Ian Flynn

{{Short description|American-Canadian comic book writer}}

{{Infobox comics creator

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| caption = Flynn at a September 8, 2012 signing for
New Crusaders #1 at Midtown Comics in Manhattan

| birth_name = James Ian Flynn

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|5|31|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.

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| nationality = American
Canadian (2023–present)

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| notable works = Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)
Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW)
Mega Man (Archie Comics)
New Crusaders
TMNT (IDW)

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| website = http://www.bumbleking.com

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James Ian Flynn{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4y6HCiDT2I|work=YouTube|date=May 17, 2024|accessdate=May 17, 2024|publisher=BumbleKing Videos|title=BumbleKast Mini! for May 17, 2024 - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast}} (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.Paulson, Andrew (July 25, 2006). [http://www.sonicscene.net/interviews/ianflynn.html "Interviews - Ian "Potto" Flynn"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105191927/http://sonicscene.net/interviews/ianflynn.html |date=2013-11-05 }}. Sonic Scene. As of April 4, 2018, he is the lead writer of IDW Publishing's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. He has also helped write the games Sonic Frontiers and Shadow Generations.{{cite web |title=Ian Flynn Writing Sonic Frontiers Provides Hope For Fans |url=https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-ian-flynn-writers-script-fans-hope/ |website=Game Rant |date=18 January 2022}}{{cite web | url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/idw-publishing-and-sega-welcome-veteran-sonic-writer-ian-flynn/ | title=IDW | access-date=2017-10-08 | archive-date=2019-02-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213091750/https://www.idwpublishing.com/idw-publishing-and-sega-welcome-veteran-sonic-writer-ian-flynn/ | url-status=dead }} He is also known for Archie's Mega Man, New Crusaders, Archie (2015), as well as IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Early life

Flynn was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.{{cite web|last=Polan|first=Jonathan|title=Interview: Ian Flynn, Writer for Sonic the Hedgehog Comic|url=https://gamingboulevard.com/2018/04/interview-ian-flynn-writer-sonic-hedgehog-comic/|publisher=Gaming Boulevard|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2018|access-date=May 25, 2023|archive-date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213142407/https://gamingboulevard.com/2018/04/interview-ian-flynn-writer-sonic-hedgehog-comic/}}

Career

Flynn was hired as a writer on Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog after sending in unsolicited proposals.Peal, Alex (April 6, 2006). [http://www.dreamflint.com/dcd/DisplayFeat.asp?FeatureID=19 "Interview: Ian Flynn"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928084059/http://www.dreamflint.com/dcd/DisplayFeat.asp?FeatureID=19 |date=2007-09-28 }}. dreamflint.com He subsequently wrote Sonic Universe; the Capcom series, Mega Man; and New Crusaders, a superhero title published by the Archie Imprint Red Circle Comics.{{cite web |url=http://comicsalliance.com/mega-man-ian-flynn-interview/ |title=Looking Back On 'Mega Man' With Ian Flynn [Interview] |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=23 December 2015 |website=Comics Alliance |access-date=19 March 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://comicsalliance.com/new-crusaders-ian-flynn-interview/ |title='New Crusaders' Writer Ian Flynn on the Return of Archie Comics' Red Circle Heroes [Interview] |last=Goellner |first=Caleb |date=4 November 2011 |website=Comics Alliance |access-date=19 March 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-chats-with-archie-s-ian-flynn-about-mega-man-and-sonic-s-second-worlds-unite-crossover-292570.phtml |title=Destructoid chats with Archie's Ian Flynn about Mega Man and Sonic's second 'Worlds Unite' crossover |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=22 May 2015 |website=Destructoid |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128031142/https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-chats-with-archie-s-ian-flynn-about-mega-man-and-sonic-s-second-worlds-unite-crossover-292570.phtml |url-status=dead }} 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".{{cite tweet|user=BillFreiberger|author=Bill Freiberger|number=805813780818952192|date=5 December 2016|title=Episode 206: Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Worse-er. Written by @IanFlynnBKC. Storyboards by Gael Leroux & Jeremy Klein.}} In December 2021 he was reported to have been writing the script for Sonic Frontiers;{{cite magazine |last1=Stewart |first1=Marcus |title=Sonic Frontiers Drops The Blue Blur Into His First Open World Game |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2021/2021/12/09/sonic-frontiers-drops-the-blue-blur-into-his-first-open-world-game |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210022414/https://www.gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2021/2021/12/09/sonic-frontiers-drops-the-blue-blur-into-his-first-open-world-game |url-status=live |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=December 9, 2021 |date=December 9, 2021}} he also wrote the scripts for the prologue comic and animation released in the lead-up to Frontiers' release.{{Cite web |last=Puc |first=Samantha |date=2022-11-07 |title=The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-sonic-frontiers-comic-book-prologue-takes-place-immediately-before-the-game/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-17 |title=Sonic Frontiers to set the scene with prologue cartoon and comic |url=https://www.destructoid.com/sonic-frontiers-prologue-cartoon-comic-sega-the-hedgehog/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |last=Greif |first=Zackari |date=2022-11-01 |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence Sets the Stage for Sonic Lore to Change Forever |url=https://gamerant.com/sonic-frontiers-prologue-divergence-chaos-emeralds-echidna-ancients-lore-connection/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}{{Cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gjszHTDjzo |title=Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (Credits) |date=2022-11-01 |last=Flynn |first=Ian |type=Animation |language=English |publisher=SEGA (via Sonic the Hedgehog official YouTube channel) |time=5:40 |quote="Written by Ian Flynn"}} Flynn also wrote the story scenes for the Sonic Origins compilation.{{cite web |last1=Flynn |first1=Ian |title=Sonic Origins Revealed! |url=https://bumbleking.com/sonic-origins-revealed/ |website=BumbleKing |access-date=April 20, 2022 |date=April 20, 2022}} In 2023, a mobile game released titled Sonic Dream Team, which was another title Flynn was part of the writing team for.https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1719717813873410133 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} Flynn is also a host on a Q&A podcast, known as the Bumblekast, where he previously answered{{Efn|On December 20, 2024, Flynn announced that beginning in 2025, the Bumblekast would no longer accept questions about the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, citing conflict of interest concerns; the podcast remains ongoing and questions unrelated to Sonic are still accepted.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Md_QJu-_Y |title=BumbleKast UPDATE regarding 2025 and beyond! |date=2024-12-20 |last=Flynn |first=Ian |type=Video |language=English |access-date=2024-12-22 |via=YouTube}}}} questions from fans concerning the Sonic franchise and his work on the series.{{Cite web |last=Saltzman |first=Mitchell |date=2022-06-22 |title=Sonic Frontiers Writer Talks Open-Zone Story, Dr. Eggman, and More – IGN First |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-frontiers-writer-ian-flynn-open-zone-dr-eggman-story-ign-first |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Puc |first=Samantha |date=2022-11-07 |title=The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-sonic-frontiers-comic-book-prologue-takes-place-immediately-before-the-game/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-06 |title=Sonic the Hedgehog Timeline Explained, Kind Of |url=https://gameranx.com/updates/id/395924/article/sonic-the-hedgehog-timeline-explained-kind-of/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Gameranx |language=en-US}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Couto |first1=Anthony |title=EXCL: Archie Comics' Sonic Team Reuniting on Cosmo Revival |url=https://www.cbr.com/excl-archie-comics-sonic-team-reuniting-on-cosmo-revival/ |work=CBR.com |date=September 20, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2018}} The first issue of Cosmo was released in January 2018.

