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Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW)
Sonic the Hedgehog, Vol. 8: Out of the Blue
Team Sonic defeated the Metal Virus, but things are far from back to normal. What have they lost, and which villains will seize the opportunity to strike? First, "Untold Tales of the Metal Virus!" As Dr. Eggman's technological plague sweeps the world, some of Sonic's greatest allies and most sinister foes must face the threat alone! Witness wrenching tragedies and surprising acts of bravery in six stories from the darkest days of the virus. Then, in the aftermath of the Metal Virus Saga, the world has changed. Heroes and villains plan for the future as reconstruction begins. But one hero remains missing, even as Dr. Eggman launches a new assault, determined to take down his enemies once and for all. Faced with new challenges and the legacy of a friend, can the Resistance prevail without the full support of their allies? Collects the Sonic The Hedgehog 2020 Annual and issues #30–32 of the ongoing comic series.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 9, 2021
3.5/5 An epilogue to the Metal Virus Saga that sets everything back to the status quo while setting up future plot lines to be explored.
The epilogue itself is good, but there’s a lot of odd decisions made in what stories are collected here. This book includes a set of stories from the Sonic annual issue that were set during the virus outbreak. They really should have included them in earlier volumes, and it’s VERY odd to be reading them now after the Metal Virus is gone.
Sending Sonic to the Sol Dimension with temporary amnesia feels like wasted potential. I would not have minded seeing this series have Sonic explore Blaze’s home world, but the book immediately restores Sonic’s memory and sends him on his merry way. I can’t help but wonder if this was an aborted plot line, considering Evan Stanley officially takes the helm next volume.
Make no mistake, Sonic Vol. 8 is still a good book, it just feels like the awkward middle child as the creatives behind the series start shifting around.
The epilogue itself is good, but there’s a lot of odd decisions made in what stories are collected here. This book includes a set of stories from the Sonic annual issue that were set during the virus outbreak. They really should have included them in earlier volumes, and it’s VERY odd to be reading them now after the Metal Virus is gone.
Sending Sonic to the Sol Dimension with temporary amnesia feels like wasted potential. I would not have minded seeing this series have Sonic explore Blaze’s home world, but the book immediately restores Sonic’s memory and sends him on his merry way. I can’t help but wonder if this was an aborted plot line, considering Evan Stanley officially takes the helm next volume.
Make no mistake, Sonic Vol. 8 is still a good book, it just feels like the awkward middle child as the creatives behind the series start shifting around.
August 14, 2021
Laughing because this may be the only volume so far I’ve rated lower than a 5.
January 2, 2023
I never write serious reviews but I wanted to on this one.
This is an excellent story from world building to plot.
The first issue in the volume I love dearly because of the insight they gave into the sonic world and made the zombot fear a whole lot greater.
The first one of big the cat was heart breaking. Him searching for froggy during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse starting, and even tho he gets infected, he’s just happy he found froggy.
Next is the bird issue, how Nite immediately jumps into action after getting calls about the virus spreading. While the smarter option would be to run, he stayed to help those who needed it, him and don making a sacrifice to help those who need it. Gives you hope there are good in people. Bittersweet but amazing world building
The metal sonic mini comic was my favorite. There’s no words except for when starline tells metal to leave. Metal has always been an enigma but after being scrutinized by sonic I think something is happening in him. But the issue where he dips his finger into the virus to see if he could get infected, meaning he is alive and as human as a sonic character can be. But of course nothing happens. He is still just his normal robot self. It’s kinda sad, while he doesn’t express emotions you can tell he seems dissapointed.
The chaotix one just enforces how strong of a bond and how much they love each other, and also told us how they got charmy back. We already know there bond is strong, especially due to espios solo in early issues, but it just made it stronger. It’s nice. I always like seeing these guys.
And then the one at tangles village giving us an insight into the very beginning of the virus and villagers was intresting and nice to see.
Other details I liked in this comic: knuckles repeating “any second now” it was heart breaking but his faith in his friend, shadow insight!! We see his self hate for not listening to sonic and how he self-isolates as punishment, I also liked how the closed up on shadows fist that was shaking after he lost to metal brings more characterization to him, lastly BLAZE!!! Blaze world! I wish we saw more of it and I wish it took sonic longer to remember.
Overall I just want some silver, blaze, and shadow comics. Would love more shadow insight!
This is an excellent story from world building to plot.
The first issue in the volume I love dearly because of the insight they gave into the sonic world and made the zombot fear a whole lot greater.
The first one of big the cat was heart breaking. Him searching for froggy during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse starting, and even tho he gets infected, he’s just happy he found froggy.
