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{{Real world}} | {{Real world}} | ||
{{Infobox Merchandise | {{Infobox Merchandise | ||
|image = | |image = Sonic the Hedgehog logo.png | ||
|type = Video game franchise | |type = Video game franchise | ||
|release date = [[23 June (releases)|23 June]] [[1991 (releases)|1991]] (original video game)}} | |release date = [[23 June (releases)|23 June]] [[1991 (releases)|1991]] (original video game)}} | ||
'''''Sonic the Hedgehog''''' | '''''Sonic the Hedgehog''''' is a series consisting primarily of video games released by the Japanese entertainment company SEGA, and a vast variety of spinoff media such as comic books, television series, theatrical films, and other merchandise. | ||
The series follows the adventures of the titular character, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who has can run at supersonic speeds, who battles alongside his friends and allies against the evil plots of Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, who is intent on conquering the world with his robotic minions. | The series follows the adventures of the titular character, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who has can run at supersonic speeds, who battles alongside his friends and allies against the evil plots of Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, who is intent on conquering the world with his robotic minions. | ||
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As with the DWU and its Sonic references appearing, thus far, in a single non-televised medium, Sonic's own nods to the Time Lord have also appeared in a single medium outside of the video games of which he originated. In this case, during the Hedgehog's extensive run in [[comic book]]s. | As with the DWU and its Sonic references appearing, thus far, in a single non-televised medium, Sonic's own nods to the Time Lord have also appeared in a single medium outside of the video games of which he originated. In this case, during the Hedgehog's extensive run in [[comic book]]s. | ||
The beloved UK-based series published by Fleetway, {{wi|Sonic the Comic}}, which ran from [[1993 (releases)|1993]] to [[2002 (releases)|2002]], offered an inherently British style of story and characterisation to Sonic's world, including a, perhaps, very unintentional nod to the [[Dalek]]s. Among the comic's extensive rogues gallery was a group called the Brotherhood of Metallix, in which the comic took Robotnik's singular robotic Sonic-Doppelgänger from the games, and turned it into a fearsome, very Dalek-like, warmongering species led by an "[[Dalek Emperor|Emperor Metallix]]". Nigel Kitching, one of the comics most prolific writers, and creator of the group, acknowledged the similarity after older readers began to pick up on it. Kitching explained that he did not initially set out to "rip off" the Daleks, but chose to run with the idea as the group were developed. He further stated that, since ''Doctor Who'' was off the air at the time, he believed the similarity was unlikely to jar the series' readership.<ref>http://sonicthecomic.proboards.com/thread/9482?page=8#355593</ref> | The beloved UK-based series published by [[Fleetway Publications|Fleetway]], {{wi|Sonic the Comic}}, which ran from [[1993 (releases)|1993]] to [[2002 (releases)|2002]], offered an inherently British style of story and characterisation to Sonic's world, including a, perhaps, very unintentional nod to the [[Dalek]]s. Among the comic's extensive rogues gallery was a group called the Brotherhood of Metallix, in which the comic took Robotnik's singular robotic Sonic-Doppelgänger from the games, and turned it into a fearsome, very Dalek-like, warmongering species led by an "[[Dalek Emperor|Emperor Metallix]]". Nigel Kitching, one of the comics most prolific writers, and creator of the group, acknowledged the similarity after older readers began to pick up on it. Kitching explained that he did not initially set out to "rip off" the Daleks, but chose to run with the idea as the group were developed. He further stated that, since ''Doctor Who'' was off the air at the time, he believed the similarity was unlikely to jar the series' readership.<ref>http://sonicthecomic.proboards.com/thread/9482?page=8#355593</ref> | ||
[[Image:E123 Omega Exterminate.jpg|thumb|left|E-123 Omega channels his inner-Dalek. (IDW ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' #19)]] | |||
