January 3rd 2024 – Touching Home Base

As I said, 2023 has been a busy year. We reached a bi-monthly cadence for releasing material for our main comic line and our spin-off series Mobius Legacy. From issue 9, to 12, and ML 2 and 3, alongside Legacy Uncut 2 at the beginning of the year, that’s a whopping 7 releases. Not bad, eh? Not to toot our own horn, heh. Actually, our team deserves the most credit. Everyone that could make this possible, from artists, to voice actors; we couldn’t have done it without them.

If you haven’t already, please go give our comics a read! Packed with thrills and chills, twists and turns, and only the kind of adventure you could get from our spiky blue friend!

Speaking of titanic releases, Mobius Legacy #3, “The Final Guardian” came out only a few days ago. Released on the 31st of December, we introduced the red knucklehead himself: Knuckles! Alongside some interesting key points about the overall mythos of our world. If you caught them, then you know the kind of weight and importance those things have. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“The Final Guardian” deals with Knuckles, his role in the Death Egg Saga, and what kind of impact he might have on it, as well as Eggman making contact and setting the stage for some good ol’ fashioned trickery. It’s currently released on our website, and on the twitter thread dedicated to it.

With the last year finally behind us, and all the good and bad that it brought, we have to be real with you folks: The bi-monthly release schedule we managed to hold down for the entirety of 2023, was because we set up a generous backlog of completed and in-progress content for you, our readers and fans. While it was a joy to be able to get our fan project out so quickly in such a short amount of time, the reality is that we have to take a step back and wind down. Everyone on the team, in some way or another, has contributed to the design process, and now it’s time to take a breather, re-align ourselves and our resources and manpower, and build up that backlog again.

For the brief future, we’re going on a hiatus so we can work at a pace that’s comfortable for ourselves. 2023 wasn’t a clean year for a lot of people, so we need to refocus our efforts. The last thing we want to do is burn ourselves out. Don’t worry; it won’t be permanent! But sometimes, we gotta take care of ourselves.

While we’re taking a schedule break, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a ton of content in the pipeline! If all goes well, we should be close to wrapping up the Death Egg Saga near the end of the year, alongside some more Mobius Legacy, and two Legacy Uncut releases that heavily feature our burgeoning two-tailed hero. After that, it’s the epilogue of the Genesis era, with a strange trip through time. If you know, you know!

That’s it for the newsletter. Thank you so much, everyone. This has been a bombastic year for Sonic, and we’ve got so much to show you.

Take care, and be excellent to each other!

January 7th, 2023 – Priority Shift

Damn, what a year.

2022 was a rollercoaster for a lot of us here at Legacy. Real-life problems and situations that we couldn't get around unfortunately held us back from getting more content out to you guys. While we would love to work on the comic and its spin-off material full time, we're not paid for this, so we have to treat it like a hobby passion project. Combined with the quality standards we've set for ourselves, you can see why releases are so far between each other!

That being said however, we have been working on things ahead of Issue 9's release, building up a backlog of content and taking a look at how we can improve our production pipeline. We're coming out of our shell for 2023, and we're confident it's going to be great for us, and for the Blue Blur.

Read on ahead to find out what we got in store.

Kicking off the new year, we've released two major pieces of content. Issue #9: Full Tilt, and Legacy Uncut Episode 2: You Can't Go Home.

Issue nine follows Sonic and Tails in the Tornado, as they chase down Eggman in his massive floating battleship, the Wing Fortress. It's more action packed than most of our other entries, getting to see some solo Sonic action in a familiar environment. If your eyes are keen and sharp, you might recognize a prominent enemy they fight, what we call the "G-02 Assault Carrier, Codename 'Bet', is wholesale referenced from the Metal Carrier boss from Sonic 4: Episode II.

Legacy Uncut 2 pumps the brakes a bit, letting us get a closer look into the past, regarding a certain thief you folks might be familiar with. We get some insight in Rouge's life before she became an agent of the GUN. It might come as a surprise, but this isn't her first official Legacy introduction: we actually showed off her younger flashback appearance during Sonictober of last year.

But we're not done yet: I mentioned earlier that we've been working on stuff behind the scenes. This was so we could accrue a steady content backup and provide reasonable deadlines for ourselves. Tangible goals we wish to hit at a reasonable pace for the size of our crew, so we can get our content out to you.

