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This article concerns continuity on a story-to-story basis. As such, issues may be placed in order of approximate occurrence or narrative consistency. Additionally, the following saga names that are not official are italicized. These names are meant to give names to complete collections of stories, including multiple shorter story arcs.

Main Series[]

Since the universe of IDW's Sonic the Hedgehog shares continuity with the Sonic the Hedgehog video games and related media[1], events mentioned to be canon in relation to the comics will be listed here. This includes the Classic Era, which has been confirmed to take place in the same past as the Modern Era[2]. Some media are listed in order of the first version's real world release as, for some, their chronological placements in accordance to each other are unknown. Those will be noted. If possible, comic issues in which the media's events are first referred to are indicated to the side.

Classic Era[]

Pre-Classic Series[]

Sonic 3D Blast Scene

A past event in the Classic Era.

Classic Series[]

Modern Era[]

Pre-Modern Series[]

Sonic vs Egg Viper

A past event in the Modern Era.

Saga 1: Revenge of Neo Metal[13][]

Saga 2: The Metal Virus[]

Saga 3: Eggman's Legacy[17][]

Saga 4: TBD[]

The Near Future[]

TBD[]

Other[]

Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount Movie Universe)[]

The following comics take place in the Paramount movie universe. It is set after the first movie, and acts as a prequel to the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Trivia[]

  • Despite being made by similar IDW staff, Sonic Forces digital comic was not made by IDW and is therefore not a part of the IDW Sonic comic series.
    • Since then, it has been confirmed by Associate Manager of Lore at SEGA for Sonic the Hedgehog, Chris Hernandez, that the IDW Sonic comics are indeed canon to the video games.[1]
  • Like the Sonic Forces digital comic, Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence was made by Sega and later published by IDW. As such, it will not be listed in this chronology.
    • Since then, it has been confirmed by Associate Manager of Lore at SEGA for Sonic the Hedgehog, Chris Hernandez, that the IDW Sonic comics are indeed canon to the video games.[1]
  • Editor, David Mariotte, confirmed that the Team Sonic Racing One-shot is canon to the game and not the rest of the IDW Sonic universe.
    • Since then, it has been confirmed by Associate Manager of Lore at SEGA for Sonic the Hedgehog, Chris Hernandez, that the IDW Sonic comics are indeed canon to the video games.[1]
  • Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2021 contained a story called "Race to the Empire", but it was not a story and was instead a recap that covered the events of Sonic the Hedgehog #1-40 and Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys.
  • The first saga does not have a clear official name. "Revenge of Neo Metal" is simply what Ian Flynn personally refers to it as, though it has also been referred to as the "Neo Metal Sonic Saga" or simply "Season 1".[29]
  • The third saga does not have a clear official name, but Ian Flynn likes to refer to it as "Eggman's Legacy" as it includes Belle the Tinkerer as a major feature through all these smaller arcs as she comes into her own and reconciles with her identity and with Eggman, and parallel to that we have Doctor Starline, who is also somewhat born of Eggman's ambitions and how that becomes realized and comes to an end.[30]
  • The events of Team Sonic Racing was originally stated to have occurred at some point after the Metal Virus Saga[31] but before Issue 43.[32] Since then, it has been stated that it could also have taken place before the events of the game, Sonic Forces, or it could have not happened yet.[12]
  • In one of writer Ian Flynn's podcast episodes where he answers questions, one reader asked if the "Seasons of Chaos" story from Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special could take place after one of the other stories in that book. Ian stated that the stories could take place in any order, as those stories are each standalone stories.
  • Writer Ian Flynn has confirmed that, since Sega seems to be treating Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic as existing in the same timeline and same dimension, that the Classic Sonic comics take place before the Modern Sonic comics.[33]
  • Writer Ian Flynn has stated that, since Takashi Iizuka wants to bring the various forms of Sonic media closer together, and since the comics follow the lead of the games, Ian would not argue against people saying that the IDW comics are canon to the games.[34]
    • Since then, it has been confirmed by Associate Manager of Lore at SEGA for Sonic the Hedgehog, Chris Hernandez, that the IDW Sonic comics are indeed canon to the video games.[1]
    • When asked if the tie-in digital comics for the games are canon, writer Ian Flynn has stated that if it was released on Sega's official social media then it is indeed canon.[7]
    • When asked when the animated special, Ghost Tale, takes place, writer Ian Flynn stated that he did not know and that it was debatable if it was even canon as the characters are owned by Marza Animation Planet.[35]

Notes[]

