Sonic the Hedgehog fans have received disappointing news. Chasing Shadows, one of the most anticipated Sonic projects of the year, has officially been cancelled. The reveal came directly from the book’s creative team, who shared on social media that the project had actually been cancelled for quite some time, yet never formally removed from the release calendar.
Author Kiel Phegley confirmed the cancellation in a post on Bluesky. The spin off had originally been positioned as a major new story for Shadow the Hedgehog and had already been delayed multiple times, which only increased interest among longtime fans.
Phegley described the concept as a Sonic universe take on Wicker Man with Shadow in the lead role. This made the cancellation even more disappointing for readers who had followed every update and were hoping for a darker, more atmospheric story centered on the series’ most complex character.
Chasing Shadows was first scheduled for an early 2025 release before repeated delays pushed it a full year further. The most recent placeholder listed March 2026. When fans asked if the book was still moving forward, Phegley confirmed that it was not and explained that behind the scenes issues with SEGA brought the project to an end.
He added that he was sorry fans would not get to meet the new villain he and the team had created for the story. He also noted that he continues to work on other Sonic stories for IDW, although Shadow’s next major appearance has not been determined yet.
Artist Mauro Fonseca followed Phegley’s announcement with another important detail. He clarified that the book had been removed from the internal schedule long ago. According to Fonseca, no actual pages had been drawn, meaning there is no hidden issue waiting in storage. The team had expected SEGA to make an official cancellation announcement, but that update never arrived.
The loss of Chasing Shadows raises new questions about the direction of the Sonic comics. While the franchise is most widely known for its games and recent success on the big screen, the comics have built a strong and loyal readership. They often deliver some of the most character focused storytelling in the series.
Shadow remains one of the most popular and influential characters in the modern Sonic universe. Chasing Shadows was intended to continue that momentum and provide a deeper look into his world. With the project now cancelled, fans are left wondering what SEGA and IDW have planned for Shadow and why the story fell apart behind closed doors.
Stay tuned to Sonic City for more IDW Sonic News and Updates.
Discover more from Sonic City ⋆★ Sonic the Hedgehog News, Media, & Community ★⋆
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
