknown

 

Sonic Legacy: Current Status: Hiatus/Cancelled

Spoiler

Released: 

Volumes 1-3 (Physical/Digital)

Volume 4 (Digital) 

Last Book Released:

Volume 4 (Digital) Released: December 2014

Cancelled: 

Volume 4 Physical Version

Sonic Universe Graphic Novels: Status: Hiatus/Cancelled(?)

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Universe: The Shadow Saga: Released

Sonic Universe: Mobius 30 Years Later: Released

Sonic Universe: Knuckles The Return: Released

Sonic Universe: Journey to the East: Released

Sonic Universe: The Tails Adventure: Released

Sonic Universe: Treasure Team Tango: Released

Sonic Universe: The Silver Saga: Released

Sonic Universe: Scourge: Lockdown: Released

Last Book Released:

Scourge Lockdown: February 2015

Delayed:

Sonic Universe: Babylon Rising: Delayed: Unknown

Sonic Universe: Scrambled: Delayed: Unknown

Sonic Universe: Secret Freedom: Delayed: Unknown

Sonic Universe: Chaotix Quest: Unknown

Sonic Universe Sagas (Post Worlds Collide Stories): Status: Upcoming

Spoiler

Upcoming:

Volume 1: Pirate Plunder Panic! - May 23rd 2017

Volume 2: Shadow Fall - September 12th 2017

Sonic Genesis: Status (Complete)

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Genesis Hardcover

Sonic Genesis Softcover

Sonic Select: Status: Hiatus/Cancelled

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Select Books 1-10: Released

Last Book Released:

Sonic Select 10: January 2015

Sonic Saga Series: Status: Cancelled(?)

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Saga Series Volume 1: Darkest Storm: Released

Sonic Saga Series Volume 2: Order From Chaos: Released

Sonic Saga Series Volume 3: Eggman Empire: Released

Sonic Saga Series Volume 4: House of Cards: Released

Sonic Saga Series Volume 5: Evil/Enerjak Reborn: Released

Sonic Saga Series Volume 6: Mogul Rising: Released

Sonic Saga Series Volume 7: The Dark Mirror (Brave New Moebius): Released

Last Book Released:

Sonic Saga Series Volume 7: The Dark Mirror: February 2015

Delayed/Cancelled:

Sonic Saga Series Volume 8: Hedgehog Havoc!: Delayed/Cancelled

Sonic Saga Series Volume 9: The Eggman Wars: Delayed/Cancelled

Sonic Saga Series Volume 10: On The Run!: Delayed/Cancelled

Sonic the Hedgehog Post 252 GNs: Status: Ongoing

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 1: Countdown to Chaos: Released

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 2: The Chase!: Released

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 3: Waves of Change: Released

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 4: Control: Released

Last Book Released:

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 4: Control - December 2016

Upcoming/Delayed:

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 5: Champions: April 25th 2017

Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 6: Planetary Pieces: August 22nd 2017

 

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog: Status: Cancelled

Spoiler

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 1 (Hardcover): Released

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 1 (Softcover): Released

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 2: Villains (Hardcover): Released

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Ultimate Edition: Released

Last Released Book:

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Ultimate Edition: February 2015

Cancelled:

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 2: Villains (Softcover): Cancelled

Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 3: Rivals: Cancelled 

Sonic Boom GNs: Status: Complete

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Boom Volume 1: The Big Boom: September 27th 2016

Sonic Boom Volume 2: Boom-Shaka-Laka: December 2016

Last Book Released: 

Sonic Boom Volume 2: Boom-Shaka-Laka: December 2016

Knuckles Archives: Status: Cancelled

Spoiler

Released:

Knuckles Archives Volumes 1-4: Released

Last Book Released:

Knuckles Archives Volume 4: April 2013

Cancelled:

Knuckles Archives Volume 5: Cancelled

Knuckles Archives Volume 6: Cancelled

 

Sonic Super Digest: Uncertain

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Super Digest Issues 1-14

Last Issue Released:

Sonic Super Digest Issue 16: May 2016

Upcoming: 

Sonic Super Digest Issue 17

Sonic Super Special Magazine: Status: Ongoing

Spoiler

Released:

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issues 1-13 (Physically)

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issue 14 (Digital release)

Last Book Released:

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issue 13: January 2015 (Physically)

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issue 14 (Original Version): June 2015 (Briefly and Digitally)

Cancelled: 

