Pony Tidbits · 12:51am Aug 15th, 2017
So, I've got a couple little pony-related tidbits to share. On the agenda: Comics and Toys.
The other day, I was at Target to buy a couple of things for my mom, one of which she really should have gotten herself, and I decided to browse the toy section, because why not. There, I saw that the Guardians of Harmony Twilight vs Changeling set was on clearance for half price, and I snapped it up. Upon unboxing and posing the pair, I noticed a few things. First, the packaging for the line has a collage of dozens of characters from the show on it, most of whom are popular in some way. Even pony Sunset is included, despite not appearing in the show proper. However, one character stood out to me as out of place: the jerkwad cherry salespony from Putting Your Hoof Down. Like, why? Unlike other major antagonists and villains, he's not interesting one bit (ha). He's not even brightly colored to attract the eyes of passing children!
Anyway, on to the actual figures. The changeling is pretty standard, save for only having one joint per leg as opposed to Twi's two. Twilight herself is more notable. First off, her teeth aren't painted white like they are in the box art, just the same lavender as the rest of her. Secondly, in the ultimate cheapskate move, only her left cutie mark, the one facing outwards, is even painted on. Come on, you already had the equipment set up for one side, Hasbro. Lastly, and this one is actually a point in the toy's favor, if you want to make the confrontation show-accurate, her wings pop on and off quite readily. Ball and socket joints - 1, Larson - 0.
On to the second item on our agenda: the official comics. Now, I hadn't read any of the MLP comics up until recently, because they're non-canon and I have a bunch of other stuff I like to do. Then, last month, I saw this article. Apparently, the ponies featured in Legends of Magic will be appearing later this season. As I'm a sucker for expanded backstory, I just had to check those issues out.
In issue #2, my current favorite, I noticed a sweet background cameo: a ponified Lucina from Fire Emblem: Awakening! As it so happens, the comics pack in even more references to other works of pop culture than the show does. Probably the most ridiculous is a nod to Kill La Kill, arguably one of the most hypersexualized and crazy violent anime even made. Like, just look at the opening. Then again, we do have The Dude as a recurring background character on the show, so... yeah.
Oh, and I also changed my User Bio, in case you hadn't noticed. The old one was funny, but not very descriptive.
For bonus points, the issue that references Kill la Kill also features a reference to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
The comics have their issues (no pun intended,) but when they're good, they're very good.