To put it bluntly, we have up to issue 18 scripted, which marks about the 90% finish line of what we're calling the Genesis Saga. We have a few more issues of the main comic, a couple more for the spin-off series Mobius Legacy and about one to two Legacy Uncuts, before we start getting into the meat of Sonic's version of Mobius.

On top of that, we're going to start adding what we're calling "Codex Files"

Building off the earlier point of setting a certain quality standard for ourselves, it's important to discuss what that means exactly.

Previously, while we have had new hands join the project, we have a process in which we ascertain qualities to the position someone may apply for. This means, if you were to say, apply for the "Colors" position, you were expected to have a reached a certain bar of skill. After going through a review process, we decide whether or not to add the applicant to the team. While this is good for the quality of the comic, many applicants had to be turned down, ultimately forcing who we do have to work together under a kind of pressure. We always advocate that real life comes first, but this puts strain on singular workers for certain roles and deadlines end up getting missed.

With that, this coincides with our production process for the comics overall. We're introducing a new program where, previous applicants that didn't meet that certain bar can reapply as a "sub-artist" that follows a "Leader" on any given issue.

Here's an example: A Lead Inker is assigned to an issue, and then other inkers, the "sub-artist" follow their lead. The leader reports to the department editor. So the pipeline would look like; Ink Editor-->Lead Inks-->Sub Inks.

Sub-artists would work on consolidating workloads such as character lines, backgrounds, and other things. Still using the Inker example, what this means is that a sub-inker who might have applied before, but couldn't make it, can reapply and be guided under the Leader's wings. This also goes for new applicants that wish to help out. This would apply to all facets of the comic except for writers. Pencils, Inks, colors, and shading... all of it.

We're not exactly ready to roll this program out just yet; we're still getting the details figured out. But once we do, it would be a good idea to look out for announcements on our official twitter and our Discord server.

Finally, touching on the content backlog we've accrued over the year, we're targeting a bi-monthly release of issues.

This might seem kind of nutty, especially since I just talked about getting more hands on the comic, but this is to show everyone that we're not dead and we're very much committed to bringing you a unique spin on Sonic in comic format.

At this moment in time, our biggest focus is on issue #10, which is currently targeted for a February 28th release. Every two months from then, give or take a couple days, we're expecting to hit similar stakes in the ground through the year, on top of other content currently in the works, such as Mobius Legacy #2 and Legacy Uncut Ep.3

Once we have more solid dates concerning future issues, we'll announce their releases through our social media. In the meantime, please look forward to what we have in store. It's absolutely titanic in stature, and I can't wait to get it into your hands.

Let's make this a great year to remember!

-Sunshine Nine

October 2nd 2021 – Chills and Thrills

If you haven't noticed yet, we've officially released Issue 7 of Sonic Legacy about a week ago! Yes, it's been a long time coming. Unfortunately, many of the production snafu's we ran into were out of our hands, and we didn't have much of a choice but to work against a metaphorical brick wall. In the end, we managed, and it's only gonna get better from here. Reason being, we've hit something of a renaissance period regarding how we do things. I can't get into all of the details, but we're confident when we can say that the release schedule should pick up from here. At the rate we're going, the next arc will see something of a bi-monthly release. You can look forward to more pulse pounding, heart racing events in the coming months. The next arc is going to deal with something heavier than you're used to seeing. The "Escalation" arc will end around issue 10, and boy, do we have a surprise for you when that drops, heh heh heh...

On the audio side of things, there have been some major developments. The first official episode of Legacy Uncut is going to drop in the near future. Much sooner than you might think, so be sure to watch out for that. Like I said in the past, Legacy Uncut is a way for us to tell stories without having to make an entire issue, while also letting us tell these stories from different perspectives. The first episode is going to deal with Sonic, and just precisely why he's traveling the planet. If you're curious about the first one we released on our youtube channel, titled "Broken Pedestal", that was a pilot to see if we could make it a reality. On top of this, we're also releasing a collection of our own off-panels, titled "Debug Mode" around the same time frame, all voiced by our team of voice actors, some of which we haven't even released to the public, have been mixed in as well. "Debug Mode Vol.1" should release around the same time as Legacy Uncut's first episode, "Worldbound". Keep an eye out for it!

