Friendship is Card Games: Micro-Series and Friends Forever #9 · 12:39pm Jan 15th, 2017
This week, the spotlight’s pointed at some secondary characters, with new creations and old grudges on display. Sounds like fun to me.
Micro-Series #9: Spike
Heh. I was going to comment on the potential confusion of a pose called the “Hoity Toity,” but Fluttershy did it for me.
Also, given the intelligence level of the average Equestrian animal, I’m sure the Equestrian Pet Show is quite a sight to see. Probably makes the competition to be Dash’s pet pale in comparison.
That spelling for Twilight's owl's name still frustrates me. I maintain that it should be Owloysius.
Why does this spell “Pee Wee” as two words? Still, it’s nice to see the comic continue to acknowledge poor forgotten fledgling far more than the show ever did. (Yeah, remember how it seemed like Spike was going to have a pet phoenix at the end of “Dragon Quest” only for it to get put on a bus at the start of "Just for Sidekicks"? To be honest, I’d forgotten until this comic reminded me.)
Also, I’m intrigued by the ice cream incident.
Hmm. Do you think A. K. Yearling has any input on the Daring Do comics?
Ah, Sea Monkeys. Never had any myself, but I know they disappointed thousands if not millions. Can anyone wager a guess about why there are two differently labeled pouches of eggs?
Also, where did Spike get that huge aquarium, anyway?
Nice touch with Owloysius looking sorry for Spike… and Angel laughing at his misery.
Wait, if Spike went with Twilight to the pet show, who’d be running the library? Doesn’t exactly paint a positive picture of Ponyville’s literary intake.
Huh. What magical species are usually used as pets? And where did Spike get all of those ingredients? I can help but suspect he raided the basement lab.
Oh dear. This is why you always read all of the instructions.
Oh dear. I hope you enjoy your new species, Spike, because Twilight’s going to render them extinct when she sees what they’ve done to her books.
Where is all of that smoke coming from? If they’re burning the books, I might beat Twilight to wiping them out. 
And so the dictates of the sea beasts’ god were misinterpreted by minds unable to grasp their complexities and nuances. Thus they discovered war.
And hang gliders, apparently.
Hmm. Learning patience, doing things the right way rather than the easy one, and accepting that you can’t always get what you want are all valuable lessons. But at the same time, it is just an apple. I suppose the Apple Family has some very strong words for unicorns who think about cutting out the middlepony. (Heck, I'm surprised they let that tree grow right outside the library.)
Still, at least it gets Spike to realize that he isn’t a pet owner anymore. He’s a father.
See what happens when you’re rude, Angel? Now an entire species believes yours is called stinkies.
All sapients are created equal. There. Quick and easy.
The sea beasts’ final forms are pretty amusing, though I do have to wonder where they got the robes. Of course, I suppose I could say the same about Spike’s various teaching outfits, though there the answer is probably “Rarity.” Bipeds present a novel challenge, and she may not always want or be able to offer gems in exchange for her Spikey-Wikey’s services.
Also, I love how Angel gives absolutely zero craps about the mutant brine shrimp.
And so the Sea Beasts ventured into the world, seeking wisdom and spreading the word of Spiiii-ke, kind and noble creator of their race. Equestria being the deathworld that it is, most of them were probably eaten within a week. The rest ascended to a higher plane of existence. Celestia had to chase them out of it before Twilight showed up for her ascension montage.
This is my headcanon and you cannot take it away from me.
Friends Forever #9: Granny & the Flimflam Brothers
Well, there’s a pairing I never would’ve anticipated before hearing about this issue. Rather amusing in hindsight; Granny Smith was dealing with these two having a falling out years before her granddaughter had to. Also, I have to appreciate the Peanuts reference on the cover.
Ah. Granny’s a purist. At least when it comes to AppleCon.
Wow. That two-page spread has a lot to take in. Including Celestia at a banana stand and the dentist cart from Django Unchained. Also, I’m not sure if “AppleCon 45” means it’s the forty-fifth AppleCon or the AppleCon that’s taking place in XX45.
Given all of this hostility, I can only imagine how Granny reacted when she learned her child had married an Orange. Unless Applejack's aunt and uncle are more distantly related, but they're still related. Maybe Oranges who don't actually grow the hated fruit are acceptable in Granny's eyes.
One thing I really appreciate about this issue is how everyone from members of the Mane Six to background ponies to characters who only appeared in a single issue of the comic are part of the crowd. It does a good job of both emphasizing who the focus is on and showing our heroines getting to be normal, relatively unremarkable ponies for once. It's a quiet little novelty, and I like it.
