In September, Sonic the Hedgehog #81 launches the thrilling 'The Stage is Set' story arc. This three-issue tale, ideal for new and returning fans, introduces Sequin.

The press release follows:

Media Release -- Trouble is brewing: Six of the Chaos Emeralds have disappeared without a trace, and it's up to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG™ and TAILS to find the seventh before it's too late!



This September, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #81 kicks off the exciting new story arc 'The Stage is Set.' A perfect jumping-on point for fans, this three-issue adventure will bring readers to a brand-new place in Sonic's fantastic world: the intricate and opulent city of Sequin… And during a citywide carnival, too!

As Sonic and Tails hunt for the mysterious Emerald thief in this new city, the duo quickly discover they've got competition. Shadow and Rogue want to claim the gem themselves, and they're not afraid to go through Sonic and Tails - or anyone else - to do it! Who will be the first to find the Emerald? New faces, strange secrets, and plenty of fun awaits readers in part one of 'The Stage is Set'!



"After 75 issues of non-stop adventures, surely y'all will want to relax, see a show, maybe even go to... a circus? That's right, Sonic and Tails are going to the carnival in an all-new location: the city of Sequin," commented IDW's SONIC Editors. "We have fan favorites showing up and a new, adorable, acrobatic, totally not suspicious character that we know everyone is going to love! But it's not all fun and games - with Chaos Emeralds going missing, there's something nefarious going on... Any guesses as to who the ringmaster of this scheme could be? As always, thank you to all of the Sonic fans reading our comics. We've had a lot of fun with this new story arc, and we hope y'all do, too!"



"We have partnered with IDW over the years to bring the world of Sonic to the comic page and we are always working hard to keep it exciting and enjoyable for both new and longtime readers," said Michael Cisneros, Associate Director with SEGA of America. "While 81 may seem like a big number, Issue 81 is a fantastic spot for new readers to jump into the series! This issue kicks off an all-new arc that is packed with fun and surprises for Sonic and friends."

Written by Evan Stanley and featuring art by Min Ho Kim, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #81 (Part 1 of 'The Stage is Set') goes on sale September 3, 2025 with a pre-order deadline of July 28, 2025. Run (safely) to a comic shop near you for more information!

"...a standard for mainstream American cartooning in comic books." - Chase Magnett, CBR

About IDW Publishing

IDW (OTCQB: IDWM) is an integrated media company providing compelling stories and characters for global audiences. Our IDW Publishing and IDW Entertainment businesses acquire IP for holistic franchise development across comics and graphic novels, television and other entertainment platforms and leverage established stories from our creative partners.

About SEGA

SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. Established in 1986, SEGA of America publishes innovative experiences for console, PC, mobile and other emerging platforms. SEGA is the first publisher to rank #1 three separate times (2016, 2020, and 2024) in Metacritic's Game Publisher Rankings. Its globally beloved franchises include Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War™, Like a Dragon™, Football Manager™, Virtua Fighter™, and Crazy Taxi™, along with Atlus' Persona™ series and the critically acclaimed new IP, Metaphor: ReFantazio™. The company is also expanding its transmedia strategy, with numerous film and TV projects underway across multiple franchises. SEGA of America has offices in Irvine and Burbank, California. Visit www.sega.com.

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