Next is the bird issue, how Nite immediately jumps into action after getting calls about the virus spreading. While the smarter option would be to run, he stayed to help those who needed it, him and don making a sacrifice to help those who need it. Gives you hope there are good in people. Bittersweet but amazing world building
The metal sonic mini comic was my favorite. There’s no words except for when starline tells metal to leave. Metal has always been an enigma but after being scrutinized by sonic I think something is happening in him. But the issue where he dips his finger into the virus to see if he could get infected, meaning he is alive and as human as a sonic character can be. But of course nothing happens. He is still just his normal robot self. It’s kinda sad, while he doesn’t express emotions you can tell he seems dissapointed.
The chaotix one just enforces how strong of a bond and how much they love each other, and also told us how they got charmy back. We already know there bond is strong, especially due to espios solo in early issues, but it just made it stronger. It’s nice. I always like seeing these guys.
And then the one at tangles village giving us an insight into the very beginning of the virus and villagers was intresting and nice to see.
Other details I liked in this comic: knuckles repeating “any second now” it was heart breaking but his faith in his friend, shadow insight!! We see his self hate for not listening to sonic and how he self-isolates as punishment, I also liked how the closed up on shadows fist that was shaking after he lost to metal brings more characterization to him, lastly BLAZE!!! Blaze world! I wish we saw more of it and I wish it took sonic longer to remember.
Overall I just want some silver, blaze, and shadow comics. Would love more shadow insight!
July 18, 2021
The beginning of this was unexpectedly very filled with psychological horror, but it was also fun? Ok. That’s a choice.
“I believe in him. Because he’s never let me down.”
I feel like so much of this series is done in a way to showcase the way Sonic is truly at the forefront of the Resistance and is the glue that holds them together. This volume felt very “Death of Superman” esque in its depictions of their worry and grief as Sonic took a brief unscheduled vacation from their reality. And as Eggman predictably tries to take advantage of the situation.
As I’ve said, IDW is doing a fantastic job with these characters. It’s so wonderful seeing everyone together and each new volume reminds me of how I fell in love with this franchise as a kid. Sonic is a big part of my heart, and I’m so happy to see it still going so well!
“I believe in him. Because he’s never let me down.”
I feel like so much of this series is done in a way to showcase the way Sonic is truly at the forefront of the Resistance and is the glue that holds them together. This volume felt very “Death of Superman” esque in its depictions of their worry and grief as Sonic took a brief unscheduled vacation from their reality. And as Eggman predictably tries to take advantage of the situation.
As I’ve said, IDW is doing a fantastic job with these characters. It’s so wonderful seeing everyone together and each new volume reminds me of how I fell in love with this franchise as a kid. Sonic is a big part of my heart, and I’m so happy to see it still going so well!
July 25, 2025
To be completely honest, the only good chapter was the one with Metal Sonic and reflections on his existence. I felt like I was reading a filler volume, sadly.
February 12, 2021
The Metal Virus has been defeated, but Sonic is nowhere to be seen! Doctor Eggman takes this as a prime opportunity to attack, but just because Sonic is gone doesn't mean the world is without protectors. Plus, untold tales of the Metal Virus saga!
This volume is basically the epilogue to the Metal Virus, as well as Ian Flynn's run on the book. While Sonic's fate is a forgone conclusion (this is a Sonic comic after all), the more interesting things are happening to the people left behind. It's often Sonic's supporting cast that are more interesting than the Blue Blur himself, and this is a good example of why, since they're great when they get to take centre stage. I always enjoy Amy getting some spotlight time, for example.
The annual feels a little out of place; it'd really have been better collected during the Metal Virus Saga itself, but that would have overloaded one of the trades so I guess that's why it's here instead to fill out space. Most of the stories are decent, although the Big The Cat one really stands out as he does his usual thing of wandering through the events of the story to find Froggy as hilarity (and heartbreak) ensues.
I doubt I'll comment much on the art any more. The rotating team of Sonic artists are all very similar in tone given the subject matter, and unless someone stands out or falls flat, I'll just say that it does the job and move on.
Out Of The Blue isn't a bad volume at all, but it does feel a bit tacked together and tacked on. The character work is solid, but the story is mostly just a reset/return to the status quo, which is to be expected, but still a little disappointing. I hope that Sega give IDW a bit more creative control like Hasbro have with TMNT and Transformers, so we can get something a bit more substantial in the future.
This volume is basically the epilogue to the Metal Virus, as well as Ian Flynn's run on the book. While Sonic's fate is a forgone conclusion (this is a Sonic comic after all), the more interesting things are happening to the people left behind. It's often Sonic's supporting cast that are more interesting than the Blue Blur himself, and this is a good example of why, since they're great when they get to take centre stage. I always enjoy Amy getting some spotlight time, for example.