On the other side of the pond was perhaps Sonic's most prolific comic book run: the American Archie Comics series that ran continuously for a record-breaking twenty-four years, from [[1993 (releases)|1993]] to [[2017 (releases)|2017]]. A subtle ''Doctor Who'' nod occurred toward the end of ''World's Unite'', a massive crossover between Sonic and Archie's ''Mega Man'' comic book (based on the CAPCOM game series of the same name). At the end of a multiverse-spanning plot that was ultimately undone by a time travel paradox, ''Sonic'' character Sticks the Badger finished off by explaining her own theory about time and space, during which she used the first half of the (in)famous phrase first coined by the [[Tenth Doctor]] and popularised by the [[Eleventh Doctor|Eleventh]]: "[[Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey|wibbly wobbly]]". | On the other side of the pond was perhaps Sonic's most prolific comic book run: the American Archie Comics series that ran continuously for a record-breaking twenty-four years, from [[1993 (releases)|1993]] to [[2017 (releases)|2017]]. A subtle ''Doctor Who'' nod occurred toward the end of ''World's Unite'', a massive crossover between Sonic and Archie's ''Mega Man'' comic book (based on the CAPCOM game series of the same name). At the end of a multiverse-spanning plot that was ultimately undone by a time travel paradox, ''Sonic'' character Sticks the Badger finished off by explaining her own theory about time and space, during which she used the first half of the (in)famous phrase first coined by the [[Tenth Doctor]] and popularised by the [[Eleventh Doctor|Eleventh]]: "[[Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey|wibbly wobbly]]". | ||
After the aforementioned comic's cancellation, the American Sonic comic license was picked up by former [[American comic book|American ''Doctor Who'' comic publisher]], [[IDW Publishing]], during which ''Doctor Who'' has, so far, been referenced twice. | After the aforementioned comic's cancellation, the American Sonic comic license was picked up by former [[American comic book|American ''Doctor Who'' comic publisher]], [[IDW Publishing]], during which ''Doctor Who'' has, so far, been referenced twice. | ||
[[image:IDWSonic Dalek cameo.jpg|thumb | [[image:IDWSonic Dalek cameo.jpg|thumb|The Dalek figurine. (IDW ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' #49)]] | ||
In issue 19, the robot character E-123 Omega was seen taking out a barrage of enemies while exclaiming "[[exterminate]]" in a manner very similar to the Daleks. | In issue 19, the robot character E-123 Omega was seen taking out a barrage of enemies while exclaiming "[[exterminate]]" in a manner very similar to the Daleks. | ||
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== Behind the scenes connections == | == Behind the scenes connections == | ||
=== Video games === | === Video games === | ||
For the UK-based developer [[TT Games]], ''[[LEGO Dimensions (video game)|LEGO Dimensions]]'' was far from being the only ''Sonic''-related game | For the UK-based developer [[TT Games]], ''[[LEGO Dimensions (video game)|LEGO Dimensions]]'' was far from being the only ''Sonic''-related game that they had a hand in, having previously developed two pivotal titles in Sonic's series: in the late 1990s, they developed the games {{wi|Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island}} (''3D Blast'' in the US) and {{wi|Sonic R}}, two of the earliest games in the series to depict Sonic's world in 3D. | ||
[[Sumo Digital]], developer of ''[[The Adventure Games]]'', developed the SEGA crossover videos games {{wi|Sega Superstars Tennis}}, {{wi|Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing}}, and {{wi|Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed}}, which all featured characters and elements from the ''Sonic'' universe. They later went on to develop the purely ''Sonic''-centred title, {{wi|Team Sonic Racing}}. | [[Sumo Digital]], developer of ''[[The Adventure Games]]'', developed the SEGA crossover videos games {{wi|Sega Superstars Tennis}}, {{wi|Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing}}, and {{wi|Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed}}, which all featured characters and elements from the ''Sonic'' universe. They later went on to develop the purely ''Sonic''-centred title, {{wi|Team Sonic Racing}}. | ||
=== Fleetway's ''Sonic the Comic'' === | === Fleetway's ''Sonic the Comic'' === | ||
[[Fleetway Publications]], who published the ''Doctor Who''-related ''[[Comic Relief Comic (comic story)|Comic Relief Comic]]'', were the publishers of ''Sonic the Comic'' for the entirety of its eight-year run. Being a British series, it had a particularly extensive list of individuals also associated with ''Doctor Who'' in some form or another, mostly, but not exclusively, via ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''. | |||
Apart from Nigel Kitching, mentioned above, the series' other most prolific writer was ''[[The Daft Dimension]]'' creator, [[Lew Stringer]]. Stringer had contributed a number of stories significant to the comic's run, and even became the primary head writer for a period in the late 1990s when Kitching briefly left. He also created two of the | Apart from Nigel Kitching, mentioned above, the series' other most prolific writer was ''[[The Daft Dimension]]'' creator, [[Lew Stringer]]. Stringer had contributed a number of stories significant to the comic's run, and even became the primary head writer for a period in the late 1990s when Kitching briefly left. He also created two of the comic's most popular breakout characters: Tekno the Canary and Shortfuse the Cybernik. | ||
