Let's Review: G5 #14

Happy 5th of July! Doesn't have the same ring, but it is a special day for Bronies. We've been teased about Violette Rainbow's appearance for a few months. Now it's time to witness her debute!

Check out the full review–plus some spoilers–after the break!

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So here we stand, a new character in play who has already won over people's imaginations. The comic hadn't even come out yet and we had three pages worth of Violette Rainbow artwork at play.

Bringing this new character to the forefront is SHauna J. Grant, who seems to take inspiration from Tell Your Tale. That's not to say Make Your Mark goes unobserved as both Grant and writer Tee Franklin take advantage of several locales established between the two shows and have a solid understanding of the supporting cast. I find that the TYT style of "bean mouths" and rounded features increases the adorableness of the characters their expressions.

I'm glad she didn't try a Grimace Shake!

 

Some of the physicality can look a stiff. Mainly during scenes that involve a character falling over. It's no mean feat to expess someone being knocked off-balance. Usually it needs to be emphasized so you can understand the fall even as the character is frozen on the page. At the same time, acts like running or jumping look very fluid and convey the sense well. I'm chalking this up to the difficulty of drawing horses that express human emotions. Never an easy bridge to span.

When trust falls go wrong!

 

Credit must be given to colorist Heather Breckel, who depicts Violette's spotted coat without any guiding lines. This helps make her look like a solid character and the relative consistency helps carry the look across panels. There are minor gaps in the patches but the overall aesthetic remains consistent. Thus Violette looks like a character with a truly spotted coat and not a walking Rorschach test.

She's so excited, she's beside herself and herself and herself!

 

Before diving into the story proper, let's talk about a biological condition. The advertisement for this comic states that Violette has vitiligo, a human skin condition that creates a varied color patches. Some more biologically-minded fans have pointed out that horses can't have vitiligo, and that there are ten horse breeds that feature spotted coats. I can let this pass becuase I don't look to My Little Pony to be biologically accurate. We have seen ponies in a variety of human-like poses, even begging on their "knees", so I tend have a high suspension of disbelief in this area.

That argument can cut both ways. If My Little Pony isn't concerned with being biologically accurate, then is it a good vehicle to talk about this skin condition? I think so, but not because it's specifically accurate to vitiligo. Rather, it tackles the idea to which many of us can relate: being judged for how you look.

Someday, Posey, you might be in a sympathetic position.

 

The story wastes no time in expositing on Violette's history with Izzy. In fact, Violette might be Izzy's one true ally in Bridlewood. Everything we've seen thus far–from self-addressed birthday cards to her uncerimonious departue–states that Izzy was never popular with the unicorns. Violette soon states that the same creativity Izzy expresses is safe space, away from those who bully Violette for her coat. Izzy's answer is to assure her protege that she is wonderful just the way she is.

I find this image very powerful after hearing about how some kids will

go through surgery just to fit in better at school.

 

This brings up a side topic that I've been hearing about the last few days. One of the biggest critiques of female character in popular media (like Captain Marvel or the LoTR series Éowyn) is that they are presented as flawless and only need to be affirmed of their power rather than rise to claim it. So let's establish the difference between "I like you just the way you are" versus "You're already powerful". The former is an affirmation of someone's self-worth. That they are a wonderful individual who is deserving of love and acceptanace. That's a message I think many people could benefit. And let us not forget that message from Mr. Rogers was able to sway the hearts of the Senate.

 

"You're already powerful" isn't an affirmation of the person, but rather a focus on ability. I think this is why so many people turn on stories that feature such a message. Ability is something refined and reinforced through practice and expression. If it feels unearned–or more specifically, we are not a part of the journey to atain this mastery–then it feels like an unwanted shortcut.

The tour starts out well via the community garden, but already Posey is on hoof to give curious looks and judgement. And sadly she is nearby whenever the accident-prone Violette causes a ruckus. The motives behind Posey's attitude and actions could fill an entire video essay. For now, I'll just post my main theory. Posey is actually similar to Violette in her fear of being judged. While Violette finds comfort in creative crafts, Posey has chosen to go on the offensive. If there is anypony in a worse situation or who can absorb blame and ridicule in her place, Posey will be the first to point hooves and deflect the attention away. Thus she is a pony who could bond with Violette if she let her guard down, but her attitude pushes others away. Thus I consider Posey a tragic (if unpleasant) character.

If you find yourself agreeing with Posey... that's usually a warning sign.

 

It doesn't help that one accident causes a fire in Mane Melody and draws Pipp's ire along with Posey's. I'm more patient with Pipp as she's caught in the heat and panic of the moment, not thinking about what she's saying. It's unfortunately enough to send Violette off on her own, where she meets an unexpected pair.

The introduction of zebras Mariama and her daughter Skye is a mixed bag. I'm thrilled to see that there are still Zebra's in Equestria. It suggests that Zecora's success prompted more Zebras to visit Equestria and settle down there. The fact that these two don't feel the need to speak in rhymes because they have potion magic. Mariama also provides a story about overcoming discrimination by accepting one's own worth rather than seeking affirmation from the close-minded.

Welcome new characters!

 

Yet it's that same culture that causes some dissonance in world-building. I remember how badly ponies reacted to Zecora in the early days of G4. Given how paranoid and racist the ponies were towards one another during A New Generation, I have a hard time picturing them being any more tolerant towards a Zebra community. I like having these two here, but I feel like their introduction should be a bigger focus in an Equestria that is trying to reclaim its acceptance of others.

When words fail to affirm Violette, Mariama gives her a potion to cure her vitiligo. I'm not sure what the intended lesson here is. Ponies do start treating Violette with more respect, but because she used more potion than perscribed, her coat changes become even more dramatic. So Violette is now treated even worse because of her changing coat. If she tried blending with ponies like Posey right after her coat change, I think it would help drive home to Violette that ponies/people with hardened hearts are always going to be cruel regardless of how you adapt. Instead, she's being judged for the same problem as before, just amplified. I'm further confused by how Izzy mentions that this was all part of a plan. But a plan for what? To treat Violette's patch coat or to teach a lesson? It doesn't seem to fit together and instead jumbles the message.

Maritime Bay has not yet reached Ponyville levels of chill.

 

Sunny even points out a race of magical paint ponies who had healing abilities. They were supposedly extinct, but Violette may be a descendant. Brining up an extinct pony tribe raises a great many questions, some of them truly dark to ponder.

This comic is confusing as I like so many of the parts, but brining them all together feels a confusing. Violette, Miriam, and Skye are great additions to the world that I would like to see and learn more about. The covert lesson they try to teach Violette, however, is jumbled. There wasn't enough time for Violette to realize that judgemental ponies have problems well beyond physical looks. They're harsh and exclusive towards many others, even themselves. Once she could have that insight, I think the lesson would hit home much stronger.

This is usually where the cast goes "Whaaaaaat?"
I got tired of that fast.

 

Even with this uncertain execution, I think this comic is well worth a read. There are great characters, a very nice art style, and I think anyone who has felt exclusion's sting can empathize with Violette and hopefully has someone as long and accepting as Izzy in their lives.

 

I'm Silver Quill. Thanks for reading!

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