While I’ve never shied away from reading comics before (especially Marvel, with a little bit of DC thrown into the mix), I never would have called myself a true-blue comics fan. I can count the number of times I’ve been to a comic shop on one hand (mostly to pick up free issues during Free Comic Book Day…do they still do that?).
However, now that I’m hook-line-and-sinker with Sonic IDW, I have obviously been reading a ton of comics lately. As such, I’ve been able to distinctly appreciate something about comics that I hadn’t paid too much overt attention too in the past: the art.
Particularly with a long-running comic series like Sonic IDW, the art can really shine, most especially because multiple artists rotate in and out as needed. You never know exactly what you’re going to get thanks to the talent of the various artists who work on each issue, combined with the variety of storylines and events that go into wild and distinct places and genres.
If you’ll allow me, here are some of my favorite panels across the series, with the emphasis more on the art and composition over whatever is happening in the story (though, often, it’s a fusion of the two that makes the panel so fantastic). I’ve grouped my favorites into separate categories.
The Cool
Sonic smashes into one of Eggman’s robots. ‘Nuff said.
Tangle uses her long, stretchy tail to take out several nefarious badniks at once.
Neo Metal Sonic makes his first appearance since 2003’s Sonic Heroes, threating as always.
Tangle falls victim to the Metal Virus, but looks really cool and scary while it happens!
Metal Sonic, usually Sonic’s foe, works together with the Blue Blur to tackle a bigger threat.
Sonic and Surge have a massive, lightning-fast battle amidst crumbling ruins.
Tangle puts the vile Mimic through a much-deserved, merciless beatdown.
The Funny
Sonic has a wild, on-brand meeting with the energetic lemur, Tangle.
Knuckles, securing the Master Emerald, makes the goofiest faces possible.
Tangle arrives at Restoration HQ, and hangs out with Sonic and Tails.
Cream’s mother, Vanilla, gently interrogates Amy and Rouge about a dangerous adventure Cream went on.
Amy and Rouge banter during a celebration after a hard-fought battle.
Amy doesn’t do so well when something scares her.
Rouge can’t resist being a sly spy, even during a heroic mission.
The Emotional
As the Metal Virus takes over the village, Cream is forced to leave her pet Chao behind.
Eggman reminisces on the joy and fulfillment he felt during the brief time he had amnesia and acted good.
Tangle succumbs to the Metal Virus, and Whisper breaks her silent behavior to scream Tangle’s name.
Cream becomes infected by the Metal Virus, and her robot friend Gemerl helps her get one last look at the sunset before she turns.
Mid-fight with Sonic, he pleads with Surge to stop, but the unstable girl just can’t.
After a child tells her the she’s a good role model, Surge feels conflicted and guilty over her past actions.
With her lifelong nemesis gone for good, Whisper is finally able to feel happy for the first time in years.
The Shocking
Doctor Starline kidnaps Eggman and shocks his memories back into him, destroying the gentle Mr. Tinker persona for good.
Vector takes care of an infected citizen, not able to risk the Metal Virus she carries spreading further.
Crushed by the weight of his defeat and failures, Starline falls into despair and allows himself to be crushed as the base crumbles around him.
In a brutal fight, a superpowered Surge violently defeats Whisper.
Eggman holds Tangle at bay with just a straight-up gun. (This is probably the most famous panel of the series)
The shapeshifting Mimic abandons his Cream disguise, grotesquely melting into his normal appearance.
Surge and Kit are shown to be genetic experiments of Starline’s, held and tormented against their will.
And while these aren’t panels, technically, here are some of my favorite covers!
I hope you enjoyed this non-standard little article, and thanks for continuing to indulge my love of Sonic IDW!
