IDW Comics Revisited - Main Series #24

This is the last of the re-reviews, because in a sense this was the end of what could be said to be the golden years of the IDW comics (at least of their original run). Starting with the next issue it was going to be all downhill with only a few occasional shining examples that never quite seemed to turn the corner, and eventually resulted in the comics tying in completely with the show canon and tossing out their own continuity they'd established. And I think my reviews of everything from IDW after this point, as well as pretty much all the Friends Forever issues and the few side series' worth reviewing after it are still valid.

Anyway, with uncertainty over FiM's future after Hasbro and Discovery Family announced they were parting ways over The Hub (Discovery Family would retain control of the network and Hasbro would try to shop around for other networks to air their remaining shows), the comics were largely chugging along thanks to the Friends Forever series that had drummed up interest with seemingly infinite possibilities for team-ups. The main series, meanwhile, still seemed to be living in the shadow of the now polarizing "Reflections" that seemed to be all anyone talked about. And when the previous issue had come and gone without much fanfare, was this stand alone issue able to keep interest in the main series alive? Well, let's find out.

The story begins with the Cutie Mark Crusaders preparing to go on a nature observation walk with Fluttershy as what I assume is the equivalent of a Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts leader (whatever you call them). She naturally doesn't want to go far, keep it within the back yard. But that doesn't last long before Discord shows up in a meteorite as Sweetie Belle points out the difference between a meteor and a meteorite before acting shocked that her friends are surprised she knows things. The meteorite opens up to reveal Discord, who has arrived early for his get together with Fluttershy as a result of traveling through time. Having been made an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader at the end of his Friends Forever issue with them, Discord changes into a guide outfit ala Sailor Moon style as they all set off.

Discord soon grows bored with Fluttershy's careful observations and brings the CMC close to dangerous animals like a fully grown alligator. But he convinces Fluttershy to let him take charge with time travel after mentioning a rare butter dragon (a butterfly the size of a dragon). His time machine is actually smaller on the inside and he shoves aside Time Turner (a.k.a Doctor Whooves) as he claims there's too many references already. The time machine then takes everyone to a ponyfied Egypt as Discord reveals although they can't change history since the past is now the present, that means the past can hurt them. And this is made clear when they end up before Annibus, the ruler based on an Egyptian dog who Discord deposed simply for having perfect order.

Fortunately, before Annibus can do anything to his captured prisoners he is attacked by Basset, a cat who leads an army of cat rebels and seems to have similarities to Celestia. Sweetie Belle even mentions how this is similar to the Nightmare Moon incident. Basset also reveals that she's shocked Discord is friends with Fluttershy, claiming he's never had friends. And she seems to become jealous of Fluttershy (perhaps implying that Basset and Discord were close during Discord's time here). Then after jumping around time and space (including a trip to the underwater kelp city of Coltlantis that was basically Seaquestria before Seaquestria), Discord brings Fluttershy and the CMC to the ancient past.

Fluttershy wanders off to see the new creatures as Discord and the CMC notice a roc that subsequently swoops down and kidnaps the three fillies. When Discord reveals this to Fluttershy she is naturally upset while flying to the rescue, claiming that Discord only uses his powers to cause chaos and have fun, never to help and that he doesn't care about others. Discord tries to argue that he does before seeing Fluttershy overexhert herself and collapse. Discord subsequently gives a whistle, and Fluttershy comes to with the CMC safe. They reveal that Discord saved them through the help of the butter dragon he mentioned earlier, who was in fact his last friend before Fluttershy (those who claim this is a continuity error, I argue that Discord only retroactively realizes he had genuine friendship with these creatures whereas before he only felt like he interacted with them if it benefitted him personally). Discord apologizes, realizing he needs to do a better job of showing he cares before taking everyone back home.

And that's the story, so what do I think of the issue? Honestly, why couldn't this have been a two parter? It got really interesting right at the end with the roc and Discord coming to the rescue, and it really felt like there was more they could've done if they'd been given a second issue. Everything here feels kind of rushed, which is a shame because the premise is so interesting and builds on an early success from the Friends Forever comics. I wish more than anything we'd gotten to see more of this Discord throughout the show, instead of him continuing to act like an antagonist in all but name more often than not. Heck, this comics Discord was truly regretful for what he'd done with Tirek, whereas the last we saw of it in the show was him thinking he deserved a throne even after everything he'd done willingly (Tirek may have manipulated him, but Discord knew full well what he was allowing Tirek to become) to put Equestria at risk. Whether you're a big Fluttercord fan or not, I'd say pick this issue up though again don't go outside the five to ten dollar range.

And there you have it, since the comic re-reviews are done and I don't think I'll be doing any episode re-reviews anytime soon (probably not at least until this election comes and goes and things hopefully start to settle down, though more likely it won't be until January), come back tomorrow when we'll look at and rank all the Pinkie Pie expies we got over the years.

Comments

[MLPFollower]

I actually wanted to see more animals of Equestria's past and if they are still alive or extinct.

[Comickook]

I VERY MUCH agree that this SHOULD have been a two-parter. Trying to do it all in a single issue seems WAY too rushed.

Heck, the next two of the actual two issue arcs would have probably been much better if they both took place at the same time AND had a logical explanation for Twilight's absence (like she got way too badly injured during the fight with Tirek to go on either adventure [though "the Cutie Map" could have taken place literally MONTHS after the fight with Tirek in order to give Twilight enough time to heal up]).

"The Good, the Bad and the Ponies" would have been MUCH better if it was JUST Applejack and Rainbow Dash that went (though part one could have been them dealing with Longhorn and his gang and part two could have been them looking for Applejack's missing relative).

"The Root of the Problem" would have probably worked much better as a JUST Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy adventure.

Spike could, of course, have his absences on both of those adventures being explained as him being busy taking care of Twilight while she's injured.

Rarity's absence could be justified as both adventures taking place while she is out of town on an unavoidably important business trip.

Coincidentally, Twilight taking those injuries during the fight with Tirek would also justify her absence in the rewrite of Rainbow Rocks (other than her providing the information on the Sirens and even THAT could be a "mentioned but not shown").

But, well, you can do that (if you want to) if and when you finally get around to the "Equestria Girls" Edition and "Comics" Edition of your "What If?" series.