Wow. Flim looks downright dead inside. I’m not sure how much of that is missing his brother and how much is getting ignored by all and sundry.
Also, good to see Granny won’t get fooled three times. Granted, Flim’s telling the truth, but he doesn’t exactly have the soundest reputation with the Apples.
Didn’t expect both Flimflams to try the exact same sales pitch. Also, even Flam’s mustache looks depressed. I actually feel kind of sorry for him.
Wow, Granny can move when she really wants to. She’ll probably be paying for that in the morning.
Hmm. I can actually buy Granny going from antipathy to sympathy here. I don’t think she ever even considered that the Flimflams might feel love for anything other than each other and money. It can be shocking to realize that your enemies are just as human—or equine—as you. (Granted, Granny’s likely been confronted with that fact in the past, but it still feels reasonable.)
Ah yes, a nod to the inspiration for the Flimflams, The Music Man. Marian even looks like a ponified Shirley Jones. Of course, as Flim notes, doubling the con artist without doing the same for the love interest introduces some unfortunate issues…
And there’s the other reason why Granny might lend a sympathetic ear: Family. It’s important to every Apple. None of them would wish a falling out with a sibling on even their worst enemy. (Of course, there are probably some long-held feuds among the Apples, but at least they still talk to one another. How else could they remind one another of what they did?)
On the other hand, there’s a moral dilemma here. Given what the Flimflams do, is it right to reunite them?
Whoa. Sudden unlabeled time skip if it’s been all weekend. That doesn’t qualify as “Soon” in my book.
Also, poor Apple Bloom. No apple peeler could be worth that wait.
I’m with Granny; that orange pavilion is grandiose to the point of being gauche.
Granny! I know the elderly can get away with a lot, but grabbing a unicorn by the pointy bit seems like a pretty major violation of a personal bubble.
Okay, I really like how Granny directed the potential collateral damage to where she wouldn’t mind it.
Ooh, relatability. And young Granny Smith. Good looks run in the family, it seems. Though given their names, I have to hope that Jonagold brothers weren’t too closely related to Granny. It is an apple cultivar…
Poor Bloom. Still, hopefully she learned something about wise time investment.
Wait, scratch that, she’s still in the middle of the Crusade.
Huh. I guess one Flimflam composes the music and the other writes the lyrics. That or their talents require one another to function properly. I can’t think of any other reason why they couldn’t manage to sell the Peelcore 8000 individually.
Speaking of, it seems to be a perfectly useful and functional device. I can’t help but wonder what’s wrong with it.
Yup, called it. Family’s fundamental to any Apple. Though Granny’s apparently not on talking terms with her niece and nephew in Manehattan, at least when it comes to AppleCon. Some things are sacred.
In all, these were both enjoyable, but lightweight. The pacing was the weakest part of both issues, and while there were fun ideas and visuals, the execution came out feeling sparse. Still, definitely not the worst IDW’s ever offered. I hope I can say the same for this week's cards:
Combat Stance W
Instant
Target attacking or blocking creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.
All creatures defend themselves. Some do it more creatively than others.
Long Hauler 4W
Creature — Pony Scout
Aura spells you control that target Long Hauler cost 2 less to cast.
Equip abilities that target Long Hauler cost 2 less to activate.
Carrying capacity is a matter of pride for some earth ponies.
3/3
Sea Beast Colony U
Creature — Beast
Evolve (Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
When Sea Beast Colony’s power is 3 or greater, transform it.
0/1
Spiii-kean Contemplatives
(U) Creature — Salamander Wizard
Evolve
2, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spiii-kean Contemplatives: Draw a card.
They wander the world, seeking to bring themselves closer to their creator in both form and wisdom.
1/3
Vase People Shelfdwellers UU
Creature — Salamander Citizen
Whenever you draw a card, put a +1/+1 counter on Vase People Shelfdwellers.
Once they realized the meaning of the strange symbols, their development accelerated even further.
1/1
Get Creamed 1U
Sorcery
Tap up to two target creatures. If you cast another spell this turn, those creatures don’t untap during their controllers’ next untap steps.
”At least it’s chocolate.”
—Spike
Object Lesson 1U
Instant
Draw a card for each spell target opponent cast this turn.
”You aren’t the only mind in the world. Look around and you’ll find everypony has something to teach you.”
—Twilight Sparkle, Bearer of Magic
Vase People Pageglider 1U
Creature — Salamander Warrior
U: Vase People Pageglider gains flying until end of turn.
In Equestria, ingenuity can easily trump aerodynamics.