  1. Writer Ian Flynn confirmed that Sonic Prime takes place sometime after Sonic Advance 3. Since Orbot and Cubot make appearances, and since Cubot's voice is normal, it has to take place after the events of Sonic Colors when they first appeared and when Cubot's voice was not working properly. It is possible however for Cubot's voice to have been working normally before his first appearance in Sonic Colors, meaning that it could also take place before Sonic Colors.
  2. Since Vector the Crocodile's vehicle, the Beat Monster, which first appeared in the game Team Sonic Racing, made its comic debut in Sonic the Hedgehog: #43, writer Ian Flynn was asked about when the events of this game could take place in relation to the comic series' continuity. He stated that the events of this game could either take place in some form before the events of Sonic Forces or at some point after The Metal Virus Saga. Because Zavok is imprisoned after The Metal Virus Saga up until after the events of the Bad Guys miniseries, it might make more sense for this to take place right after that; however, after the Bad Guys miniseries, Zavok appears injured and remains so when we see him again before contacting the rest of the Deadly Six in Sonic the Hedgehog: #41. With all that said, it's possible that Eggman rescued Zavok either before or after his imprisonment and teamed up with him for the events of this game before Zavok was imprisoned either for the first time or the second time, or it's possible that Zavok recovered from his injuries and was once again injured before Sonic the Hedgehog: #41, although these are all just speculation. When asked about this further, Ian Flynn stated that, since it was difficult to place the events of the game during the timeframe between the end of The Metal Virus Saga and Sonic the Hedgehog: #43, it would make more sense to say that the events of the game happened before the events of Sonic Forces or simply hadn't happened yet. Although, if it hadn't happened yet, then it would be unknown where Vector's Beat Monster came from. If TailsTube #1 (feat. Sonic) and TailsTube #2 (feat. ???) take place between Sonic the Hedgehog: #14 and Sonic the Hedgehog: #15, and since TailsTube #1 (feat. Sonic) shows footage from Team Sonic Racing, then the events of this game can only happen before Sonic Forces.
  3. Sonic claims that he usually does not go looking for the Chaos Emeralds unless he has to stop Dr. Eggman from getting them first. Considering that this episode shows footage from Sonic Forces and that Dr. Eggman became Mr. Tinker after the events of that game in addition to Sonic not learning that Dr. Eggman had returned until Sonic the Hedgehog: #14, this animation can only fit in this spot. Otherwise, Sonic would have referenced Dr. Eggman in the past tense.
  4. Dr. Eggman claims that the events of Sonic Forces were his last campaign. In Sonic the Hedgehog: #14, Sonic and his friends learn that Dr. Eggman has returned. In Sonic the Hedgehog: #15, Sonic gets infected with the Metal Virus, which has yet to spread. As such, this animation can only fit in this spot.
  5. Takes place before Sonic the Hedgehog: #18 as Dr. Starline still has a good amount of faith in Dr. Eggman. Additionally, the virus was not as well known or widespread before the events of Sonic the Hedgehog: #17.
  6. According to the story's writer, this story takes place sometime after The Metal Virus Saga but before Surge and Kit make their appearances. As Whisper doesn't appear after The Metal Virus Saga Until Sonic the Hedgehog: #42 in which she seems to stay with the Restoration before leaving in Sonic the Hedgehog: #45, which is when Surge and Kit cause a fire, then this story would take place between the end of The Metal Virus Saga and Sonic the Hedgehog: #42.
  7. According to the Reading Guide that is printed in various issues, the Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys miniseries takes place between Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 8: Out of the Blue and Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 9: Chao Races and Badnik Bases, which would mean it takes place between Sonic the Hedgehog: #32-33.
  8. The story recaps the events of Sonic the Hedgehog: #1-40 and Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys while either quickly glossing over or completely skipping Sonic the Hedgehog: #41-44 (either by hinting at them with the mentioning of the plans of Dr. Eggman, the Deadly Six, and Dr. Starline or otherwise skipping them altogether with these mentions pointing to future plans) and ending off telling the reader to read Sonic the Hedgehog: #45-49 and Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome: #1-4. After the story, the book itself states that the four-part "Zeti Hunt" begins in Sonic the Hedgehog: #41, potentially meaning that this recap was meant to catch the reader up before reading that four-part story in particular, unless that was more of an advertisement for the reader to discover what happened during that gap of issues themselves. Writer Ian Flynn states that it probably doesn't matter too much as it's more of a glorified clip show.
  9. According to the story's writer, this story takes place sometime after Sonic the Hedgehog: #48, unless a future story would contradict this.
  10. Although the ending states that the story is to be continued in Sonic the Hedgehog: #50, writer Ian Flynn stated in his podcast that he thinks it might fit best before Imposter Syndrome #4.
  11. Orbot and Cubot decide to take a vacation at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog: #40 and seem to return from their vacation in Imposter Syndrome: #4. Assuming the work they took part in during this story was not during their vacation, then this story would have to take place either before Sonic the Hedgehog: #40 or after Imposter Syndrome: #4. Considering stories typically take place close to when they release, this story most likely takes place after Imposter Syndrome: #4, however, in that case, Orbot and Cubot wouldn't have had a chance to participate in the events of this story until after Sonic the Hedgehog: #56.
  12. At the end of the story, Amy is telling Sonic and Cream about the events that took place in Sonic the Hedgehog: #47. Writer Evan Stanley confirmed that this story takes place at some point between Sonic the Hedgehog: #56-57. This story would most likely take place after Future Growth from Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2022 though because Blaze is not present in that story when she most likely would have been if she was around since she helped Silver plant that garden.
  13. Writer Ian Flynn stated that this story takes place sometime after Sonic the Hedgehog: #61. This story's interior pages reference events from Sonic the Hedgehog: #63-64.
  14. Writer Ian Flynn stated that this story takes place sometime after Sonic the Hedgehog: #61. The end of the issue states, "The adventures continue in Sonic #65!"
  15. Writer Ian Flynn stated that this story could take place at any point but that the publication order could be the order if need be.
  16. The ending seems to lead into the events of Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence, and since Knuckles is interviewed in this episode, Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence has not yet happened.
  17. Writer Ian Flynn stated that the video game, Sonic Frontiers, does not happen in the comic until before Sage makes an appearance in the comic.
  18. Assuming this takes place between TailsTube #3 (feat. Knuckles) and TailsTube #5 (Remember When?), and since it has been stated that the Modern Era releases generally take place in the order that they are released, then this would have to take place some time after Sonic Frontiers.
  19. The events of Sonic Frontiers are referenced, and it has been stated that the Modern Era releases generally take place in the order that they are released, meaning that this has to take place sometime after Sonic Frontiers and may happen before the events of Sonic Dream Team.
  20. Sage, who first appears in Sonic Frontiers, is mentioned by Dr. Eggman, and it has been stated that the Modern Era releases generally take place in the order that they are released, meaning that this has to take place sometime after Sonic Frontiers and may happen after the events of Sonic Dream Team.

