This Sonic the Hedgehog #90 comic review looks at the latest chapter in IDW Publishing’s Road to #100, with Silver the Hedgehog and Blaze the Cat caught in the increasingly suspicious hospitality of Blackwood the Ermine. Released September 30, 2026, issue #90 continues the gothic mystery surrounding Blackwood Castle while pushing Silver and Blaze deeper into a situation where almost nothing is as pleasant as it first appears. Grand Comics Database
Comic Book Details
Title: Sonic the Hedgehog
Issue: #90
Series: Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW, 2018 Series)
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: September 30, 2026
Cover Price: $4.99
Writer: Evan Stanley
Pencils: Alex Forrest
Inks: Rik Mack
Colors: Iasmin Omar Ata
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Variant: Cover B
Cover Artist: Abby Bulmer
UPC: 82771401521809021 Grand Comics Database
The Abby Bulmer Cover B gives collectors an alternate presentation of issue #90 separate from Natalie Haines’ regular Cover A and Nathalie Fourdraine’s retailer-incentive cover. Cover B is a standard $4.99 variant rather than the 1:15 incentive edition, making it an accessible choice for Sonic fans who enjoy collecting alternate artwork. Grand Comics Database
Sonic the Hedgehog #90 Comic Review: Story Analysis
Sonic the Hedgehog #90 continues the Blackwood Castle storyline with Blaze and Silver separated by very different approaches to their unusual host. Blackwood focuses his attention on Blaze, treating the princess to an elaborate tour of his estate while presenting himself as the perfect gentleman. Blaze remains outwardly diplomatic, but it becomes increasingly clear that she does not entirely trust either Blackwood or the carefully maintained world around him. Sonic City
Silver takes the more investigative route. The strangely cheerful castle staff and unusual behavior he witnessed previously give him good reason to start looking beneath the polished surface. That creates a nice balance between Blaze dealing with Blackwood directly and Silver quietly trying to determine what is actually happening inside the castle. Sonic City
The gothic setting works particularly well here. Rather than relying entirely on action, the story builds tension through suspicious behavior, political maneuvering, strange technology, and Blackwood himself. The mystery becomes increasingly uncomfortable as the issue progresses, eventually pushing Blaze and Silver toward a much more dangerous confrontation. Sonic City
Art and Visual Design
Alex Forrest’s pencils and Rik Mack’s inks give Blackwood Castle the grand appearance the story needs. The enormous architecture, formal interiors, snowy surroundings, and carefully presented servants make the castle look impressive while still creating the feeling that something is very wrong underneath the surface. Sonic City
Iasmin Omar Ata’s colors help separate the colder castle environment from Blaze’s fire and Silver’s cyan psychokinetic powers. When the story moves from mystery into action, those contrasting visual effects make the characters and movement easy to follow. Sonic City
Character Development
The strongest character work in Sonic the Hedgehog #90 comes from Blaze and Silver. Both realize something is wrong, but their personalities lead them toward completely different ways of dealing with it.
Blaze relies on patience, diplomacy, and her experience as a princess while dealing directly with Blackwood. Silver is more willing to follow his instincts and investigate the strange behavior around him. Their different methods occasionally create friction, but the story makes it clear that both characters are ultimately trying to protect each other and uncover the truth. Sonic City
Blackwood also continues to develop into more than a simple villain. His exaggerated politeness, obsession with his family history, and theatrical personality make him entertaining while keeping readers unsure of exactly how dangerous he may become.
Collectibility and Market Significance
Issue #90 is notable as part of IDW’s Road to #100, putting the series only ten issues away from its hundredth numbered issue. For collectors, the Abby Bulmer Cover B provides an affordable alternate cover without requiring the premium usually associated with a ratio incentive. Comicade
This is also a particularly good issue for fans of Silver and Blaze, since the story places both characters at the center rather than treating them as supporting characters.
Final Verdict
Sonic the Hedgehog #90 delivers a strong combination of mystery, humor, character development, and action. The Blackwood Castle storyline gives Silver and Blaze plenty to do individually while continuing to develop their relationship as a team.
The gothic atmosphere helps this arc feel different from a typical Sonic adventure, and the creative team makes Blackwood’s castle both impressive and increasingly unsettling.
For Sonic readers following the Road to #100, issue #90 is an easy recommendation and leaves plenty of reason to continue into issue #91.
Rating: 8/10
Currently For Sale
Sonic the Hedgehog #90 – Abby Bulmer Cover B Variant is currently available from Razmataz Comics & Hobbies.