Friendship is Card Games: Wrestling Issue and Friends Forever #13 · 12:59pm Mar 5th, 2017
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As for today’s card blog, this one’s a bit interesting. See, the main comic has a one-shot nestled between two multi-issue storylines, each of which merits its own article. However, I know from experience that I can’t hit my self-imposed minimum with just one comic. Thus, I’m going to have dip into Friends Forever again to make up the difference. That means that this week, it’s wrestling and roller derbies. Sounds like fun.
Wrestling Issue
As I’ve said before, I have no issue with Jay Fosgitt’s style. What I do take issue with is that place pun. Surely it should be Madison Square Paddock, to say nothing of the banner not having the right abbreviation for Equestria Wrestling Entertainment.
Huh. Soarin’ got the tickets? That one bit of dialogue did more to characterize both him and his relationship with Dash than many episodes he appears in.
Also, I do love the various reactions of the Mane Six. Enthusiasm at various degrees and levels of notetaking… and then there’s Rarity.
Hmm. well, it’s not like there’s anything keeping Cheerilee from having a twin sister. Also, good on Cherry Blossom for reaching across the divide, though I do have to wonder what inspired her to do so after years of separation.
I can’t help but feel that the twins meeting shortly after the match might be a better idea than delaying matters and bringing in half a dozen ponies who one sister has never met…
… or not. Can’t underestimate that royal appeal.
Not sure how I feel about Fosgitt portraying unicorn magic as a nimbus of psychic energy radiating out of the entire brainpan. It’s certainly interesting, but off-model to such a degree that it feels bizarre.
I get the immediate sense that Cloverleaf is Cherry Blossom’s friend in the same sense that Lyra is Bonbon’s.
Wow. Cherry’s apology feels half-hearted, but I suppose her hostility was more reflexive than genuinely felt. Still, after going to the trouble to offer tickets…
Wait, if Cheerilee held her sister in such little regard, why did she even go to the match?
Huh. I can’t tell how much of that leg bending that way is dislocation and how much is just an artist with a poor grasp of equine anatomy.
Okay, that “Hoof in There!” poster is really stretching the usual horse pun logic. For shame. (Dr. Philly isn’t quite as bad, but still pretty out there. To say nothing of this hospital having televisions. 
Some people just have no appreciation for the implications of certain technologies.)
Cheerilee’s inner turmoil would probably feel a lot more impactful if we had any idea why the twins had their falling out.
Depending on the school district, teaching may be a lot more dangerous than professional wrestling.
Ooh, classic earth pony maneuver, throw your opponent into the fourth wall. They literally won’t know what hit them.
Well, it’s not much backstory, but I’ll take what I can get. Still, I can think of another set of siblings for whom being equal and opposite didn’t stand in the way of their getting along. Granted, the whole “millennium of lunar banishment” thing complicated that relationship, but look at them now!
Uh, Ms. Hock? It’s okay if you break kayfabe right now.
The thought occurs: Why, out of all of the Mane Six, is Rarity the one who’s stuck with Cheerilee this whole time? We never get an explanation for the others’ absence; they just vanish after Cherry Blossom breaks her leg.
Entertainment and education. Different disciplines, but similar goals: Improve life. One does it short-term, one does it long, but that’s only appropriate for how different the twins are. In the end, the sentiment is the same.
I definitely feel like I’m missing some references in these panels…
I get the feeling that the Spinning Appleoosa Roll would look much more impressive if animated.
… I really can’t decide if the between-panel cut from the start of the tag-team match to the end is anticlimactic, hilarious, or both. I knew about Diamante Elegante—and I do like the concept—but actually seeing Rarity in the ring seems like it’d be even better than the cutaway.
That being said, would they bring out some random newcomer in the championship bout? This is genuine question; all of my understanding of pro wrestling comes secondhand at best.
Oh, there you five are. What have you been doing this whole time?
Ah. That does explain why Iron Hock was so intensely in character. I honestly didn't see that coming.
Okay, that last line works quite well. Human Rarity isn’t the only one prepared for all conceivable fashion emergencies.
Also, I’m pretty sure Pinkie just broke AJ’s face.
In all this one is rough around the edges, and the pacing feels very rushed, but the core is nice. I feel that between the twins’ history and the tag team match, there could be another issue’s worth of material here.
Friends Forever #13: Rarity & Babs Seed
Always good to see more Babs.
