It looks cool but it does a number on Sonic’s knees.
Sonic The Hedgehog #1 Comics Giveaway Day 2026
IDW Publishing (May, 2026)
WRITER: Ian Flynn
PENCILER: Tracy Yardley
INKERS: Jim Amash & Bob Smith
COLORIST: Matt Herms
LETTERER: Corey Breen
EDITORS: Joe Hughes & David Mariotte
This is a reprint of the first issue, minus the Skylanders ashcan section. Yes, I looked it up.
After Sonic’s last battle with Eggman, the villain disappeared. The remaining badnik robots were a minor nuisance until today, when they make an organized attack on a fortified town. Sonic arrives and starts kicking butt while inspiring the citizens, but when he gets in a jam, Tails shows up to be best character. (Okay, I’m biased.) Tails is sure that someone is organizing the badniks but it’s not Robotnik. He would have bragged and insulted Sonic by now. Tails stays to help the town while Sonic heads to the next town, while the new villain in the area prepares for Sonic’s next stop and meeting with Amy Rose.
What they got right: This is clearly a seasoned version of our heroes, as demonstrated between Sonic and Tails’ teamwork, and Tails analyzing the situation and putting fixing the town over fighting robots with Sonic. The art is really good.
What they got wrong: People who have read past this issue initially might disagree with me, but since I haven’t I kind of wonder if replacing the man villain in the first storyline was the right move.
What I think overall: I hear a lot of praise for this series (which is becoming rare for an IDW adaptation–there are reasons they lost the Transformers and G.I. Joe) and based on this issue I can understand it. It’s a good start.
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