James Ian Flynn[1] (born May 31, 1982), also known by his Internet pen name Ian Potto, is an American and 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.[2] As of April 4, 2018, he is the lead writer of IDW Publishing's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. He is also known for Archie's Mega Man, New Crusaders, Archie (2015), as well as IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Starting with Sonic Frontiers, Ian Flynn has contributed to the writing of multiple mainline Sonic games.[3][4]
Early life
Flynn was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.[5]
Career
Flynn was hired as a writer on Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog after sending in unsolicited proposals.[6] He subsequently wrote Sonic Universe; the Capcom series, Mega Man; and New Crusaders, a superhero title published by the Archie Imprint Red Circle Comics.[7][8][9] 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".[10] In December 2021 he was reported to have been writing the script for Sonic Frontiers;[11] he also wrote the scripts for the prologue comic and animation released in the lead-up to Frontiers ' release.[12][13][14][15] Flynn also wrote the story scenes for the Sonic Origins compilation.[16] In 2023, a mobile game released titled Sonic Dream Team, which was another title Flynn was part of the writing team for.[17] Flynn is also a host on a Q&A podcast, known as the Bumblekast, where he previously answered questions from fans concerning the Sonic franchise and his work on the series.[19][20][21]
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.[22] The first issue of Cosmo was released in January 2018.
Personal life
As of 2018, Flynn lives in Toronto.[5] 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.[23][24][25] Flynn became a naturalized Canadian citizen in May 2023.[26]
Works
Comics
Archie Comics
Source:[27]
- Archie #624
- Archie & Friends #153
- Archie Comics Double Digest #295 (The Case of the Long Con), 339 (Chain of Command), 343 (story one), 345 (story one), 348 (story one)
- Archie & Friends: Blockbuster Movies (story one)
- Archie and Friends: Level Up! (Servers You Right)
- Archie & Friends: Superheroes
- Archie Christmas Spectacular (2024) (story one)
- Archie Halloween Spectacular (2022) (Spirits of Halloween), (2024) (Party Hardly!)
- Archie Valentine’s Day Spectacular (2024) (story one)
- Archie's Superteens Versus Crusaders #1-2
- Betty and Veronica: Summer Spectacular (story two)
- Cosmo (2018) #1-5
- Cosmo The Mighty Martian #1-5
- Josie Annual Spectacular (2024) (Encore No More!)
- New Crusaders: Dark Tomorrow Special
- New Crusaders: Rise of the Heroes #1-6
- New Riverdale:
- Archie (2015) #28-32 (with Mark Waid), 699
- Jughead vol. 3 #15–16 (co-written by Flynn and Mark Waid, art by Derek Charm, 2017) collected in Jughead Volume 3 (tpb, 144 pages, 2017, ISBN 1-68255-956-4)
- Mega Man (Archie) #1-55
- Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Vol. 2) #101-104
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch Annual Spectacular (2024) (Awakening)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie):
- Sonic Boom (Archie) #1-4, 6-10
- Sonic: Mega Drive
- Sonic: Mega Drive - The Next Level
- Sonic Super-Sized Comics Digest #11 (Sonic Comic Origins short story)
- Sonic Super Digest #8-9, 12, 15 (Sonic Comic Origins short stories)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie) #160-290
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day (Archie) 2007, 2009-2011, 2012 (Genesis Awakenings segments), 2013-2015
- Sonic the Hedgehog Halloween ComicFest 2013
