Legends of Magic #8 Review

With Season 7 having concluded and a Season 8 confirmed, the IDW comics once again had to tide fans over during a hiatus as rumors and speculation abounded. The main series opted for an indirect followup to "Marks and Recreation", meanwhile the Legends of Magic series was continuing its overarching story that it had started in just the previous issue. Was this issue able to keep the story flowing, or did it throw it off the rails? Well, let's find out.

We begin right where the previous issue left off, Stygian (by this point his name was known to all but the comic writers) stuck in a deep hole. And the pony standing over him and ready to lift him out, was the legendary Rockhoof of the Mighty Helm, complete with his trusty shovel. It turns out that he'd dug a precautionary trench to protect his town from a volcano that had been rumbling for some time now. However, Rockhoof didn't consider himself a hero, especially not in comparison to his captain. It turned out that they were having problems related to some magical fish that kept their water pure and clean. The problem seemed to be lumber bears, which had moved in after the timber wolves were forced out. But the captain wouldn't risk pony lives to fight the bears.

Fortunately, there was no need to. Stygian proposed digging a new trench to divert the river from the forest and lure the lumber bears out in the open. Rockhoof quickly got to work on this trench, but before long the lumber bears arrived and the captain had to fend for herself. Stygian, who had been magically holding back the flow of the river, could no longer do so. However, he came to the rescue of Rockhoof, who upon digging the trench all the way through had no way of getting out. Thanks to Stygian, the lumber bears were defeated, and the water saved.

With his captain's blessing, Rockhoof packed up to join Stygian. But he was just one addition to the group of heroes that would need to be assembled. While Rockhoof's strength would be vital to overpowering the brainwashed villagers, they would need a healer to cure them of the sirens' spell. To that end, the two headed for Hayseed Swap to find Mage Meadowbrook. Although the journey was long, Stygian found that Rockhoof made for a valueable travel companion and great company.

Upon arriving in the swamp, the two ponies found the wilderness void of wild life completely. Rockhoof didn't mind, the swamp air and environment were refreshing for him compared to the high altitude of his village situated near a volcano. Unfortunately, the two discovered that the local wildlife was far from friendly. A bunny attacked them, and when they were able to subdue it, it called for reinforcements.

While running, the two were tackled by a mysterious pony. Mistaking Mage Meadowbrook's mask (which muffled her voice) for a face, Stygian assumed she was a Hippogriff (revealing that they are a half pony/half bird hybrid). But Meadowbrook took off her mask, introduced herself to the stallions, and requested them come with her. Despite what she was told about them, however, she didn't think she needed any help to solve her problem. However, when Stygian made a comment about alligators, that got Meadowbrook to thinking. She drew on one of her animal friends, an alligator that could speak pony named Allie, and learned from him that the hervabors were being aggressive, forcing the predators into hiding. It seemed the cause of the problem was a strange new fungus that sprouted up in recent weeks. And it would take some time for Meadowbrook to whip up a cure, a problem as a hoard of normally cuddly animals had found Meadowbrook's home and were prepared to storm it. And on this note, the issue ends.

And that's the story, so what do I think of the issue? It's a nice continuation, and it does a great job of building on the characters of all three main characters. Rockhoof is hardy and humble, but also quite friendly. In a sense, he's almost like a big brother figure for Stygian, his first true friend. Meadowbrook takes on an air of mystery and haughtyness. She almost never takes off her mask (thus adding to the mystery surrounding her and likely leading to her being seen as a sorceress) and is quite confident in her naturally honed skills, so she thinks she doesn't need any help at first. But she quickly relents when she realizes her new companions have useful knowledge to impart. And in an example of what he would later contribute to the group as a whole, Stygian uses his knowledge and observations to take note of his surroundings and plot strategies to aid Rockhoof and Meadowbrook. It's a fine followup to the previous issue, and worth picking up.