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]
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)
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)
10.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^
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)
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)
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
