In our first weekly recap of news from San Diego’s own IDW Publishing, we bring you news on a new Transformers series, a Sonic the Hedgehog special, a special featuring artwork from women for Women’s History Month, a new mini-series based on Netflix’s GLOW series, a new Gears of War series,
In previous stories this week we talked above the Transformers series coming in March, the Glow mini-series, and the one-shot titled
Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase, all of which are linked above.
Now on to the new news, on Thursday a new special for Sonic the Hedgehog was announced.
Coming in March 2019 will be SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ANNUAL 2019 from a group of talented creators including James Kochalka, Cavan Scott, Jack Lawrence, Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Caleb Goellner, Jonathan Gray, Jennifer Hernandez, Diana Skelly, and Gigi Dutrieux.
The 48 page special will be released with four different cover versions with
Jennifer Hernandez, Nathalie Fourdraine, and Yuji Uekawa each contributing one variant cover to the title.
Press releases for all the news is below. All artwork courtesy of IDW.
Sonic wasn’t the only video game property who is getting a title in March, as it was announced that GEARS OF WAR: HIVEBUSTERS will be getting a five issue story arc.
Kurtis Wiebe will be handling writing duties while Alan Quah will handle the artwork in the title that is being released from IDW Publishing and The Coalition.
Full press releases are below. All artwork courtesy of IDW.
Sonic Shines the Spotlight on His Many Friends in Sonic The Hedgehog Annual 2019
IDW Welcomes Yuji Uekawa, Sonic Team’s Revolutionary Designer, as Cover Artist
San Diego, CA (December 20, 2018) —IDW Publishing and SEGA of America, Inc. are proud to announce Sonic The Hedgehog Annual 2019, an oversized comic book extravaganza that showcases Sonic’s spectacular supporting cast!
Arriving in March 2019, the 48-page annual features the odd couple of Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf in the lead story, teaming up to save a friend in need. Additional stories see Sonic and Tails taking the Tornado out for a spin, Silver and Blaze planting a garden, the Sonic Fan Club holding their first official meeting and Rouge the Bat hunting for treasure!
To commemorate their first year of Sonicpublications, IDW welcomes three comic book creators to work on Sonic for the very first time: James Kochalka (of Johnny Boo fame), Cavan Scott (Star Wars Adventures), and Jack Lawrence (Transformers: Lost Light). Returning Sonic talents Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Caleb Goellner, Jonathan Gray, Jennifer Hernandez, and Diana Skelly, plus newcomer Gigi Dutrieux, round out the creative team.
James Kochalka said, “Between playing the games and reading the comics, my mind has been living in the world of Sonic The Hedgehogfor several decades, so it’s wonderful to finally be able to actually contribute to that world.”
Ian Flynn said, “It’s been thrilling to be part of IDW’s run-away hit Sonic The Hedgehog, and I’m super-excited to spend more time with the brand-new fan favorites Tangle and Whisper!”
Sonic The Hedgehog Annual 2019 will be available with three variant cover artists: Jennifer Hernandez, Nathalie Fourdraine, and – as a special treat for fans of the Sonic games – Yuji Uekawa of Sonic Team, celebrated as the visionary behind the look of “modern” Sonic The Hedgehog!
“I am really happy to draw IDW’s original characters altogether with Sonic and his friends, as I had never imagined that I would draw these characters as official artwork,” said Uekawa. “As with many IDW Sonicseries fans, I personally love Tangle and Whisper, and I am very much looking forward to seeing their further adventures with Sonic, as well as seeing original characters in future issues!”
For information on how to secure copies of Sonic The Hedgehog Annual 2019, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.
An All-New Squad of Gears Launch a Mission of Vengeance in Gears of War: Hivebusters
IDW Publishing and The Coalition® Debut
New Gears of War Comic Book Miniseries in March
San Diego, CA (December 20, 2018) — Building upon the momentum of 2018’s wildly popular Gears of War: The Rise of RAAM comic book, IDW Publishing and The Coalition® are thrilled to announce the upcoming March release of Gears of War: Hivebusters #1, the first pulse-pounding chapter in a five-issue storyline.
Written by returning Rise of RAAM author Kurtis Wiebe and featuring the artwork of Alan Quah (Dark Souls, Quake Champions), Hivebusters introduces a fearless new squad, racing headlong into a conflict like none you’ve ever seen! After successfully busting a Swarm hive on the remote island of Pahanu, this suicide squad will face their most dangerous mission yet — going after the Swarm that decimated the home settlement of one of their own!
“I’m really happy to be back on this new arc for Gears of War,” says Kurtis Wiebe. “We’re taking the story back to the human side with three new characters that I’ve played a major role in developing. Even with all the blood and violence, I’m weaving a heartfelt story around our three main heroes: Mac, Lahni, and Keegan. I can’t wait for it to hit stores in 2019!”
Alan Quah says, “I am super-excited to be working on Gears of War: Hivebusters and looking forward to the next six months drawing the world of Sera and its characters. I wish to continue the high standard set by previous contributors to this franchise in the comic book medium with my art style, and hopefully you will enjoy this new entry into the Gears universe!”
“After the success of Rise of RAAM, IDW Publishing is thrilled to be working with the Coalition again on Hivebusters,” says editor Chase Marotz. “Kurtis and Alan’s work on this has been incredible, and I can’t wait to show everyone what we’re cooking up!”
“Expanding the lore of Gears through comics allows us to introduce our fans to new characters and new stories, while also reaching a new audience with our partners at IDW. Following the success of Rise of RAAM, we’re thrilled to have Kurtis return and to welcome Alan into the Gears family with Hivebusters, as their combined talents will help to craft a deeply personal and perilous adventure from an entirely new perspective. I can’t wait!” says Rod Fergusson, studio head at The Coalition.
Set on the fictional planet of Sera, the Gears of War series charts the story of humanity’s struggle against an army of monstrous, fearsome, and brutal adversaries through a captivating tale of hope, camaraderie, and survival.
Building on the success of the third-person shooter franchise that defined HD gaming, Gears of War is expanding with new and unique experiences developed specifically for console, PC and mobile devices. With The Coalition and franchise co-creator Rod Fergusson leading development, Microsoft Studios is tripling down on Gears of War with three new titles: Gears 5, Gears Pop!, and Gears Tactics.
Published by Microsoft Studios, the award-winning and billion-dollar Gears of War franchise has continued to redefine the third-person shooter genre. Launched to critical acclaim in 2006, the franchise has inspired a full line of toys and Funko collectibles, apparel and a series of graphic novels in partnership with IDW Publishing. In October 2016, Universal Studios announced that it had optioned motion picture rights to the Gears of War franchise.
For information on how to secure copies of the Gears of War: Hivebusters series, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.
