Friendship is Card Games: All in Marederation and Everything Old · 12:11pm Jan 20th, 2019
This week, we take a look at two of the United States’ more embarrassing debacles of the twentieth century: Prohibition and Eighties fashion.
All in Marederation
Huh. I’m honestly surprised that the only ponies who appear to be celebrating the Corner’s anniversary are the Cakes, the mayor, and the main cast. I’d expect a few more regulars to show up. Heck, Pinkie organized the event. How did everyone in town not get an invite? Maybe the Cakes wanted something a bit more intimate.
I do appreciate how it’s the unicorns of the Anti-Sugar League who are drumming duty. A bit hard to march and beat at once for most ponies.
Also, how can they not tell what the group’s deal is when it’s literally spelled out for them?
I’m not sure what’s more impressive, that a mare that old is flexible enough to draw thart sword, or that she can sing an entire musical number with it clenched in her teeth.
Also, I’m with Twilight. I didn’t even realize Ponyville was an open carry town.
If this mare’s hunting sweets, shouldn’t she have something more along the lines of a bludgeon? The cake’s still perfectly edible. Heck, she just started slicing it.
Try to enforce your authority a bit harder, Twilight.
Temperance trying to outlaw sugar leads to several questions about Equestrain governance and legislature that I don’t think the comic is ready to answer.
Also, it seems like writing Celestia would solve this problem pretty quick. “Dear Princess Celestia, somepony is trying to put the Cakes out of business by banning sugar. Thought you ought to know.”
“The citizens of Ponyville will not believe a pamphlet of lies.” Oh, Twilight. I envy both your naivety and your optimism when it comes to propaganda.
Come to think of it, this is hardly the first case of misguided righteousness Twilight’s dealt with. Where’s Starlight in all of this?
You’d think Twilight would at least try to do something before a week passed. At least she took action before the Corner actually went out of business.
Temperance actually does make for a good nemesis for Pinkie. Puritanical antifun given form, like every negative read on Pinkie’s parents rolled into a single swordsmare.
Hmm. On the one hand, Pinkie has years of experience on her side that should tell her that Temperance’s argument is emptier than junk food calories. On the other, this is hitting her right in the deep-seated insecurities. Such a rapid conversion does still feel like a stretch, but it doesn’t feel entirely out of left field.
Ah, the traditional password.
Perhaps the funniest part of the speakeasy splash panel for me is Fluttershy as the singer. Aside from the songbird puns, it amuses me that a sugar high and a covert location are enough for her to overcome her stage fright. (That might actually be useful in something, come to think of it…)
Also, who put that mustache on Spike? I wonder if Twilight’s been teaching the spell to others. Rarity perhaps? It does nicely fit the aesthetic.
Huh. Octavia’s part of the protest on the cover and among the covert sweet-eaters in the comic itself. Given that Brenda Hickey did both, I’d expect a little continuity. Maybe she changed her mind.
I do love how Twilight gets progressively more and more fed up with everypony acting so foolish. She thought better of you ponies!
Ah, yes. The child of a strict household not knowing how to handle herself once finally off the leash. Credit to Pinkie for getting Temperance’s side of the story.
There we go. I have to wonder if this is the first time ponies have actually let the Anti-Sugar League put down roots if this is the first time Temperance has actually looked upon her works and despaired.
“We’re pretty resilient here in Ponyville.” Yeah, anypony who couldn’t handle regular disasters moved out by the time the Ursa Minor attacked.
It’s an important lesson: Balance is key, in nutrition and in life. Heck, it echoes the Rockhoof comic from last week. The story, appropriately enough, overindulges in its themes, though Temperance is hardly the first surprisingly charismatic antagonist to pass through Ponyville. At least she didn’t have the Flimflams trailing after her offering a fad diet. All told, this was a little hard to swallow, but I certainly can’t call it bland.
Everything Old
I have to say, that is a truly gorgeous first panel. And the Silver Building has me thinking of The Silver Standard, so this issue definitely makes a good first impression.
I’m not sure if it’s more funny or sad that the comics have done more with Sweetfeather Sanctuary than the show.