During Sonic Revolution some months back, we revealed an animatic for our upcoming Christmas project slated for a 2022 release, titled "Spirit of Mobius". It's a heartwarming story centered around acceptance and friendship. While we've made some progress since then, it's an unfortunate fact that real life calls, and prior obligations to it demand attention, meaning some of our animators have had to drop out due to overloaded life and work responsibility. So it's with open arms that we're making the animator role available once more! For anyone interested in helping animate a Christmas special with Sonic and his friends, all you have to do is join our discord and bring your portfolio with you.

March 2021 – From Within the Soundbooth

Yo! Long time no see, readers! We have some big news coming your way, which is why we've been silent for a good while. We just didn't want to reveal anything until we were sure it could be done, y'know? To kick off this newsletter, word from the frontier regarding our mainline comic series is full steam ahead. Issue 7 hit the halfway mark for completion. Some of you might have peeped the concept art of Sally Acorn we released a little while back on the twitter, including her parents, King Max and Queen Cherie. We have a long list of plans, helped with our including some ahead-of-the-curve artists on our team that have completed future issues so we can attempt to get a more consistent release schedule out to you.

But to do that, it's imperative we have our team to do it. These things take time, and as such, we can only rely on a cycle of people to create the comic all of you love. If you wish to contribute to the penciling or coloring process, our auditions are always open.

Auditions for Pencils & Colors

We're looking for people with Pencils and Colors in mind, as that's where we require the most additions. The auditions themselves can be found on our discord server. To audition, all you have to do is read the pinned messages on audition rules, and submit your piece. We'll take a look at it in no time flat, and you can be well on your way to enjoying many of our behind the scenes details we develop on the daily, including ideas for future stories, concepts, characters and so much more.

Dubbing for Debugs Vol 1

And just like everything else we do, we try to cover all possible angles; this includes audio! To make better use of our dubbing team, we've got two big things on the horizon. One of which is nearly completed, and the other in production.

The first one is all about bringing our side content to life. The Debugs posted on our social media sites, including our website here and Twitter and sometimes inside the comic as well, are getting dubbed over from our sound team: Sonic Legacy's Debugs, Volume 1. A bundle collection of the extra gags we've posted over the year brought to you in a streamlined format for easy viewing pleasure on youtube.

Legacy Uncut

The second one is something even grander! For those who might have listened to episode 4 of the podcast, where we talked about expanding the world through ways that weren't touched upon, and fleshed out in grander detail in the context of Sonic Legacy, we've decided to start up an audio-only series. Stories that focus on characters in and outside of the comic, telling you their tale through the magic of voice acting. In fact, you can expect a "pilot" of sorts to be coming to you soon. Exact date is unknown at this time, but rest assured, it's right around the corner.

This will allow us to delve deeper into character motivations, interactions, origins and so on.

You can find this pilot under the title "Broken Pedestal" on the youtube channel. Official announcement when released will be on our twitter and our discord when it's ready to be released.

That about covers it. We at Sonic Legacy hope you're staying safe in these trying times. Remember to be excellent to each other.

October 1, 2020 – The Anatomy of a Project

Genesis

As our comic project moves forward, ideas blossom forth. Sonic Legacy started out as a retelling of the games, and I'm sure issues 1 to 5 prove that. The thing we want to distinguish from any other Sonic project is how we're telling a cohesive story with a sensible timeline, using the games and other spin-offs as a basis to tell a story. The "Legacy's Prelude" Arc is Sonic 1 told through a different lens. The game acts as a starting point, and the comic morphs and twists into something else as we develop it and figure out different aspects and key storytelling pieces.

This isn't to say we won't have our own unique stories separate from the games, but it's important to realize that they form the crux of the Sonic mythos. Without them, we don't have the context in which to tell these stories by. Without those experiences with Sonic at our side, he would just be another blue hedgehog mobian. Not that there are many of those to begin with...

Our most recent mainline issue, Gearing Up Issue #6, is an example of this. You wouldn't guess its the start to Sonic 2, would ya? And this is only the beginning! We want to make sure our readers know that Mobius is a breathing and living world full of unexplored frontiers and adventure while remaining sensible and believable in the context of the world. That includes its inhabitants.

Denizens

To populate the world, you obviously need people. At a glance, you might begin to wonder who we have in store for the rest of Sonic's adventure outside of the main cast. Rest assured, it's a doozy. In our first issue of Mobius Legacy #1 "Descension". we introduced a wide range of characters we're going to see down the road, including several I'm sure a few eagle-eyed viewers caught on their first or even second time around.

