IDW Fiendship is Magic #2 (And Happy Birthday, Cathy Wesluck) · 2:51am Aug 21st, 2020
This is the other comic I got for my birthday, and it'll probably be the last big comic review for a while since I don't think I can really acquire any other comics as I've collected just about every one worth reading. Anyway, this comic was the second in a brief lived comic series that was touted as exploring the origins behind some of FiM's greatest villains (with only Discord and Sunset Shimmer being noticeably absent at the time. Sunset is understandable considering she had her own origin story in the 2013 annual but Discord's exclusion seems kind of odd even though he was "reformed"). The Sombra issue premiered to roaring critical acclaim and proved to be an early high for the series (before the main series would seek to "borrow" from it and run the promising things show in it into the ground), so was this issue able to keep this side series going or did it already indicate that it was running into trouble? Well, let's find out.
The story takes place "a long time ago" in lands far beyond Equestria. A young Tirek is leaving the castle grounds of his kingdom to visit the cave where his master lives: An old hermit named Sendak. Rumors have circulated that Sendak has traveled to Equestria and brought back something truly unique after being away for so long. But Scorpan is rather worried about what his brother is doing. Tirek tells him to shut up, and per the orders of Sendak has Scorpan left outside to keep watch. Inside the cave, Sendak reveals that he was able to capture a unicorn and bring it back with him. He intends to drain its magic to become more powerful, and in time will teach Tirek the technique as well.
Tirek already plans to usurper his mentor as he and Scorpan are called to the palace where King Vorak and his wife are having a conversation. Vorak makes it clear he doesn't trust his son, believing that his time with Sendak is a precursor to a plot to overpower Vorak and take the throne. His wife claims that he's creating a self destructive cycle by assuming this, before Scorpan interrupts and the conversation ends. Tirek, however, has become quite furious now that he knows what his father really thinks of him. He tells Scorpan later that he'll be going to bed, but that night he creates a disturbance to lure the guards away from their post so he can sneak past.
Tirek reaches the cave of his master and is able to induce a sleep spell on Sendak. Then he desires to drain the captive unicorn of its magic, only to find it more difficult than he assumed. Frustrated by the lack of progress, he ends up waking Sendak, who is unable to break the hold Tirek has on him and can only watch as his student gives into his darkest instincts and succeeds where the master could not. This causes the cave to become unstable, trapping Sendak in rubble as Tirek flees for his life. The next morning, he and Scorpan are summoned to their father's court where we see that Discord is among the creatures in attendance. Vorak is furious that Sendak abducted a unicorn, claiming that this could provoke war with Equestria. So he announces his intent to travel to Equestria to make amends with Celestia, and leave Sendak working in the mines so that he'll "never again see the sun". When he asks his sons where they were the night before, Tirek lies and claims he didn't leave the palace. A furious Vorak basically grounds Tirek before leaving his wife in charge. Scorpan is shocked that Tirek lied, but Tirek is already plotting to himself to overthrow his father, proving him right.
And that's the story, so what do I think of the issue? Incomplete might be the best way to describe it, it feels like we only just got to glimpse into what made Tirek the monster he is and how he became such a threat. And then right when it seems like his story is about to becoming interest it ends. I'm not saying that what we got here was bad, but it feels like it sorely needed a "Part Two" to be fleshed out and fully realized. Still, it manages to retain the level of quality present from Sombra's Fiendship is Magic issue, and the series would sadly never again reach this level of quality, it would be all downhill from the next issue onward. This one might look better in retrospect because it isn't tied to a horrible main series arc, and hasn't retconned out of existence by the show. The entire Fiendship is Magic collection seems to be increasingly hard to find in print, and they're going for quite hefty prices on line. So you may have to splurge a little to get them, but even for this issue you shouldn't be sending more than perhaps fifty dollars at most. It's valuable but it's not nearly that valuable.
And there you have it. I'll let you know if I get any more comics that will be reviewed. Also, I wanna give a quick shot out to Cathy Wesluck as it's her birthday today. She is the talented woman who voiced Spike, Coco Pommel and Mayor Mare among other characters on FiM. She has chosen not to reprise the role for Pony Life, with the role being taken over by Tabitha St. Germain (Discord's role has been recast to Peter New). Happy birthday, Cathy Wesluck. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Spike is my favorite character, so happy birthday, Cathy!
What comics do you have physical copies of, by any chance?
5339901 Any I've posted a review of on this account.
5339903
Oh.
Then, did you make a review of the first Fiendship is Magic comic?
5339907 Yes, way back in 2012.
5340113
Can you give me the link to it?
5340116 Here. I should note the review isn't very objective.
5340117
Thank you.
Happy Belated Birthday, Cathy! Spike is tied with AJ for my favorite MLP character, and it's sad that she isn't voicing Spike this go around, but I hope that she's happy; she, in my opinion, is the only voice for Spike.