Sonic HQ25 Years & Counting!

Comics 2002 in Bristol, 1st-2nd of June, many former top STC writers artists and editors in attendance.

Andy Diggle: Editor
Anthony Williams: Artist on, among other things, Sonic for #1
Audrey Wong: Assistant Editor
Carl Flint: Artist, primarily on many covers #1-100, also strip work on Tails and Amy
Dave Windett: First Tails series
Jim Alexander: Writer Sonic & Tekno #151-152
John M Burns: Colourist on just about EVERYTHING at some stage or other
Jon Haward: Artist Shinobi, Eternal Champions signing 1pm Sunday
Kev Hopgood: Colourist 1998 signing 11:30pm Sunday
Lew Stringer: Writer Sonic, Tails, Amy, Marko, etc.
Mike Hadley: Artist Sonic, Tails, etc
Nick Abadzis: Stuff
Nigel Kitching: Writer Sonic, Knuckles, Decap and the rest
Richard Elson: Artist Sonic, Knuckles signing 2:30pm Saturday different than advertised due to World Cup
Richard Rayner: Co-writer Decap, wrote lots of stuff on that including the all time classic "TPC song" in the pumpkins episode; notably the graphic novel he drew, Road to Perdition has been made into a film by Sam Mendes starring Tom Hanks will be released later this year
Steve MacManus: Managing editor from beginning to end, save for a few little gaps
Woodrow Phoenix: Wrote and lettered first Ecco series, drew a few early Sonics
and more (not listed in programme)

Plus other non-STC comic people famous ones like Grant Morrison (Mark Milar's best friend), Phil Winslade (Richard Elson's good friend), Frank Quitely (Millar collaborator), Joe Quesada (head of Marvel America), John Cassaday (Planetary), Jim Valentino (Image), etc

Tickets cost £4 for single day, £6 for weekend.

Website www.sitsvac.org

Note: This is UK-based

NPD Funworld has released top 10 best selling GameCube games for the month of March. Sega's adventure game, SONIC ADVENTURE 2, still holding the top spot since its release in February. Here is the whole list:

1. SONIC ADVENTURE 2 - SEGA OF AMERICA
2. BOND:AGENT UNDER FIRE - ELECTRONIC ARTS
3. SUPER SMASH BRO MELEE - NINTENDO OF AMERICA
4. GAUNTLET: DARK LEGACY - MIDWAY
5. NBA STREET - ELECTRONIC ARTS
6. LUIGI'S MANSION - NINTENDO OF AMERICA
7. PAC-MAN WORLD 2 - NAMCO
8. BLOODY ROAR: PRIMAL - ACTIVISION
9. PIKMIN - NINTENDO OF AMERICA
10. SW: ROGUE SQUADRON II - LUCASARTS ENTERTAINMENT

Source: Console Wire

The DiC Website has been opened up to the public and showcases all of DiC's cartoons. Viewers now also have news directly from DiC itself. The website can be found here

Sega Newsblast Vol. 1 #7 includes a link to a store where you can customize your own Sonic watch for $29.95, plus shipping and handling. Made possible by ewatchfactory.

Sega Europe/Inforgrames have released Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the Gamecube a week early! The game was released yesterday, whilst the Gamecube is not due to be released until Friday May 3rd.

Personally I don't know why Sega would do this, but maybe it is so that people will buy it because it's the first Gamecube game over here? Who knows! Having looked at the box myself there is also a spelling error: They have called Dr. Eggman; Dr. Eggmann!

Source:*Sega Europe*

Ken Penders is selling the original art to the complete 12-page story featuring the very first appearance of Knuckles in an Archie Sonic comic book (Sonic #13) on Ebay right now. Bidding ends on Friday, May 3 at 2:21pm Eastern Time (11:21am Pacific Time).

Source: Ken's Comic Book Stories and Art

Hello, I'm trying to get rid of a rare UK Sonic novel entitled 'Sonic The Hedgehog And The Silicon Warriors'. This is mega rare and something you won't find on ebay everyday, so why is it going here, I want a die hard Sonic fan to have it.

This was posted by Ken Penders:

Dawn Best to make 1st appearance at the Pittsburgh Comicon This Weekend

Since I wasn't able to make the Pittsburgh Comicon due to my recent move out west, I'm happy to announce that Dawn Best will be attending in my stead. She'll be happy to sign copies of your issues and is available for commissioned art. Here's the rare chance to acquire a piece of original work from a professional at the beginning of her career, so you won't want to miss out on this.

If anyone who sees this posts on other message boards, please be kind enough to spread the word to other Sonic fans about Dawn at Pittsburgh, will you? Thanks.

As for me, the San Diego Comic-Con will be the only convention I'm going to do this year, and schedules permitting next year, I hope to be back at Pittsburgh for 2003.

Source: Ken's Comic Book Stories and Art

Sega of Japan are selling this Saturn backpack through their online store, D-Direct. The price is 6,800 yen, and will go on sale June 20th.

-- Jacky Chang

Source: Swirlvision

This news comes from Gamespot:

A new Sega offshoot company will start producing wireless content.

Sega.com has announced the launch of a new company called Sega Mobile, which will be responsible for bringing Sega games to cellular phones and PDAs in North America. Sega has already created a wide range of games for these devices in Japan.

"Staying true to our history of innovation in the gaming industry, Sega.com continues to push the boundaries and expand the video game market into new territories with the launch of the Sega Mobile division," said Ryoichi Shiratsuchi, CEO of Sega.com and general manager of Sega Mobile Japan. "Bringing great Sega content to wireless platforms is another step toward Sega.com's goal of bringing networked gaming to all devices and thereby extending the pastime to mainstream audiences across the world."

The first wireless game scheduled for release in North America will be Monkey Ball in the summer. It will be followed by Pengo, Flicky, Puyo Puyo, and Monaco GP.

By Giancarlo Varanini

Source: Gamespot

A while back issue 3 of the Sea3on Comic by the FUS Team was postponed indeffinatly. Just like Sonic Xtreme, only unlike Sonic Xtreme, it's recently been finished.

If you don't know, this comic focuses on completing the unfinished SatAM series and follows Ben Hurst's plans, who was the main writer of SatAM.

Go here to download issue 3 and others if you've missed them.

This bit of an update comes from Gamespot:

The two companies resolve the legal battle over Sega's NBA 2K2 ad campaign.

In February, Nike filed a lawsuit against Sega because of the company's TV ad for NBA 2K2, which closely resembled Nike's "Frozen Moment" ad campaign. This past week, Nike and Sega agreed to a settlement in which Sega must pay for Nike's legal fees and donate $50,000 in Nike's name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of both Portland, Oregon, and Memphis, Tennessee. In addition, Sega and the Leagas Delaney advertising agency must issue an official statement of apology to Nike.

"We filed the lawsuit to serve notice that we will defend our copyrights and are pleased with how the matter has been settled." said Jim Carter, Nike general counsel, USA. Mariano Diaz, director of the Nike Foundation and Nike's liaison with the Boys & Girls Clubs added, "We are pleased that the settlement will help Boys & Girls Clubs programs, which support positive youth development."

By Giancarlo Varanini

Source: Gamespot

I emailed DIC a few days ago and I just got this email back.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Sonic the Hedgehog.

My name is Sherrie Ward-Guerrero and I work in the Home Video department at DIC. I am currently working on getting Sonic released on DVD in the UK and hope to have it available for purchase very soon. I'll do my best to keep you posted on the details when they become available.

Best regards,

Sherrie