[[Richard Elson]], the illustrator of the [[Untitled (DWM 171 short story)|untitled]] ''[[Brief Encounter]]'' short story in [[DWM 171]], was the series' longest-serving artist, and one of the most prolific, having illustrated some of series' most narratively-significant stories and multiple covers. | [[Richard Elson]], the illustrator of the [[Untitled (DWM 171 short story)|untitled]] ''[[Brief Encounter]]'' short story in [[DWM 171]], was the series' longest-serving artist, and one of the most prolific, having illustrated some of series' most narratively-significant stories and multiple covers. | ||
[[Gary Knight]], a designer for ''Doctor Who Magazine'', served the same role on StC for, reportedly, the near-entirety of its run, beginning with issue 28. | |||
[[Anthony Williams]], who drew ''[[The Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack (comic story)|The Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack]]'', was an infrequent artist for the series' earlier issues, who was most notable for drawing the comic's very first strip, ''Enter: Sonic''. | |||
[[Alan McKenzie]], comic writer and features editor for ''Doctor Who Magazine'' in its ''Weekly''/''Monthly'' incarnations, wrote many early stories, including the aforementioned ''Enter: Sonic''. | |||
A number of strips in StC's early years were written by accomplished comics writer, and ''[[Behind the Sofa: Celebrity Memories of Doctor Who]]'' contributor, [[Mark Millar]]. | |||
[[John M. Burns]], who was a co-artist on ''[[The Age of Chaos (comic story)|The Age of Chaos]]'', was a colourist on a large number of StC stories. | |||
''Doctor Who Magazine'' letterer, [[Elitta Fell]], worked the same job for StC, working on the series for almost its entire run. | |||
''[[The Greatest Gamble (comic story)|The Greatest Gamble]]'' and ''[[Junk-Yard Demon (comic story)|Junk-Yard Demon]] artist, [[Mike McMahon]], was another long-serving artist for the series, being an especially prominent contributor during the latter half of the comic's run, drawing multiple stories and covers. | |||
[[Andy Diggle]], who served as the head writer on IDW's final stretch of ''[[Doctor Who (IDW)|Doctor Who]]'', was previously StC's last ever editor, taking on the role for the final six months of the comics run of new strips. | |||
[[Steve Cook]] was a designer and photographer on both ''Doctor Who Magazine'' and StC. | |||
=== Other comic books and literature === | === Other comic books and literature === | ||
[[Virgin Books]], the most prolific publisher of ''Doctor Who'' novels during the show's wilderness years, including the aforementioned ''[[Conundrum (novel)|Conundrum]]'' and ''[[All-Consuming Fire (novel)|All-Consuming Fire]]'', also published their own series of original children's novels based on the ''Sonic'' series in the early 1990s. | [[Virgin Books]], the most prolific publisher of ''Doctor Who'' novels during the show's wilderness years, including the aforementioned ''[[Conundrum (novel)|Conundrum]]'' and ''[[All-Consuming Fire (novel)|All-Consuming Fire]]'', also published their own series of original children's novels based on the ''Sonic'' series in the early 1990s. | ||
[[Jonathan Green]], a prolific gamebook writer who wrote the final ''[[Decide Your Destiny]]'' book, ''[[The Horror of Howling Hill (novel)|The Horror of Howling Hill]]'', co-wrote the last two books in Fantail's ''Sonic'' gamebook series, ''[https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_Adventure_Gamebook_5:_Theme_Park_Panic Theme Park Panic]'', and ''[https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_Adventure_Gamebook_6:_Stormin%27_Sonic Stormin' Sonic]''. | |||
[[Andrew Pepoy]], one of the artists of the [[Second Doctor]]'s [[Prologue: The Second Doctor (comic story)|prologue]] to ''[[Supremacy of the Cybermen (comic story)|Supremacy of the Cybermen]]'', was a regular inker on Sonic's Archie Comics run. | [[Andrew Pepoy]], one of the artists of the [[Second Doctor]]'s [[Prologue: The Second Doctor (comic story)|prologue]] to ''[[Supremacy of the Cybermen (comic story)|Supremacy of the Cybermen]]'', was a regular inker on Sonic's Archie Comics run. | ||
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A reoccurring artist on the IDW ''Sonic'' team is former, occasional ''[[Doctor Who Adventures]]'' artist, [[Jack Lawrence]]. | A reoccurring artist on the IDW ''Sonic'' team is former, occasional ''[[Doctor Who Adventures]]'' artist, [[Jack Lawrence]]. | ||
=== Miscellaneous === | |||
American voice actor [[Frank Welker]], who voiced a handful of characters in ''[[LEGO Dimensions (video game)|LEGO Dimensions]]'', including those who interacted with DWU elements, and other related media, previously provided additional voices for Sonic's {{w|Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|Saturday morning cartoon series}} in 1993. | |||
== Notes == | |||
The title of the ''[[Legacy (video game)|Doctor Who: Legacy]]'' game, ''[[Sonic Adventure (video game)|Sonic Adventure]]'', is identical to that of the {{w|Sonic Adventure|''Sonic'' game}} released for the {{w|Dreamcast}} in the late 1990s. | |||
== Footnotes == | == Footnotes == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} |