March of the Ponies: MLP Comics (Rarity One-shot)

[NOTE: Links to other March of the Ponies stories will go here as they are published.Part 1 - Abridged MLP history, Part 2 - Review of Lauren Faust's prior works, Part 3 - MLP Comics (Micro-series of Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, CMCs/Celestia, Spike/Luna; Nightmare Rarity arc (main series)), Part 4 - Equestria Girls review, Part 5 - Fan-made episodes (Dusk's Dawn, Double Rainboom, Snowdrop), Part 6 - Fan works (Music, Doctor Whooves, Parody/Abridged Series, Fanfictions), Part 7 - Season Reviews: Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Magical Mystery Cure, Season 4 (to date)]

The micro-series comic reviews now continue with the issue I feel is best translated to television: Rarity's one-shot.

Why wasn't the B cover the main one, again?

This was a great effort from the team involved here. The art was show quality and the designs for the new, hippie characters were very imaginative. It made me wonder what kind of look a Pony Woodstock would have.

The very clear marijuana/LSD mannerisms from some of the supporting cast were not only funny but a welcome use of the non-Hasbro medium. My biggest complaint is that the issue didn't do enough with the art to give the story a psychedelic feeling.

What really makes this one-shot great is the story. It leaves plenty of chances at humor but ultimately remembers what it's supposed to be: a glimpse as to Rarity's character.

Rarity is easily the star of this issue, making each scene she's in memorable and showing the nature and ethics of her generosity. Heck, not only does this issue characterize Rarity properly, it characterizes Twilight better than her own one-shot did!

Overall, I have to grant this issue a 9.1/10. It was just an awesome ride from start to finish. I really hope this turns into an episode one day.

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March of the Ponies: MLP Comics (Rainbow Dash One-shot)

[NOTE: Links to other March of the Ponies stories will go here as they are published. Part 1 - Abridged MLP history, Part 2 - Review of Lauren Faust's prior works, Part 3 - MLP Comics (Micro-series of Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, CMCs/Celestia, Spike/Luna; Nightmare Rarity arc (main series)), Part 4 - Equestria Girls review, Part 5 - Fan-made episodes (Dusk's Dawn, Double Rainboom, Snowdrop), Part 6 - Fan works (Music, Doctor Whooves, Parody/Abridged Series, Fanfictions), Part 7 - Season Reviews: Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Magical Mystery Cure, Season 4 (to date)]

Next up on the list of Pony Comics review is Rainbow Dash's one-shot and... uh, yeah... this was a comic.

How was this not a Cover of the
Year contender?

I go into this further in the audio above, but this issue was just completely crazy. It was like Frank Miller summoned all his affinity for one-liners and sent vibes to this crew so that Rainbow Dash would be Pony Leonidas.

Between the random TV interview segments and 80's style paneling, this did have shades of "The Dark Knight Returns." I half expected Rainbow Dash to stand crouched in the rain like the cover of that story.

I have no idea what these villains were, what their goal was or why Rainbow Dash seemed to be the only one in Equestria trying to do anything about them. This issue was one gigantic stroke to Rainbow's ego.

Actually, this whole story would make perfect sense if it ended with the twist that the whole thing was a campfire story Rainbow was telling the Cutie Mark Crusaders. This whole thing is entirely in character for Rainbow Dash in so many ways if you take it that way.

Even without it, though, this is still a VERY fun read and the art is very old-school superhero comic style. If you ignore that this is supposed to be taking place in the canon universe, or if you know nothing about the series, this would probably go down as a great issue and would most likely hook a lot of new followers.

But taking it for what it is vs. what it's supposed to be doing, I'm going to give it a 7.7/10. It's a really fun escapist work that allows you to shut off you brain and enjoy a good story. It also confuses the canon in ways I can't even begin to comprehend, but screw it, just call it a campfire story in your head and you'll have fun.

But what it does so well is that it encapsulates Rainbow Dash perfectly. The focus on her loyalty is perfect and I honestly think that if Rainbow ever wrote about her adventures, this would be how she perceives reality. This is a fascinating look into the inner psyche of the character, even if it was in a way not intended.

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March of the Ponies: MLP Comics (Twilight One-shot)

[NOTE: Links to March of the Ponies stories will go here: Part 1 - A look at previous MLP shows, Part 2 - Review of the works of Lauren Faust, Part 3 - MLP Comics (One-shots of Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, CMCs/Celestia, Spike/Luna; Nightmare Rarity arc (main series)), Part 4 - Equestria Girls review, Part 5 - Fan-made episodes (Dusk's Dawn, Double Rainboom, Snowdrop), Part 6 - Fan works (Music, Doctor Whooves, Parody/Abridged Series, Fanfictions), Part 7 - Season Reviews: Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Magical Mystery Cure, Season 4 (to date)]

This week on the March of the Ponies, I am reviewing comics based on the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic series.



Some are probably wondering why I'm not doing the show first. The answer is simple, actually: I want to save the show as the main review.

