After 26 Years, Sonic the Hedgehog Finally Resolves Knuckles’ Saddest Lore

Warning: Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024

Sonic the Hedgehog comics simply gave Knuckles the closure he is wanted, and longtime followers can breathe a sigh of aid now that the character is at peace. While Sonic is understood for his carefree perspective and conduct, Knuckles has lengthy resigned himself to a lonesome existence of watching over the Master Emerald on Angel Island, fulfilling the function however by no means fully accepting it – till now.

The Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024 includes a quick story entitled “For My Destiny” – written and coloured by Iasmin Omar Ata, with artwork by Adam Bryce Thomas – wherein Knuckles is guarding the Master Emerald as traditional, however he feels a pang of eager for greater than the hand he is been dealt.

Then, the Master Emerald provides Knuckles a imaginative and prescient that enables him to search out contentment in his function. Seeing the faces of the pals he is made, Knuckles thinks to himself, “I’m thankful for the destiny that’s led me here.”

Knuckles’ Tragic Ending From “Sonic Adventure” Gets Much-Needed Closure

Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024, “For My Destiny” – Written & Colored By Iasmin Omar Ata, Art By Adam Bryce Thomas

This heartwarming second addresses one in all the most tragic facets of Knuckles’ lore, which is that he should stay on Angel Island to protect the Master Emerald whereas his pals keep it up with out him. Normally, as seen in 1998’s Sonic Adventure, there is a sense of melancholy that comes with this realization. Decades later, Knuckles lastly reveals gratitude to his destiny with a smile. Sonic Adventure options plenty of completely different tales, every with its personal ending, and Knuckles’ is one in all the most devastating of the bunch.

In his story from the recreation, Knuckles leaves Angel Island to recuperate shards of the Master Emerald, solely to return by the finish. The remaining cutscene of his story has him replicate on the occasions that transpired as he dejectedly remarks, “I’ll probably be on this floating island forever.” Knuckles goes on to muse about how he might by no means know the full story of what occurred, however which may be for the greatest, displaying his acceptance of his dismal future.

Here, the same scene performs out as Knuckles contemplates his function as Guardian of the Master Emerald. Once once more, he is resentful about being caught on Angel Island whereas Sonic and the others go off on adventures with out him. They all get to be collectively out in the world, but Knuckles needs to be on his personal. Knuckles experiences a well-known melancholy in the direction of his everlasting function, however this time, it is far more optimistic. This second comes after years of Knuckles wrestling together with his function in Sonic tales, all due to his obligation to the Master Emerald.

Knuckles And The Master Emerald Plays A Key Role In Sonic Lore

Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024 – Available Now From IDW Publishing

First showing in 1994 online game Sonic & Knuckles, The Master Emerald is an enormous inexperienced emerald that has the potential to nullify the energy of the seven Chaos Emeralds. The Master Emerald has gone on to develop into a staple of Sonic lore, with quite a few enemies making an attempt to take possession of it. As the final of the Echidna species, Knuckles stands guard by the Master Emerald – in addition to the remainder of the Echidna ruins of Angel Island – so the forces of evil cannot use it for their very own malicious positive factors, like Eggman has in the previous.

Related

Sonic the Hedgehog Heroes Become the Justice League in First Look at DC Crossover

Sonic the Hedgehog and his allies get gorgeous new redesigns that reinvent them as the Justice League for a an epic, upcoming crossover collection.

In Sonic the Hedgehog #62, Knuckles offers extra perception into why he chooses to protect the Master Emerald alone reasonably than inviting others so he is much less remoted. When Amy Rose visits him, he is capable of navigate the ruins with ease since he grew up on Angel Island. Knuckles understands the island greater than anybody else, and furthermore, he doesn’t belief others to take care of the Emerald; he’d solely be extra apprehensive if he had firm to control, so he bears the burden alone. To Amy, this can be a lonely destiny, however it’s not one Knuckles totally lacks company in.

Knuckles’ Role In “Sonic Forces” Pulled Him Away (But Not For Long)

Sonic the Hedgehog #12 – Written By Ian Flynn; Art By Evan Stanley, Tracy Yardley, Matt Herms, & Shawn Lee

While Knuckles has spent a lot of his historical past on Angel Island with the Master Emerald, there have been occasions when he is stepped away to hold out different duties alongside Sonic and pals. Tying into the occasions of the Sonic Forces online game, Knuckles spends early problems with IDW’s ongoing collection as the chief of the Resistance towards Dr. Eggman’s military. Then, in Sonic the Hedgehog #9, Metal Sonic invades Angel Island and seizes the Master Emerald to nullify the Chaos Emeralds and develop into unstoppable. Knuckles works with Sonic and the others to take the Master Emerald again.

In the finish, Knuckles decides that he can’t depart the Master Emerald unattended anymore. He steps down from his function as chief of the Resistance, handing his standing to Amy, and opts to return to Angel Island. While there’s a disappointment to the incontrovertible fact that Knuckles has to return after tasting freedom, it’s vital that he’s selecting that function this time reasonably than resigning himself to it with no autonomy in the matter. Knuckles is guarding the Master Emerald on his personal phrases now, which can be a part of why he’s extra open-minded about the function today.

Knuckles Friendship With Sonic Redefines His Purpose In Franchise Lore

Knuckles The Echidna’s Mission Led Him To Sonic & Friends

Though Knuckles has been largely absent in IDW Publishing’s Sonic the Hedgehog comics, his friendship with Sonic stays as prevalent as ever in his scattered appearances. The two first met in 1994’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 recreation, when Knuckles mistakenly believes Sonic is making an attempt to steal the Master Emerald and fights him. Over time, they’ve reconciled to type the pleasant rivalry they share at present. Through his friendship with Sonic, Knuckles has met a wide range of characters and traveled farther than ever earlier than, and so they would not have crossed paths in any respect if not for Knuckles’ obligation to the Master Emerald.

Related

Sonic the Hedgehog Is Already Turning Its Best New Villains into Heroes

Sonic the Hedgehog #70 seems to be planting the seeds for Surge and Kit’s redemption, and if that is the case, it is beginning a lot too rapidly.

After Knuckles’ second with the Master Emerald, he thanks it for giving him “everything”, just for Sonic to overhear and assume he is the one being addressed. This is portrayed in a comedic mild, however it does ring true for Sonic’s significance to Knuckles. It’s due to his friendship with Sonic that Knuckles has ventured past the confines of Angel Island. He might not have Sonic’s freedom, however the Emerald has given him one thing extra treasured: function. Knuckles has formally gained a newfound appreciation for his function now that he sees the way it led him to Sonic the Hedgehog.

Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024 is on the market now from IDW Publishing.

(*26*)

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that started with Sonic the Hedgehog’s launch for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to guard his pals, household, and the world. The collection has expanded into a number of video video games, a number of comedian guide collection, tv reveals, and a Hollywood function movie collection.