Sep
12
2017
0

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #58 Review

Written By: Thom Zahler

Art By: Agnes Garbowska

Published By: IDW

The My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic books are in an interesting place right now, what with Season 7 being abysmal. They have this rare opportunity to be better than the show. Or they could you know, not! The last Movie Prequel issue was a dud, and MLP:FiM #58 is equally…duddy.

“I bet MLP:FiM can’t come up with a worse plot than me!” Episode 18 of Season 7 says; Issue #58 responds with the ever tactful, “Hold my beer.”

Twilight Sparkle, Zecora, Fluttershy, and some other pony we haven’t seen before find some letters about a magical plant and set off to find it with the help of a long-lost relative or somesuch. It’s not important. What is, and what makes no sense, is this magical plant that has never been found somehow has tons of research on it and rumors galore. It can cure diseases! It can enhance magic! It can make Twilight act stupid!

The notes that make no sense have a location that makes no sense—near a big city.

Because sense decided to take a vacation day, Twilight’s motivations for finding the plant don’t exist anywhere near logic. See, she wants to be part of history; she wants to do something that’ll be remembered, forgetting that she’s a goddamn princess of a country and has six seasons of achievements under her belt. She’s an alicorn for Cellestia’s sake! She’s literally saved the continent and ascended into royalty.

It sucks too, because her obsession isn’t without merit. Twilight is an obsessive pony; it’s one of her few great flaws. But to make this anything other than her love for academia and books is just stupid.

The “climax” of the story, if you could call it that, is also senseless. The plot wound up in a corner with the need to ground two Pegasus ponies, and it’s not handled well. It tries to add tension and action that is absolutely not necessary for the story.

At least the artwork is good. I’ve gone on about Agnes’ pony designs so much that I’d just be repeating myself here. It’s just a shame that there’s so much text over every page that her artwork feels covered.

2017 has been a rough year for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The show’s writing has fallen, and the comics continue to be hit/miss. This is another one that’s a miss.