Sonic The Hedgehog Reading Order: Where To Start With IDW’s Universe?

Sonic the Hedgehog reading order

Back in 2020, Sonic The Hedgehog was a box-office sensation and introduced our favorite speedster to a generation of new fans. The franchise expanded its universe with each movie (and TV show!), giving us a ton of new characters. And the third and most recent film introduced one of the most exciting additions, Shadow — and his tragic backstory. But even beyond Shadow, Sonic has a plethora of other friends and foes for us to meet. Thankfully, IDW Publishing has made this task easier with their comic book universe, which began in 2018.

The only main title is Sonic the Hedgehog, but a few characters received their spotlights in miniseries. One recent example is Chasing Shadows, which focuses (clearly) on Shadow. With our reading order, you can get the full Sonic experience!

Note that the comic is canon and takes place in the game chronology. It is set after Sonic Forces, a 2017 game in which Doctor Eggman—the hedgehog’s main villain—has conquered most of the world.

But even if you’ve never played the game, you can get up to speed quick — just like Sonic — with our Sonic the Hedgehog reading order for the IDW comic books.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 1: Fallout TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 1: Fallout TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas, Evan Stanley, Jen Hernandez

After Eggman’s latest plot, Sonic dashes across the world to stop the evil robots still wreaking havoc. For each issue, we get an exciting team-up with a different character, showcasing their personalities and roles.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol 2: The Fate of Dr. Eggman TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol 2: The Fate of Dr. Eggman TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas, Evan Stanley, Tracy Yardley

Eggman obviously can’t stay away for too long. With mysteries and revelations abounding, Flynn writes a compelling story investigating the Doctor’s whereabouts. Shadow is also here, and his interactions with Sonic are some of the best of the series.

Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 3: Battle For Angel Island TP

Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 3 Battle For Angel Island TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Evan Stanley, Tracy Yardley

Neo Metal Sonic, an evil robot created by Eggman, sets his sights on Sonic and his friends. Here we get an even bigger team-up, with many fan-favorite characters, like Silver, Knuckles, Amy, and more.

Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 4: Infection TP

Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 4 Infection TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Lamar Wells, Tracy Yardley, Jack Lawrence, Diana Skelly, Jonathan Gray, Nathalie Fourdraine, Kieran Gates

We have a new big bad in the area: Dr. Starline. Flynn does a great job at making him look as menacing as he is comedic, the perfect combination for a Sonic villain. His masterplan? Well, you have a new “zombie” story on your hands.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper TP

Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper TP

Writer: Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Caleb Goellner, Cavan Scott, Gigi Dutreix, James Kochalka

Artist: Evan Stanley, Caleb Goellner, Jack Lawrence, Jennifer Hernandez, Diana Skelly, Yuji Uekawa, Jonathan Gray, Abigail Starling, Nathalie Fourdraine

A miniseries further developing IDW’s newest Sonic characters, Tangle and Whisper. Both are very charismatic, mainly Tangle, and fit the cast like a glove.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 5: Crisis City TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 5: Crisis City TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Jack Lawrence, Tracy Yardley

Doctor Eggman and Starline drown the city in their virus, turning civilians into zombie robots. But before he can save his friends, will Sonic be able to save himself?

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 6: The Last Minute TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 6: The Last Minute TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Priscilla Tramontano, Adam Bryce Thomas, Jack Lawrence, Jennifer Hernandez, Lamar Wells, Reggie Graham

We see the virus pandemic from other perspectives, learning what other characters are going through. But now our heroes have a plan to solve everything. In The Last Minute, Sonic and his friends begin their race to cure the world.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 7: All or Nothing TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 7: All or Nothing TP

Writer: Ian Flynn, Adam Bryce Thomas

Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas, Evan Stanley, Priscilla Tramontano

In the last volume of the “virus arc,” the heroes must gather the chaos emeralds, which fuel all life forms, to save the world. However, they must defeat one last obstacle, the Deadly Six—the villains from the game Sonic Lost World.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 8: Out of the Blue TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 8: Out of the Blue TP

Writer: Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Gigi Dutreix, Caleb Goellner, Sam King, Sarah Gailey

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas

After all of that tragedy, it’s impossible to expect the world wouldn’t change. While the heroes plan for reconstruction, the villains have their own schemes…

Sonic The Hedgehog: The Bad Guys TP

Sonic The Hedgehog: The Bad Guys TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Jack Lawrence, Aaron Hammerstrom

Now, it’s Dr. Starline’s time in the spotlight. He still hasn’t given up on his evil schemes, but he’ll need more help than ever. Watch him join forces with other popular villains to invade Eggman’s abandoned base.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 9: Chao Races & Badnik Bases TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 9: Chao Races & Badnik Bases TP

Writer: Evan Stanley

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas

Evan Stanley takes over as writer and keeps bringing fans some of the best characterization and interactions ever. In her first arc, Sonic must help Omega, a rogue robot and member of Shadow’s team, get fixed. This is also a great starting point for the series!

