Andy Price's totally fab and groovy Cover B |
It's no secret that Rarity hasn't always been my favourite Mane Sixer, but if anyone was going to endear her to me then it was this creative team. The story is a nice one: Ponyville's finest fashion designer, weary after a fashion show (and with a bigger one coming up before long) agrees to a suggestion that she spend some time at a spa. Rarity's expectations involve... well, we don't quite know, but probably not a place full of mud and run by two refugees from the days of Flower Power.
As you'd expect, Rarity initially finds herself well out of her element in these surroundings, and very nearly returns home in a huff despite the undoubted quality of Goops for Stuff's cosmetics. However, once she hears the sad tale of how owners Flax Seed and Wheat Grass — who are wonderful creations — may lose their farm because of a deal they signed with two dodgy characters (named Flim and Flam...), her generosity comes to the fore. It's really nice to see Rarity's Element used as a central plot point again; season 3 of the show really didn't give her much of a chance to shine.
In Mane, do the actors scandalise Equestria by putting clothes on? |
Attention to detail has been a hallmark of this creative team since the beginning... well, as long as you overlook Price's early amnesia when it comes to putting wings on pegasi. A little touch that I really like comes near the end, when many ponies are pictured carrying bags of cosmetics from Flax and Wheat. There's only one pony who's carrying two bags: Fluttershy, known both for her kindness (so one may be a present for somepony) and for her "freaky fashion knowledge".
It's all so beautiful... it's all so beautiful... |
There are a million and one references here, some of which are direct nods to the show — Pinkie's "Don't forget to write" while looking at a sheepish Rainbow harks back to "Wonderbolts Academy" — while some are there for the benefit of the fandom. Vinyl Scratch has red eyes, for example, not her canon magenta: this was deliberate. I'm not sure who all the other obvious caricatures are actually of, but I expect TV Tropes will tell me soon enough. One great touch is the ponified Tara Strong, strutting her stuff on stage in Rarity's The Art of the Dress show.
From the backup story; was this bit set before Spike was born? |
It's clear, despite the above, that IDW has made the decision to aim its comics squarely at bronies. I do have slight qualms about that — in particular, I think it's important that this title remains suitable for kids, rather than drifting off into what Americans would call PG-13 territory. There are more than enough "mature" comics on the shelves already. This isn't to say that I think My Little Pony has suffered this fate, since I don't think it has, but I'm not altogether keen on seeing Fluttershy being chatted up. (Neither is she, admittedly!)
Lyra and Octavia this time? How come we never see Bon Bon in the comics? |
I don't think there's any doubt that this is in the very top tier of comics put out by IDW so far. In fact, it's so good that my only real decision is where to rank it compared to the stunning main-series issue #3. The Rarity micro is obviously a very different beast to that issue, but I really do think that Cook, Price and Breckel have created another masterpiece here. As such, and given only a couple of minor quibbles, I'm going to give it the same score. I don't care how much you dislike Rarity, you need to buy this comic. It's, like, amazing.
Yays
- Looks wonderful: colourful and striking
- Incredibly funny throughout
- Rarity is portrayed fully and sympathetically
- That amazing Cover B
- A few minor spelling errors
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