Key recommendations
- A new Justice League/Sonic
The comic book series will begin in March 2025 with Shadow the Hedgehog reimagined as Batman.
- Sega is calling 2024 the Year of the Shadow, with the popular character appearing prominently in games and promotions recently.
- Sonic X Shadow Generations will be released in October, and Shadow will also appear in the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in December.
Shadow is already a dark avenger in Sonic the Hedgehog universe, but a new crossover takes things a step further by reimagining the popular character as Batman. Sega has declared 2024 the Year of the Shadow, with its edgy black anti-hero Sonic the Hedgehog franchise that has starred in a slew of games, promotions, and other media over the past few months. The festivities will continue next month Sonic X Shadow Generationsfollowed by Shadow's big screen debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in December.
At his core, Shadow is a dark and brooding figure, haunted by the tragic death of a loved one, in contrast to the brighter, brighter heroes he frequently teams up with. The same description could apply to DC's Batman, and it seems the similarities aren't lost on Sega as they celebrate their resident anti-hero. During this year's Batman Day, Sega released a short animation featuring Shadow dressed as the Dark Knight, chasing down a shadowy criminal and bringing justice to justice.
As it turns out, this short segment signaled the beginning of a larger crossover between his worlds Sonic the Hedgehog and DC Comics, as confirmed during this week's Sonic Central live stream. Actress Tiffany Smith and Sonic the Hedgehog franchise head Ivo Gerscovich has announced that a new Justice League/Sonic the comic series will begin in March 2025. A long time Sonic writer Ian Flynn will write this new series, which will run one issue a month and reimagine Shadow as Batman, his rival Sonic as Flash, Amy Rose as Wonder Woman, Miles “Tails” Prower as Cyborg, Silver the Hedgehog as Green Lantern, and Knuckles the Echidna as Superman.
Shadow and Company will become the Justice League in the new comic crossover
This SonicThe /Justice League event will continue into 2026 and will include a number of related merchandise such as toys and apparel. Some of the other Shadow-centric licensed products announced during the Sonic Central live stream include a LEGO set of Super Sonic and Super Shadow's climactic battle against the Biolizard at the end Sonic Adventure 2a Shadow HJC motorcycle helmet and a Shadow PalVerse Pale figure.
dc/Sonic crossover might be one of the most unexpected developments to come from Sonic Central this year. Ironically, current Sonic voice actor Roger Craig Smith has voiced Batman in numerous DC projects, and now it's his rival Shadow's turn to don the mantle of the Dark Knight and strike fear into the hearts of Gotham's criminals starting next year.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a prolific game franchise that started life on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Spanning both 2D and 3D iterations over the generations, Sonic is known for its fast movements and interesting platforming mechanics.