Comic Review: Issue #17 (Reflections, Part 1) · 12:30pm Mar 19th, 2014
You know, every once in a while, we need to take a step back and reflect on our choices in life. How we got here, what we hope to accomplish, etc. I got here by being a general waste of a human being, for one thing, but I'm sure that somewhere out there is another universe, one where I'm a multimillionaire on a planet of multitrillionaires, or perhaps where I'm the most obedient slave in the Kingdom of the Mole People.
Today, we look at the first issue of “Reflections,” and get our first inklings of how the ponies view the multiverse. I mean, besides that human one. Because seriously, what self-respecting equine would want to go back there?
The comic opens with Luna doing her usual nighttime thing, strolling around the castle while waxing philosophical about the moon. This is interrupted when she sees Celestia pass through a mirror similar to, and yet different than, the Crystal Mirror, and the passageway is closed by the time she reaches her. A week of hiding her disappearance later, Luna finally calls in our heroes to investigate the matter, and she has a lead: Star Swirl the Bearded was apparently fascinated with the mirror, and was studying it alongside Celestia.
But in order to find its secrets, they will have to comb the cave network beneath Canterlot's mountain for Star Swirl's secret library.
Needless to say, this issue features a lot of Twilight going gaga over Star Swirl. From the way her eyes just bulge in glee at the thought of finding Star Swirl's lost library, to how she practically comes when she sees dusty old books that she hasn't had a chance to read yet, it's classic adorkable Twi through and through. Just what I would expect from a pony who reads thesauruses for fun. And yet, the comic also takes time to have her reflect on how she had dreamed of being like Star Swirl, and whether or not that's preferable or even possibly anymore now that she's a princess. It only lasts a couple pages, but it's a nice exploration of Twilight's character and shows that she isn't just abandoning her dreams and passions because a pair of wings were superglued to her body.
This is also the first time Star Swirl the Bearded has even been used in a way that wasn't just name dropping. We actually get to see just what kind of pony he was...and as it turns out, he was apparently ancient!Pinkie Pie. Luna even explicitly compares the two (she thinks Twilight is more like a young Celestia), and from the flashbacks it seems that she wasn't far off. While he still has a bit of the old mentor schtick going – especially when he does something that seems to be a catalyst for the plot – he's also out for adventure, unfazed by things like dinosaurs trying to eat him, and of course, wears a hat with bells on it. He also turns out to be a bit of a fraud, as much of his magical knowledge was gained by going to the other worlds, hitting up wizards there for knowledge, and taking their stuff.
And...that's pretty much the plot this issue. This is more of a warm-up to the main story, which according to the previews for future issues will involve the Mane 6 dealing with an evil universe version of Equestria. (I mean, besides the one where Luna ruins the lives of anypony who doesn't play a certain symphony exactly right.) While what we have is very well done, it doesn't escape the fact that it only feels like the first act. And that makes the wait all the worse for the next issue.
Besides setting up future comics, though, the issue excels at just being damn funny. Luna's Celestia disguise now stands as the funniest single panel in the comics to date, and Fluttershy's fillyhood dream – dentistry – is amusing and also a little disturbing given the kind of pony she is. An early running gag is everypony mentioning there being a monster down there, and we even see Celestia and Star Swirl discuss having one as a guard...and then reality ensues. And while the Mane 6 are exploring, we have Luna and Spike killing time playing board games, usually ending with Spike kicking moonbutt's behind.
It should also be noted that the comic, as is typical for a Price/Cooke piece, is full of references. It's not used as the primary source of comedy...but they are there, so be aware of that.
Overall, the issue is a promising start to what is hopefully a good story. I think I can already make out where it's headed, and quite frankly, it's a little worrying for the Celestia-lover that is me, but at least this issue turned out all right.
There's also a two-page backup detailing the origin of Star Swirl's hat. Outside of two fillies that might be little Celestia and baby Luna (the mane styles are similar, at any rate) and proving that Star Swirl is a thieving dick, there's not much else to it.
So. StarSwirl is a goober.
I am okay with this.
I can already tell that this arc will not be added to my headcanon, and as a fellow Celestia lover I am worried as well... I see a influx of "canon" tyrantlestia once the second issue comes out.
Hmm...I think I'll start collecting from this issue on.
Well, actually, I supposed I bought the Celestia + Spike Micro, so I guess I'm collecting from that issue on. You were right, by the way, that was a good one. I don't even mind that it's talky. I like talky.
I'm more interested about the fact that this arc hinted to King Sombra return.
Dude this comic was hilarious and I loved seeing more of Celestia! It was great to get some history and well-paced flashbacks too. Luna's disguise was like the best thing I've ever seen.
