So, apparently I’ve been neglecting my duties as the head reviewer of all things My Little Pony here on FAN. While I can attribute a lot of that being because of one particular project I’ve been putting work on, I think I decided that instead of reviewing the comic as soon as it was released, that for some of the lighter comics, and multi-parter stories, I should give them a while, and then review them. But since I’ve taken longer than I should have to cover them, I feel it’s definitely time to catch up (or “ketchup” as I titled this article) on some of the recent releases and give my thoughts on each.
We’ll start with the Micro-Series. The one off stories that focuses on one character an issue. The first six issues have been released, each with a story for the mane six. So with a spring in my step, and being on a bit of an MLP high lately with some recent news concerning the series itself, I’ll look at all six of the micro-series issues, and give my thoughts on which was the best. Now I have reviewed two of the comics in the past, so my opinion likely hasn’t changed on either of them. So let’s get those ones out of the way first.
#1. Twilight Sparkle
So, this was one of the two I had previously reviewed, and back in that review, I said that this one was okay, albeit predictable with some iffy art. My opinion really hasn’t changed. In fact, since the last few issues have been released, it really hasn’t helped this story at all. The story focuses on Twilight, who is tasked by Princess Celestia to help out a librarian named Summer Mane. However Summer Mane turns out to be grumpy, and not willing to accept the help of out favorite purple (former) unicorn. Twilight leans the truth about Summer Mane, in that she was formerly Twilight’s favorite author, and they become friends by the end of the story.
So, yeah. It’s a Friend in Deed, without Pinkie Pie, and without as much humor. There were some okay lines, and some decent little references to that other popular twilight. But it just never felt like a strong story to begin with. I’ll give Thomas Zahler an A for effort, but it just comes off lacking in what could be an interesting story for the show’s main protagonist. and after the last few micro-series books, it stays the weakest of the series.
#2. Rainbow Dash
So the second book that I got around to reviewing was the story surrounding Rainbow Dash as she had to deal with evil cloud gremlins that could grow storm clouds from the negative feelings of otheres. And Rainbow Dash’s own fear of failing others doesn’t help matters. She eventually does defeat the cloud with the epic Sonic Double Rainboom and saves Ponyville from the evil gremlins.
This one holds up a lot better than the Twilight Sparkle issue. Mainly because it does feel like a far fresher story premise than the previous story. Rainbow Dash is one of the few MLP mane characters that you can put in almost any story, and it will turn out awesome. Well, maybe not all of them (Mare Do Well…). Ryan K. Lindsay takes a turn at storytelling, and Tony Fleecs handled the art. What we get is a story that handles Rainbow Dash’s infamous ego perfectly, and mixes it well with Dash’s loyalty and undying spirit. Yes, the story does still feel a bit clunky, but it is a fun story that anyone could enjoy.
#3. Rarity
My favorite story in the micro-series so far. And I know everyone right now is not the least bit shocked by that statement. The story in this one sees our favorite fashionista tired and worn out from her job as a designer. So to recharge her batteries, she goes to “Flax & Wheat’s New Age, All-Natural Wellness Center”, which turns out to be some hippie community in the middle of nowhere. Rarity finds the stay to be no picnic with all the work she’s doing, but soon learns that all her work is helping to make some great beauty products. It turns out the owners of the place want to sell more of their all natural products, so Rarity offers to help make them a success.
What makes this story work so well is a lot of things. Mainly it has to be the fact that Katie Cook is once again writing the story, and she did a fantastic job with the “Return of Queen Chrysalis” arc back in the first four issues of the main series. And then there’s Andy Price. I love his art. Not just the designs of the characters, but the fact that he can cram in so many things into the comics. From subtle running jokes to parodies and references to plenty of different pieces of popular culture. And after looking at issue 9, he keeps up the fantastic work.
I also just like that the story feels a lot more fresh than the last two. It feels original, and never really drags. It all makes for a fabulous story starring the best pony (opinion-wise of course… even though it is true).
#4. Fluttershy
Back in the season 1 episode “Suited For Success”, they made mention of Fluttershy’s freaky knowledge of sewing. Well, who knew she was a master knitter as well? She even has her own chamber for extreme knitting. However, despite her passion, she gets concerned when she decides to enter her work in an art contest, knowing it may be judged harshly by local art critic Praiser Pan. But in the end, all works well for Fluttershy, who wins the contest.
This is your basic Fluttershy story in a nutshell. Meaning you get meek Fluttershy, scared Fluttershy, angry Fluttershy. And in the end, it’s as adorable as you’d expect. Tony Fleecs returns for art, and it all looks great, with plenty of callbacks to the snobbier Canterlot ponies from the show. Also Rarity gets a bigger part in it, earning the comic some higher praise for me. I’m just that biased. Barbara Randall Kesel wrote a fun and simple story with decent pacing, and a simple moral. It’s a tale that should please any Flutter Fan.
#5. Pinkie Pie
Pinkie Pie goes to see the performance of Ponyacci, the greatest clown of all time, not to mention her hero. This clown is a true showpony, capable of almost any feat. However, after the show Pinkie is saddened to learn that the now old Ponyacci is planning to retire. Pinkie tries her best to keep Ponyacci from calling it quits, but soon comes up with a better solution, and that’s for Ponyacci to teach others to be clowns instead, to help keep his legacy going.
Ted Anderson writes for this story, and does a fine job capturing the silliness of everyone’s favorite random pink pony. He even gave us a song in this story, which being a Pinkie Pie story, would only make sense to add. He also gave us a rather likable character in Ponyacci, proving that these comics are not only handing the show characters well, but also making some great new characters as well. Ben Bates adds some great art that really makes Pinkie pop from the comic pages, and makes for one of the better, and sillier stories so far in the micro-series.
#6. Applejack
It’s Hearth’s Warming Eve season, and Sweet Apple Acres seems to have a problem. The apple crops are being turned into squashes by a mysterious creature called the “Sass Squash”. Applejack sets out to catch the creature, but when the rest of the Apple family offer to help, she turns them down. In the end, it turns out that this was all a plan from Granny Smith to help Applejack learn a lesson about not doing everything by herself, and that spending time with family should be a top priority.
Bobby Cunrow gave us a fun story with an interesting new creature with the Sass Squash. And Brenda Hickey gives some really excellent art, up there with Andy Price for the best in the series so far. And I’m not saying that because I have a signed copy of the comic from her, as well as a Rarity sketch ;). It really is some top notch art, filled with lots of life, never feeling flat at all in the story.
My only gripe is the one I gave to the Twilight Sparkle comic. The story does feel like a retread of the a previous episode, this time being “Applebuck Season”, an episode that saw Applejack refuse the help of others in her attempt to buck the apples from the orchard by herself. This comic handles that similar premise well, but not to the quality of that episode. But in the end, it’s easily one of the best books in the micro-series so far, and definitely worth a read.
And that catches things up for the micro-series portion of the comics. At first I felt that these were kinda slow books, with far less quality than the main stories. but they have gotten far better, and I find myself anticipating them almost as much as the main comic series. And with some upcoming issues involving the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Princess Celestia, Spike, and so many more, I know there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months.
So, we’re just about halfway done with this comic ketchup. Catch you all next time when I review the Nightmare Rarity saga in full. Until next time everypony!