What a week for new things! Just as the new special and chapter for Make Your Mark appear, we also have a brand-new comic. It's a bake-off in Maritime Bay and the Sparkle Squad is going for the win. Only question is: what to bake?
Check out the full review with a few baked-in spoilers after the break!
So, today's comic features a bit of fluff. A low-stakes, low-conflict story that has a nice flow and memory but doesn't deliver on anything huge. One can easily write this off as filler and I wouldn't blame any who did so. Yet after we go through the basic events, I want to talk about how this comic rose above expectations despite its simplicity. As always, let us first discuss the artwork.
Used to criticize that MLP background rarely featured straight lines,
but Make Your Mark changed that.
Make Your Mark presents an odd challenge because a CG image is harder to duplicate the feel. Many artists tried to duplicate Friendship is Magic's feel by coloring the line art and trying to replicate the two-dimensional look, which often created artwork that felt less lively. I think that the current generation's animation throws that goal at the window and thus comic artists can enjoy a little freedom to draw ponies the way they want. Abby Bulmer returns for her third entry in the series and seems to have settled into a groove with these comics.
Not gonna lie, those look pretty yummy!
Because this issue takes place in one setting with a few flashbacks, it often features a gradient background in panels without many details. The exceptions come when we witness the histories of various ponies. The modern setting's low detail contrasts against the history's more fleshed out backgrounds, helping the reader understand at a glance that this is taking place outside the normal time-frame. We also witnesses the judges, who seem more antagonistic thanks to coloring choices. While many of the background ponies featured are vivid with energetic colors, the judges feature either an earthy tone or desaturated colors. They stand apart as the purveyors of this event and the biggest obstacle towards victory.
Not villainous, mind you, but definitely challenging!
The greatest blend of detail, coloring, and expression goes to Izzy's story, which is only appropriate. More on her flashback in time, but the elements that make this section the stand-out piece of the story.
The biggest critique of this issue's art is the similar experessions on everypony's face. Absent any doubt, conflict, or surprise, the ponies default ot the same wide, toothy grin. This abundance can become repetative and drain some energy from the reading. While not nearly as big a hurdle as it was in issue #7, duplicate expressions are something to be avoided whenever possible. I'm hopeful that with more time, Bulmer will add some extra zing to each ponie's emoting.
In terms of story, there's a very simple formula. The ponies but create a confection that reflects the theme of "Baked with Love". Dare I say that Princess Cadance would have endorsed this contest? Regardless, each pony offers up their own history on a baking moment that conjures fond memories. Sunny's reminiscence features a cameo by Argyle and draws Hitch in the warmth. Izzy and Pipp give Queen Haven a moment to be a mother rather than a ruler, and its nice to envision some times where the royal family was so divided under "the big lie".
Charades with hooves. Sounds like a challenge!
Izzy's flashback hits different due to a fact that has been reinforced across Make Your Mark, Tell Your Tale and the comics. Her expressive and explorative curiosity did little to earn her friends back in Bridlewood. Thus she had few friends at all, and we're not able to see them just yet. I am looking forward to Violet's introduction next issue for this very same reason. So with the absence of community or familial bonds, we get a combination of extreme images with green-tinted lighting to reinforce the mad science aspect. This section is indeed the strongest as it shows Izzy's creativity while hinting at what made her more isolated. The strongest piece of the issue!
In Izzy's laboratoryyyyyyyyyyyyy... lives the smartest mare you've ever seen!
Now let's talk about what this issue could have been, but thankfully wasn't. The standard idea behind such a story aimed at a young audience is that the various ponies would disagree, break into their own baking teams, but eventually reconcile to win as a team. It's a very standard story line that I would not resent, but would enjoy less due to its predictability. Instead, the barriers to each ponies' confectionery idea are logistical. Missing ingredients or time limitations. So there is no division, only a question of how to overcome these limitations.
And then there is the outcome. First off, it's nice to see some positivity go Dahlia's way after being a suspect and multi-time second-best in the last issue. More than that, I'm glad when My Little Pony isn't afraid to tackle the idea of losing a competition.
So often, it seems to be that every team wins or at least the main characters triumph. I can only remember "Sisterhooves Social" and "Brotherhooves" social as a time when victory slipped away. Now this story joins that small collection with how Sunny and Co. handle this disappointment. The answer being no disappointment at all. I've seen plenty of folks who have fun winning but I think far healthier to have fun regardless of the outcome. No one has fun losing, but enjoyment can offset many disappointments. That's what this comic represents and I enjoy it all the more for this fact.
I appreciate the Twilight Sparkle nod.
This issue is short, simple, and it carries a very good message. There are some nice feels and an excellent example of how a competition may not deliver the win, but can still be a fun event. Give it a look if you're craving more pony content. Or you can give it a pass without missing anything crucial. It's your call. Next month, we'll finally get to learn more about the little filly, Violet!
I'm Silver Quill. Thanks for reading!
