Previously, on My Little Pony...
A long, long time ago, Cadance already had a origin story. In tale called "Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell", long thought lost to history. So, how will the story change in the retelling?
A pony so nice she gets a secret origin twice!
So, how is it? (Man, I've missed typing that! It's been awhile between comic releases!)
Well, first off....her name is "Cadance"? With two "a"s? I always think of it like "CadEnce" with two "e"s. As in a type of rhythm or beat. Weird.
Overall, this one shot is...fine. It really is just a expanded version of the story from "Twilight and the Crystal Heart Spell". So, if you've ever wanted a more fleshed out version of that story, you got your wish! You've been waiting a long time for this! Enjoy it!
Art-wise, this artwork is serviceable. A few of the character's heads look a little too big for their bodies. And I'm not going to say it's the best art in a MLP comic ever. But, the ponies are expressive. The panels flow. This is fine. I don't think anything here will blow you away. But, it's perfectly fine for what it is. It gets the job done, and sometimes that's all you need.
And the writing is similarly just good enough. The writer seems to be trying to go for a more "dramatic" or "epic" tone for this story. Which...unfortunately just feels like it makes the writing a little stiff. It's not bad, but it feels a little "over-written" in a few places. Plus, this is the kind of origin story where they feel like they have to explain the origin of absolutely EVERYTHING. So, your mileage may vary on whether or not you think its all just a little too "convenient" for your liking. And the story just kind of stops, even though it does find a good enough place to leave things.
But, really, it's not a bad little comic. If you've already read "Twilight and the Crystal Heart Spell" you know the outline of what to expect. But, there are a few twists thrown in there, that you won't see coming. And...possibly one BIG lore reveal, depending on how you want to interpret things. The one-shot is a little shaky in places, but it's a fun enough time if you've been enjoying the comics so far. It's not the strongest offering IDW has ever produced. But, it's a perfectly solid comic.
A long, long time ago, Cadance already had a origin story. In tale called "Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell", long thought lost to history. So, how will the story change in the retelling?
A pony so nice she gets a secret origin twice!
So, how is it? (Man, I've missed typing that! It's been awhile between comic releases!)
Well, first off....her name is "Cadance"? With two "a"s? I always think of it like "CadEnce" with two "e"s. As in a type of rhythm or beat. Weird.
Overall, this one shot is...fine. It really is just a expanded version of the story from "Twilight and the Crystal Heart Spell". So, if you've ever wanted a more fleshed out version of that story, you got your wish! You've been waiting a long time for this! Enjoy it!
Art-wise, this artwork is serviceable. A few of the character's heads look a little too big for their bodies. And I'm not going to say it's the best art in a MLP comic ever. But, the ponies are expressive. The panels flow. This is fine. I don't think anything here will blow you away. But, it's perfectly fine for what it is. It gets the job done, and sometimes that's all you need.
And the writing is similarly just good enough. The writer seems to be trying to go for a more "dramatic" or "epic" tone for this story. Which...unfortunately just feels like it makes the writing a little stiff. It's not bad, but it feels a little "over-written" in a few places. Plus, this is the kind of origin story where they feel like they have to explain the origin of absolutely EVERYTHING. So, your mileage may vary on whether or not you think its all just a little too "convenient" for your liking. And the story just kind of stops, even though it does find a good enough place to leave things.
But, really, it's not a bad little comic. If you've already read "Twilight and the Crystal Heart Spell" you know the outline of what to expect. But, there are a few twists thrown in there, that you won't see coming. And...possibly one BIG lore reveal, depending on how you want to interpret things. The one-shot is a little shaky in places, but it's a fun enough time if you've been enjoying the comics so far. It's not the strongest offering IDW has ever produced. But, it's a perfectly solid comic.
Ah, ponies thinking how peaceful their lives are right now. Kind of weird that she probably won't get punished immediately by the hands of fate for such thoughts.
"Time to stare out at the horizon and think about my origin...as I do every morning."
"There are so few of us. The Alicorns." It ALMOST sounds like they're taking some cues from G5's lore, here.
Her name is Princess Mi Amore CadEnza. But, her other name is "CadAnce". You see why I think this is weird, right? Also, I guess it makes sense that Cadance gets two origins, since she also gets two names. This girl believes in redundancies and backups!
"I repelled the Queen of the Changelings! Defeated an ancient and evil King Sombra! Helped rear the Princess of Friendship! Am Ruler of the Crystal Empire!" Well, don't go getting a big head about it. Literally. The proportions on this splash page are a little off and she literally looks like she's getting a big head about it.