External Links[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 https://youtu.be/CbvvteIEoIo?t=954
  2. https://youtu.be/K5k3_19I_Ws?t=210
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1715231984438374591
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdXp0h9qOp8
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJay81vllTU
  6. 6.0 6.1 https://www.youtube.com/live/LefotqRPlzU?si=OhIdificCbDx6hPi
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE1pyvZbQSU
  8. https://youtu.be/jcXoWX9U8kI?t=247
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaaKO0f6Cs0&t=62s
  10. https://x.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1745492385969090711?s=20
  11. https://youtu.be/f5omS0We21I
  12. 12.0 12.1 https://youtu.be/Jk1h2bfC1IY
  13. BumbleKast Q&A for October 5th, 2020 - Can Knuckles Leave the Island? (14:30)
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0wpxmfHLeE&spfreload=10
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI0Jf3VssnU&t=3569s
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMsoAvfuHa8
  17. A-A-Angry Co-Hosts! | BumbleKast for Nov. 30th - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast (16:26)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5omS0We21I
  19. https://twitter.com/TheFantasticIan/status/1567649920592809995
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF-u--e4ZDE&t=1864s
  21. https://twitter.com/virtanderson/status/1567542137637453827
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKbRR5laFqo
  23. 23.0 23.1 https://twitter.com/SpiritSonic/status/1567732560888987650
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 https://twitter.com/Danny8bit/status/1615830653614055424
  25. 25.0 25.1 https://youtu.be/NAStM_NsRsI?t=166
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM-AV7huwbQ
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmWDcysXVzA
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf9R74DZf4A
  29. BumbleKast Q&A for October 5th, 2020 - Can Knuckles Leave the Island? (14:30)
  30. A-A-Angry Co-Hosts! | BumbleKast for Nov. 30th - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast (16:26)
  31. BumbleKast for June 22nd, 2022 - Priority Q&A Podcast with Ian Flynn (50:35)
  32. BumbleKast for May 18th, 2022 - Priority Q&A Podcast with Ian Flynn (23:30)
  33. SO CUTE, I HAD TO [Shave it.] | BumbleKast for Nov. 4th, 2022 - Big Shot Q&A Podcast with Ian Flynn (03:03)
  34. 2 Words That Scare Sonic Fans | BumbleKast for November 14th, 2022 - Q&A Podcast with Ian Flynn (10:49)
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xftj-7gdTf4
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