Outside mainstay hedgehog Sonic and his fellow super-powered hedgehog, it’s perhaps Knuckles the Echidna that Sonic The Hedgehog fans would immediately recognize from the series. After all, this red creature with the spiked gloves might not have super speed, but his loyalty and sheer strength are unparalleled in Sonic The Hedgehog.
And seeing as Eggman has set his eyes on the Chaos Emerald in Sonic The Hedgehog 2, it’s just about time Knuckles made his modern film debut. However, fans of the series know there’s more to Knuckles’ story outside the games - and the comics are one of the best sources to get to know gaming’s strongest echidna. What should fans know about Knuckles while waiting for Sonic The Hedgehog 2?
10 Different Comics
Similar to other franchises like The Transformers, the Sonic series did have its fair share of comics across various publishers. Whereas The Transformers had a more distinguished storyline in its IDW version compared to the more classic Marvel counterparts, such is the case with Knuckles and his stories in the comics as well. At its core, there are three main iterations of Knuckles throughout the Sonic comics universe (please note that these origins are standalone for their respective comics and not canon with each other or the games):
- Fleetway Editions Knuckles: This is the Knuckles that first appeared in “Sonic the Summer Special,” marking the character’s first appearance in any Sonic comic. His story is loosely based on the game, albeit it didn’t last as long.
- IDW Publishing Knuckles: This is the Knuckles that first appeared in “Sonic The Hedgehog 3,” under IDW Publishing. He exists in the IDW Continuity of Sonic comics.
- Archie Knuckles, Pre-Super Genesis Wave: This is the Knuckles that first appeared in “Sonic the Hedgehog 13,” marking the character’s first appearance under the Archie line. Prior to the Super Genesis Wave, Knuckles in this comic had quite a flavorful history. Ken Penders Jr. helmed Archie Comics' Knuckles centric stories during his run from 1994 to 2006.
- Archie Knuckles, Post-Super Genesis Wave: This is the Knuckles that first appeared in “Sonic Universe 59,” soon after the Super Genesis Wave. This Knuckles has an origin story that loosely follows its video game version.
9 The Eighteenth Guardian
While older games simply refer to Knuckles as “The Last Guardian” of the Chaos Emeralds, the comics have attached a much deeper role to Knuckles. Apparently, Knuckles served as Angel Island’s 18th Guardian, being a member of the Brotherhood of Guardians at an early age.
Unlike typical Guardians that protected parts of the planet Mobius, the Brotherhood of Guardians is a secret cadre of Guardians specifically tasked to protect Angel Island, home of the Chaos Emeralds. Not only that, it seems members of the Brotherhood are tasked to protect the interests of Echidna on a global level, alongside the assistance of the planet’s protection against large-scale threats.
8 Designed To Fulfill A Prophecy
Aside from comics Knuckles being associated with the Brotherhood of Guardians, it seems Knuckles isn’t simply born an ordinary child. In fact, much of his natural talents seem to stem from genetic tampering courtesy of his father, Locke, after seeing a vision of his own son stopping a threat from the future. As such, Locke tinkered with Knuckles’ DNA from when he was still inside an egg, hoping to create the “Ultimate” Guardian.
His experiment would prove successful, as Knuckles was born a prodigy. Already learning at college-level at an early age, Knuckles proved not just physically resilient but also knowledgeable in various fields. Moreover, it’s this genetic tampering that resulted in mutation, particularly in the form of immense strengths and Knuckles’ signature fist-spikes.
7 The Case Of Presumed Participation
Given the limited room in the comics, it’s notable that only Sonic and his immediate circle were the ones to experience much of his adventures converted into the medium. As such, the Archie Comics versions of Sonic Adventure 2 didn’t necessarily involve Knuckles, despite his prominent role in the game. However, considering what happened in the reboot, it’s safe to assume that Knuckles participated in the way the games have intended, albeit without any direct reference to it in the comics.
However, it’s stated that Knuckles did get a moment of clarity after the events of Sonic Adventure 2. Apparently, after the events that transported, Knuckles realized that he needed to extend his scope of protection outside Angel Island and instead take care of the whole world. This manages to explain his rationale of joining other stories such as Sonic Heroes, Shadow The Hedgehog, and other games in the series that take place outside the island.
6 Chaos Knuckles Is Quite Unlike Super Knuckles
While Knuckles had a Super Knuckles form after harnessing the power of the Chaos Emeralds, it’s admittedly not as flashy as the golden glow of Super Sonic. Thankfully, the comics remedy this in the form of Chaos Knuckles, which is the form Knuckles takes after amassing full control over the Chaos Emeralds. As a result, Knuckles became a “living Chaos Emerald,” with green skin and nigh-limitless powers.