What a great issue, I'm really looking forward to more of this arc.
1938399 Any particular reason why regarding your headcanon? I'm a pretty solid fan of Celestia too and I didn't find anything that bothered me yet.
1938812
I have Star Swirl being two distinct ponies. The Bearded one live well before the birth of the Sisters, his descendant Starswirl the Belled was a contemporary of the Sisters and she was a mare. The pony that Twilight idolizes is simply an composite of the two.
1938835 That seems like a headcanon that is going to be extensively jossed by the show eventually.
Plus, I have a hard time buying Twilight being that incorrect about her idol. This is the pony that even got the bells right, after all, I doubt she would be so wrong about the other details.
That ending...
Is it me, or is my Sombra = Star Swirl headcanon gonna get confirmed?
Its like every shitty alt universe is becoming canon.
So what we have is an ancient unicorn wizard of questionable morals who could pass for one of Pinkie's long lost ancestors. Now where have I read something like that before?
Starswirl turning out to be something of a fraud who stole most of his success from other more talented unicorns actually doesn't bother me all that much. That he stole it from alternate universes instead of actual contemporary peers in his own kind of does. Mostly because it reminds me a bit too much of that trope where all modern human technology only exists because of aliens. The notion made for a cute little joke once upon a time, but it's long since become something that has been overdone and worse still some people actually believe in.
1938399
Ideally I think that getting an official AU tyrant Celestia should only be a good thing. It provides a potential outlet for the memes while at the same time illustrating a stark contrast between this evil counterpart and the real Celestia from the show. Yah, there will always be those that just use it to try and further slander her character, but those aren't the kind of trolls the rest of us should be listening to in the first place.
1938883
Not to mention that Luna herself commented on said accuracy. Which would presumably then include the beard as well.
1938958
Meh... I've always preferred Starswirl = Discord, but to each their own.
1938883
S4 has already thrown a few curve balls my way, and I am having to outright ignore a few episodes (or modify them) to keep my 'verse working, which includes not have Discord being released.
1500 years have passed since Starswirl the Belled walked the world, and for the most part she's been overshadowed by the Sisters' actions in the waning days of the Chaos Era and the beginning of the reunified Equestria. Plus Twilight most likely studied the pre-classical era more often which was before the birth the Royal Sisters, she simply doesn't know.
1939104
I wish I could share your optimism.
1939122 I'm not so loyal to any of my headcanons that I straight up ignore the show to keep them intact. Canon > fanon/headcanon in my book, no exceptions.
Well, except for Mare-Do-Well, that episode can DIAF.
1938979 So you don't like Alternate Universes, so what? Let others enjoy it for once.
I have to buy that issue along with the rest someday. Patience, patience.
1939137
I have invested too my time and energy into mine to scrap it, but I do try my hardest to incorporate as much of the show canon in as possible
1939168 i just dont like shitty ones. Either way, dont get your panties in a bunch.
"(I mean, besides the one where Luna ruins the lives of anypony who doesn't play a certain symphony exactly right.)"
...was that a "Background Pony" reference?
1940893
Lunaverse reference. Specifically, Symphony for Moon and Sun.
Heh, at least him stealing bits and pieces from other universes could go someway to explaining why their technology level is a bit piecemeal from time to time.
I still like the idea of him as a genius, and no doubt fics will continue to write him like that, but this seems like a cool character nonetheless.
After actually having read it, much like the majority of Cook-Price issues, I thought it was fantastic.
I would say the Starswirl isn't 100% fraud though, I mean, even if he didn't come up with the stuff from the other side of the portal (including penicillin. Cool.) he was still doing pretty advanced magics beforehand (beforehoof?) including building a portal that can traverse the multiverse.
Also, FUCK THE HELL YES, HE'S BACK! And it's Cook-Price, so hopefully he'll be used well and he'll become more developed as a character and holy crap I'm looking forward to this this could be so awesome.
Hey look a dinosaur...
It's got a cutie mark....
THAT DINO IS AN ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE FLUTTERSHY!!!
I demand a My little Dino, Friendship is Triassic cross over, demand it!
I'm going to guess that the alternative King Sombra is actually a good guy, like the joker and Lex Luthor being heroes in Earth 3, and maybe romantically linked to our Celestia she was mirror jumping for a bootie call.
If they do a range of other universes later rather than just Equestria 3 I can't imagine how one of them can't be one where Celestia fell rather than Luna...
1944306 yeah I'm also guessing Celestial had a romantic connection in that other world, probably to the good guy Sombra.