"Like all ponies, I can't remember the very beginnings of my natural life" You aren't missing much. It's mostly a lot of red stuff and yelling.
Is it weird that baby Cadance cries "neigh"? It feels weird.
Hey! Free baby! Score!
I do get "Cinderella Fairies" vibes from these three ponies.
"Look at what she left in her diaper! I guess we'll call her Boom Boom!"
"And so, I became an Earth Pony. An Earth Pony with wings!" That's...not what a Earth Pony is. I get what they're going for but, c'mon. It's not like ponies back then didn't know what a pegasus was.
Oh no...existential ennui! Look, I know the day after Taco Tuesday is rough, but you'll all get through it.
They're even bringing in Prismia! This really is just a expansion on the 4 pages of the storybook.
"She has now harnessed a great evil that lets her drain ponies of their love. And fuels her hate." *GASP* She's discovered the power of...social media!
"Cadance, you have so much love in you" I saw that wedding you threw for those two bugs in the backyard. Brought me to tears.
Honestly? Prismia has kind of a cool design. I'd be a henchman for her. The fan theory about her amulet being Trixie's Alicorn Amulet didn't get a nod here, though. This seems to be just a regular ol' magic necklace of despair.
Alloro Legarra! That's "red mom"'s name! Now we just need two more. Which we never get. I guess the other two "moms" just aren't as important.
And Cadance defeats Prismia with the power of...defeating her, I guess? She just does it by pure force of will. Protagonist powers are go!
Well, into Tartarus with you! Hopefully, no one ever stages a breakout or anything. That'd be a big problem!
Turns out all Prismia needed was some kindness...and maybe a Snickers. She's not herself when she's hungry!
Cadance was going around reforming villains BEFORE it was cool!
Oh, Prismia's evil depression necklace is actually Cadance's fancy golden necklace! I guess it gives you Empathic powers instead of love-sucking powers. Neat!
And Cadance gets her Cutie Mark! But's not just any old Cutie Mark! It's a Cutie Mark...of DESTINY! Celestia recognizes it on sight and everything. She really is the main character from another story, I guess.
Donut Joe! I guess he must be immortal, because he looks the same age here as he did in G4's time.
Having a pegasus take magic classes. Yeah, Celestia probably should have explained that one. DESTINY is great and all, but CONTEXT matters, too.
Little did Cadance suspect that the other kids were just gossiping about them thinking that she dyed her hair.
I guess Cadance liked hanging out with little kids...even back when she was a slightly less-little kid.
Huh...Did Alloro and Prismia end up being a couple? I could ship it.
Honored Guests from Afar! May I introduce you to...this random child! Celestia really does just need to explain, already. I get that being the "mysterious mentor" is cool and all, but there's a limit.
Shining Armor sighted! Love at first sight...achieved!
I do like the touch of Nightmare Moon's symbol still being on the Moon.
Tiny horse versus a army of dragons! Place your bets folks!
"Man...I thought getting beat up was supposed to unlock a power up. That's what anime always says."
Liebe the leader of the Dragon Swarm! We have never heard of her before or since! But, she wants "revenge" because of something the ponies did involving "younglings". Because this is Star Wars, all the sudden. So...maybe she's Spike's mom? Seems plausible. Kind of dark implications, but we're just going to ignore all that, I guess.
Well, getting Liebe to just stop her possibly decades-long revenge scheme was super easy. Barely an inconvenience!
"I've never seen a dragon retreat so willingly" Shoot, this kid's a threat to my power. I better send her off to some snowy podunk town in the middle of nowhere ASAP!
"Time to fulfill your destiny" Power up achieved! Anime never lies!
They actually mention Amore the First Princess of the Crystal Empire from IDW's own FIENDship is Magic and "Siege of the Crystal Empire". They actually REMEMBER their own stories!
"Princess Celestia? Introducing me to the new alicorn?! Did I do something wrong? Is this something I should have been studying for? Breathe, Twilight, BREATHE!!!" Twilight has always been like this. Time has only mellowed her.
And um...it kinda just stops there. With Cadance meeting lil' Twily for the first time. They don't even do a bookend with the intro they started out with in the present day. Feels weird, like they were planning on this being longer. But...whatever, I guess.
"Time to stare out at the horizon and think about my origin...as I do every morning."
"There are so few of us. The Alicorns." It ALMOST sounds like they're taking some cues from G5's lore, here.
Her name is Princess Mi Amore CadEnza. But, her other name is "CadAnce". You see why I think this is weird, right? Also, I guess it makes sense that Cadance gets two origins, since she also gets two names. This girl believes in redundancies and backups!