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issue 14 (Original Version): Cancelled Physical Release

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issue 15: Cancelled and contents moved to Super Digest #15

Upcoming: 

Sonic Super Special Magazine Issue 14 (New Version): 22nd February

Sonic Comic Spectacular: Status: Ongoing

Spoiler

Released:

Volume 1: Speed of Sound: Released: February 16th 2016

Sonic/Mega Man Worlds Collide: Status: Complete

Spoiler

Released: 

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide Volume 1: Kindred Spirits: Released

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide Volume 2: Into the Warzone: Released

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide Volume 3: Chaos Clash: Released

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide The Complete Epic: 6th January 2016

Last Book Released:

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide The Complete Epic: 6th January 2016

Cancelled:

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide: Deluxe Edition

Sonic/Mega Man Worlds Collide: Super Deluxe Edition

Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Unite: Status: Upcoming/Ongoing

Spoiler

Released: 

Sonic/Mega Man Worlds Unite Volume 1: Deadly Fusion - Released: 29th July 2016

Sonic/Mega Man Worlds Unite Volume 2: Broken Bonds: November 22nd 2016

Last Book Released:

Sonic/Mega Man Worlds Unite Volume 2: Broken Bonds: November 22nd 2016

Upcoming: 

Sonic/Mega Man Worlds Unite Volume 3: Allied Forces: Upcoming: March 28th 2017

Mega Man: Status: Hiatus/Cancelled(?)/Short Demand

Spoiler

Released: 

Mega Man Volume 1: Let the Games Begin: Released (But in short demand/out of print?)

Mega Man Volume 2: Time Keeps Slipping: Released

Mega Man Volume 3: The Return of Dr.Wily: Released

Mega Man Volume 4: Spiritus Ex Machina: Released (But in short demand/out of print?)

Mega Man Volume 5: Rock of Ages: Released

Mega Man Volume 6: Breaking Point!: Released

Mega Man Volume 7: The Curse of Ra Moon: Released

Mega Man Volume 8: Redemption: Released

Last Book Released:

Mega Man Volume 8: Redemption: January 2015

Delayed:

Mega Man Volume 9: Dawn of X: Delayed: Unknown (Possibly Cancelled?)

Mega Man Volume 10: Legends of the Blue Bomber: Delayed: Unknown (Possibly Cancelled?)

Mega Man Volume 11: Ultimate Betrayal: Delayed: Unknown (Possibly Cancelled?)

Cancelled(?):

Mega Man Master Edition Volume 1

So ultimately, why do I believe this warrants a thread of it's own? Well, quite honestly, my above guide should be easily able to explain that. Look at the amount of delays and cancellations that's been going on with the GNs for the past year. Not only does it affect Sonic, but it also affects Mega Man as well. There hasn't been a GN release in at least 6 months, and there's got to be something wrong at this point to justify the constant delays for all of these GNs. It also doesn't help that Archie recently decreased the quality of Graphic Novels, and the paper is now much lower quality.

Many speculate that it's due to the infamous Archie Kickstarter disaster from a few months ago, which has also lead to the cancellation of Sonic Boom, and the hiatus of Mega Man. If that is indeed the reason for so many delays, and a good three or four cancelled Graphic Novel series, then I think it's time Archie got their fucking minds together, considering that every issue of Sonic and Mega Man is still getting variant covers every issue, and the first issue of the Archie reboot got well over 20 variant covers, so if they have the money for so many different variant covers, exactly why the fuck are we still waiting on so many graphic novels? 

 

[Bolt 278]

I was wondering why I couldn't find Knuckles archives five and six. :[

Jeez, for quite some time I thought we had too many GNs, now, we have like...none...

[Sean 3,485]

Waves of Change was delayed AGAIN

Fuck it. Off to TKA I go

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

WHO WANTS DELAYS?!

Hedgehog Havoc! is now delayed until April 5th 2016

Which also means The Eggman Wars, and On the Run are delayed even further. 

Edited November 15, 2015 by Ryannumber1gamer

[Zaysho 11,257]

I might add that Mega Man vol. 1 is (possibly) out of print. I haven't seen it restocked anywhere (new), nor does Archie have it available to buy through their store. I'd also add that the upcoming omnibus collection is currently dated for May 24, 2016 on Amazon. Don't take that for a final date considering all the other delays and weirdness going on with Archie, though.