2/1
Table People Chariot 2U
Creature — Salamander Warrior
Table People Chariot can’t be blocked except by creatures with defender.
By the time you’ve processed what they’re looking at, it’s too late to stop them.
2/2
Table People Glyphist 2U
Creature — Salamander Citizen
Whenever Table People Glyphist or another Salamander enters the battlefield under your control, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card.
Markers provided an easy way to advance beyond an oral history.
2/2
Retail Malaise 1B
Enchantment
Whenever an opponent activates an activated ability, if it isn’t a mana ability, that player loses 1 life.
Crushing a soul can be accomplished without magic.
Painful Isolation 2B
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets -2/-2 and can’t be the target of spells or abilities its controller controls.
Loneliness is an unnatural state for ponies, detrimental to both mental and physical health.
Directed Sabotage 2R
Sorcery
Creatures you control gain trample until end of turn. Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player this turn, you may destroy target artifact that player controls.
”Use the tools you got.”
—Granny Smith
Flimflam Processors 2R
Creature — Unicorn Rigger
Assemble 2 (2: Create a colorless Contraption artifact token. Assemble only as a sorcery.)
Contraptions you control have “T, Sacrifice this artifact: Add R to your mana pool.”
”Soon your tiresome chores will be a thing of the past!”
2/1
Convention Barbarian 3R
Creature — Pony Barbarian
Menace
Whenever Convention Barbarian attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each creature defending player controls.
Crowds bring out the worst in some ponies.
1/4
Disciplining Flame 3R
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast Disciplining Flame, you may reveal a Dragon card from your hand.
Creatures target player controls can’t block this turn. If you revealed a Dragon card or controlled a Dragon as you cast Disciplining Flame, Disciplining Flame deals 3 damage to that player.
Romantic Rivalry 3RR
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast Romantic Rivalry, tap an untapped creature you control.
Target creature fights another target creature.
”Love can be freely created and destroyed just as easily.”
—Cadence, Princess of Serenity
Super-Growth Formula 4G
Instant
Choose one —
• Target creature gets +6/+6 until end of turn.
• Put three +1/+1 counters on target creature.
Spike considered taste-testing, but decided that Ponyville didn’t need another new water tower.
Fruit Suit 2
Artifact — Equipment
Landfall — Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on equipped creature.
Equip 2
Cosplayers are a natural consequence of almost any convention.
Draconic Tutor BR
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast Draconic Tutor, you may reveal a Dragon card from your hand.
Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle your library. Discard a card at random unless you revealed a Dragon card from your hand or controlled a Dragon as you cast Draconic Tutor.
Eon-Long Line 2(wu)(wu)
Enchantment
Players can’t cast creature cards in hands.
Each creature card in each player’s hand has suspend 2. The suspend cost is equal to its mana cost. (Rather than cast that card from his or her hand, its owner may pay its mana cost and exile it with two time counters on it. At the beginning of that player’s upkeep, he or she removes a time counter. When the last is removed, he or she casts it without paying its mana cost. It has haste.)
Alluring Librarian 3GU
Creature — Pony Citizen
All creatures able to block Alluring Librarian do so.
Whenever Alluring Librarian becomes blocked, draw a card for each creature blocking it.
An attractive mare in a small town gets all kinds of unwanted attention.
2/2
Population Explosion 5(gu)(gu)(gu)
Sorcery
For each creature, that creature’s controller creates a token that’s a copy of that creature.
”We’re going to need a bigger tank.”
—Spike
Oh man. Retail Malaise is far to real.
It seems like the vase people and the table people have a lot to gain from working together, particularly their scholars...
Thank you for bringing back Evolve. Not only does it fit the situation perfectly, it was also my second-favorite mechanic from RTR block. Second-favorite only because Cipher is a thing.
Oh man. Directed Sabotage is rude.
Fun, but rude.
Love Eon-Long Line. A flavorful card that screws up the game in an interesting and amusing way!
Only slightly disappointed that there weren't any cards about, hmmm... bananas. Do you not like, hmm... bananas?
I agree, but I also wish Cadance was spelled Cadence.
There ya go.
Riggers and contraptions? That is dangerous territory you have.
This issue of FF is one of my favourites. Granny Smith and the Flim Flam Brothers was a great character pairing. One of those really natural fits with a lot of potential to explore in the dynamic. Plus, I really like it in general when this series puts more minor characters in the spotlight, which this one really did in a big way. It's very rare in FF that either the main six, the princesses, the Crusaders, or Spike don't form at least half of the pairing. To my knowledge, this issue, Shining/Blueblood, and DT/Silver Spoon are the only ones that don't.