Comic Review: Micro-Series #7 (Cutie Mark Crusaders) · 2:54pm Aug 21st, 2013
Cutie Mark Crusader Comic Book Stars are go!
It's summer vacation, and the CMC have already burned through everything they could think of to get their Cutie Marks. In their desperation, they decide to go into the Everfree Forest (I think; it's never made clear), and through their usual antics discover fall into a cave with a massive gemstone. When they take it back to Rarity, however, they discover that it's actually a mimicker, a creature that can shapeshift into any other non-pony thing. When they're young, they shift around into everything they can think of until they find a form they're most comfortable with, and then stay with that upon reaching adulthood.
This happens to line up pretty well with the concept of Cutie Marks, so the CMC adopt the mimicker (which they rename Imp) as a member of their club, and resolve to help her discover her destined form. But with the CMC being the CMC, they start thinking of all the ways they can use Imp to get their Cutie Marks. Can their new friendship (and friend, for that matter) survive this experience?
Before we go any further, I need to discuss the art. The story is drawn in a very sketchy, sort of storybook-style kind of way. The first time I saw it, I didn't care much for it, but after a while it grew on me. It's not the style I'd like to see in the main comic by any means, but it fits in a story starring a pair of precocious youths with no concept of patience or personal space. It's simple and charming, and none of the ponies look hideously off-model like with Rarity's jutting teeth in the Fluttershy micro.
As for the story itself, it's the CMC being kids as usual, but with a bit of a darker twist this time. They find a new creature that can turn into anything, and through some abusing of logical loopholes adopt it as a member of the Crusaders. But then they let their own selfish wants and desires take over and abuse their poor new friend to the breaking point. They never ask what she wanted to do, which they don't realize until after Imp loses it.
Speaking of Imp, she's silent throughout (mimickers apparently communicate through song of some kind – another reason the CMC can't figure out what they're doing is wrong until it's too late), but still has her own personality. Said personality, however, is basically just being another CMC, only her excitement is over shapeshifting rather than getting tattoos on the behind. Still, she's charming enough that you feel for her, which makes the ending all the sadder.
Twilight, Rarity and Applejack also show up, although they're mostly in the background. Twilight is mostly just there to provide exposition in the beginning, and around at the end for when the CMC learn their lesson. Applejack just shows up as a cameo in one panel. But Rarity gets one of the best moments in the issue early-on, where she ignores her sister until the mention of the “gemstone.” (And Spike's there also, briefly plotting to devour Imp until he learns she's alive.)
And....that's pretty much it. This is a very simple story, drawn in a very simple way, about some very simple characters. And that works for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. One of the benefits of the three is that they really are just kids (rather than acting immature to facilitate the morals like the Mane 6), and their screw-ups are understandable because of that. Good art, good story, good comic. And yes, the ending did hit me right in the feels. Which is surprising, considering it's a story about three little ponies making friends (and losing said friendship) with a transforming rock.
But next month is the golden one, for at long last, PRINCESS CELESTIA will be getting a chance to star in something that doesn't involve making Luna look better than her, ruining her citizen's lives for fun, molesting ponies and getting away with it, or getting age-regressed into a filly! Stay tuned for that exciting issue!
I really liked this issue. Not as good as the Rarity micro, maybe even with Pinkie's, probably better than the rest.
The Rarity moment was wonderful, and the rocket powered cart ride through Ponyville was just fantastic.
...I can't get the comic and now I don't get to know what happens in the end and if Imp is alright...
1299435
Why can't you get it?
1299517 Finland?
I could pay 30 bucks for postage and wait a month for it to arrive. Don't have money like that. I also don't want to /can't read stuff on my phone. So meh.
1299526
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you.
1299526 You really should give comixology a try, you can simply register and download one of the multiple free previews available on the site to see how it feels. I too was a little skeptical about reading it on my phone, but then I discovered the 'guided view' system where you basically see one panel at a time (or sometimes only speech bubbles at a time) and it works really well. You can also view the comics on your computer and that works too.
"PRINCESS CELESTIA will be getting a chance to star in something that doesn't involve making Luna look better than her"
does who rules fall under that category?.....
1299589 Insult me? Dude, you could hardly do it even if you tried, let alone by accident.
I still love you, don't worry. I was just bemoaning my existence far away from you civelezed 'muricans.
1299613 Yeah... except my old fone doesn't support anything that's come since.. 2010? It was old back then too. :p
1299899 Oh...well try it on your computer anyway.