Fillies, gentlecolts, and foals of all ages, welcome to another edition of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic book recap/review. And it’s finally happened. The third season has been over for quite a few weeks now, and the long drought with no content has begun. Though thankfully unlike the last two breaks, we do have IDW and their excellent comic series to keep us entertained. This past month, IDW provided us with two new comics to look at. The 4th issue of the My Little Pony comics, as well as the first of a 6-part micro-series, with each issue focusing on a different member of the mane six. Due to illness the past few weeks, I never did get to talking about Issue 1 of the micro-series. So, let’s take a quick look at this one, before we get to the mane event.
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The first issue of this 6 part micro-series focuses on Twilight Sparkle, the studious unicorn student of Princess Celestia. In the story, Twilight is once again faced with a test from Princess Celestia, but when the Princess offers Twilight the job of working at a library with the injured teacher named Summer Mane. Twilight is of course happy to help her beloved princess.
But upon meeting Summer Mane, it becomes apparent that this pony isn’t too fond of others, and especially gives Twilight a rough time, even when Twilight proves herself to be quite useful. And the story follows a lot of the beats you’d expect from this type of story. Summer Mane and Twilight slowly begin to become friends, and when Twilight learns about the truth behind Summer Mane’s past, it causes a rift, and in the end they still end up friends with Twilight succeeding in this test from the princess.
In the end, this is definitely not the strongest story presented so far from the IDW comics. But then again, with these being more lighter content than the actual main series, you can expect that from these books. The plot of the story is also one that has been done so many times in cartoons and live action kids shows that you know exactly how this story is going to go down, which hurts the weight of the story.
In fact, even the MLP show itself has done something similar with an episode called “A Friend In Deed” in which Pinkie Pie tries to befriend a cranky donkey named Cranky Doodle Donkey. So, for those familiar with that episode, this one feels just like that episode, only modified to work for a character like Twilight Sparkle.
And surprisingly, it does work a lot better in that regard than “A Friend in Deed” did, at least in my opinion. It’s not just Twilight trying to force her friendship on Summer Mane, but instead a slow build of respect between the characters. That, and some really great book puns, even a really well done reference to that other “Twilight”, and you have an okay start to this series.
The only other thing I can complain about a little is the art style. Thomas Zahler takes over the art for the comic, and it’s definitely a downgrade when compared to the excellent artwork in the last four issues of the main series. The designs can be a bit weird at times. But this too can be forgiven as it does seem to try to look more like the actual cartoon, even if it’s not all that perfect. Hopefully the next books do better in this regard.
In the end, the first Micro-Series issue is an okay start to the series. A decent, yet predictable story, and some fun jokes and puns within the book do keep it from being boring and bland. If you can pick this book up, I do recommend it. Just don’t expect the weightiest MLP story.
In issue #2, the micro-series will shift the focus on Rainbow Dash. What big adventure awaits everyone’s favorite pegasus that’s 20% cooler? Find out later this month.
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Now it’s time to look at the mane event of this article, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic issue #4. In this issue, we wrap up the “Return of Queen Crysalis” adventure as our mane six have finally made it to the hideout of the changeling queen. After three issues that have had our heroes face off with changelings, cave trolls, giant spiders, carnivorous plants, jackalopes, and chupacabras, it’s finally time for the ultimate showdown to stop the plans of Chrysalis, while rescuing the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
But as expected, Chrysalis has had this whole thing planned from the start, and after her army defeat the rest of the mane six, she is left with the one pony she’s been seeking revenge on all this time, Twilight Sparkle. And what ensues is a battle between Twilight and Chrysalis. But when Chrysalis learns of just how powerful Twilight is, she’d rather Twilight become her apprentice, or else her friends will suffer the consequences. Will Twilight Sparkle join the changeling queen? Will she be able to save her friends? And where has Princess Celestia been all this time?
This issue was a fantastic way to end this story. Plenty of action, suspense, and humour. Just what you’d want from this franchise. And my god, the references throughout the story were brilliant. Nods to everything from Ghostbusters, Evil Dead II, and even Stephen King’s It. And they all work brilliantly, providing some of the best laughs in the book.
The art from Andy Price is once again amazing. Giving the book some excellent atomosphere, some great designs for the ponies, and even some scary imagery that again, for a book about pastel ponies learning friendship, surprisingly works brilliantly.
Also, while not spoiling much else from the story, I do like the handling of Queen Chrysalis’ defeat. Unlike the show, which lately has gone the route of either complete reforming of villains, or destroying them, this leaves it open for her to return on the show itself, or return in the comic. Which I hope they do. They really gave her some great moments, both funny, and frightening. I also liked the little two page side story at the end of the book, showing us the rather epic adventure with Spike and Princess Celestia. It’s pretty sweet.
In the end, this comic series has started off wonderfully with an excellent story arc. It also showed that you can do darker, more older audience oriented stories with these characters, and make it work almost flawlessly. I loved this all the way through, and I think any fan of the show, or anyone seeking out some new adventure comics will have a great time as well.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Issue #4 is available now at your local comic shop, as well as on iTunes. You should also be able to find Micro-Series Issue #1 still available as well.
Next month, a new adventure begins in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #5. Another old villain has returned, but it’s not exactly who it used to be. Nightmare Moon has returned, and has possessed someone close to our heroes. Can she be stopped, and what does Luna know about this? Find out next month.
Until next time, Everypony!