Besides that point, this blog is predominantly comic reviews, so it only makes sense that the first review of the series itself are the comic titles.

Just a heads-up, though: I am NOT reviewing all the titles that have come out. Yes, I know there are currently two active MLP series produced by IDW Comics, but I still have a limited budget and so I will only be reading one arc from the main, self-titled MLP title in trade paperback form.

None of the events on this cover
happen in the comic itself.

Additionally, though, I picked up another trade set: My Little Pony: Pony Tales. And while the title is similar to the 1990s show, it is an FIM comic series.

As a matter of fact, it is a 10-issue (expanded from six originally) set of one-shots that delve into all six main characters, both princesses, Spike the Dragon, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders as a unit.

I'll be exploring these as a way to gauge the comic end of the Pony-verse. And for those curious, yes, these titles are all canon works. They exist as a way to make more money for Hasbro to give the older audience more in-universe stories that don't necessarily have to stick to the kid-friendly format of the show.

The first issue I'm tackling is Twilight Sparkle's, which kicked off the 10-issue series. Her one-shot focuses on her being assigned to help the capitol's injured librarian and help her to come out of seclusion.

There is real character development and growth in this issue... for the librarian. Twilight's role in this story seems to be an outlet so that Jade Singer isn't talking to herself. Glimpses of Twilight's canon characterization are seen early on in the issue, but outside of the fact that she's bookish, nothing really permeates through the entire issue.

As I said in the audio, the art is a
tad blocky, but it's passable.

To me, this is incredibly surface-focused for a one-shot that's supposed to define the character. If someone who had never seen the series read this, I think they'd be hard pressed to find words to describe her beyond "nice, bookish perfectionist."

I am using the scale I set to rate my normal comics for this, so to recap for newbies on this blog:

1- Terrible issue. Maybe one sequence worked and it's really only worth purchasing if you REALLY want the full collection
2- Same as a 1 except it provides some plot worth noting for future issues, or has something that redeems it.
3- Bad issue. No one would defend the issue, but fans of the character may enjoy it simply because it's their character.
4- Sub-par issue. Certain tastes may find it enjoyable, but it's not a book anyone can just pick up and enjoy.
5- Average issue. Some will like, some won't. I'd advise reading it in the store before purchasing.
6- Decent issue. Fans of the character will rate it as good while casual readers would probably be turned off.
7- Solid issue. Skim in the store to see if it's worth the money, but at the very least it's worth keeping up with what happened.
8- Worth buying. Customers won't feel short-changed, it should be read, but it's not necessary to buy it.
9- Must-buy. Absolutely worth the price of admission. A satisfying read all-around.
10- Must-own. At this point the book should probably be considered for Issue of the Year.

I give this issue a 7.5/10. The art is solid, but not great. The story is worthwhile, but it fails to meet the goal it set for itself. If you see it and you're a Twilight fan, you won't feel cheated if you buy it.

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Arrow Season 2, Episode 16 review

Ok, so let's not lie. Most of you want me to talk about the Harley Quinn cameo. Well, I do talk about that, but there's plenty to bring up this week.

Celina Jade made an appearance. I still think she's coming back.

Comic Book Reviews: Superman Unchained #6 and Blue Beetle #24

It's hard to believe, but after about six months of reviews I am finally finished with the 1980s Blue Beetle solo comic.

To check out my thoughts on the final issue, check out the audio above along with my thoughts on the plot of Superman Unchained.

As I said in the audio, though, Unchained has been frustrating me with its scattershot production schedule. Thing is, I have no intention of dropping it after reaching the 2/3 mark of the series. I intend to know how this title ends.

Thankfully, the quality is amazing as always. Even more amazing is that despite the high quality, it's still the lowest-rated new book I reviewed this week.

Superman Unchained #6 - 8.5/10

Comic Book Reviews: Batman '66 #9 and Samurai Jack #6

Two of the best books on the market are in this blog, as Adam West and Burt Ward ride again in Batman '66! And Samurai Jack gets a visit from The Scotsman in the IDW Samurai Jack title!

New Book of the Month so far.

Due to the sheer volume of comic reviews I'm doing this week, I'll be largely audio-based here, but I will say that Samurai Jack has beaten this month's Action Comics as my book of the month so far.

The art once again hits show quality and is a great atmosphere setter, while the writing is witty and sharp. Heck, I'd say this was the funniest book I read this month, and that's with Batman '66 going on.

Not to say that Batman '66 didn't have great moments. Two minor villains were touched on in a strong issue that had great comedy in dialogue mixed with awesome artwork and bright coloring.

Overall, here are the ratings I gave:

Samurai Jack #6 - 9.6/10
Batman '66 #9 - 8.7/10

Arrow Season 2, Episode 15 review

It's been very delayed, but here is my review of Arrow's episode, "The Promise." Just in time for the string of new episodes coming!

"Who's your Daddy, kid? It's about to be me..."