Let's Review: Bridlewoodstock

We're not done with the music event of New Equestria! There are still stories to tell within this huge venue.

So join me after the break for a look at the various stories running through this event. There are spoilers, Troggles, and new ponies to be found!

So here we are a special one-shot. Four independent stories woven through the Bridlewoodstock backdrop. They criss-cross and intersect, maintaining independence while still fitting into the larger narrative. That's not to say there aren't questions, but I found the overall layout easy to follow.

Drink it in!

All the stories feature artist Annaemarie Rogers, who is proficient at drawing detailed background with simplified characters moving throughout. Bridlewoodstock seems to be a perfect setting for her skill set, as she gets to draw a variety of different characters within the larger venue. At first I was concerned as her style reminded me of Robin Easter's art from issue #7, but I quickly found her art to be far more diverse and expressive. Rogers seems to enjoy depicting characters in a variety of moods. Though a majority of the stories call for conflict, background characters allow the opportunity to express more positive gatherings.

The most distinct style is when a pony is drawn afar. We see their puplis, but nothing of the larger iris or sclera. I think this will turn some people off from the art though I see it (pun intended) as a way of expressing the loss of detail that comes with perspective and distance. A larger critique is the fact that I cannot tell the mares and stallions apart by face shape. MLP has always attempted to maintain that difference by giving stallions a larger body type and square muzzle while giving mares rounder features. While there are height differences throughout the comic, I couldn't tell you who is a stallion or mare just at a glance.

Even on the brink of defeat, Izzy never loses her own sparkle!

This can help a reader place themselves into a new characters' shoes–assuming that character is not referred to via a pronoun–but it feels more odd when looking at our lead characters. The first of which is Izzy.

An Equestrian Exposition: One Day of Peace & Music
Somone got paid by the word with that title! This story serves two purposes. On the surface, Izzy faces the challenge of getting two groups of music fans to bond over a shared love while the two are in conflict over favorite bands. In the larger sense, it's an introduction to the events' many facets.

That scarf says "HP", so I suddenly think the pony is a fan

of eldritch horror. Rock on!

Because of this, Izzy's role is less of a moderator and more a tour guide. It's the concert venue itself that works past the ponies' anamosity and shows them the comfort of enjoying music that doesn't necessarily make sense but sparks enjoyment all the same.

Izzy pays that pony to be on hoof when she gets an idea.

It's a dream job!

Izzy's other role in this is to explain the antagonistic force: the Troggles. This likely seems redundant given what we saw in the special, but by explaining this again, Izzy enables this comic to serve as an independent story. You could pick this up without having seen the special and still have all the needed information. Good that she did, else folks might not know the trouble Sparky faces.

Drop The (Lost The) Mic
This comic has a unique honor: the first comic appearance of Sparky. I am not currently a Sparky fan. In addition to the usual "Mind the Baby" jokes that often accompany him, I find he has a negative impact on the characters around them, particularly Hitch. Instead of showing hidden kindness or softness in a stern exterior (as Grogu serves in The Mandelorean), Sparky seems to bring out everyone's insecurity, panic, and an overall decrease in competency. He also seems to value things more than individuals, as we saw him hugging a star treat in the Christmas special but only recently saw him hug a pony in the most recent chapter.

Seems appropriate for Sparky's very first viewing.

So I consider it a great boon to Sparky's character that he spends this issue trying very hard to reclaim Pipp's lucky microphone from a troublesome Troggle. There aren only a few lines of dialog as a majority of the story is action. I espcially apprecaite Rogers' use of panels to break the meta mold. Plus Sparky shows some innovation by using a popcorn popper as a launch base. It's a short tale but it shows a more aware, proactive, and determined Sparky than we've seen in the show. A small pity that he comes out being chided, but now he's beginning to show a little bit of highs and lows. More like Spike when I think about it. I wasn't a Spike fan at first either, but he grew on me!

That's it, Sparky! Spike had the same look many times!

A Bad Case of Aponyia

Sparky never succeeded against the Troggle, but a passing pony drew its attention. We soon learn the fate of this poor pony as one of the singers for the band "The Hoofpicks" has suddenly lost his voice. The band itself takes a majority of the focus as they try to figure out how to solve the problem or simply accept what can't be helped.

During the fandom's height, I think this band would have whole

comics devoted to them!

But in leiu of a doctor, they call upon a detective. Zipp and later Pipp are present to see what can be done. Their role in this is very minor as it's too soon for them to confront the Troggles. Instead, the story shifts to Pipp's concerns over a band she doesn't understand and music with which she can't identify. It's up to the sage counsel of her older sister to make her realize the need for variety in music and that not all pony tastes will coincide. We may not like a certain genre, but it's still possible to respect when someone is giving their full effort.

Zipp is seeking foul play, but shouldn't the solution to the immediate problem be a focus?

The singer, Cherry, solves the problem himself by employing the very thing his bandmate Laney endorsed. Which begs a question: Since Cherry now has full knowledge that Troggles are real and can have a damaging effect on musicians, why doesn't he tell anyone? I can understand with Sparky as full sentences aren't his thing yet, but what's stopping Cherry? The real answer is that we have to leave the Troggles a mysery for the Special's climax, but once you invoke that meta answer the comic's story begins to fall apart. It'd be one thing if the band had to get up on stage right that instant, but there is still time for Cherry to warn Pipp and Zipp. An awkward end to this phase.

That sign seems designed to just create stress.

I Waited All Day in the Merch Line and All I Got Was This Lousy Shirt
There's that "paid by the word" vibe again. This final story barely features Sunny, but she has a positive impact on the friendship of Columbia and Peony. Two BFF's who are there to see The Hoofpicks, but Peony also wants to pick up some merch. Thus the two friends aren't hanging out as they'd hope, even as the merch line stretches into the evening.

I applaud the CONTINUITY!

Sunny is more a cameo than a lead character here. She is present to ask Peony the important questions and get the pony to see that one is no less a fan if they aren't wearing merch. A good message for fans.

Huh. Sunny at nighttime. It works.

But this does raise an issue with Sunny. After her quest to reunite pony tribes and ascending to temporary alicorn status, she really hasn't been a driving for in many stories. Both specials relied on other members of the Mane 5 to be the driving force, and Make Your Mark has quickly become Misty's struggle. It's hard to feature Sunny as a lead because we're often faced with the question of "What Now?"

I think Sunny needs a new goal to further her story and make her a more proactive character. Her role in this story is insightful and helpful, but it's odd to see the series' lead protagonist as a cameo.

Bromance! Or mare BFF's? I'm still unsure.

All in all, I found these stories enjoyable. A common thread is that the lead characters do not solve the problem themselves. Rather, the venue and the diversity on site creates opportunities for understand, resolution, and celebration. Hence the comic lives up to its title. While not a critical read, it does add a great deal of diversity to the venue and a better understanding of all that went on during this special event. Give it a read if you'd like some extra fun!

A clever maneuver!

I'm Silver Quill. Thanks for reading!

Equestria Daily Settings

Countdown

Poll

Popular Posts