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol 10: Test Run! TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol 10: Test Run! TP

Writer: Evan Stanley

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Bracardi Curry

Tangle is back and tries to train their newest ally, Belle. Meanwhile, Sonic, Tails, and Amy get trapped in a bizarre maze with crazy challenges.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 11: Zeti Hunt! TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 11: Zeti Hunt! TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas, Tracy Yardley, Jamal Peppers, Bracardi Curry, Thomas Rothlisberger

Sonic can’t get a break as the Deadly Six are back and thirsty for revenge. Meanwhile, Belle keeps proving herself a great and deep addition to the franchise.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 12: Trial by Fire TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 12: Trial by Fire TP

Writer: Evan Stanley

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Aaron Hammerstrom,

No one can keep functioning after so much stress and no relaxation, right? So, our heroes finally get their time off for a needed vacation. But don’t worry, even without villains, there’ll be plenty of drama.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome TP

Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Thomas Rothlisberger, Aaron Hammerstrom, Mauro Fonseca

Sonic and Tails are the perfect duo and the best heroes anyone could want, but Dr. Starline thinks it’s time for a substitution. Meet Surge and Kit… And the Sonic world will never be the same after this.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 13: Battle for the Empire TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 13: Battle for the Empire TP

Writer: Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, David Mariotte, Aaron Hammerstrom, Gigi Dutreix, Daniel Barnes, Ian Mutchler, India Swift

Artist: Evan Stanley, Bracardi Curry, Adam Bryce Thomas, Mauro Fonseca, Aaron Hammerstrom

Starline releases his imposters to end Sonic, Tails, and Doctor Eggman. It’d seem like the perfect opportunity for Eggman to hide or team up with the Hedgehog, but nope! He’s always ready to destroy his nemesis.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 14: Overpowered TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 14: Overpowered TP

Writer: Evan Stanley

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Natalie Haines

Surge has been another standout addition to the Sonic lore, and here she steals the spotlight for a new fan-favorite arc. The story’s captivating, the character’s interactions are incredible as always, and the fights are electrifying.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island TP

Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island TP

Writer: Daniel Barnes

Artist: Jack Lawrence

Not only the best miniseries on the list but one of the greatest Sonic storylines in general. Sonic and Tails find themselves on Scrapnik Island, a isle packed with evil robots created and discarded by Eggman. Can they escape their programming or are they doomed to follow it forever?

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 15: Urban Warfare TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 15: Urban Warfare TP

Writer: Evan Stanley, Ian Flynn

Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas, Thomas Rothlisberger

Eggman is building a volatile and self-replicating city, engulfing the surrounding environment. To his dismay, Sonic won’t be the only one trying to stop him this time.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 16: Misadventures TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 16: Misadventures TP

Writer: Evan Stanley, Ian Flynn

Artist: Evan Stanley, Adam Bryce Thomas

We take a step back to appreciate some nice and fun episodic stories. After so many dire events, our heroes deserve less “world-ending” adventures.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 17: Adventure Awaits TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 17: Adventure Awaits TP

Writer: Evan Stanley, Ian Flynn, Aaron Hammerstrom, Caleb Goellner, Daniel Barnes, Gale Galligan, Mark Bouchard, Nigel Kitching

Artist: Evan Stanley

Sonic and his friends have some more misadventures, but they also have work to do: ensuring their new recruits will actually help them. Surge and Kit get a second chance, but they need to prove themselves.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Fang the Hunter TP

Sonic the Hedgehog: Fang the Hunter TP

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Mauro Fonseca, Rik Mack

Are you missing classic Sonic? You can see him and one of his oldest foes, Fang the Hunter, here. The mercenary hears rumors about a new chaos emerald, and he can’t miss the chance to get his hands on it.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 18: Extreme Competition TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 18: Extreme Competition TP

Writer: Evan Stanley, Iasmin Omar Ata, Josh Trujillo

Artist: Min Ho Kim, Adam Bryce Thomas

Release Date: April 22, 2025

Did you think they wouldn’t write an arc centered around Sonic Riders, as it’s a racing game? Well, better think again. When Sonic and his friends join Clean Sweepstakes, a worldwide race, they find more rivals and mysteries than expected.

[Note: This collects Sonic the Hedgehog issues #69-71, Spring Broken, and Sonic’s Winter Jam one-shot, which you can find as single issues.]

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 19: Collision Course TP

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 19: Collision Course TP

Writer: Evan Stanley

Artist: Evan Stanley, Min Ho Kim

Release Date: August 19, 2025

In the arc’s finale, Evan Stanley keeps proving she is one of the best Sonic writers. She truly understands every character and gives them a chance to shine in this incredible storyline.

[Note: This collects Sonic the Hedgehog #72 through #75, which you can find as single issues.]

Sonic the Hedgehog #76

Sonic the Hedgehog #76

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Aaron Hammerstrom

Release Date: February 5, 2025

A new arc begins! Ian Flynn promises to use the aftermath of the last story to shake up some characters’ relationships in this new chapter.

Sonic the Hedgehog #77

Sonic the Hedgehog #77

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Aaron Hammerstrom

Release Date: March 19, 2025

Sonic and the Chaotix Detective Agency join forces to find the whereabouts of Clutch, the villain responsible for all the recent chaos in their life.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Chasing Shadows #1

Sonic the Hedgehog: Chasing Shadows #1

Writer: Kiel Phegley

Artist: Jonathan Gray

Release Date: March 26, 2025

The man of the hour! In this solo adventure, Shadow investigates an isolated village from the modern world. Can he unravel all its dark secrets before the villagers get to him?

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