EDIT: So, more may be on the way to Amazon--they're listing that volume as "temporarily out of stock," which wasn't the case earlier in the year. The same cannot be said of volume two, though. On Archie's store, vols. 1, 2, and 4 are indeed out of stock, and I don't know if they will restock or not.

I'm surprised to learn that the Deluxe editions of "Worlds Collide" were cancelled, though. When did that happen?

On another note, I'm a little bummed the Knuckles Archives were cancelled. I mean, say what you will about the series itself, any and all re-releases for it are now incomplete. There were only two volumes left, it's a shame that people who were trying to collect them can't now.

All these delays and cancellations are getting ridiculous though. It was hard enough last year with how long it took for the print version of Sonic Sagas vol. 5 to surface.

Edited November 15, 2015 by Zaysho

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

I might add that Mega Man vol. 1 is (possibly) out of print. I haven't seen it restocked anywhere (new), nor does Archie have it available to buy through their store. I'd also add that the upcoming omnibus collection is currently dated for May 24, 2016 on Amazon. Don't take that for a final date considering all the other delays and weirdness going on with Archie, though.

I'm surprised to learn that the Deluxe editions of "Worlds Collide" were cancelled, though. When did that happen?

On another note, I'm a little bummed the Knuckles Archives were cancelled. I mean, say what you will about the series itself, any and all re-releases for it are now incomplete. There were only two volumes left, it's a shame that people who were trying to collect them can't now.

All these delays and cancellations are getting ridiculous though. It was hard enough last year with how long it took for the print version of Sonic Sagas vol. 5 to surface.

Thanks, I've updated the Mega Man section.

If you want some added laughs, I've also updated each section (Exceptions being the upcoming sections) with a last book released section, which provides the last book which was released as well as its release date. Ironically, biggest gap is Knuckles Archives which currently has a full 2 year gap between Archives 4 and the cancelled Archives 5. 

Going back to last year, it didn't help that Silver Saga was also being delayed alongside Enerjak Reborn, leading to everyone believing it was due to Enerjak's role in both plots.

[SurrealBrain 7,061]

Archie really should get their shit together. Decrease the variants if you're having money troubles. People like me are unlikely to buy them anyways.

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

I might add that Mega Man vol. 1 is (possibly) out of print. I haven't seen it restocked anywhere (new), nor does Archie have it available to buy through their store. I'd also add that the upcoming omnibus collection is currently dated for May 24, 2016 on Amazon. Don't take that for a final date considering all the other delays and weirdness going on with Archie, though.

EDIT: So, more may be on the way to Amazon--they're listing that volume as "temporarily out of stock," which wasn't the case earlier in the year. The same cannot be said of volume two, though. On Archie's store, vols. 1, 2, and 4 are indeed out of stock, and I don't know if they will restock or not.

I'm surprised to learn that the Deluxe editions of "Worlds Collide" were cancelled, though. When did that happen?

On another note, I'm a little bummed the Knuckles Archives were cancelled. I mean, say what you will about the series itself, any and all re-releases for it are now incomplete. There were only two volumes left, it's a shame that people who were trying to collect them can't now.

All these delays and cancellations are getting ridiculous though. It was hard enough last year with how long it took for the print version of Sonic Sagas vol. 5 to surface.

Time Keeps Slipping is listed as in stock, at least on Amazon UK. The other two are indeed out of print/out of stock however.

Deluxe/Super Deluxe Editions of Worlds Collide were cancelled and replaced with The Complete Epic which supposedly has the same contents of the Super Deluxe Edition for a lower price.

[Zaysho 11,257]

Time Keeps Slipping is listed as in stock, at least on Amazon UK. The other two are indeed out of print/out of stock however.

Deluxe/Super Deluxe Editions of Worlds Collide were cancelled and replaced with The Complete Epic which supposedly has the same contents of the Super Deluxe Edition for a lower price.

I'm going off of Amazon USA and Archie's own store, as well as the checklists in the comics themselves, so the stock might vary by region. I wonder if these trades will be phased out in favor of the Master Collections? I might not mind, but only if those new omnibuses aren't of inferior quality (smaller trim size makes me worry a bit).

Oh, and I dunno if it's worth noting, but I noticed that Archie is now restocking Sonic Universe vol. 2. I was surprised to see this because that book was out of stock both on Amazon (USA) and Archie's store for at least a year, and coincidentally following the lawsuit. It seems it's back in circulation, but SU vol.3 is currently out of stock on Archie's store, and seems out of stock like Mega Man vol. 2 on Amazon.