While we pull ideas and characters from all across the Sonic franchise, it's important to develop their character in the context of our universe. Sonic Legacy is an entirely separate continuity from the rest of Sonic. Origins, where they come from, how they act or dress or respond all have small to large changes. If we just plucked a character as is and dropped them into Legacy, it'd be more like a dimensional hopping story at that point. How did things turn out in other big events? We can't assume these things, so it's important to know ahead of time as we mold and shape the ideas surrounding them.

Aspects of the World

But to have all of this come together and work, there needs to be a space in which this all happens. It's extremely easy to forget that Sonic does in fact live on a planet, and regardless of what some people might say, worlds and civilizations have history. Things don't happen one day after the other. Sonic Adventure 2 didn't happen days after Sonic Adventure 1. It's reasonable to assume that time passes. People grow, things change, and life moves on, even as these fantastic or terrible events happen to our heroes and villains, they shape and mold them. History is there as a progenitor, recorded to be studied and remembered by.

If one looks deeper, Sonic's world has miles of history, all the way from Sonic 1, to Sonic 06 and beyond. Looking past the surface level, there is a rich world full of possibility. Strange characters, locations and culture that's often overlooked. Sonic Legacy is about telling the legend of Sonic The Hedgehog and how he shaped history... but to do that, we must consider every aspect the world might offer, and whether or not those aspects have a meaningful place within the comic. It's through our staff's interpretation, ideas and concepts that we mold the world into something unique. Something to be remembered in a positive light for all fans, for good, bad or indifferent.

Doom and gloom is easy to get lost in when your franchise is almost 30 years old... but it brings a bountiful harvest when you look past the fog and see the seeds just beneath. It's through these practices that we create a Sonic that we think would bring a fresh take while remaining faithful the core ideals of the characters and the franchise at large.

We've only just begun.

But that's all we have for you at the moment. Rest assured we're hard at work bringing our dear and beloved fans more adventures for Sonic and his friends he will make along the way.

See you on the flipside!
-Team Legacy

September 1, 2020 – Back on Schedule!

Welcome! Come one, come all, for this is our very first newsletter on the all-new, all-inclusive website for everything Sonic Legacy. It took some doing, and a lot of the details are all very mechanical and complicated, so we won't bore you with the details, but just know that from here on out, you can expect a jump in detail AND quality where news for Project Legacy is concerned. We've got a whole slew of things to talk about, so let's get to brass tacks and show you what we've got to grill!

Dubbing in Progress

It's been a while since the first dub we released all the way back at the beginning of February of this year. The dub is a good way of bringing the comic to life without overexerting ourselves any more than we have to. The only problem was, we didn't have a sufficient template on which to base things on. Now that we do, it should be a much faster process in getting these things out, and you get to hear our lovely VA's do their best to bring our unique universe to life. The idea is to make the comic more accessible to those that don't have time to read it traditionally.

Mobius and Her People

With how much we're expanding on Sonic lore, and the lengths we've gone to ensuring Legacy's version of Sonic feels more in-depth, we're proud of this new spin-off series starring other characters of Legacy. While the main comic is from Sonic's perspective, Mobius Legacy is all about getting a view to the world through their eyes, and what better first candidate than the mad Doctor Eggman himself? Eggman won't be the only character to be featured in Mobius Legacy. As the comic continues, so will Mobius Legacy's cast.

'Tis the Season!

The Christmas OVA we've teased a few separate times is on it's way. We're currently in the animatic stage, with more progress being done as this is being written.

For those not in the know, the Christmas OVA focuses on Sonic and friends going home for the holidays, introducing a few new characters, and the origins of the season in-universe. It'll be fun times, complete with thrills and action featuring Sonic, Tails, Eggman, and our very first in-depth look at Sonic's mother, Aleena. Our projected release date is December of next year, so be on the lookout for any information regarding this.

Developers Developers Developers Develo--

As a way to unify traffic concerning Legacy, it's important to note what this website is going to be used for in the future. Sonic Legacy is all about establishing its own identity, and to that end, we're going to eventually have it so the comic, dubs and any other content we have in store for the project will be hosted on the website. Third party services can be extremely useful, but we want to make it so everything is accessible in one place, instead of roaming around several websites. This also includes any and all non-spoiler information, but like all good things, it takes time. In the meantime, please consider supporting the project by visiting our YouTube channel, the Patreon, and keeping a close eye for developments-as-they-come on the official Twitter page.