The annual feels a little out of place; it'd really have been better collected during the Metal Virus Saga itself, but that would have overloaded one of the trades so I guess that's why it's here instead to fill out space. Most of the stories are decent, although the Big The Cat one really stands out as he does his usual thing of wandering through the events of the story to find Froggy as hilarity (and heartbreak) ensues.
I doubt I'll comment much on the art any more. The rotating team of Sonic artists are all very similar in tone given the subject matter, and unless someone stands out or falls flat, I'll just say that it does the job and move on.
Out Of The Blue isn't a bad volume at all, but it does feel a bit tacked together and tacked on. The character work is solid, but the story is mostly just a reset/return to the status quo, which is to be expected, but still a little disappointing. I hope that Sega give IDW a bit more creative control like Hasbro have with TMNT and Transformers, so we can get something a bit more substantial in the future.
May 9, 2021
IDW’s writers and artists really know what they’re doing with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, building upon old, should-be throwaway characters, breathing new life into main characters (Shadow has personality in this series; Amy is mature, and her leadership role feels natural.) fun dialogue, and phenomenal art!
That opening Big the Cat comic? So good with a twist and I never cared about Big like that. I was cheering so much when I saw Blaze and the koalas from the Sonic Rush Adventure games. This was such a good arc. I wonder what the next one will be.
That opening Big the Cat comic? So good with a twist and I never cared about Big like that. I was cheering so much when I saw Blaze and the koalas from the Sonic Rush Adventure games. This was such a good arc. I wonder what the next one will be.
February 3, 2025
Fine enough little epilogue to Metal Virus that resets the status quo (more or less), but I think it was a lame decision to immeditely send Sonic back to his dimension. I would've loved a volume worth of him exploring Blaze's world. We rarely get to see any of it outside the scope of the Rush games.
March 2, 2025
It's a little boring sonic isn't around much, shadow is only in one scene (wtf) and nothing much happens. They are mostly just trying to pick up the pieces from the last volume and all of that is very boring. I still like the series but just not this one as much. I hope it picks up soon or I'm going to go read scrapnik island instead. Hi dezy bby 😘
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
an okay-ish epilogue to the metal virus saga, but there's not really much to it and
June 4, 2023
A good story to finish the Zombot storyline as we learn what happened to the Deadly Six, and all of the other major characters and even learning that Starline will probably become the next main villain given his dialogue.
June 5, 2025
The end of the massive story arc and I can't help but feel that it felt a little bit anticlimactic, like don't get me wrong the end to the arc was great but it feels like it came to the same crutch this series has come to many times, it's fine but it's been done many times
June 19, 2025
And so ends off one of my favorite arcs in any comic! My only real nitpick is that I wish Sonic had amnesia for JUST a bit longer- but other than that- this arc wrapped up gorgeously! The metal virus arc itself is around a 9.5 to a 10/10! This book gets a 5/5 Stars!
July 7, 2025
Some really good short, one-off chapters in here. The Metal Sonic one is especially well done. The realization that Metal Sonic cannot do all the things that Sonic can, even turn into a mindless Zombot, is painful for Metal.
July 11, 2025
By all rights this should be like a 3 because of the silly go-nowhere amnesia thing but I am Too Choked Up over the Metal story. And I like the characters involved too much (even if there was not enough Team Dark all together, esp when they SHOULD have had a moment somewhere at the end). I'm soft.
May 29, 2021
Another banger???? One after the other????? The good times will never end 😩😩😩
February 13, 2022
Fun as hell I wish the sonic insomnia thing was more stretched out but other than that good
January 30, 2023
Loved it just as much as When I was younger
Brought back good times, and helped me feel younger. I think this is a new Christmas tradition for me to to add!
Brought back good times, and helped me feel younger. I think this is a new Christmas tradition for me to to add!
February 22, 2023
The child has finally decided he's ready to read about something else for a bit 😄
September 17, 2024
Compared to all the other volumes this was pretty anti-climactic. Also Gemerl is so useless ToT
January 17, 2025
Un excelente cierre de saga, pero algo de "el poder del guión", las consecuencias apenas se notan, quizá para lo que sigue ¿No?. Un poco más de oscuridad no me hubiera importado leer.
August 1, 2025
Manages to find some real emotion and gravitas amidst it all.
May 7, 2024
Epilogue to the metal virus arc. Sonic is absent for a lot of the book. The process for Sonic's return was a bit anticlimactic. We got a lot of Metal Sonic though, and I am always up for more of that.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews