Ian Flynn

Last updated
Ian Flynn
9.8.12IanFlynnByLuigiNovi1.jpg
Flynn at a September 8, 2012 signing for
New Crusaders #1 at Midtown Comics in Manhattan
BornJames Ian Flynn
(1982-05-31) May 31, 1982 (age 42)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Canadian (2023–present)
Area(s)Writer
Notable works
Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)
Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW)
Mega Man (Archie Comics)
New Crusaders
TMNT (IDW)
http://www.bumbleking.com

James Ian Flynn [1] (born May 31, 1982), also known by his Internet pen name Ian Potto, is an American-Canadian comic book writer. He was chief writer for Archie Comics's Sonic the Hedgehog since issue #160, after the departure of the previous chief writer Ken Penders, until Archie's cancelation on the run at issue #290. [2] As of April 4, 2018, he is the lead writer of IDW Publishing's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and Sonic Frontiers . [3] [4] He is also known for Archie's Mega Man , New Crusaders , Archie (2015) , as well as IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .

Contents

Early life

Flynn was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. [5]

Career

Flynn was hired as a writer on Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog after sending in unsolicited proposals. [6] He subsequently wrote Sonic Universe ; the Capcom series, Mega Man ; and New Crusaders , a superhero title published by the Archie Imprint Red Circle Comics. [7] [8] [9] In the Sonic the Hedgehog series, he collaborated with Tracy Yardley, the penciller for the series since issue #160. Flynn made his television writing debut with the Sonic Boom episode "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Worse-er". [10] In December 2021 he was reported to have been writing the script for Sonic Frontiers ; [11] he also wrote the scripts for the prologue comic and animation released in the lead-up to Frontiers' release. [12] [13] [14] [15] Flynn also wrote the story scenes for the Sonic Origins compilation. [16] In 2023, a mobile game released titled Sonic Dream Team , which was another title Flynn was part of the writing team for. [17] Flynn is also a host on a Q&A podcast, known as the Bumblekast, where he answers questions from fans concerning the Sonic franchise and his work on the series. [18] [19] [20]

Although Sega canceled their Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, Archie Comics brought back Flynn, alongside collaborating colleagues Tracy Yardley and Matt Herms, to revive their Cosmo the Merry Martian intellectual property. [21] The first issue of Cosmo was released in January 2018.

Personal life

As of 2018, Flynn lives in Toronto. [5] He is married to Aleah Baker, who has worked as a writer and colorist on Archie books such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe. [22] [23] [24] Flynn became a naturalized Canadian citizen in May 2023. [25]

Related Research Articles

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> (TV series) Italian-American animated television series

Sonic the Hedgehog is an animated television series based on the video game series of the same name. It was story edited by Len Janson and produced by DIC Productions, Sega of America, and the Italian studio Reteitalia in association with Telecinco. It is the second of DIC's Sonic cartoons, following Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> (Archie Comics) Comic book series

Sonic the Hedgehog was an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, in partnership with Sega of America. Although this coutinuity was based on Sega's video game franchise, it had much more in nature with the American 1993 animated series of the same name. After initially beginning with a four-issue miniseries from February to May 1993, the first full-length issue of the comic was published in July 1993. The series ran for 290 issues for over 20 years, earning a place in the 2008 Guinness World Records for being the "longest-running comic series based on a video game" in U.S. history.. It became the longest-running franchise-based comic series in 2015 before it was confirmed cancelled in July 2017, following Sega and Archie Comics' decision to discontinue their business relationship. The series features a cast of hundreds of characters, consisting of both those derived from the Sonic games and those original to the comics, with stories focused on a crime-fighting organization called the Freedom Fighters, led by Sonic, as they face off against series antagonist Doctor Eggman alongside a variety of other villains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IDW Publishing</span> American comic book publishing company

IDW Publishing is an American publisher of comic books, graphic novels, art books, and comic strip collections. It was founded in 1999 as the publishing division of Idea and Design Works, LLC (IDW) and is recognized as the fifth-largest comic book publisher in the United States, behind Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image Comics, ahead of other comic book publishers such as Archie, Boom!, Dynamite, Valiant, and Oni Press. The company is known for its licensed comic book adaptations of films, television shows, video games, and cartoons.

<i>SegaSonic the Hedgehog</i> 1993 video game

SegaSonic the Hedgehog is a 1993 arcade game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series by Sega. Controlling Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel, the player must escape an island after they are kidnapped by the villain, Doctor Eggman. The game uses an isometric perspective. Players use a trackball to move the characters while dodging obstacles and collecting rings. The game was developed by Sega's arcade division, Sega AM3. It is one of four Sonic games with the SegaSonic name and was inspired by the 1984 game Marble Madness.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a media franchise created by Sega.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Yardley</span> American comic book artist (born 1979)

Tracy Yardley is an American comic book artist best known for his work with the Sonic the Hedgehog comics, originally published by Archie Comics.

<i>Knuckles the Echidna</i> (comics) Comic book series

Knuckles the Echidna, originally published as Knuckles: The Dark Legion, is an action-adventure comic book series published by Archie Comics. The series starred Knuckles the Echidna, a main character from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games. The book was a spin-off of Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog, with both series sharing narrative continuity. The series served as a successor to Sonic's Friendly Nemesis: Knuckles, a three-issue limited series from 1996. Knuckles was almost exclusively written by Ken Penders, the former lead writer of Sonic.

Kenneth W. Penders, II is an American comic book creator and writer. In addition to his comic work, Penders has worked in television on storyboards, backgrounds and character design, and worked on screenplays for his own unpublished films. He is noted for his work on the Archie Comics series Sonic the Hedgehog and its spin-offs, which he worked on for over fifteen years, along with his subsequent lawsuits involving the works.

Patrick Spaziante, or "Spaz" as he is commonly known, is an American comic book artist known for his work for Archie Comics, in particular his interior pencil and cover work for Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic X and Sonic Universe. He is also known for his work on Dreamwave Productions' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nickelodeon Comics' Avatar: The Last Airbender and Marvel Comics' Muties, as well as his illustration work for Simon & Schuster's children books.

<i>Cosmo the Merry Martian</i> Comic book

Cosmo the Merry Martian was a comic book series published by Archie Comics between 1958 and 1959. The comic was created by Bob White as a way to provide a family-appropriate comic for children with an interest in the then-current space race. The title character was the first Martian to visit the Earth. The title only lasted for six issues. Every issue, including the last one, had a cliffhanger ending.

<i>Sonic Universe</i> Comic book series

Sonic Universe is an American comic book series that was published by Archie Comics in association with Sega, based on the latter's Sonic the Hedgehog. It is a spin-off of the comic book series of the same name, and shared continuity with that title. Sonic Universe centers on several characters featured throughout the franchise and comics, including Shadow the Hedgehog, Blaze the Cat, and Silver the Hedgehog.

<i>Sonic Boom</i> (TV series) Animated television series

Sonic Boom is an animated television series produced by Sega of America, Inc. and Technicolor Animation Productions in collaboration with Lagardère Thématiques and Jeunesse TV, respectively for Cartoon Network, Canal J and Gulli. Loosely based on the video game franchise Sonic the Hedgehog created by Sega, the series is the fifth animated television series based on the franchise and the first to be produced in computer-generated imagery animation and in high-definition.

<i>Sonic Forces</i> 2017 video game

Sonic Forces is a 2017 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It was produced in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The plot focuses on Sonic the Hedgehog joining a resistance movement formed by his friends, alongside its rookie and his misplaced past self. Together, they must stop Doctor Eggman, who has conquered most of the world alongside Infinite, his newest lackey who has been empowered by the Phantom Ruby. It features three gameplay modes: "Classic", side-scrolling gameplay similar to the original Sega Genesis Sonic games, "Modern", 3D gameplay similar to Sonic Unleashed (2008) and Sonic Colors (2010), and a mode featuring the "Avatar", the player's custom character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyson Hesse</span> American illustrator

Tyson Hesse is an American illustrator, director, and producer known for his work on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> (IDW Publishing) US comic book series

Sonic the Hedgehog is an ongoing American comic book series based on the Sega video game franchise, published by IDW Publishing.

<i>Sonic Frontiers</i> 2022 video game

Sonic Frontiers is a 2022 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. As Sonic, the player explores the Starfall Islands to collect the Chaos Emeralds, after Sonic and his friends are separated when falling through a wormhole. Frontiers integrates traditional Sonic the Hedgehog elements—such as platforming, rings, and grind rails—into the series' first open world. While exploring the open world, players can complete challenges, fight robotic enemies, and access "Cyber Space" levels inspired by previous Sonic games.

<i>Sonic Prime</i> Animated television series

Sonic Prime is a CGI-animated television series based on the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, co-produced by Sega of America, Netflix Animation, WildBrain Studios and Man of Action Entertainment. It is the sixth animated television series based on the franchise.

References

  1. "BumbleKast Mini! for May 17, 2024 - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast". YouTube. BumbleKing Videos. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. Paulson, Andrew (July 25, 2006). "Interviews - Ian "Potto" Flynn" Archived 2013-11-05 at the Wayback Machine . Sonic Scene.
  3. "Ian Flynn Writing Sonic Frontiers Provides Hope For Fans". Game Rant. 18 January 2022.
  4. "IDW". Archived from the original on 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  5. 1 2 Polan, Jonathan (April 18, 2018). "Interview: Ian Flynn, Writer for Sonic the Hedgehog Comic". Gaming Boulevard. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  6. Peal, Alex (April 6, 2006). "Interview: Ian Flynn" Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine . dreamflint.com
  7. Sims, Chris (23 December 2015). "Looking Back On 'Mega Man' With Ian Flynn [Interview]". Comics Alliance. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  8. Goellner, Caleb (4 November 2011). "'New Crusaders' Writer Ian Flynn on the Return of Archie Comics' Red Circle Heroes [Interview]". Comics Alliance. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  9. Carter, Chris (22 May 2015). "Destructoid chats with Archie's Ian Flynn about Mega Man and Sonic's second 'Worlds Unite' crossover". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  10. Bill Freiberger [@BillFreiberger] (5 December 2016). "Episode 206: Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Worse-er. Written by @IanFlynnBKC. Storyboards by Gael Leroux & Jeremy Klein" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  11. Stewart, Marcus (December 9, 2021). "Sonic Frontiers Drops The Blue Blur Into His First Open World Game". Game Informer . Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  12. Puc, Samantha (2022-11-07). "The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  13. "Sonic Frontiers to set the scene with prologue cartoon and comic". Destructoid. 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  14. Greif, Zackari (2022-11-01). "Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence Sets the Stage for Sonic Lore to Change Forever". Game Rant. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  15. Flynn, Ian (2022-11-01). Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (Credits) (Animation). SEGA (via Sonic the Hedgehog official YouTube channel). Event occurs at 5:40. Written by Ian Flynn
  16. Flynn, Ian (April 20, 2022). "Sonic Origins Revealed!". BumbleKing. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  17. https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1719717813873410133 [ bare URL ]
  18. Saltzman, Mitchell (2022-06-22). "Sonic Frontiers Writer Talks Open-Zone Story, Dr. Eggman, and More – IGN First". IGN. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  19. Puc, Samantha (2022-11-07). "The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  20. "Sonic the Hedgehog Timeline Explained, Kind Of". Gameranx. 2022-11-06. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  21. Couto, Anthony (September 20, 2017). "EXCL: Archie Comics' Sonic Team Reuniting on Cosmo Revival". CBR.com. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  22. "Guest Announcements: Ian Flynn and Aleah Baker". SEGAbits. 5 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  23. Peagler, Seth (April 3, 2012). "HEROESCON 2012 :: GUEST LIST UPDATE! MARK BAGLEY! IAN FLYNN! BUDD ROOT! ANDY SMITH!". Heroes Online.
  24. Long, Aaron (16 November 2015). "Preview: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #278". Comicosity. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  25. Ian Flynn [@IanFlynnBKC] (18 May 2023). "Still need the final paperwork, but I said the oath and sang the song. I'm official. #OCanada" (Tweet) via Twitter.