Warning: Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles' 30th Anniversary Special!
TheSonic the Hedgehogcomics just introducedbreak-outSonic SuperstarscharacterTrip the Sungazer Lizard to the franchise’s comic continuity, as a surprise part of theKnuckles 30th Anniversary Specialone-shot. However, Trip’s inclusion in IDW’s series actually serves a more critical role than merely expanding her representation beyond the games. She has officially changed Knuckles the Echidna’s character forever.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special#1 – written by Ian Flynn, with art by Aaron Hammerstron – features Knuckles endeavoring to train Trip, because she’s a guardian like him; yet when he attempts to connect with her to increase their bond, he realizes that they have less in common than he initially believed.
Namely, she lives with and still receives mentorship from her own people, forcing him to face his own insecurities abouthow he’s the only Echidna left and has never had a mentor of his own.
IDW’s Sonic Introduces Trip The Lizard, & She Already Has A Major Impact On Knuckles
Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special#1 – Written By Ian Flynn; Art By Aaron Hammerstron; Ink By Rik Mack, Color By Valentina Pinto; Lettering By Shawn Lee.
This leads to Knuckles reflecting inward, noting his own limitations based on what he doesn’t have. With Trip’s help, he’s able to realize his own self-worth, promoting the message that it’s more important to focus on what you are capable of doing rather than needlessly comparing yourself to others. With this realization, Knuckles now believes in himself more than before, a revelation that will culminate in him becoming a more effective guardian and teacher. Although an incredibly deep moment for the Echidna, fans undoubtedly also appreciated the poetic irony in how Knuckles comes to this realization with Trip’s help.
After 26 Years, Sonic the Hedgehog Finally Resolves Knuckles’ Saddest Lore
Knuckles the Echidna’s most tragic moment in the Sonic franchise has been addressed at last, in a heartwarming moment that shows how far he’s come.
After all, they originally teamed up so he could help her train to be a better guardian. Still, none of these events could have happened if it weren’t for a creative decision made by theSonic Superstarsteam andSega’s creative influence over IDW’s own continuity. Knuckles is only caught off guard by the existence of Trip’s people because there were no other Sungazer Lizards in the game. IDW explains this by having Tripsay she told them to hide before the events ofSonic Superstars,eliminating any need for a retcon in the process.
IDW’s Sonic The Hedgehog Continuity Rewards Fans With Its Connections To The Games
The TwoSonicCanons, Compared
Consequently, the fact that theSonicgames continue to directly influence IDWand, in turn, the comic book portrayal of Knuckles, is what allowed this unique dynamic between him and Trip to occur. The franchise’s other big comic continuity,Archie Comics, had much greater creative license over Knuckles, and although the Echidna’s backstory inArchieis much richer and undoubtedly more complex than his IDW counterpart,Archie’sKnuckles could have never been so deeply affected by Trip’s life experiences, in this narratively satisfying way.
Only IDW’s Knuckles could have been so deeply affected by Trip and the events of this 30-anniversary special issue, changing his character forever.
Archie’sKnuckles has no family left, though he did have a special mentor named Archimedes, a fire ant who prepared Knuckles to be Guardian of Angel Island, and also had direct contact with Knuckles' deceased family and people, namely his father, Locke. There are other living Echidnas beside Knuckles inArchie, but he still is the sole survivor of his clan, and the remaining Echidnas are part of a rival clan known as the Dark Legion. WhileArchie’sSonicmight be more nuanced than IDW,, only IDW’s Knuckles could have been so deeply affected by Trip and the events of this 30-anniversary special issue, changing his character forever.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special#1is available now from IDW Publishing
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that began with Sonic the Hedgehog’s release for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends, family, and the world. The series has expanded into several video games, multiple comic book series, television shows, and a Hollywood feature film series.