Heh. Tony Fleecs has his cloud gremlins, Andy Price has his musicals (and the Observer.) At this point, I really do want to see a performance of Celestia Superstar.
Huh. I think the last Pinkie clone found a way to further distinguish herself from the original.
Also, judging by that newspaper headline in the first panel, I’m pretty sure Darkwing Duck has taken up residence in Manehattan.
Rarity’s apparently been designing for decades. Which makes sense. After all, her first designs predate her cutie mark.
Huh. Interesting to go with the Ritz Carousel. I’d go with Bitz Carlton, myself. This might actually work better.
I can understand Rarity’s despair, but she’s made trends in the past. Still, completely disregarding the current fashions is a gamble at absolute best.
I’m with Rarity on scorning the pads. Ponies don’t even have shoulders.
Oof. Bureaucracy. The greatest necessary evil of all. Though in Fluttershy’s case, she might just need to expand rather than register something wholly new.
Hmm. Add Stallion Lake to the list of nebulously located towns in Equestria.
Don’t worry, Rarity. Retro never lasts for long.
Poor Coco. Even the comics aren’t allowed to refer to her in full anymore.
Small metal snaps… in fashion for ponies. Yeesh. That sounds like a nightmare for just about everyone, especially if the unicorns need to be able to see things to telekinese them with any hope of accuracy.
Coco lapping up her tea is unfairly adorable.
I’d think Fluttershy would already know most of the ins and outs of running a shelter. Sure, it’s scaled up from her literal cottage industry, but it’s still effectively the same thing. Of course, that’s probably what she thought. (I’d question why she’d need a backup plan for ice storms given Equestria’s controlled weather, but she does live right next to the Everfree.)
Learning from one’s experiences the second time around is certainly a good way of approaching something like this if it’s inevitable.
I mean, it’s not like Fluttershy’s going to go through anything as nasty as her tenure under Photo Finish, but the word choice could’ve been better.
I definitely feel like I’m missing a lot of references in this issue. Though I do know that Rarity will pay for this if that expression is any indication.
Rarity has a point. The whole purpose of Fluttershy’s shelter is that she’s breaking new ground. As long as her deviations aren’t illegal (or, at least, not illegal enough to get the place shut down when she personally knows literally every princess,) then she should embrace innovation.
Huh. I don’t think I’ve ever been nauseated by the camera work in a comic before. Worm’s eye view to extreme closeup to normal profile shot? The crap?
Given all of the focus on Fluttershy’s tangible achievements, it’s weird that we see so little of Rarity’s. Happy as I am to see Coco make a name for herself (so to speak,) what happened to Rarity For You?
This was a rather scattershot slice of life issue, but the lesson is an invaluable one. Experience is an excellent teacher. Try to be a good student.
Some interesting ideas with rather curious applications this week. And on that note, let’s look at the cards:
Treat-Satchel Exuberant 1WW
Creature — Pegasus Scout
Flying
Whenever Treat-Satchel Exuberant attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on another target attacking creature.
“Every delivery should make the recipient smile.”
2/1
Goat Fancier 2W
Creature — Pony Citizen
When Goat Fancier enters the battlefield, create a 0/1 white Goat creature token.
3: Target Goat gains indestructible until end of turn.
With proper care and attention, cashmere can outlast darksteel.
2/2
Anti-Sugar Pamphleteer 3W
Creature — Unicorn Cleric
Whenever a player gains life, you may pay W. If you do, draw a card.
Temperance’s arguments are as well-honed as her blade.
2/3
Counterargument 1U
Instant
Counter target instant spell. If you cast this spell during your turn, untap up to two lands.
“Sometimes authority is a matter of shouting louder than your subjects. And an alicorn can shout very loudly indeed.”
—Princess Luna
Sly Swordfish 1U
Creature — Fish
Sly Swordfish can’t be blocked.
U: Sly Swordfish gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
Conspiracies invoke its name for a reason.
1/2
Doomsayer’s Dirge 1BB
Enchantment — Song
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a verse counter on Doomsayer’s Dirge.
