Previously, on My Little Pony...
If the Dreamlands were Jem and the Holograms, what would their Misfits be called? The Bit Players? The Destriers of Tambelon? The Draughts? The Fizzies? The Estates?
And now, some cover bands will play their version of Bridlewoodstock!
Fair warning: This takes place right in the middle of the Make Your Mark Bridlewoodstock episode. I don't think this issue will make ANY sense unless you've seen that episode first.
So, how is it? It's solid enough.
I think the most divisive part of this special will be the art. It's very stylized and simple...but I think it fits the 60s hippie vibe they're going for with Bridlewoodstock. It kind of feels like a old indie comic in places...in a good way! The crowd scenes FEEL like they should be full of references, but I don't think they are, which is a bit of a missed opportunity. Still, it's done well enough.
The writing's solid. This is basically a anthology where we kind of weave our way through a few different stories. And this is slight spoilers, but this special mostly focuses on background ponies. Who we've never seen before, and will most likely never see again. That might disappoint some people, but I think they did a good enough job with what they were trying to do. While I don't think any of these new ponies will end up being new favorites, they don't overstay their welcome either. This is just a nice slice of life story, kind of "behind the scenes" of the main Bridlewoodstock Make Your Mark special RIGHT before the main show on stage starts.
But, is it worth the higher $6 cover price? Eh...meh? We do get more pages, but I feel like they could have trimmed this up a bit and got it to be $4. It's not like this is something that MUST be extra-sized. Just trim up the stories here and there or cut one out, and we could live with a lower price. I don't regret buying it, but unless you MUST have every IDW MLP issue, this isn't exactly a must-buy either.
So...I give this a soft recommendation. It's good, but only if you can stomach that higher price tag.
If the Dreamlands were Jem and the Holograms, what would their Misfits be called? The Bit Players? The Destriers of Tambelon? The Draughts? The Fizzies? The Estates?
And now, some cover bands will play their version of Bridlewoodstock!
Fair warning: This takes place right in the middle of the Make Your Mark Bridlewoodstock episode. I don't think this issue will make ANY sense unless you've seen that episode first.
So, how is it? It's solid enough.
I think the most divisive part of this special will be the art. It's very stylized and simple...but I think it fits the 60s hippie vibe they're going for with Bridlewoodstock. It kind of feels like a old indie comic in places...in a good way! The crowd scenes FEEL like they should be full of references, but I don't think they are, which is a bit of a missed opportunity. Still, it's done well enough.
The writing's solid. This is basically a anthology where we kind of weave our way through a few different stories. And this is slight spoilers, but this special mostly focuses on background ponies. Who we've never seen before, and will most likely never see again. That might disappoint some people, but I think they did a good enough job with what they were trying to do. While I don't think any of these new ponies will end up being new favorites, they don't overstay their welcome either. This is just a nice slice of life story, kind of "behind the scenes" of the main Bridlewoodstock Make Your Mark special RIGHT before the main show on stage starts.
But, is it worth the higher $6 cover price? Eh...meh? We do get more pages, but I feel like they could have trimmed this up a bit and got it to be $4. It's not like this is something that MUST be extra-sized. Just trim up the stories here and there or cut one out, and we could live with a lower price. I don't regret buying it, but unless you MUST have every IDW MLP issue, this isn't exactly a must-buy either.
So...I give this a soft recommendation. It's good, but only if you can stomach that higher price tag.
We have a new band in this issue. The Hoofpicks, which seems to be a metal or grunge band. Apparently, a few OTHER bands are taking part in this show, in this version of the story. I'm sure this is a reference to some real-life band, but it's lost on me.
We have a new term to throw onto the pile of "vaguely-defined unicorn magic terms", alongside sparkle and luminescence. This time, Izzy mentions "Frequency", which seems to be..."vibes" or something. The energy a pony gives off while interacting with other people and things, kind of going along with their mood.
Rocky seems to be getting in on some meta-fun, holding a lightbulb above Izzy's head for her to get a idea. I kind of wish more stuff like that happened in the issue.
A fan of the Hoofpicks won't stop arguing with a fan of Electric Blue. Just kiss already! This is kind of relatable, really. I do wonder what this "nocturnas" she mentions is, though? I don't remember that from anything MLP before. Is that a reference to the band, Nocturnus? I only found that while googling.
Oh, and we get another band, The Foals. Again, my lack of musical knowledge fails me. I have no idea who these guys are supposed to be.
Pipp seems a lot more stressed out in this version of the story, just from making sure everything's running correctly. They don't even mention the problem with the headliners, here. The sweat beads are what helps sell it. This is a version of Pipp I could believe shrugging off the warnings about the Troggles, if only because she has too much else to worry about.
"Oh well, at least nothing else can go wrong, right?" "Oooh...let me tell you about a little something called speaking too soon" Heh, Izzy's pretty good in this issue.
Sparky's really enjoying those chips. He's really savoring every bite and just chillaxing.
A Troggle steals Pipp's microphone and Sparky must get it back! It's kind of weird that Pipp let that out of her sight, she loves that thing.
Apparently, even a red-mane on a pony is able to draw in a Troggle, making it think about rubies. This turns out to be Cherry of the Hoofpicks a little bit later. It's a nice touch that we get to see these stories criss-cross a little as the stories go on throughout the issue. We see some characters in the background from previous stories in the issue. It's a nice touch.
