Sonic Weekly
By Sonic Weekly
Sonic WeeklySep 24, 2023
SAM LOGAN talks Trio of Trouble + Archie Sonic
Cartoonist Sam Logan (Sam & Fuzzy) recently revisited Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog and shares some new observations. Plus, we talk about the new Trio of Trouble short for Sonic Superstars!
- Check out Sam's books, shirts, toys, and comics universe at his website — https://www.samandfuzzy.com
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood w/ JACK OF OLD GAMES
Jack is back to discuss another of the infamous Sonic games — the only RPG in the series, developed by BioWare at that!
- Watch Jack of Old Games on YouTube
- Grant & Jack have a movie podcast called The Void, also on YouTube!
- Thanks to Smoovies for the edit!
September Anniversaries of Sonic the Hedgehog
30 years ago this month, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) both premiered in September 1993. "It's interesting" to think about how unique of a situation this is for any cartoon character!
- Check out David and Sonic Retro's thread on AOSTH here.
- Thanks to Smoovies for the edit!
The Bo Show + SatAM
Bo is back, and he catches up with David & Grant — notably, about how Bo spent his paternity leave watching Sonic the Hedgehog (1993), aka SatAM. Thanks to Smoovies for the edit!
Sonic Adventure re-release? + Superstars/Frontiers trailers
Week 30! David & Grant react to the new trailers for Sonic Superstars and Sonic Frontiers DLC 3, and consider the possibility of a re-release for Sonic Adventure, whether as a remake or ported in a compilation.
- Thanks to Smoovies for the edit!
SMOOVIES returns! Ancient Lore pt. 2: Babylon
Our pal Smoovies emerges from behind-the-scenes to hop back on the mic. This week, it's a deep dive into the ancient history of Sonic's World with a focus on the treasures of the Babylonians!
Amy Rose & Chao chat w/ LIZA SINGER + ASHLYN ANSTEE
Artist Liza Singer joins — and Ashlyn Anstee returns — to discuss Amy Rose, the Chao, and the Dreamcast era of Sonic the Hedgehog.
- During the episode, we refer to a YouTube video about the philosophy of Shadow the Hedgehog — here's the link to the video by Ranni!
- Check out Liza Singer's work on their website!
ABBY DENTON analyzes Sonic themes
Our hilarious friend Abby Denton shares her unique interpretations of Sonic stories and characters, and we're all better for it. Thanks to Smoovies for the edit — love ya, Smoovies!
JON GRAY talks Sonic comics
Jonathan H. Gray is an artist and writer for IDW's Sonic the Hedgehog and Disney comics (previously Archie's Sonic comics) — and he's a teacher! So we're extremely thrilled Jon "WB" Gray could join us for a freewheeling chat about Sonic's upcoming 900th adventure, "everything is canon," Ian Flynn, Carl Barks, Mickey Mouse, and more!
- This was edited by our friend Smoovies. Thanks Smoovies!
Sonic R U Kidding?? w/ JANDÊ SAAVEDRA FARIAS + MICHAEL STEARNS
David & Grant are joined by game developers Jandê Saavedra Farias and Michael Stearns for a discussion of the 1997 racing game, Sonic R.
- Check out Jorel's Brother and the Most Important Game of the Galaxy
- Check out Sky Racket
- Check out Tiny Barbarian DX
- Edit provided by our friend Smoovies. Thanks Smoovies!
Ranking the Sonic Villains
David & Grant talk about the baddies in the real world, and the evil-doers of Sonic's World.
- Edit provided by our friend Smoovies. Thanks Smoovies!
Ancient Lore w/ SMOOVIES
Our pal Smoovies from FTCR joins David & Grant to talk about Yuji Naka's legal situation, the Spin Dash in Sonic Frontiers, and a deep dive into the pre-Sonic history of the Sonicverse.
- Here's the photo of Ohshima-san & Yasuhara-san together referenced in the show, and here is the leak of '90s Sega documents that are also discussed.
- Email us! sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com
- This episode was edited by Josh Schafernak. Thanks Josh!
Sonic Frontiers DLC Update 2
In addition to discussing the new features in Sonic Frontiers, David & Grant wonder about Dr. Eggman's father, and speculate about alternate timelines in which SEGA was acquired by other gaming publishers.
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
- Edited by Josh Schafernak. Thanks Josh!
Sonic's Birthday Bash w/ ASHLYN ANSTEE
David & Grant are again joined by Ashlyn, who continues to fill in for Bo, for some thoughts about the truth of Sonic's birthday, Sonic Origins Plus, playable Amy Rose, the news about Spider-Verse crunch, and overall thoughts reacting to the 2023 Sonic Central presentation.
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
- Edited by Josh Schafernak. Thanks Josh!
ED SKUDDER on making The Super Mario Bros. Movie!
Ed Skudder is the Head of Story for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and is also a longtime dear friend of Ashlyn, who is married to Grant, who hosts the podcast with David, and it's all for the benefit of you — the dear listener cool and tuned in enough to know about this show and this super exclusive interview! Learn about Hollywood blockbuster moviemaking, learn about working with Nintendo, learn about how those long tracking shots in the movie came to be, and more. It's also just a chill hang, as usual.
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
- Edited by our new friend Josh Schafernak. Thanks Josh!
Bonus! Big the Cat Stevens
After recording our interview episode with Ed Skudder, Grant & David thought we'd create a quick bonus episode to address the big Sonic news of the week — the reveal of Sonic Superstars DLC, and the additional cast information for the Knuckles series coming to Paramount+ later this year.
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
- Edited by our new friend Josh Schafernak. Thanks Josh!
