Sonic the Hedgehog: 35th Anniversary Special #1 — Iasmin Omar Ata and Thomas Rothlisberger bring the Chaos to a new start.

Sonic, Tails, and Amy land on Angel Island for a visit that goes off the rails when a meteor crashes and transforms the landscape. Iasmin Omar Ata and Thomas Rothlisberger return the series to its Classic roots with a mystery that draws Dr. Eggman's attention. A 35th Anniversary Special that captures the speed, heart, and high stakes of the original adventures.

There is a specific rhythm to the early Sonic stories that feels like coming back to a favorite room. This new IDW miniseries taps directly into that energy. Writer Iasmin Omar Ata and artist Thomas Rothlisberger are framing a story that understands what made the original adventures sing: speed, friendship, and the immediate threat of a villain who always has a bigger machine. It is a 35th Anniversary Special, but the setup is built for longevity, not just nostalgia.

Angel Island gets a new visitor when a meteor plummets down, interrupting a visit with Knuckles. The impact zone is already different: mysterious greenery is sprouting rapidly, draining life from the surrounding flora. Sonic, Tails, and Amy head to the crater to see what's up, but they are not the only ones interested. Dr. Eggman has spotted the crash and wants what is inside. Suddenly, the group has to solve the mystery of the meteor and the strange ecosystem it creates before the Doctor can weaponize it.

This issue makes a conscious pivot back to the early days of the hedgehog's adventures, stripping away the complications that built up over decades. You get the unbreakable dynamic of Sonic, Tails, and Amy without the heavy lifting of continuity. Rothlisberger's art maintains the kinetic energy you expect, while Ata's writing gives the team a problem that can't be outrun, forcing them to rely on brains and teamwork. It honors the roots of the franchise while delivering a narrative structure that feels fresh and immediate.

Ata is handling both the writing and the cover art, which usually signals a project where the visual and narrative tones are locked in from page one. The 35th Anniversary designation marks the occasion, but the creative choices here suggest a book that is going to hold its own weight in the lineup. Check how the ecosystem shift around the crater sets up the next few issues, because the way Ata and Rothlisberger play with the environment looks like a fresh take on a classic dynamic.