Most of us who are at least familiar with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise have understandably always thought of it as an action-thriller story, focusing on the wreckage that inevitably ensues whenever the titular Blue Blur spin dashes into or just runs right through Dr. Eggman's Badniks. But recent stories prove that action can actually slow the story down, and I don't think it's in a good way.

In IDW Publishing's Sonic the Hedgehog, the latest issues of the more action-packed main title and the more introspective special releases are proving to me that the franchise functions more effectively when there's less action and acts more as a psychological drama.

Namely, the less "eventful" Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special #1 by Ian Flynn, Aaron Hammerstrom, Rik Mack, Shawn Lee, and Valentina Pinto and Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024, which includes three new short stories, have featured more powerful stories than issues #70-74 of the action-heavy Sonic the Hedgehog.

The Best Recent Sonic the Hedgehog Stories Feature Very Little Action

Knuckles's Introspection Changes Him Forever

In Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special #1, the only action is relegated to a few s when the Sonic Superstars game. The vast majority of the special, however, focuses on what happens after Knuckles compares himself to Trip because they are both guardians, a path that soon leads Knuckles to a very dark place where he realizes that Trip has much more than him.

Knuckles resonates with me and other fans in part because he's a sad, angst-filled loner...

Knuckles' depressing introspection works so effectively because he struggles with the aspects of himself that define him as a character: he's the last of the Echidnas and spends most of his time guarding the Master Emerald alone. Knuckles resonates with me and other fans in part because he's a sad, angst-filled loner with no family whose main function in life requires him to avoid connections with others. Dedicating an entire issue to that dynamic (with a new character to boot) was ingenious for that reason.

Other Sonic Characters Continue to Prove That Introspection Makes for Better Storytelling

Mimic Obsesses Over His Power, Reshaping His Twisted Viewpoint of the World

The Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special wasn't some random isolated incident that never happened again. It was immediately preceded by three stories from Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024 that put all the action on the back burner - and for the better. In fact, "For My Destiny" by Iasmin Omar Ata, Adam Bryce Thomas, and Lee also explores the concept of Knuckles' isolation, but the story takes it very literally by having him mostly interact with his Master Emerald. In a stunning revelation, Knuckles realizes that, while the Master Emerald secludes him, it simultaneously has given him everything he values, including his friends.

Sonic suddenly interrupts Knuckles' reverie and interprets the Echidna's words of thanks to the Master Emerald as being directed towards him. While comical, Sonic isn't actually misinterpreting the situation, since Knuckles had been thanking the Master Emerald for being partly responsible for bringing him his friends. Having Sonic tease the truth out of Knuckles recontextualizes what Knuckles learns about himself on his own. Knuckles' perception of the world has been shaped by his friends, and seeing Sonic do that in real time is very effective storytelling.

Even Sonic Stories Starring Minor Characters Are Better Without the Action

Surge and Kit Become More Entrenched in What Makes Them So Warped

Undoubtedly, my favorite of all four stories is "Shattered Diamonds" by Gigi Dutreix, Mauro Fronseca, Matt Froese, Leonardo Ito, Pinto, and Lee. The story delves into the minor character Mimic's relationship with his powers, which allow him to transform into anyone. His ability to "mimic" others actually serves as a brilliant metaphor for how he and others "mimic" what they perceive as valuable. This perception becomes more warped as Mimic recounts his descent into villainy to readers, whereby his powers eventually become the very embodiment of his twisted view of the world.

Interestingly, the annual's opening story, "Hero's Calling" by Flynn, Thomas Rothlisberger, Mack, and Lee, might begin with action, but action doesn't serve as the main driving force. After saving some civilians from a potential disaster, the villains Surge and Kit, who have been flirting with heroism in the main series, begin to contemplate their place in the world and with Sonic's Restoration. In a continuation of what the 50th issue of IDW's Sonic started, "Hero's Calling" pushes Surge and Kit's boundaries by cementing them even further as very warped individuals.

While Surge wants to bask in heroism, she feels her heroism can only be accomplished by twisted means, such as destroying Sonic and Dr. Eggman herself. Meanwhile, Kit's fall from grace, which has also been documented in the main continuity, becomes even more certain here. Kit's desire to give what Surge wants despite how she mistreats him takes the form of him deciding that the best way to achieve this is to hurt others so Surge can be the hero. It's truly masterful how conflicted both of these characters present themselves as at this moment.

Sonic's Main Continuity Has Been Seriously Lacking Good Drama

Nothing of Substance Has Happened in the Last Five Months

As I mentioned earlier, the strength of "Hero's Calling" reveals where the main Sonic continuity has gone wrong in recent months. Although there have been some standout moments, I believe that IDW's Sonic has dropped in quality ever since that aforementioned 50th issue that centered on Surge and Kit, primarily because it hasn't been focusing enough on character, instead prioritizing pure action. Although that issue alone revolved around numerous battles, they stood out because of how well the fighters complemented each other.

Each battle in the issue was fueled by the psychological drama that connected each fighter together. Now, more recently, the last few issues have followed a random race and have had little time to explore each character's strengths.

While Surge first shows signs that she wants to be a hero in Sonic the Hedgehog #70 by Evan Stanley, Hammerstrom, Matt Froese, Reggie Graham, Mack, Jonathon Dobbs, and Lee, the action didn't give the character any context, making me feel as though Surge's inevitable journey to becoming one of the good guys has already finished after just beginning. The stories that focus primarily on psychological aspects of each character in Sonic the Hedgehog rather than pure action are what make me love this series, and I hope the series will go back to prioritizing that introspective drama.

Recent issues of Sonic the Hedgehog are available now from IDW Publishing.