3B, Sacrifice Doomsayer’s Dirge: All creatures get -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of verse counters on Doomsayer’s Dirge. If a creature would die this turn, exile it instead.
Soul Rot 1BB
Sorcery
Target player discards two cards. If that player discarded fewer than two cards this way, they lose 4 life.
“My actions are for the good of ponykind. Those who disagree may already be too far gone.”
—Temperance Flowerdew
Dark Avenger 2B
Creature — Pony Warrior
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Dark Avenger, it gains flying and lifelink until end of turn.
“I am the terror that clops in the night.”
2/3
Speakeasy Diva 2B
Creature — Pegasus Band
Flying
Finale — Whenever you sacrifice a Song, Speakeasy Diva deals 1 damage to you and you draw a card.
Her song is as filled with excess and abandon as her venue.
1/3
Anti-Sugar Drummer 3B
Creature — Unicorn Cleric
Whenever a player gains life, you may pay B. When you do, target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
A dolorous beat announces the Anti-Sugar League’s approach long before they arrive.
2/3
Sweet Deceiver 3B
Creature — Nightmare Horror
When Sweet Deceiver enters the battlefield, target player gains 3 life.
When Sweet Deceiver dies, that player loses 6 life.
The follies of Temperance’s youth still haunt her dreams.
3/2
Acid Wash R
Instant
Acid Wash deals 1 damage to any target. If a permanent is dealt damage this way, it becomes colorless until end of turn.
”I don’t think you do that while the pony is wearing the clothes.”
—Fluttershy, Bearer of Kindness
Stimulus Seeker 1RR
Creature — Pegasus Warrior
Flying, double strike
Stimulus Seeker attacks each combat if able.
Sugar-addled citizens infested Ponyville’s skies, frantically searching for their next big hit.
1/1
Parade of Indignities 2RR
Sorcery
Parade of Indignities deals 3 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures. Those creatures can’t block this turn.
A whirlwind of lycra and leg warmers left Fluttershy too humiliated to protest.
Sweetfeather Prowler 2G
Creature — Cat
Vigilance
Melee (Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each opponent you attacked with a creature this combat.)
A king anywhere else. A serf to Fluttershy.
2/2
Blustering Confidence UR
Instant
Until end of turn, target creature you control gets +3/+3 and gains “Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.”
”I’ve spent more than one fashion show hoping nopony notices what’s obvious to me.”
—Rarity, Bearer of Generosity
Dreaming Beagle RW
Creature — Hound Pilot
Mentor (Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature with lesser power.)
Whenever Dreaming Beagle crews a Vehicle, that Vehicle gains mentor until end of turn.
2/1
Pinkie, the Iron Stomach RWB
Legendary Planeswalker — Pinkie
+1: You may discard a card. If you do, you gain 1 life and draw a card.
0: Pinkie, the Iron Stomach deals 2 damage to each player.
-X: Destroy all other nonland permanents with converted mana cost less than X. You gain 1 life for each permanent destroyed this way.
3
Intractable Protesters 1WB
Creature — Pony Citizen
Defender
Whenever a player gains life, if Intractable Protesters is in your graveyard, you may pay WB. If you do, return Intractable Protesters to your hand.
“What can I do? They filled out the right paperwork.”
—Marion Mare, mayor of Ponyville
1/5
Fashion Cycle 1GW
Sorcery
Return target permanent card from your graveyard to your hand. If it’s an Aura or Equipment card, you may return it to the battlefield instead.
Everything’s retro eventually.
Manehattan Pigeon 2(wb)
Creature — Bird
Flying
When Manehattan Pigeon enters the battlefield, exile up to one target card from a graveyard and you gain 2 life.
In the big city, even the animals need to look after themselves.
2/1
Creative Recharge UURR
Sorcery
Discard your hand, then draw four cards.
”One cannot dwell on stale old ideas forever. Sometimes it’s best start fresh.”
—Rarity, Bearer of Generosity
Temperance Flowerdew 2WB
Legendary Creature — Pony Cleric
First strike
If an opponent would gain life, that player loses that much life instead.