- Sonic Universe #1-32, 37-54, 59-70, 71-74 (Co-Writer), 75-78, 83-90, 91-94 (Co-Writer)
- Sonic X (Archie) #16-17, 23, 25-27, 30-32, 34-35, 37-40
- Super Duck #1
- The Mighty Crusaders: Lost Crusade Special
- Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #305 (The Doctor is In Vogue), 310 (What's in a Name? and Clowning Around), 312-314 (Real Horse Power, The Foxy New Kid, On the Web, Dr. Zardox’s Revenge & Evil is as Evil Does), 317-319 (Weird, Weird West, Masque-Raiding! & Holiday Heist), 324 (The Best for Last)
- World of Archie Double Digest #85 (The Case of Hiding in Plain Sight), 97 (Scaredy Cat), 123 (Case of the Party Crasher)
- World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #21-24 (Expensive Stuffing, The Ultimate Test, Yacht's Wrong with You? & Foxy Ladies), 26-27 (Flagging Resolve & No Time for Justice), 31 (Reindeer of Terror)
Dark Horse Comics
Source:[28]
- Free Comic Book Day 2018: All-Ages (ARMS)
- Minecraft: Stories from the Overworld
DC Comics
Source:[29]
- DC X Sonic the Hedgehog #1-5
- DC X Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #1-5
- Superman Special #1
IDW Publishing
Source:[30]
- My Little Pony: Feats of Friendship #1-3
- My Little Pony/Transformers
- My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise! (trade paperback, 2021, IDW, ISBN 978-1684057597) includes:
- My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise! #1-2, 4
- My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron (trade paperback, 2021, IDW, ISBN 978-1684058709) includes:
- My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron #2, 4
- Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW):
- Sonic Superstars: Fang's Big Break
- Sonic The Hedgehog #1: 5th Anniversary Edition (five-page story: “Familiar Territory”)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special
- Sonic the Hedgehog's 900th Adventure (intro, outro and basic plot; pages 1-6 and 37-40)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW) #1-32, 41-44, 50-51, 57-58, 62-66 (Co-Writer), 67, 76-80, 84-86 (Co-Writer), Annual 2019-2020, 2022, 2024
- 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 Free Comic Book Day (IDW) 2022
- 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
- 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
Source:[31]
- Mega Man Zero Timelines #1
Other publishers
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (Sonic Boom – Prelude prologue in-game comic)
- Sonic Forces digital comic (Sega)
- Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence (Sega)
- Sonic X Shadow Generations X Chao (Sega)
- Sonic the Hedgehog Blue Racer (Sega)
- Tales of Aether #1-4 [32]
- Uncanny Valley High (Space Goat Publishing) #1-4 [33]
- Drogune:
- Drogune: Fortune's Lap
- Drogune: Outlaw
- The Nine Lives of Klaws McGee #1-2 [34]
- Eternal Quest
- sparkFLAME: Comic Anthology (Drogune and The Nine Lives of Klaws McGee short stories)
Archie Comics
Source:[27]
- Archie #624
- Archie & Friends #153
- Archie Comics Double Digest #295 (The Case of the Long Con), 339 (Chain of Command), 343 (story one), 345 (story one), 348 (story one)
- Archie & Friends: Blockbuster Movies (story one)
- Archie and Friends: Level Up! (Servers You Right)
- Archie & Friends: Superheroes
- Archie Christmas Spectacular (2024) (story one)
- Archie Halloween Spectacular (2022) (Spirits of Halloween), (2024) (Party Hardly!)
- Archie Valentine’s Day Spectacular (2024) (story one)
- Archie's Superteens Versus Crusaders #1-2
- Betty and Veronica: Summer Spectacular (story two)
- Cosmo (2018) #1-5
- Cosmo The Mighty Martian #1-5
- Josie Annual Spectacular (2024) (Encore No More!)