Heh, and Sparky's (-_-) deadpan face is pretty great. I like this version of Sparky. He's got a little bit more attitude. And he's a little more independent. Can we keep THIS version of Sparky around?
Oh, and we get to actually MEET the Hoofpicks, too. And one of them lost their voice (how could THAT have happen...you've already guessed, haven't you?)
And Zipp is called to solve the case of the missing voice! I...really don't know what they expect her to do here? At most, I would think they would assume she just blew out her voice practicing or she caught a cold. Zipp really can't do much.
"T-Minus 22 Minutes" "...Why's it worded like that?" There's a BOMB in the festival! (Not really...although, I COULD see this band rigging up pyrotechnics for their show) Although, that is a VERY specific neon sign. They must have had that custom made.
Pipp doesn't get this band's style of music and...is almost happy that the main singer lost her voice. Kind of mean, Pipp!
Oh, and...they just so happen to have a ruby necklace just lying around. That's...something all right. I mean, expensive jewels are common as GRAVEL in this world, but still.
Oh, and this is a interesting bit of detail the comic gives us. Apparently, the Troggles go INSIDE the rubies and fall asleep? I...don't think that was the case the the MYM special, but maybe something got cut for time along the way?
And one last story about a pony waiting in line to buy merch, and keeping her friend waiting. That's it. The line doesn't move for 10 hours. Maybe realistic, but *I* probably would have given up after the first 3. And Sunny gives her some good advice...even though she is HOURS late.
"We've forgotten the taste of fries. The sound of music. Our own names!" "...It's been 30 minutes" I like that they mentioned the fries.
Her friend still saves her a place in the front of the stage for her. She's a good friend.
And the issue just...stops right before the Troggles attack. So, yeah, just 4 little slice of life stories in this one.
We have a new term to throw onto the pile of "vaguely-defined unicorn magic terms", alongside sparkle and luminescence. This time, Izzy mentions "Frequency", which seems to be..."vibes" or something. The energy a pony gives off while interacting with other people and things, kind of going along with their mood.
Rocky seems to be getting in on some meta-fun, holding a lightbulb above Izzy's head for her to get a idea. I kind of wish more stuff like that happened in the issue.
A fan of the Hoofpicks won't stop arguing with a fan of Electric Blue. Just kiss already! This is kind of relatable, really. I do wonder what this "nocturnas" she mentions is, though? I don't remember that from anything MLP before. Is that a reference to the band, Nocturnus? I only found that while googling.
Oh, and we get another band, The Foals. Again, my lack of musical knowledge fails me. I have no idea who these guys are supposed to be.
Pipp seems a lot more stressed out in this version of the story, just from making sure everything's running correctly. They don't even mention the problem with the headliners, here. The sweat beads are what helps sell it. This is a version of Pipp I could believe shrugging off the warnings about the Troggles, if only because she has too much else to worry about.
"Oh well, at least nothing else can go wrong, right?" "Oooh...let me tell you about a little something called speaking too soon" Heh, Izzy's pretty good in this issue.
Sparky's really enjoying those chips. He's really savoring every bite and just chillaxing.
A Troggle steals Pipp's microphone and Sparky must get it back! It's kind of weird that Pipp let that out of her sight, she loves that thing.
Apparently, even a red-mane on a pony is able to draw in a Troggle, making it think about rubies. This turns out to be Cherry of the Hoofpicks a little bit later. It's a nice touch that we get to see these stories criss-cross a little as the stories go on throughout the issue. We see some characters in the background from previous stories in the issue. It's a nice touch.
Heh, and Sparky's (-_-) deadpan face is pretty great. I like this version of Sparky. He's got a little bit more attitude. And he's a little more independent. Can we keep THIS version of Sparky around?
Oh, and we get to actually MEET the Hoofpicks, too. And one of them lost their voice (how could THAT have happen...you've already guessed, haven't you?)
And Zipp is called to solve the case of the missing voice! I...really don't know what they expect her to do here? At most, I would think they would assume she just blew out her voice practicing or she caught a cold. Zipp really can't do much.
"T-Minus 22 Minutes" "...Why's it worded like that?" There's a BOMB in the festival! (Not really...although, I COULD see this band rigging up pyrotechnics for their show) Although, that is a VERY specific neon sign. They must have had that custom made.
Pipp doesn't get this band's style of music and...is almost happy that the main singer lost her voice. Kind of mean, Pipp!
Oh, and...they just so happen to have a ruby necklace just lying around. That's...something all right. I mean, expensive jewels are common as GRAVEL in this world, but still.
Oh, and this is a interesting bit of detail the comic gives us. Apparently, the Troggles go INSIDE the rubies and fall asleep? I...don't think that was the case the the MYM special, but maybe something got cut for time along the way?
And one last story about a pony waiting in line to buy merch, and keeping her friend waiting. That's it. The line doesn't move for 10 hours. Maybe realistic, but *I* probably would have given up after the first 3. And Sunny gives her some good advice...even though she is HOURS late.
"We've forgotten the taste of fries. The sound of music. Our own names!" "...It's been 30 minutes" I like that they mentioned the fries.
Her friend still saves her a place in the front of the stage for her. She's a good friend.
And the issue just...stops right before the Troggles attack. So, yeah, just 4 little slice of life stories in this one.
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