And I thought the Complete Epic collection was only a compilation of the regular trades while the Deluxe Editions had the extras. If the Complete Epic has the same content, and isn't so stupidly expensive, that seems like a fair enough trade off. I'm guessing the Complete Epic is a softcover, right?

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

I'm going off of Amazon USA and Archie's own store, as well as the checklists in the comics themselves, so the stock might vary by region. I wonder if these trades will be phased out in favor of the Master Collections? I might not mind, but only if those new omnibuses aren't of inferior quality (smaller trim size makes me worry a bit).

Oh, and I dunno if it's worth noting, but I noticed that Archie is now restocking Sonic Universe vol. 2. I was surprised to see this because that book was out of stock both on Amazon (USA) and Archie's store for at least a year, and coincidentally following the lawsuit. It seems it's back in circulation, but SU vol.3 is currently out of stock on Archie's store, and seems out of stock like Mega Man vol. 2 on Amazon.

And I thought the Complete Epic collection was only a compilation of the regular trades while the Deluxe Editions had the extras. If the Complete Epic has the same content, and isn't so stupidly expensive, that seems like a fair enough trade off. I'm guessing the Complete Epic is a softcover, right?

Yeah, Complete Epic will be a softcover, according to Amazon anyway.

While I wouldn't mind if the Master Editions end up as maybe Select Size (I'm more worried because they said it'd be manga size, which to my knowledge, isn't much bigger than the Archives, and considering that the first three volumes combined would equal out to at least 360 pages, that doesn't sound exactly great. Especially if it ends up that the paper is the same low quality shit that Archie switched to last year.

[Idon'tcare 174]

Holy Moly that's a lot of reprints...

Eh, I'd pick some up but neither Archie nor Amazon wants to ship my address, so yeah.

 

[SurrealBrain 7,061]

I wouldn't buy the Master Editions for myself if that's the case...but my sister has read my copies of some graphic novels, and she seemed to enjoy them, so if nothing else, it's something to consider getting her, even if I stick to my own copies.

[pocket 106]

So, I only collect comics in collected edition forms, and I've practically got every Sonic reprint I want, I'm just missing a few Sonic Selects and Sonic Universe books, but I've had this near complete collection for a while now, so I've been following this whole delay thing for months. And no matter what approach I take in asking archie comics about it, they won't say a word, not even a "we can't talk about it at this time." Shoot, they don't even announce the delays, I find out through Amazon.

I've been trying for a long time to get some clarity on this, and barely anything comes up. A lot of people like OP said, mention the Kickstarter, or Ken Penders, or they say they're just shifting their focus to digests. 

Most recently someone claimed that Archie is just not paying royalties for things on their archie comics app and pissing off freelancers, and therefore we may never see any reprints of the pre-reboot material again.  I really hope that's not the case. 

 

EDIT: Well I looked into the Ken Peners topic and have a much more clear idea of what's going on.

I sure hope the reprints, and the comic in general doesn't get cancelled. 

Edited November 24, 2015 by pocket

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

This wacky ride just doesn't stop.

Worlds Collide The Complete Epic is confirmed delayed again to January 6th 2016 in comic stores, and January 26th 2016 in Book Stores.

 

Edited November 29, 2015 by Ryannumber1Santa

[Shaddy Zaphod 5,894]

Why exactly do we have so many graphic novels reprinting so many of the same issues?

[pocket 106]

Why exactly do we have so many graphic novels reprinting so many of the same issues?

That's kind of Archie's Modus Operandi. 

They stopped carrying comic books in Grocery stores years ago, except for Archie Comic digests, which are just random reprints of things that have already been reprinted. Someone on Ian Flynn's form mentioned getting a "super digest" that really just contained the last three archie comic digests in one book.

Compared to Archie Comics proper, Sonic has actually had it easy with repeat reprints.

[Idon'tcare 174]

Hmm, reprints and loads of reprints.

Reminds me of the Fleetway comic and how it started to reprint its older stories alongside new ones before simply stopping the production of new ones one day and focusing entirely on doing reprints before cancelling the comic entirely.

[Zaysho 11,257]

Hmm, reprints and loads of reprints.

Reminds me of the Fleetway comic and how it started to reprint its older stories alongside new ones before simply stopping the production of new ones one day and focusing entirely on doing reprints before cancelling the comic entirely.

