I'd just like to say, due to recent events in the Sonic comic, that while in real life a straight out monarchy is a form of government seriously prone to decay and corruption (more so than others), that in fantasy, this problem shouldn't be so prone to happening. It ruins the mood and feeling of the setting by bringing in this type of relevancy in my humble opinion.
this seems like a #178 topic really, i mean sure it does fit the qualifications for a new topic, but there's like 3 topics about the "civil war or Sonic vs tails". but whatever, that's my opinion.
on topic, i like it because it is realistic. i mean monarchies have had problems with corruption from the start of their existance and the acorn monarchy has seen corruption and revolution before, so it's not such a new concept to the comic.
Now, I gotta disagree, Alex. We can't have everything running as smoothly as a fairy-tale in comicland.
Besides, it's not really your standard "fantasy monarchy" to begin with.
I agree with Spiner. Sonic's never been about fairy tales, and this feels a lot more plausible trhan a happy-clappy fairyland whwere Max and Elias can get away with whatever they like without cnsequences.
This feels real, and I like it for that.
I agree that Sonic really isn't a fairy-tale. Sure, it's got elements of fantasy, but those usually have to do with magical objects or wizards or strange phenomenon. In terms of government, the comics have always been rather true to the concepts of what happens in the real world. The Kingdom of Acorn was overthrown, a dictatorship was established in its place, both rose and fell again a couple times before they finally ended up with the current war.
Regarding the Kingdom of Acorn's governing system, there has definitely been corruption and no small amount of stupid moves made. Take Elias, for example; I'm not dissing the guy, but he was given charge over the Kingdom the first time after spending most of his life being raised by Knuckles' ancestors. He got no diplomatic or political training; knowing the Brotherhood, it's more likely that they taught him how to survive rather than how to rule. Sally, on the other hand, was raised from her youth to take the throne-after Elias' disappearance, but still-and would have made a much better candidate. But because of stupid line of succession traditions, Elias got the job until he ran away out of embarrassment at his own inteptitude.
There are a number of other flaws in the Kingdom's system that I could point out, not the least of which being that the king is apparently in charge of every decision with no chance for anyone else to have a say. Sonic is not a fairy-tale, the royal family gets away with whatever it wants kind of storyline. Corruption and discontent makes it seem real, and that's something that a lot of people enjoy about the comics.
What needs to happen to work out the current problem with the Kingdom of Acorn is some serious reform. Elias needs to either give up some of his political power or dissolve the monarchy entirely, giving way to a new era of democracy. Right now, an enlightened monarchy sounds better than the total chaos that is sure to ensue if he and Amadeus can't make an agreement.
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There are a number of other flaws in the Kingdom's system that I could point out, not the least of which being that the king is apparently in charge of every decision with no chance for anyone else to have a say.
**coughcoughtheSourcecoughcough**
Thank God that little plot contrievance has been taken care of. You can't really tell that I despise the Source, can you?
I have no respect for the source either. It seems like the source is only out for itself and its interest, which goes aganist what I have been taught about God. If it was made clear that the source was testing certain characters or trying to teach characters a lesson, I probably could respect it more.
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I have no respect for the source either. It seems like the source is only out for itself and its interest, which goes aganist what I have been taught about God.
So what you're saying is that you actually compared the Source to God? Wow, I didn't even make that call. I don't know of anyone who did, really.
Given its use in determining and affirming the right of the Acorns to rule, that's an accurate analogy
It's the Mobian equivalent of "the divine right of kings." Or something of the sort.
The Source is an irritating plot element; it's the main reason why King Max is such a jerk. We can only hope that it got vaporized along with Robotropolis, although it's sad that Nate Morgan was lost in the process. Personally, I think that it would be interesting if the Source became a malevolent character by some means, returning and trying to force Sally into doing as it wishes. Archie had that as a plot idea, but so far they haven't indicated that they'll use it.
If you're going to protest the Source's existence due to the fact that it basically takes the place of God in the Sonic universe, you have to remember that several characters have already been classified as deities or future deities: the Ancient Walkers, Aurora, Merlin Prower, Athair, Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails. You just have to remember that this is a fictional storyline, and the comics thus far go more along a scientific/magical route when it comes to the formation of the universe. Of course, I prefer to think of the Source as a sentient remnant of the material that eventually formed the universe, not the actual creating force behind said universe.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Sonic, Tails, and Knux deities. Heroes with destinies, sure, but that's a completely different kettle of fish.
Mammoth Mogul swore that he would prevent them from reaching their "divine status"-sounds like godhood to me-during the big battle that led to the creation of the Master Emerald. Unless that idea has been abandoned-which, given the big deal they made out of the Chosen One and the Avatar since #125, is extremely unlikely-they technically qualify as future deities in the Sonic universe.
It's not TRUE godhood. Sonic and co are using the weapons and tools of deities, but they aren't truely gods themselves in this state, they are using a power mortal creatures weren't actually meant to use, so it's a miracle they can use Chaos' emeralds at all.
What Alex and Matt said. Merlin's not a deity, either - not compared to someone like Aurora or the Ancient Walkers. He's a servant.
Ah, but he's really not a servant anymore, Sam. If you remember the AW made Athair, Aurora, and Merlin their successors pretty much raising all three to a godlike status.
My point exactly, FMR. The point is, Archie really doesn't give any regard to religious views: the people of Mobius see the Ancient Walkers and Aurora as gods, Athair and Merlin were chosen along with Aurora to replace the Walkers which makes them gods, and Team Sonic is destined to reach a "divine status"-aka, they're going to become gods.
Now, whether or not this implies that Sonic and co. are actually supposed to become divine beings is debatable. The Ancient Walkers weren't really gods, after all-they weren't immortal, and their power appears to have had limits. More likely, they were just so high above the people of Mobius that they were given the title of gods out of respect, kind of like that whole Apollo episode from the original Star Trek.
It's really easy to get off topic, isn't it? Let me just say that I hope the Source is gone or else will be revealed as the evil force it seems to be, what with possessing people and creating a sword that can control other people's minds and forcing members of the royal family to marry someone who they aren't even in love with. If the latter doesn't happen, then Mobius is well rid of it.
