Sonic's Comic Series is Actually a Critique of Democracy (No Really)
Although intended to be a positive development, the decision Sonic the Hedgehog's people make to go from a monarchy to a pseudo-democracy in Archie's discontinued series culminates in disaster, a satirical critique of a form of government that's generally regarded as the free world's crowning achievement.
The entirety of Archie's series transpires after Dr. Robotnik dissolves the monarchy that Sonic grew up in. Known as the Kingdom of Acorn, this government ruled over the city of Mobotropolis before Robotnik took over and formed the Eggman Empire. Despite never seeing the Kingdom of Acorn at its greatest, the kingdom is portrayed positively, for the overarching goal of Sonic and the Freedom Fighters is to restore the Kingdom of Acorn to its former glory. As such, all of Mobotropolis' former citizens always recall their previous lives fondly as subjects of the kingdom. Ironically, once the kingdom is eventually reinstated in New Mobotropolis, democracy is introduced.
Related: Sonic the Hedgehog's Version of JARVIS is Much More Powerful
This leads to the creation of an elected council of six who vote on decisions, with the king presiding as the seventh member, in Sonic the Hedgehog #179 by Ian Flynn, Tracy Yardley, Jim Amash, John Workman, and Jason Jensen. Although the monarchy remains, the king and the royal family lose a great deal of power. From that point on, horrible things start happening. The first instance occurs after Sonic, Sally, and the Freedom Fighters venture into an upside-down parallel universe to thwart an oncoming invasion from their evil counterparts. The council soon puts Sally on trial for her actions in issue #197 as she led the invasion without the council's permission. Later, a major Sonic villain
Read more on screenrant.com