I don’t know why Sweetie continually falling over amuses me so, but it does. Today is not a fine day for science.
Also, d’aww. Spike plushie.
Rarity, did you recycle a Hearth’s Warming costume just so you could dramatically sweep into the scene?
Sweetie clearly has the wrong end of that thermometer in her mouth. That bothers me to an irrational degree.
Hmm. Seems Sweetie developed a taste for Sapphire Shores’s music since “For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils.” Also, nice continuity nod.
Poor Spike. At least he’s building up muscle mass from all of this.
It’s always a delight to watch Rarity work. Twilight may have raw power, but Rarity’s always cornered the market on magical multitasking.
That is an unfairly adorable Babs, especially given how the artist took the time and space to include a panel of her blowing her mane out of her face.
Another good continuity nod. I love how the little recaps come off as casually ridiculous yet completely accurate.
Heh. Bearer of Generosity to the core. And after that crosstown guilt trip, who could say no?
This showdown between Babs and the stylist is actually quite amusing when one takes her cutie mark into account. I wonder if she ever ran into this guy again.
Ha! That face. Also, conveniently enough, my comment on that image makes the point I was going to regarding candidates for Babs’s father. Thank you, past self.
Heh. “How do you know Hoi Polloi?” The “common phrase is actually somepony’s name” gag will never get old for me.
Wow. That was a measured, reasonable, and incredibly mature response to getting dragged well outside of one’s comfort zone and not enjoying the experience. Good on you, Babs. I almost want to call this an out-of-character moment, but I like it too much. Plus, Rarity definitely has a track record of projecting her interests on others, especially those younger than her.
I do like Sapphire’s insight here. Also her patience for putting up with this kind of thing. Rarity’s just that good a designer.
Heh. The grabber has become the grabbed.
Ah, Shadowsmacks, the Lord of all roller derbies.
Also, it’s more than a little suspicious how Shining Harmer has Cadence’s color scheme. Between the jersey, the helmet, and a little of her aunt Luna’s shapeshifting magic, it’s not impossible. And that purple color scheme is awfully reminiscent of the Crystal Prep uniform…
I know it’s a Frozen reference, but this needs to be said: Snowpain feels no flame!
Wait…
I do love seeing how supportive Shadowsmacks’s mother is. Very nice bit there.
Also, seriously, this is the most adorable Babs Seed I’ve seen since Babs and the Hearth’s Warming Gift.
Those are some impressive spikes, but I do have to wonder how they fit under the helmet. (Though that only seems to up the odds of Cadence leading a double life.)
On the one hand, I feel like Rarity learned this lesson in “Sisterhooves Social.” On the other, it can take more than one learning experience for something to sink in, and the friendship journal was so underused that I’m happy to see it make any kind of appearance.
In all, a nice slice of life that does a good job of exploring a character the show seems to have forgotten about. (I'm aware there's some manner of issue with her voice actress. At least she gets the occasional background appearance in Manehattan.) It feels a little lightweight at times, but in an enjoyable way.
Now, let’s see what we can make of all this mayhem:
Obsessive Trimmer 1WW
Creature — Unicorn Citizen
When Obsessive Trimmer enters the battlefield, destroy target enchantment.
Delirium — At the beginning of each opponent’s upkeep, if there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard, destroy target enchantment that player controls.
2/2
Relationship Counselor 2W
Creature — Pony Advisor
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to creatures you control by sources you own.
”By hurting each other, you’re only hurting yourselves.”
1/4
Surprise Guest 2W
Instant
Manifest the top card of your library. (Put it onto the battlefield face down as a 2/2 creature. Turn it face up any time for its mana cost if it’s a creature card.)
“Who was that masked mare?”
Platinum Cape 2WW
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
You can’t lose the game and your opponents can’t win the game.
Princesses come and go, but the throne is eternal.
Elegant Combatant 3W
Creature — Unicorn Warrior
First strike, vigilance
When Elegant Combatant is turned face up, untap it.
Morph 4W (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for 3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
3/2
Indefinite Delay 1U
Instant
Counter target creature spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on the bottom of its owner’s library instead of into that player’s graveyard.
Disaster can strike any form of travel.
Lax Security 1U
Sorcery
Creatures you control gain skulk until end of turn. (They can’t be blocked by creatures with greater power.)