- New Crusaders: Dark Tomorrow Special
- New Crusaders: Rise of the Heroes #1-6
- New Riverdale:
- Archie (2015) #28-32 (with Mark Waid), 699
- Jughead vol. 3 #15–16 (co-written by Flynn and Mark Waid, art by Derek Charm, 2017) collected in Jughead Volume 3 (tpb, 144 pages, 2017, ISBN 1-68255-956-4)
- Mega Man (Archie) #1-55
- Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Vol. 2) #101-104
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch Annual Spectacular (2024) (Awakening)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie):
- Sonic Boom (Archie) #1-4, 6-10
- Sonic: Mega Drive
- Sonic: Mega Drive - The Next Level
- Sonic Super-Sized Comics Digest #11 (Sonic Comic Origins short story)
- Sonic Super Digest #8-9, 12, 15 (Sonic Comic Origins short stories)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie) #160-290
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day (Archie) 2007, 2009-2011, 2012 (Genesis Awakenings segments), 2013-2015
- Sonic the Hedgehog Halloween ComicFest 2013
- Sonic Universe #1-32, 37-54, 59-70, 71-74 (Co-Writer), 75-78, 83-90, 91-94 (Co-Writer)
- Sonic X (Archie) #16-17, 23, 25-27, 30-32, 34-35, 37-40
- Super Duck #1
- The Mighty Crusaders: Lost Crusade Special
- Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #305 (The Doctor is In Vogue), 310 (What's in a Name? and Clowning Around), 312-314 (Real Horse Power, The Foxy New Kid, On the Web, Dr. Zardox’s Revenge & Evil is as Evil Does), 317-319 (Weird, Weird West, Masque-Raiding! & Holiday Heist), 324 (The Best for Last)
- World of Archie Double Digest #85 (The Case of Hiding in Plain Sight), 97 (Scaredy Cat), 123 (Case of the Party Crasher)
- World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #21-24 (Expensive Stuffing, The Ultimate Test, Yacht's Wrong with You? & Foxy Ladies), 26-27 (Flagging Resolve & No Time for Justice), 31 (Reindeer of Terror)
Dark Horse Comics
Source:[28]
- Free Comic Book Day 2018: All-Ages (ARMS)
- Minecraft: Stories from the Overworld
DC Comics
Source:[29]
- DC X Sonic the Hedgehog #1-5
- DC X Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #1-5
- Superman Special #1
IDW Publishing
Source:[30]
- My Little Pony: Feats of Friendship #1-3
- My Little Pony/Transformers
- My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise! (trade paperback, 2021, IDW, ISBN 978-1684057597) includes:
- My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise! #1-2, 4
- My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron (trade paperback, 2021, IDW, ISBN 978-1684058709) includes:
- My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron #2, 4
- Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW):
- Sonic Superstars: Fang's Big Break
- Sonic The Hedgehog #1: 5th Anniversary Edition (five-page story: “Familiar Territory”)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special
- Sonic the Hedgehog's 900th Adventure (intro, outro and basic plot; pages 1-6 and 37-40)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW) #1-32, 41-44, 50-51, 57-58, 62-66 (Co-Writer), 67, 76-80, 84-86 (Co-Writer), Annual 2019-2020, 2022, 2024
- 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 Free Comic Book Day (IDW) 2022
- 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
- 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
Source:[31]
- Mega Man Zero Timelines #1
Other publishers
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (Sonic Boom – Prelude prologue in-game comic)
- Sonic Forces digital comic (Sega)
- Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Convergence (Sega)
- Sonic X Shadow Generations X Chao (Sega)
- Sonic the Hedgehog Blue Racer (Sega)
- Tales of Aether #1-4 [32]
- Uncanny Valley High (Space Goat Publishing) #1-4 [33]
- Drogune:
- Drogune: Fortune's Lap
- Drogune: Outlaw
- The Nine Lives of Klaws McGee #1-2 [34]
- Eternal Quest
- sparkFLAME: Comic Anthology (Drogune and The Nine Lives of Klaws McGee short stories)
Books
Animation
Source:[36]
- Sonic and the Secret Rings (Sand, Spirits and Sonic Speed - motion comic) [37]
- Sonic Boom
- Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Worse-er
- Og Man Out
- Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps (Script consultant)
- Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence
- Sonic Prime (story consultant)
- Sonic Superstars: Trio of Trouble
- Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - The Animation (story consultant), CrossTalk promotional videos