2WB: Target creature gains lifelink until end of turn.
”See now the truth of how you befoul yourselves.”
3/3
Gorging Revelers 3BR
Creature — Pony Citizen
Spectacle 2BR (You may cast this spell for its spectacle cost rather than its mana cost if an opponent lost life this turn.)
Whenever Gorging Revelers attacks, it deals 2 damage to each player.
With doom on the horizon, they get in as much fun as they can now.
4/4
Sweet Apple Speakeasy
Land
T: Add G. If you played a land this this turn, add B instead.
It’s a farm. Just a farm. No need to check on one barn in particular to confirm that. Just. A. Farm.
On the subject of the Pinkie clone; she's blending better but we already knee that.
Hell, they even talked to her in the same episode iirc.
When did WotC change the color order for wedge trios? I distinctly remember Oros, the Avenger being WBR, not RWB.
4999865
After Khans of Tarkir, a set focused on the wedges. Each faction focused on one color above the other two. (For example, the white-black-red faction was a primarily red-aligned bunch of magical Mongols with an orcish khan.) Wizards shifted the order so each faction's primary color would be first and have stuck with it since. See Edgar Markov as an example.
First, your Temperance card is quite fascinatingly nasty.
Second, shouldn’t the terror that clips in the night be a bird? And I presume the double entendre is intentional.
More and more we find we have to accept that Equestria is actually a constitutional monarchy like Britain with tradition of public service :p
The Last Pinkie Clone continues her journey. Good to see she’s still about.
Having lived through both, I would argue, bad as the eighties were, the seventies were far worse.
But the issue’s cover did a great job of pointing up all the ridiculous extremes, especially the hairstyles.
"All in Marederation" was a bit clunky in places, but I enjoyed it on the whole. The Prohibition era is an interesting period in American history, where a well-meaning attempt to 'moralize' America by getting rid of alcohol just led to even more immoral acts of gang warfare and underground smuggling. In that sense, using sugar as the alcohol equivalent in this story makes sense; America has a notoriously high problem with sugar causing obesity, and you can't walk five feet in Equestria without some sweets sitting in front of you. I also liked how the comic doesn't just say "lul Temperance is a doof, ignore her". Sugar, much like alcohol, can be very bad for you if taken in excess, so Temperance isn't entirely wrong about ponies needing to watch what they eat. She just needed the reality check from Twilight to realize that she took it too far.
The one major issue I had with the issue is Twilight's ending reasoning about how the speakeasy ponies are making themselves sick trying to eat up all the sugary foods before the sugar ban goes into effect. It's cute, but for a comic trying to invoke the Prohibition period, it feels kind of limp-wristed. How much more intense would it be if instead of getting sick on sugar for one last binge, the speakeasy ponies announce to Twilight that they would routinely break the law just to get their sweets? Suddenly, Twilight and many of her fellow citizens would be forced into an awkward situation where they may have to persecute their own friends. It'd give Twilight a more personal conflict, maybe even being a counterpoint to her attitude in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ponies", where her almost slavish devotion to 'the law' left her inept to deal with the cattle rustlers (I know, it's not a great arc from the comics, but it illustrates how Twilight's deferment to authority often causes her problems).
As for "Everything Old", it's a perfectly serviceable tale. The moral about dealing with recurring trends and learning from each experience is decent enough, and it was fun to see the comics riff on the current Eighties fever that everybody and their cousin seems to be going through now. The art in particular really popped in this one, with all the weird angles and splashes of color really making it seem like Andy Price just finished a back-to-back binge watch of Miami Vice and 21 Jump Street. I also liked how it examined how Fluttershy's animal sanctuary will require more effort than she intended. I've known several people (including myself) who wanted to do animal related projects, only to realize how big of a task it really was to take care of so many critters. The only major issue for me is that the comic's so focused on delivering the moral that half of the issue seems like its simply Rarity talking about old trends and not much else. It's interesting to hear her develop her ideas, but it's not nearly as enthralling as seeing the Eighties fashion or Fluttershy's growing frustration with bureaucracy.