REVIEW: DC x Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #1 Will Please DC and Sonic Fans alike

The worlds of Sonic the Hedgehog and the Justice League merge once again in DC X Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion in a very intriguing and unconventional crossover event that sees dozens of characters from both universes in this mini-series. Both of their worlds were mysteries, joined at the hip by the transdimensional highway that appeared out of nowhere, allowing not only our heroes to cross between dimensions but also everyday normal people. We later learn that it's the reprehensible Dr. Eggman and Lex Luthor behind the new highway. The scheme is one of the most dastardly things one can ever do: a real estate hustle! It's a cash grab! Capitalism aside, the two evil scientists have recruited the Legion of Doom to help with their evil plan.

​Full transparency: I did not read the first iteration of this crossover, which came out in 2025, so if I praise or criticize a part of this book that connects to the first chapter in this session, I apologize. I can only criticize what I read. It's in my Hippo-Critic oath I took when I signed up for this gig. Anyway, this was great! While the plot comes off as the usual paint-by-numbers, trophy Scooby Doo pair-up mystery, the interactions between the characters come across as genuine and make the issue a fun read. The problem facing the heroes doesn't seem to be one of great direness, which, to me, points to something much larger at foot. A great start to this niche crossover.

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The story is in its infancy, but it is clearly destined to be a clash between Sonic, his team, and the Justice League versus the Legion of Boom. Or, if there were betting odds for a different option, I think there would be a much greater threat that would require both the heroes and the baddies to team up and take it down. Something that was unleashed by the carelessness of Dr. Eggman and Lex Luthor. I am actually rooting for the latter to happen, as I think that would be the more interesting result.

​Cheesy and very predictable? Sure. But I think it would be a very interesting way to introduce a new villain into a story chock-full of characters we all recognize.

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I criticized the dialogue in my previous review of Predator: Bloodshed for feeling forced. It felt like it was the complete opposite in DC X Sonic II. I don't know if the familiarity with these characters makes it sound better, but the dialogue felt and read so much more fluid and natural. As a reader, I was dropped into an already established universe, and the interactions were still entry-level, making it hard for me to decipher what was going on and what the character was about. Guy Garder sounds like Guy Garder, and Beast Boy sounds like Beast Boy, which makes it easy to read the context clues.

​Charmy and Blaze from Sonic Universe had a great interaction that clearly showed relationship dynamics, even without much prior knowledge. The footnotes briefly encouraged readers to review previous chapters, while subtle references to past adventures provided helpful context for new readers like me. Shadow and Damien’s back-and-forth was another strong example—I sensed their history without lengthy exposition.

​Side note: I mention Lex Luthor because his recurring role as the interdimensional villain, often entangled in real estate schemes, is a fun callback to Superman 1978. Noticing this trope adds an extra layer of enjoyment for long-time comic fans like myself.

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The plot is a pretty standard crossover story, so it's nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary. As the opening book of a series, a lot can be forgiven, as it sets up the world(s) and stakes, but as readers, we hope to get more from the series as it gets closer to the end. I know this won't be the next Watchmen and is more for the casual reader, but that shouldn't be an excuse. By the way, I'm not saying that will happen. I think as the story develops, we will have some very interesting plot points that will keep it pretty engaging. If this turns out to be 5 issues, then that will be enough time to let it breathe. However, this walks a fine line between a decent-to-good series and something that can be boring and predictable.

​This was ultimately a good starting point for this story, and even though I didn't read the first series, I don't feel too lost about important plot points or interactions from it. It could have been really easy for Flynn to make this a fan-service-heavy issue, with deep cuts that only seasoned readers would know. Even if there were, it wouldn't have affected the story at all.

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The art is VERY cartoon-y, but it feels appropriate for the story and the bright world all of these characters live in. The faces seem so bright and happy, which is a welcome change of pace from other titles. Superman feels so authentic to his character, with a huge smile and big, bright blue eyes. There is a manga-style tint to Superman, and all the characters add an extra element of fun. That is, everyone but Batman, of course. Batman is the contrast to that brightness, but, of course, it fits him and adds good contrast to the rest of the art.

​Something that gets lost during crossovers that I think happens more often than we would like to admit is the failure of characters to look like they are supposed to, and in DC X Sonic II, they do just that. The character work from Adam Bryce Thomas is accurate and perfect for the type of story this is trying to tell: an upbeat one. Ultimately, if Dr. Eggman has his big, ridiculous mustache, then it is a successful adaptation of that universe.

​Matt Herms' coloring was the perfect complement to Bryce Thomas’ characters. Everything is accurate, and while the world is colorful and bright, Herms lends the characters a matte, sandy look. I really enjoyed looking at that.

​This was fantastic art and something I'll look forward to throughout this mini-series.

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Overall, DC X Sonic The Hedgehog: The Metal Legion #1 was good, clean, harmless fun and left enough plot threads to keep the reader interested, especially those who might not have picked up the book otherwise. Even though there are dozens of characters from both universes interacting with each other, the pace and plotting don't seem too rushed, and Ian Flynn does a good job of dropping us off in a series that already has some backstory.  The art from Adam Bryce Thomas is inviting and anime-influenced. The coloring from Matt Harms brings to life a world where everyone seems happy and rosie-cheeked, where the only thing they have to worry about is paying a toll for an interdimensional road.  This can turn into a paint-by-the-numbers crossover very quickly, but for now, this was fun!

8.5/10

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