Tell me, do you just have it out for Archie, or are collected editions really a completely foreign concept for you? No, never mind, I already know the answer.

This isn't comparable to what Fleetway did at all and you know it. Printing new issues of an on-going comic but not actually producing new content isn't the same as collecting older stories and re-releasing them in a separate book for the mass market.

[Idon'tcare 174]

Tell me, do you just have it out for Archie, or are collected editions really a completely foreign concept for you? No, never mind, I already know the answer.

This isn't comparable to what Fleetway did at all and you know it. Printing new issues of an on-going comic but not actually producing new content isn't the same as collecting older stories and re-releasing them in a separate book for the mass market.

Um nNNo... I don't really have it out for Archie and I do know what Graphics novels and collectors editions are, we do have comic shops here. But hey, thanks for being all judge mental there buddy. Takes me back to the old days on the Bumbleking forum where questioning Ian Flynn's less spectacular story ideas and plot holes resulted in pitchforks and torches heading my way for daring to speak out against his holiness... Yes, that's Sarcasm

I was merely making a curious comparison between a now defunct comic series which slowly drifted from the production of new content to solely reprinting its old issues while thinking of how over the past year Archie has canned the Sonic Boom comic and placed Mega man on Hiatus while announcing more collections and a new digital Archie for readers.

No one is saying it is heading Fleetway's way, but from an outsiders point of view it doesn't seem good if a company is more focused on producing what can be viewed as reprints while reducing it's original content production. 

As for the delay in the Collectors editions, I'd say its got something to do with Pender's old and new lawsuit making Archie double check to see if the new graphic novels can be viewed as violating the terms of their agreement from a legal standpoint.

[Zaysho 11,257]

Um nNNo... I don't really have it out for Archie and I do know what Graphics novels and collectors editions are, we do have comic shops here. But hey, thanks for being all judge mental there buddy. Takes me back to the old days on the Bumbleking forum where questioning Ian Flynn's less spectacular story ideas and plot holes resulted in pitchforks and torches heading my way for daring to speak out against his holiness... Yes, that's Sarcasm

I was merely making a curious comparison between a now defunct comic series which slowly drifted from the production of new content to solely reprinting its old issues while thinking of how over the past year Archie has canned the Sonic Boom comic and placed Mega man on Hiatus while announcing more collections and a new digital Archie for readers.

No one is saying it is heading Fleetway's way, but from an outsiders point of view it doesn't seem good if a company is more focused on producing what can be viewed as reprints while reducing it's original content production. 

As for the delay in the Collectors editions, I'd say its got something to do with Pender's old and new lawsuit making Archie double check to see if the new graphic novels can be viewed as violating the terms of their agreement from a legal standpoint.

And my point is your comparison doesn't work. Fleetway printing reruns of old stories in a regular on-going book and selling them as new is not the same as Archie collecting older stories and releasing them in another format for the mass market--something they kind of have a history of doing. I don't see how anyone would jump to that conclusion or how anyone would view this as Archie putting too much focus on reprints at the expense of original content. Most publishers reprint, and some, like IDW, find all sorts of ways to milk it in ways even Archie can't handle (and they've tried--the cancellation of the Worlds Collide Deluxe editions prove that much). The collections have nothing to do with cutbacks/delays/hiatuses, especially when they're hit with them, too. Archie's still dealing with the fallout of their Kickstarter being cancelled, and it's worth noting that things like Boom's cancellations and Mega Man's hiatus came out of nowhere and were announced shortly after that.

I doubt it has anything to do with Penders because he's already said he has a problem with their new app system--physical reprints were likely taken care of during the last settlement and Archie's been pretty selective (and limiting) about what they've put in non Archive/Sagas collections and magazines lately because of that.

[PC the Hedgehog 2,923]

I'm so used to the delays, I don't even bother keeping track of them anymore. At this point, when a new book comes out, a new book comes out.

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

Update: Archives 25 pushed back to July 12th.

[pocket 106]

I don't know how many more delays I can take, some people are speculating that they're just delaying until they can officially announce the cancellation of Archives and Saga Series, but I don't want to be that pessimistic yet.  

[Dee Dude 8,928]

Bad News: 

Waves of Change has been delayed... AGAIN!

It's been pushed to July 19, 2016 next year, This is getting really annoying.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Dan-Dude

[Ryannumber1Santa 39,742]

Which means it'll officially be one year and a half since the last volume.

Archie, what the fuck is up with you?

List's updated.