Forecast — 1U, Reveal Lax Security from your hand: Creatures target player controls get -1/-0 until end of turn. (Activate this ability only during your upkeep and only once each turn.)
Persistent Imbalance 2U
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature can’t be untapped.
”Four legs can fall over just as easily as two.”
—Ditzy Doo
Sudden Slip 1B
Instant
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can’t cast spells or activate abilities that aren’t mana abilities.)
Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
Morbid — That creature gets -6/-6 until end of turn instead if a creature died this turn.
Spiky Mane R
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+0
Hoofcraft — Enchanted creature has first strike as long as you control three or more Ponies, Pegasi, and/or Unicorns.
Hair gel does for earth pony manes what days of forging do for swords.
Contagious Enthusiasm 1R
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Creatures controlled by enchanted creature’s controller attack each turn if able.
Ponies need little reason to charge beyond “Everypony else was doing it.”
Manehattan Luchador 2R
Creature — Pony Warrior
When Manehattan Luchador is turned face up, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn. You may have it fight up to one target creature you don’t control.
Morph 3R
3/2
Turnbuckle Mentor 3R
Creature — Pony Warrior
Soulbond
As long as Turnbuckle Mentor is paired with another creature, both creatures have melee. (Whenever a creature with melee attacks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each opponent you attacked with a creature this combat.)
2/2
Face Heel Turn 2RRR
Sorcery
Untap target creature. Gain control of that creature until end of turn. It gains haste until end of turn. You may have it fight up to one target creature its owner controls.
”You have to make those turns to the dark side memorable.”
—Cherry Blossom, professional wrestler
Huge Threat 4G
Creature — Pony Warrior
Huge Threat must be blocked if able.
Megamorph 4G (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for 3. Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Nothing draws attention like a wrestler the back row can see.
4/4
Warrior’s Mask 2
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+1.
2: Turn equipped creature face down. (It’s a 2/2 creature.)
Equip 2
”I never could manage a good skronk.”
—Cheerilee
Acupuncture Needles 3
Artifact
3, T: Choose one —
• Acupuncture Needles deals 1 damage to target creature.
• Untap target creature.
Used properly, they improve ki flow. Used improperly, they’re sharp.
Appearance Overhaul (ur)
Instant
Switch target creature’s power and toughness until end of turn.
Overload 3(ur) (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change its text by replacing all instances of “target” with “each.”)
“You won’t even recognize yourself when I’m done.”
Rapid Assembly UR
Instant
Add C to your mana pool for each artifact you control. Exile Rapid Assembly.
The difference between a pile of raw materials and a carefully crafted masterpiece is Rarity.
Derby Jammer 1UR
Creature — Pony Warrior
Haste
Whenever Derby Jammer deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card.
A roller derby is a blend of speed, agility, and the strategic use of spiky shoulder pads.
2/1
Inspiring Rival WUB
Creature — Shapeshifter
As Inspiring Rival enters the battlefield or is turned face up, you may choose another creature on the battlefield. If you do, Inspiring Rival becomes a copy of that creature and gains “(wb)(wb): This creature and each other creature with the same name as it get +1/+1 until end of turn.”
Morph (wb)U
0/0
In a word: yes. It's happened before.
Well shucks, chuck, that could be describing the whole comic!
The Rarity/Babs comic was okay I guess. I didn't much care for the other one for obvious reasons.
I think the official name for the wrestling comic is Ponymania XXIX, by the by.
Sweet cards, as per usual
When you wrote "crated" in Rapid Assembly, did you mean "crafted"?
"goes over to see Contest"
I'm just noting that "Shining Harmer" is pretty much a Derby Pun for Shining Armor, too, so I think we can conclusively prove that alicorns do, in fact, know how to use their earth pony magic to have fun.
My only real issue with the wrestling issue is that I can't for the life of me see any reason why this is in the main series rather than in Friends Forever. It's a nice story and competently executed.
The Babs issue really is adorable, and for such a weird combination of characters they came up with something that works very well.
I recall seeing someone suggest that hidden in this issue is actually the story of how Babs got her cutie mark. She went from being reluctant to do anything at the fancy hairdresser to gushing about the possibilities of punk styling at the end. This issue was released in January 2015, and "Bloom and Gloom", where we're told Babs has her mark, aired in April 2015.
There is a situation with Babs' voice actor? This has apparently passed me by =/