Sonic Superstars!?! Plus we finally talk Sonic Prime w/ SANGO
Our buddy Sango joins us for this episode to react to a big Sonic announcement — and also to finally dig into Sonic Prime (season 1) a little more.
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
In Defense of Secret Rings w/ JACK OF OLD GAMES
YouTube essayist Jack of Old Games joins for a conversation about the Morio Kishimoto canon of Sonic games, which began with Sonic and the Secret Rings and continues through Sonic Frontiers, and a broader chat about how we think about retro gaming.
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
PAT CASEY on Mortal Kombat (1995)
🎶 Mortal Kompaaaat! 🎶 Pat Casey (co-screenwriter of the Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy, Violent Night, and more) joins Grant, Bo, and David for a conversation about making movies based on video games with a close look at the first high-water mark for the video game adaptation, Mortal Kombat.
- Follow Pat Casey on Twitter!
- Listen to the Best Movies Never Made podcast by Josh Miller and Stephen Scarlata!
- Email sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow the show on Twitter, too!
CHAD QUANDT loves SatAM
Emmy-winning writer/showrunner Chad Quandt (Star Trek Prodigy, Unikitty, Trollhunters) joins the program to share his love for the Sonic the Hedgehog animated series affectionately known as "SatAM." You probably knew that from the title of the episode but I just wanted to spell it out anyway, thanks for indulging me. We indulge in fun this week with a rambling gambling good time!
- Listen to Chad's podcast, Goosebuds!
- Email us sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow us on Twitter, too!
JESSICA HALLSTROM is a Sonic mom
Jessica Hallstrom and Grant became friends when they were both in their 20s in the LA stand-up comedy scene, and now they're in their 30s, but they've never talked in-depth about their mutual affection for Sonic the Hedgehog. Bo and Jessica realize they are each raising a 5-year-old Sonic fan. Meanwhile, David the Lurker lurks with the best quips and zingers of the episode.
- Follow Jessica on Instagram for vegan food reviews and rants @vegspice_eats!
- Email us sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for an invitation to the show's Discord!
- Follow us on Twitter, too!
Ranking the Sonic TV Shows
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Underground, Sonic X, Sonic Boom, Sonic Prime — that's the chronological order. What about from best to worst? We sort it out!
Sonic Frontiers: ~6 Months Later...
Sonic Frontiers released in November, and now it is May. We reflect on the Open Zone game and the first wave of DLC, and we also respond to some Listener Mail. If you would like to join our discord, send us an email at sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com for a link.
The Knuckles Show is still happening!
The fellas speculate about the Knuckles the Echidna television show, based on the information available at the time. This was originally recorded 4/21/23 but I forgot to upload it — sue us at sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com.
MICHAEL STEARNS talks Sonic's Family
Game developer Michael Stearns (Tiny Barbarian) joins us for a chaotic chat about Sonic's family members. Email us: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie ~VS~ Sonic the Hedgehog 2
The boys are candid with their thoughts on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and can't help but to compare and contrast that with Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Which platformer action game adaptation did it better? To be honest, I don't think we directly answer that question, but we do talk about both movies quite a bit.
Send us emails to read on the show: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com!
Follow us on Twitter: @SonicWeekly
Sonic Spinball: Nobody's Favorite
We take turns defending and attacking Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball for your enjoyment. Email us: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com!
MATT BRALY + SAM LOGAN on Sonic Lore
Cartoon storytellers Matt Braly (Disney's Amphibia) and Sam Logan (Sam & Fuzzy) join in to talk about their perspective on Sonic storytelling. Email us sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com!
DLC Drama: Sonic Origins + Sonic Frontiers Wave 1
We're back to Sonic in a big way. Well, in a decently sized way, anyway. We talk about our varying levels of enthusiasm for the Origins DLC announcement and Wave 1 of Sonic Frontiers. Email us: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com
Mario v Sonic: Dawn of Just Us Talking
Mario Mania continues! We reminisce about the initial crossovers between the two franchises, and generally observe how much better Mario is than Sonic in virtually every way. Email us at sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com.
Super Nintendo World + Super Mario Bros.
Fresh from a recent trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, Grant is fully feeling the Mario Mania, and so together with David & Bo, the three reflect on their histories with the Super Mario Bros. franchise. Also, Bo updates us on Yuji Naka's legal situation and David gives a hard pitch for the Switch. Email us: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com.
What's the best first Zone?
Which opening stage is the best in the Sonic series? You've got Green Hill, Palmtree Panic, Emerald Hill, Angel Island, Emerald Coast, City Escape, Seaside Hill, Wave Ocean, Windmill Isle, Tropical Resort, Windy Hill, and who could forget... 1-1. Which one do you think is best? Email us: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com!
Sonic X-Treme: The Rise and Fall
The canceled killer app for the Sega Saturn, starring Sonic the Hedgehog. How extreme would this game have been, exactly? Well, the other main character was going to be named Tiara Boobowski, so you tell us. By the way, you can email us too: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com. Ciao!
Sonic CD: Teleportation, Yeah...?
The boys ramble about Sonic the Hedgehog Compact Disc (1993). What do you think we talk about? Do you think we bring up the US soundtrack vs Japanese/EU soundtrack debate? The opening animatic? The auteurship of director Naoto Ohshima? The various versions of the game and the evolution of the fandom's opinion on it? Good Future? Bad Future! Teleportation jaguar, yeah!
ASHLYN ANSTEE loves Sonic '06
Animator and author Ashlyn Anstee joins us to talk about her favorite video game in the franchise — Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). Email us: sonicweeklypodcast@gmail.com.