Looks like IDW is aiming to wrap up all their stories in time for New Years! Let's take a double-look at these new releases and see what's what.
Catch the full, spoiler-infused review after the break!
And so we reach the end of the Yellow Brick Road. Actually, that thing dropped away last issue. Shoddy construction, if you ask me! Yet in the wake of the Wicked Princess of the West's death via hydration, we must establish the future of each character, a change in the Changeling kingdom, and get Apple-Dorothy home.
Pity we never had a parade like this in the show.
What do you want to bet that confetti is really other Changelings in disguise?
There's not much more I can say about the art that hasn't been covered in previous reviews. The biggest thing in this issue is the choice to keep the Changelings in their "dark" visuals and not adapt the reformed Changeling look that led to characters like Ocellus. While this could have been a conscious choice, I wonder if artist Jenna Ayoub even knew that was an option. Communication has been a steady challenge with the IDW staff so I'm going to chalk this one up to lack of info. We get some single-panel appearances of killer trees, china doll residents, and a big ol' spider. These give a chance to see Ayoub's style outside the pony reference. Though, sadly, they aren't around long enough to make much of an impression.
The winner and new champion: Lionshy!
With Chrysalis a puddle, the Changelings make quick work of restoring the PinkieCrow and TinRarity while freeing Lionshy. Then there are gifts abound and celebrations galore, but Apple-Dorothy has but one goal: return home. She has to temporarily trade her stetson for a golden cap that allowed the Wicked Princess to control the
TinRarity, that's not what they mean by "Throttle"!
It's here that we get the famous reveal of the Wizard. I think I would have found this more charming if last month's Cover A issue didn't give away that it's Trixie. The Great and Powerful ruler reveals herself and–through the aid of a highly judgemental ventriloquist puppet–breaks things down for everyone. Like the illusionist the in the Wizard of Oz, Trixie must create placebos to help each member of Apple-Dorothy's party realize that they have all the intelligence, love, and courage they need. What they were lacking is experience. This reflects the growth of Apple-Dorothy's own journey as growth and maturity is a process rather than an endgoal. Even the eldest of us can still learn something new. The problem comes when Trixie accidentally leaves Apple-Dorothy behind because Toto jumped the balloon's basket.
Bye, Trixie! Thanks for the cameo!
Toto is the trickster throughout this story. Always changing things up. Disrupting the plans and the status quo. One may romanticize how much easier this trip would have been if Toto weren't along, but that might also mean they'd never reveal the Wizard's identity or made half their dsicoveries. The Trickster may shake your world apart, but it will also help you realize what's most important. In this case, Apple-Dorothy can't imagine a future at home without her beloved dog. So she has to let this chance to go home float away.
In any other story, this would be a horror scene.
One might think that this is where the story reaches the end as seen in the movie, but not so! There are several more adventures as the party quests to reach Twilight, the Good Princess of the South. This is where the group must battle hostile trees, cross a country made of fragile china, and confront a giant spider terrorizing the local animals. This is where Lionshy gets to demonstrate her newfound courage, though the end result is censored. Origianlly, the Lion catches the spider asleep, lands upon its back, and decapitates it with one claw swipe. A one-hit-kill, if a bit anti-climactic. This act does earn the Lion a place as ruler of the forest. Combine that with the Scarecrow being the new ruler of Odd and TinRarity ruling the Changelings, we find that each member of the group has grown from a novice to a ruler. Master of themeselves and their own domain.
There are deep psychological issue here.
Oddly, we don't get any ponies representing the Hammer Heads; beings who's necks can extend and pummel any trespasser. Dorothy had to call on the Winged Monkies to overcome that obstacle. Instead, they reach Twilight with little preamble and she quickly sets things straight. One comment is that she wonders why Celestia of the North didn't tell Apple-Dorothy about the shoes' power to take her home right away. The answer is because Celestia/Locasta likely knew Dorothy needed this journey to grow and apprecaite what she had. To simply give her the means home without aid would only stunt her growth. Again, a story is more about the process of growth, and often a character has to give up on what they wanted in order to accept what they needed. Dorothy doesn't really have to give up on her goal of returning home, but she does need to face several disappointments before showing her care for others and a level of selflessness that impresses Glenda.
So that's where all the ruby for the slippers went!
