Warning: Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog #75
MostSonic the Hedgehogfans would consider Shadow to be his greatest rival, and with good reason. After all, ever since Shadow’s debut in 2001, the two have been butting heads at every turn to prove which of them is the fastest hedgehog around. However, Shadow may be the popular choice, but he isn’t the best one. Sonic has another rival who’s a far better match for him than Shadow, and their latest interaction just proved it.
InSonic the Hedgehog#75 by Evan Stanley and Min Ho Kim, when the Resistance’s ship plummets towards Restoration HQ,Sonic prevents the inhabitants' deathsby rushing them all out of the building at super-speed. To accomplish this task, he enlists Jet the Hawk’s help, turning it into a race as motivation.
Sonic and Jet save lives at high speed while exchanging taunts back and forth, and once they’ve succeeded, they share a moment where they vow to have a rematch.The dynamic between Sonic and this unexpected rival puts his dynamic with Shadow to shame, as he and Jet challenge each other in a way he and Shadow don’t.
Jet the Hawk Is Sonic the Hedgehog’s Greatest Rival, Not Shadow
Sorry, Shadow: Jet Makes the Perfect Narrative Foil for Sonic
Jet the Hawk made his debut in 2006’sSonic Ridersvideo game as a skilled racer who puts Sonic to the test. His exemplary proficiency with hisExtreme Gear boardallows him to keep pace with Sonic, igniting their rivalry that has now spanned an entire video game trilogy in addition tothe comics. Jet is known for his massive ego, which gives him a tendency to look down on others, much like Shadow does. However,what sets Jet apart from Shadow is that he expresses his cockiness through banter with Sonic, making their interactions much more entertaining.
Believe It or Not, Sonic the Hedgehog Is at Its Best When the Series Ditches Its Action-Packed Roots
Sonic’s more introspective stories are outperforming the last five months of the more action-packed main series, proving that action isn’t everything.
Sonic and Shadowcertainly have a rapport, but it’s a less lighthearted relationship due to Shadow’s seriousness as a character. Jet, on the other hand, is willing to loosen up in his races with Sonic and have a good time. This dynamic allows them to push each other to new heights in a more uplifting way. As they gather survivors in Restoration HQ, for instance, they each channel their rivalry into trying to save more people than the other.Sonic and Jet’s competitiveness is all in good fun, solidified by Jet’s willingness to concede to a tie- only if they have a rematch later, of course.
Shadow the Hedgehog May Be Sonic’s Most Popular Rival, But He Isn’t the Best
Sonic’s Comics Don’t Do Shadow Enough Justice to Make Their Clashes Memorable
Shadow is the ideal narrative foil for Sonic in most installments of the franchise, including theSonic the Hedgehog 3movie, butIDW Publishing’sSoniccomicshave misrepresented their rivalry.Aside from differences in dynamics, a key reason that Shadow is a worse rival than Jet is because the comics don’t paint him as Sonic’s equal.Jet has demonstrated that he can potentially surpass Sonic, whereas Shadow often falls short, such as when he contracts the Metal Virus despite Sonic outrunning it. If Shadow wants to reclaim his role asSonic the Hedgehog’s true rival, he should learn a thing or two from Jet.
Sonic the Hedgehog#75is available now from IDW Publishing.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that began with Sonic the Hedgehog’s release for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends, family, and the world. The series has expanded into several video games, multiple comic book series, television shows, and a Hollywood feature film series.
