Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic represents the very first Sonic the Hedgehog adaptation, releasing as a free gift with issues of Japanese publication Mega Drive Fan on the run up to the Japanese release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog video game.

The story represents the earliest example of a backstory for Sonic and Doctor Eggman, though the majority of it is no longer used in any Sonic content. Additionally, most of the elements present in these stories were not used in any further adaptations. Ultimately, this means the series’ first adaptation is also the series’ first example of a continuity which stands largely on its own, a recurring theme throughout franchise history.

Despite the early (nay, immediate) divergence of adaptation, this first take on the character does give examples of things which we now take as read in Sonic’s character, particularly his selfless devotion. Additionally, this adaptation features a second divergent continuity, the Story Gaiden, which considers another possible backstory for Sonic and suggests a somewhat more mythical origin for him.

ENTRY	RELEASE DATE	KINTOBOR COMPUTER REVIEW RANK
Dr. Eggman’s Challenge!!	6/91
Clash!! South Island	6 or 7 91
Sonic Rampage!!	7/91
Story Gaiden	7/91