I wanted to do a longer/more detailed title, but it cut off for some reason. Oh well.
Anyway, I found an interesting similarity between Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 171 and Shadow Generations. Being a huge Maria Robotnik fan, of course this has to do with Maria. In Archie Issue 171, Shadow finds Gerald Robotnik's diary in order to find answers about his past and about his purpose for being. He interacts with a digital version of the diary, and he encounters holographic representations of both his old friend Maria and of Gerald. Gerald gives Shadow the answers he seeks, but the diary begins to dissolve into nothing due to its age and corruption. As she fades away, Maria tells Shadow that he has to protect everyone and that she will always be with him if he holds her in his heart. Shadow tearfully bids her goodbye and leaves reluctantly.
I have played Shadow Generations and completed the game, and I've watched the ending cutscene several times. SPOILERS FOR SHADOW GENERATIONS UP AHEAD: STOP READING IF YOU HAVE NOT PLAYED THE GAME AND DO NOT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ENDING. In this cutscene, a similar thing happens: Maria and Gerald begin to fade away due to Black Doom's influence over White Space being gone. Shadow tries to stop them from disappearing, but Maria prevents his efforts and tells him that she will see him again, and that "if fate draws us apart, I will always be in your heart." Shadow reluctantly leaves, and cries for the first time since Sonic Adventure 2.
These two scenes struck me as being really similar, especially in regard to what Maria says and Shadow crying. I'll put images of the two scenes below:
Shadow and Maria saying goodbye to each other, from Sonic the Hedgehog #171.
Maria comforting Shadow as she disappears, from Shadow Generations.
To me, this comic issue totally inspired Shadow Generations. I can't wait to read more Archie Sonic comics in the future! Until next time, fellow Sonic fans!