Bibliography

= Archie Comics =

  • Archie #624, 28-32 (with Mark Waid), 699
  • Cosmo (2018) #1-5
  • Cosmo The Mighty Martian #1-5
  • Jughead #15-16 (with Mark Waid)
  • New Crusaders: Rise of the Heroes #1-6
  • Mega Man (Archie Comics) #1-55
  • Sonic Boom (Archie Comics) #1-4, 6-10
  • Sonic: Mega Drive
  • Sonic: Mega Drive - The Next Level
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics) #160-290
  • Sonic Universe #1-32, 37-54, 59-70, 75-78, 83-94
  • Sonic X (Archie Comics) #16-17, 23, 25-27, 30-32, 34-35, 37-40
  • Super Duck #1

= Dark Horse Comics =

  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Encyclo-Speed-ia

= DC Comics =

  • DC X Sonic the Hedgehog #1-5
  • Superman Special #1

= IDW Publishing =

  • My Little Pony: Feats of Friendship #1-3
  • ''Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW) #1-32, 41-44, 50-51, 57-58, 67
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Amy Rose 30th Anniversary Special
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys #1-4
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Fang the Hunter #1-4
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter syndrome #1-4
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles' 30th Anniversary Special
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Tails 30th Anniversary Special
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #1-4
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special
  • Star Wars Adventures (2017) #23-24
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures #5, 7-8
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Macro-Series: Michelangelo
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #19-20, 25

= Udon Entertainment =

  • Mega Man Zero Timelines #1

= Other =

  • Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (prologue in-game comic)
  • Sonic Forces digital comic
  • Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence
  • Sonic Superstars: Fang's Big Break

Personal life

As of 2018, Flynn lives in Toronto. 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.{{cite web |url=http://segabits.com/segafanjam/?p=302 |title=Guest Announcements: Ian Flynn and Aleah Baker |date=5 September 2016 |website=SEGAbits |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010023926/http://segabits.com/segafanjam/?p=302 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}Peagler, Seth (April 3, 2012). [http://www.heroesonline.com/blog/2012/04/03/heroescon-2012-guest-list-update-mark-bagley-ian-flynn-budd-root-andy-smith/ "HEROESCON 2012 :: GUEST LIST UPDATE! MARK BAGLEY! IAN FLYNN! BUDD ROOT! ANDY SMITH!"]. Heroes Online.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicosity.com/preview-sonic-the-hedgehog-278/ |title=Preview: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #278 |last=Long |first=Aaron |date=16 November 2015 |website=Comicosity |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010005134/http://www.comicosity.com/preview-sonic-the-hedgehog-278/ |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=dead }} Flynn became a naturalized Canadian citizen in May 2023.{{cite tweet|user=IanFlynnBKC|author=Ian Flynn|number=1659283662519562247|date=18 May 2023|title=Still need the final paperwork, but I said the oath and sang the song. I'm official. #OCanada}}

Notes

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References

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