- Rivals of Aether 2 - Orcane, Etalus, Olympia, Absa, Galvan, La Reina, Slade Reveal Trailers
Video games
Source:[38]
- DC Unchained - Localization
- Dungeons of Aether - Writer, narrative director
- Indivisible - Writer
- Love Pretend - Localization
- Rivals of Aether - Writer, narrative director
- Rivals of Aether 2 - Narrative director
- Sonic the Hedgehog:
- Sonic Dream Team - Writer
- Sonic Frontiers - Writer
- Sonic Origins - Story Mode script writer
- Sonic X Shadow Generations - Writer
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - Writer
- Vay - Voice actor (Heibelger, Lance; iOS port)
Podcasts
- BumbleKast (host)
- Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles (writer)[39]
External links
References
- BumbleKast Mini! for May 17, 2024 - Ian Flynn Q&A Podcast YouTube, BumbleKing Videos, May 17, 2024, retrieved May 17, 2024^
- Paulson, Andrew (July 25, 2006). "Interviews - Ian "Potto" Flynn". Sonic Scene.^
- Ian Flynn Writing Sonic Frontiers Provides Hope For Fans Game Rant, 18 January 2022^
- IDW retrieved 2017-10-08^
- Jonathan Polan. Interview: Ian Flynn, Writer for Sonic the Hedgehog Comic Gaming Boulevard, April 18, 2018, retrieved May 25, 2023^
- Peal, Alex (April 6, 2006). "Interview: Ian Flynn". dreamflint.com^
- Chris Sims. Looking Back On 'Mega Man' With Ian Flynn [Interview] Comics Alliance, 23 December 2015, retrieved 19 March 2017^
- Caleb Goellner. 'New Crusaders' Writer Ian Flynn on the Return of Archie Comics' Red Circle Heroes [Interview] Comics Alliance, 4 November 2011, retrieved 19 March 2017^
- Chris Carter. Destructoid chats with Archie's Ian Flynn about Mega Man and Sonic's second 'Worlds Unite' crossover Destructoid, 22 May 2015, retrieved 19 March 2017^
- Bill Freiberger. Episode 206: Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Worse-er. Written by @IanFlynnBKC. Storyboards by Gael Leroux & Jeremy Klein. 5 December 2016^
- Marcus Stewart. Sonic Frontiers Drops The Blue Blur Into His First Open World Game Game Informer, December 9, 2021, retrieved December 9, 2021^
- Samantha Puc. The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game gamesradar, 2022-11-07, retrieved 2022-11-13^
- Sonic Frontiers to set the scene with prologue cartoon and comic Destructoid, 2022-10-17, retrieved 2022-11-13^
- Zackari Greif. Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence Sets the Stage for Sonic Lore to Change Forever Game Rant, 2022-11-01, retrieved 2022-11-13^
- Ian Flynn. Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (Credits) SEGA (via Sonic the Hedgehog official YouTube channel), 2022-11-01^
- Ian Flynn. Sonic Origins Revealed! BumbleKing, April 20, 2022, retrieved April 20, 2022^
- https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1719717813873410133^
- Ian Flynn. BumbleKast UPDATE regarding 2025 and beyond! 2024-12-20, retrieved 2024-12-22^
- Mitchell Saltzman. Sonic Frontiers Writer Talks Open-Zone Story, Dr. Eggman, and More – IGN First IGN, 2022-06-22, retrieved 2022-11-09^
- Samantha Puc. The Sonic Frontiers comic book prologue takes place immediately before the game gamesradar, 2022-11-07, retrieved 2022-11-09^
- Sonic the Hedgehog Timeline Explained, Kind Of Gameranx, 2022-11-06, retrieved 2022-11-09^
- Anthony Couto. EXCL: Archie Comics' Sonic Team Reuniting on Cosmo Revival CBR.com, September 20, 2017, retrieved February 17, 2018^
- Guest Announcements: Ian Flynn and Aleah Baker SEGAbits, 5 September 2016, retrieved 19 March 2017^
- Peagler, Seth (April 3, 2012). "HEROESCON 2012 :: GUEST LIST UPDATE! MARK BAGLEY! IAN FLYNN! BUDD ROOT! ANDY SMITH!". Heroes Online.^
- Aaron Long. Preview: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #278 Comicosity, 16 November 2015, retrieved 19 March 2017^
- Ian Flynn. Still need the final paperwork, but I said the oath and sang the song. I'm official. #OCanada 18 May 2023^
- Archie Comics | BumbleKing^
- Dark Horse Comics | BumbleKing^
- DC | BumbleKing^
- IDW Publishing | BumbleKing^
- UDON Entertainment | BumbleKing^
- Small Press & Indie Comics | BumbleKing^
- Small Press & Indie Comics | BumbleKing^
- The Nine Lives of Klaws McGee | BumbleKing^
- Insight Editions | BumbleKing^
- Video | BumbleKing^
- Sonic the Hedgehog | BumbleKing^
- Videogames | BumbleKing^
- Alex Mateo. Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise Gets New Chaotix Audio Drama Anime News Network, January 20, 2026, retrieved January 20, 2026^