So with a fond farewell, Apple-Dorothy and Toto return home with full gratitude for what they have and where they live. She is not the same character who left Kansas and will likely grow to seek other adventures in time. Though hopefully none as freaky as Return to Oz. That movie was trippy!
Those things freaked me out so much as a kind.
This is a fun adaptation with a faithful adherence to the original with some fun asides. The fourth wall breaking isn't nearly so intrusive in this chapter as with others, making it feel more streamline and also enhancing the humor. The biggest obstacle is once again the artwork. If one hasn't accepted Ayoub's designs at this point, I doubt that opinion will ever change. I would like to see some other artists try their craft at a pony-based adaptation. At present, I am not aware of any new entries coming down the pipe. I will say that Trixie Holmes and Dr. Glimmer does sound like a fun idea.
Talk about "liquid courage"!
And now we can move on to my favorite of the three concurrent stories. Sure, these "Freaky Friday" type stories have a predictable end, but there's been genuine rising tension throughout and there have been enough twists on the old formula to keep things lively.
Get set for action! Tiny Pipp action!
It also helps that Amy Mebberson is drawing this story with a great emphasis on the torrential rain plaguing Zephyr Heights. Even when the ponies are indoors, there's special care to have an open door or a window to display the continual threat outside. Plus, Mebberson does the best job of drawing the characters in a faithful look to Make Your Mark and the range of emotions throughout this story. We witness innovation, hope, disappointment and guilt, selfishness, triumph, frustration, and more than I can truly list. Suffice to say that this storyline is my fave if only for the visuals.
Cloudy with a chance of doooooooom!
We begin at the low point with Zephyr Height so besiged by rain that nopony can reach the Royal Banquet. That is until Pipp–who remains the driving force of ideas and setting the emotional stage–comes up with the idea to livestream the gathering to the public. While it starts off well enough, Zipp is still out of favor with the public thanks to Carotang and the sisters quickly realize that to save the evening, they have to swallow their pride and ask him for help.
We've all had this feeling looking at social media.
Why do we keep looking at social media?
Initially, this development frustrated me. Equestria is a world that seems to default towards justice in a quick way, as many stories aimed at the young do. Carotang does not regret his actions of either gaslighting Pipp or manipulating Zipp. Nor does he recant the lies he spread. In fact, looking at his home and the in-house stage he enjoys, it's pretty clear that this guy has always enjoyed a wealthy backing. I doubt he's ever lived a middle-class lifestyle.
Are we sure Carotang isn't the Elong Musk of ponies?
The only reason I don't dislike this is because Carotang does have to relent to the fans' wishes and share the stage with Pipp and Zipp, which is the climactic show of the bond between sisters that helps unravel Milkyway's spell. Add to that Pipp and Zipp enjoy a reputation boost once the public learns of Milkyway's role and they might have come out a little bit ahead of their narcissistic competition. I doubt we'll see Carotang again and I envision a short career for this guy. If you give such people time, they'll eventually self-destruct and the best thing to do is forget about them and focus on something more positive. Like Misty!
This actually looks very lonely. No crew on standby. No help.
No cameras or technicians. This guy is living a lie!
If there is a theme for this story, I would say that it's impulsive actions making things worse. Misty is the only pony with some sympathy for Milkyway, but her apology only sets the self-centered nymph off on another attempt to sabotage the feast. However, Milkyway's own spontaneity lands her in an uncomfortable spotlight and she's rendered powerless lest she look like a fool to both the ponies and nymphs. She also has some back-to-basics punishment in store.
Not quite Hogwarts. But it'll do.
I do regret that we don't see the rest of the Fellowship of Friendship reflect on all that's happened. Pipp and Zipp are the leads for this tale so of course they get the last words in. Yet I would like for Misty to think back on her apology and consider that it was the right thing to do at the wrong time. Or that Sunny and Hitch might have been more direct in curtailing their friends' bad choices. Izzy, to me, remains blameless as she was the most proactive and adaptive in making things work.
Always prepared!
There's more to say for the total lookback, but I consider this a fun end to the storyline and possibly the last Make Your Mark inspired comic. Next time, we'll be getting a Tell Your Tale style story and mini-arcs for the foreseeable future. Yet whatever happens, I just hope that the fandom can make "Zipped It" a meme. Also, there's a Bluey reference here so it's worth at least taking a peek.
Maybe some more references in the stream windows?
Could be a fun "spot the reference" game!
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