Unfortunately, Chaos Knuckles had to sacrifice much of his power to save his ancestor Dimitri from Enerjak’s influence, leading to Knuckles’ demise. Interestingly, the green skin Knuckles will receive as Chaos Knuckles is a callback to Knuckle’s original design, which featured green skin.
5 Enter Enerjak
Enerjak is a Chaos demigod introduced in the Sonic comics, primarily as a villain who uses hosts to do his bidding. His initial appearance involved using Knuckles’ ancestor Dimitri as a host, but was defeated thanks to the efforts of Knuckles. Enerjak has a peculiar affinity with Echidnas, primarily those with enough hubris for him to grow his dark influence and power.
After losing Dimitri’s body to knuckles, Enerjak’s body began to deteriorate and showed dire need of Chaos energy. While he initially wanted Knuckles to become his new vessel, Knuckles’ “death” at the time didn’t give Enerjak the opportunity he needed. It was when Knuckles came under the influence of Dr. Finitevus that Enerjak was able to use Knuckles as his vessel, giving him remarkable power - to the point of overcoming both Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog. It’s thanks to the sacrifice of Locke, Knuckles’ father, that Knuckles managed to return to normal.
4 The Unused One Year Later Story
Writer Karl Bollers was formerly in charge of writing the Archie line of Sonic the Hedgehog comics, having established defining elements of the comics’ universe given his time writing stories from 1999 to 2005. Unfortunately, Bollers would become infamous for writing Sonic and Sally Acorn’s break-up issue in “Sonic the Hedgehog 134.” Interestingly, aside from this comic gravely affecting Sonic’s relationship, the fan reception may have prompted Bollers to stop pursuing an intended story arc he wanted for Knuckles.
In a story draft named “One Year Later,” Knuckles would decide to stay in Angel Island to protect the Master Emerald instead of extending his scope to the entire world. And instead of going on adventures, he instead toured the world to learn martial arts under the tutelage of Monkey Khan. Soon after, Knuckles would come across the Master Geode, a crystal of immense power that would put him at the center of a plot involving Robotnik, Mammoth Mogul, and the Iron Queen. While Knuckles would become a pawn of the villains, Knuckles would break control and eventually tap into the powers of the Master Geode, transforming into a nigh-omnipotent being, albeit temporarily.
3 The Romance Doomed To Fail
Knuckles in the comics would soon find himself entangled with the affairs of Julie-Su, an Echidna who defected from the malevolent Dark Legion in favor of joining Knuckles’ team, the Chaotix. In here, their friendship would soon blossom into a subtle romance. Unfortunately, it seems Knuckles and Julie-Su would never become an endgame.
At its core, Knuckles being a top Sonic character meant he cannot be tied to a particular character. This may explain why the comics never definitely had the two become together. Had they acknowledged their romance in any way, somehow the story would find a way to never let the romance blossom full-blown, for the sake of the fandom.
2 Knuckles In Alternate Universes
While Knuckles and Julie-Si didn’t end up together in canon, a lot of alternate timelines in the comics did reveal multiple ways the couple may have ended as such. For instance, one such universe revealed a daughter named Lara-Su, with another Knuckles having a daughter named Jani-ca. Meanwhile, one future showed Edmund, a descendant of Knuckles who was hinted of being the son of another version of Lara-Su.
Another interesting thing to note was that other Knuckles timelines also showcased various ways Knuckles would deal with his repressed power. In some universes, Knuckles would lose control over his power of Chaos and go on a rampage. Thankfully, other iterations of Knuckles being amok had Sonic find a way to turn him to normal. Unfortunately, other doomed universes would have Knuckles turn into Dark Enerjak.
1 Hot Pocket Of Destiny No More
Archie Comics writer Ian Flynn became the go-to guy for Sonic stories, particularly at the height of the pre-reboot phase of the comics prior to 2013. Back then, while much of Knuckles’ original story called back to much of his adventures in the game, the comics expanded on a whole lot of events that didn’t necessarily happen in the context of the game series.
For instance, Archie Comics exclusively created the Shattered World Crisis, in which a conflict between Dr. Eggman and Super Sonic involving the Super Genesis Wave caused the world to rupture, forcing Sonic and the gang to find a way to stop it. Given the Super Genesis Wave Incident in the Archie Comics in 2013 and the current run under IDW Publishing, Flynn confirmed that Pre-Reboot Archie's version of Knuckles' history isn't canon - or in his terms, the “Hot Pocket of Destiny” - anymore.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is coming to theaters on March 31, 2022 in Australia and Russia, and on April 8, 2022 in the United States.