• Member Since 12th May, 2012
  • offline last seen Jul 10th, 2015

Kavonde


More Blog Posts99

  • 474 weeks
    The Cutie Mark Crusaders vs. the Elder Gods

    So, hey, I've got a new story for your reading pleasure! Well, the first chapter of a story, anyway.

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    2 comments · 585 views
  • 479 weeks
    The Most Dangerous Game

    So I guess I missed out on EqD's latest big writing contest, The Most Dangerous Game. I mean, technically there's two days left to submit, but I only just found out about it. Shame, too, because I have kind of a cool idea--just not one I think I can get done within the time left to me. Ah well. Maybe

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    3 comments · 484 views
  • 491 weeks
    "An Outsider's Perspective" Featured at the Royal Canterlot Library!

    Hey, you know that announcement I've been talking about? This would be it. I'm thrilled and honored to say that the guys over at the Royal Canterlot Library enjoyed "An Outsider's Perspective" so much that they decided to feature it, along with an interview of me. And man, I'm not going to lie, I'm kind

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    0 comments · 495 views
  • 492 weeks
    Hey, so, Flutterspy!

    Guess what story I just finished after more than two years of writer's block?

    No, not Prince of Ponyville. Probably never Prince of Ponyville.

    Nope, it's a story that I feel holds up a lot better, and really deserved an ending: "Flutterspy!"

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    11 comments · 497 views
  • 492 weeks
    I'm late to the party, here, but Rainbow Rocks...

    I just finished watching Rainbow Rocks, and I have to write down my immediate reaction.

    That reaction is: I just watched Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny's kid sister movie. It was freaking amazing.

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    4 comments · 424 views
Apr
24th
2013

Seriously, the FiM comic is great. · 9:57pm Apr 24th, 2013

Been awhile since I mentioned the ongoing official Friendship is Magic comic book. If you recall, I kept comparing it to fanfiction--good fanfiction, mind, but it definitely came across as more of a fan work than an official production. The first storyarc had a ton of pop cultural references and jokes aimed at the older nerds (Chris Sims did a pretty thorough synopsis at ComicsAlliance), and while the basic plotline was enjoyable, it definitely seemed more concerned with being funny than with telling a good story.

The second arc, however, is freaking awesome.

If the first arc was the kind of crowd-pleasing fanfic that occupies the Featured Box for a few days and then fades into obscurity, the second is one of those epic, multi-chapter adventure 'fics that becomes legend in the fandom. (Or goes on hiatus for six months and then gets a half-finished, disappointing ending. Cough.)

The story thus far involves the return of the powers that transformed Princess Luna into Nightmare Moon (hmm, seems familiar). They haunt Ponyville, looking for a potential new queen/host to fulfill some sort of bargain that Luna struck with them long ago, but apparently never delivered on. They naturally choose the Best Pony, absconding with her the moon to try and sway her to the Dark Side.

The artwork is absolutely gorgeous. It's taken some time to learn to love the way Stephanie Buscema draws the ponies, but her work really shines here in conjunction with Amy Mebberson's colors and the cool, dark color scheme on the moon.

The humor's still present in spades, from Larry's--err, Shadowfright's--treatment of his minions to Pinkie's boundless enthusiasm. There's also some really interesting character development happening with Luna; she has secrets she's kept even from her sister, and is still struggling to relate to this brave band of ponies who consider her a friend. It still veers off into slightly silly territory occasionally, which is to be expected--come on, even Prince of Ponyville had a random song parody--but the overall tone is more earnest and serious. They're telling a story, here, not just jumping from one movie reference to the next.

Seriously, the comic has taken a huge step up in quality from the first few issues. Anyone who enjoyed Prince, or better stories like Flight of the Alicorn, really should check it out. You can find issues at your Friendly Local Comic Shop, or, if you're a hermit like me (or concerned about getting Looks from people), you can pick up the whole series online at Comixology.

I'm not kidding. You really should read this. Because, well... this.

Oh yeah.

Here's a video/appropriate theme song for you.

[youtube=wtvNZdIwWjc]

Report Kavonde · 729 views ·
Comments ( 11 )

I haven't gotten through the first arc
But this is all reminding me of Touhou for some reason. It should be reminding me of a lot of other things. It isn't.

That final page with Rarity straight up gave me chills when I read it today. They are doing an excellent job on it, and it's pretty awesome to see them tackle storylines that the show will most likely never go near.

1031908
Yeah, ditto. I mean, I knew it was coming, but I didn't expect Rarity to look so intimidating. Could it hurry up and be next month already?

Oh, and hey, Best Pony also got her solo Micro-Series issue today. I still haven't read Twi's or Dashie's, despite buying them both. Should probably get around to that some day.

1031917 Rarity's micro may have been even better than today's regular release. YMMV of course, but I just loved it.

I definitely agree, the first arc was there to show us what the comic was all about, be a Parody Nirvana and to show it wasn't going to be geared towards to younger children exclusively. So now it's established itself, it can go into new directions that I am really excited about. I mean Rarity's fall in her nightmare and Rainbow chasing after her was seriously powerful stuff.
I am so excited for when they finally put Discord in the comics, think of the potential!!

Oh dear God that looks awesome.

But it clashes with my headcanon :raritydespair:

1031928
Just read it. And YES. That was awesome! I must post images.

i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/TheNovak/null-34.png

So much background goodness.

i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/TheNovak/null-35.png

Tara Strong's pony avatar from the documentary!

i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/TheNovak/null-30.png

She'd have been so confused if she met Nathan Fillion. "... So what is the hammer, then?"

i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/TheNovak/null-32.png

Hey, at least they weren't hitting on you like they were Blueblood.

Where to find?

You have no idea how much I squee when I see things like this. Also, a whole race of Nightmare monsters being practically canon?

Can I get a hay yes?

I just recently finished reading the comics myself, and my opinion of them is that they are overly glorified fanfics, good fanfics like you said but fanfics none the less. And don't get me wrong, I have greatly enjoyed these comics form the fun dialogue to the unique art style, but that doesn't mean I don't have some major criticisms/concerns about them either.

For example I didn't like the way they ended the Changling arc (spoilers) with Twilight defeating the Queen with some over the top spell out of nowhere with her 5 friends watching helplessly from the sidelines. Its not that that kind of ending is in and of itself is a bad climax or anything I am just worried it might become a trend like in the DBZ movies (they are all the same, as if only Goku is aloud to save the day).

And my second is I always hate it when someone implies that Luna was being controlled or influenced by some other dark evil being called "Nightmare" or anything along those lines (your fic included, even if it was well written). I just fell that it takes away from Luna's character and belittles the grace that Celestia gives her at the end of the pilot.

But overall, even with those two complaints I still like the comics and can't wait to see where they take Nightmare Rarity :pinkiecrazy:. I also want to see what Luna's secret is, I hope its that she herself made the nightmare creatures or something.

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