"I repelled the Queen of the Changelings! Defeated an ancient and evil King Sombra! Helped rear the Princess of Friendship! Am Ruler of the Crystal Empire!" Well, don't go getting a big head about it. Literally. The proportions on this splash page are a little off and she literally looks like she's getting a big head about it.
"Like all ponies, I can't remember the very beginnings of my natural life" You aren't missing much. It's mostly a lot of red stuff and yelling.
Is it weird that baby Cadance cries "neigh"? It feels weird.
Hey! Free baby! Score!
I do get "Cinderella Fairies" vibes from these three ponies.
"Look at what she left in her diaper! I guess we'll call her Boom Boom!"
"And so, I became an Earth Pony. An Earth Pony with wings!" That's...not what a Earth Pony is. I get what they're going for but, c'mon. It's not like ponies back then didn't know what a pegasus was.
Oh no...existential ennui! Look, I know the day after Taco Tuesday is rough, but you'll all get through it.
They're even bringing in Prismia! This really is just a expansion on the 4 pages of the storybook.
"She has now harnessed a great evil that lets her drain ponies of their love. And fuels her hate." *GASP* She's discovered the power of...social media!
"Cadance, you have so much love in you" I saw that wedding you threw for those two bugs in the backyard. Brought me to tears.
Honestly? Prismia has kind of a cool design. I'd be a henchman for her. The fan theory about her amulet being Trixie's Alicorn Amulet didn't get a nod here, though. This seems to be just a regular ol' magic necklace of despair.
Alloro Legarra! That's "red mom"'s name! Now we just need two more. Which we never get. I guess the other two "moms" just aren't as important.
And Cadance defeats Prismia with the power of...defeating her, I guess? She just does it by pure force of will. Protagonist powers are go!
Well, into Tartarus with you! Hopefully, no one ever stages a breakout or anything. That'd be a big problem!
Turns out all Prismia needed was some kindness...and maybe a Snickers. She's not herself when she's hungry!
Cadance was going around reforming villains BEFORE it was cool!
Oh, Prismia's evil depression necklace is actually Cadance's fancy golden necklace! I guess it gives you Empathic powers instead of love-sucking powers. Neat!
And Cadance gets her Cutie Mark! But's not just any old Cutie Mark! It's a Cutie Mark...of DESTINY! Celestia recognizes it on sight and everything. She really is the main character from another story, I guess.
Donut Joe! I guess he must be immortal, because he looks the same age here as he did in G4's time.
Having a pegasus take magic classes. Yeah, Celestia probably should have explained that one. DESTINY is great and all, but CONTEXT matters, too.
Little did Cadance suspect that the other kids were just gossiping about them thinking that she dyed her hair.
I guess Cadance liked hanging out with little kids...even back when she was a slightly less-little kid.
Huh...Did Alloro and Prismia end up being a couple? I could ship it.
Honored Guests from Afar! May I introduce you to...this random child! Celestia really does just need to explain, already. I get that being the "mysterious mentor" is cool and all, but there's a limit.
Shining Armor sighted! Love at first sight...achieved!
I do like the touch of Nightmare Moon's symbol still being on the Moon.
Tiny horse versus a army of dragons! Place your bets folks!
"Man...I thought getting beat up was supposed to unlock a power up. That's what anime always says."
Liebe the leader of the Dragon Swarm! We have never heard of her before or since! But, she wants "revenge" because of something the ponies did involving "younglings". Because this is Star Wars, all the sudden. So...maybe she's Spike's mom? Seems plausible. Kind of dark implications, but we're just going to ignore all that, I guess.
Well, getting Liebe to just stop her possibly decades-long revenge scheme was super easy. Barely an inconvenience!
"I've never seen a dragon retreat so willingly" Shoot, this kid's a threat to my power. I better send her off to some snowy podunk town in the middle of nowhere ASAP!
"Time to fulfill your destiny" Power up achieved! Anime never lies!
They actually mention Amore the First Princess of the Crystal Empire from IDW's own FIENDship is Magic and "Siege of the Crystal Empire". They actually REMEMBER their own stories!
"Princess Celestia? Introducing me to the new alicorn?! Did I do something wrong? Is this something I should have been studying for? Breathe, Twilight, BREATHE!!!" Twilight has always been like this. Time has only mellowed her.
And um...it kinda just stops there. With Cadance meeting lil' Twily for the first time. They don't even do a bookend with the intro they started out with in the present day. Feels weird, like they were planning on this being longer. But...whatever, I guess.
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