Review – IDW Sonic the Hedgehog #83 Delivers a Loud, Colorful Battle on the Road to Issue 100

Three issues into its latest arc, IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog #83 keeps the momentum going with a loud, colorful showdown that fully embraces spectacle and fun. As the road to issue #100 continues, this chapter throws Sonic and friends straight into danger, with Eggman unleashing a massive snack obsessed robot while quietly teasing the presence of a mysterious Chaos Emerald collector in the background.

From the opening pages, the issue wastes no time establishing scale and urgency. A towering robot, a crashing tidal wave, and Sonic moving at full speed create an immediately engaging setup, and the action barely slows down from there. The extended battle is easy to follow, energetic, and visually playful, with clear staging that keeps Eggman’s looming threat front and center throughout.

The art by Thomas Rothlisberger, paired with Leonardo Ito’s colors, is a perfect match for this kind of story. The visuals go big when needed but never lose clarity, especially during fast-moving moments where Sonic and Shadow are reduced to streaks of motion across the page. Clever cutaways inside Eggman’s machine reinforce its massive scale, while full-page splashes give the conflict a satisfying sense of progression and payoff.

Character moments are sprinkled throughout the chaos, keeping the pacing lively while making sure everyone has something to do. Rouge and Shadow add fun contrast during cutaway scenes, Tails gets to show off his technical skills, and new ally Soleil is encouraged and praised rather than pushed to the sidelines. Sonic’s upbeat attitude stays constant, even when paired with Shadow’s more stoic presence, reinforcing the issue’s light and positive tone.

That tone is clearly aimed at younger readers, and that may be a sticking point for some. The story does not dwell on emotional fallout or long-term consequences, instead prioritizing colorful action and good vibes. Still, this feels like a deliberate choice rather than a weakness. The issue knows its audience and commits to delivering a breezy, high-energy adventure without overcomplicating things.

In the end, Sonic the Hedgehog #83 succeeds by being exactly what it sets out to be. It is fast, friendly, visually engaging, and easy to enjoy from start to finish. While it may not become a defining chapter on the road to issue #100, it serves as a joyful reminder that sometimes a fun Sonic story really is enough.

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