My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Diamond Book Distributors and IDW Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
Authors: Ted Anderson, Katie Cook
Illustrators: Tony Fleecs, Andy Price
Upcoming Release Date: January 26, 2016


Synopsis: Based on the hit movie, join the girls as they get settled into Canterlot High. Plus, Sunset Shimmer tries to find the true meaning of the holidays as rumors circulate around the school. Collects the 2013 Annual and the 2014 Holiday Special.

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Review: This comic follows the alternate human version of the Ponies we're familiar with that were introduced in the Equestria Girls film. There isn't magic in this world, but they know of the ponies and Sunset Shimmer is still finding her place in this human world. 

The first story in the trade paperback shows how the girls originally met in this alternate world. It was during the Freshman Fair. AppleJack, or AJ as she is known here, is new to the school and doesn't quite fit in. I liked the way these girls' personalities mirror those of their pony counterparts. The art of them as humans instead of ponies is awkward at times, but overall I like the concept.

The second half shows the girls during the holidays, on a slumber party binge. We are introduced to MyStable, the social media of this world. I love the references like this to pop culture that make their way into these comic books. 

This is another good entry in the MLPFIM comic book series. Like the ones before it, it's a great introduction to comics for young fans of the tv series. I give this graphic novel a 3/5. It's a great story of friends and family.


--PAUL

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Pony Tales Vol. 1 - Ashley's Review

*I received this comic as an eARC from IDW Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Pony Tales Vol. 1
Contributors: Thom Zahler, Ryan Lindsay, Katie Cook, Barbara Kesel, Ted Anderson, Bobby Curnow, Amy Mebberson (Illustrations), Tony Fleecs (Illustrations) , Andy Price (Illustrations), Ben Bates (Illustrations), Brenda Hickley (Illustrations)
Publication Date: November 5, 2013

Synopsis: Six spotlights focusing on everyone's favorite Ponies! Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack each get a whole issue devoted to them.

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Review: Every time I see a new My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic is released, I get way more excited than I probably should. I'm pretty sure these are targeted for a (much) younger audience, but I don't care. I really enjoy seeing the Mane Six in fun new adventures! 

This comic does not disappoint. It collects six short stories, each featuring one of the Mane Six. We get to see each pony tackle issues specific to them, and it's actually kind of neat. Usually we see them all together, using the Elements of Harmony to defeat some Big Bad. There are no real Big Bads here, just some situations that are not so pleasant. 

It was fun to learn more about the ponies without having them relying on their friends, and I enjoyed seeing them get out of sticky situations or help others entirely on their own. Twilight, who at one point needed to learn about friendship, is able to teach other ponies about how important it is. Rainbow Dash is forced to believe in herself when things don't go her way. Fluttershy is nervous about revealing a secret to the world, but learns to have a little self-confidence. Rarity needs some time away to relax, but is able to help out some unlikely friends. Pinkie Pie comes up with a solution for a problem her idol is having. And Applejack is taught that sometimes family needs to come before work and it doesn't hurt to ask for help. All of these are important lessons, and I think they work better as these short stories than they would have in a full issue. 

Also, there are so many subtle jokes spread throughout these stories that I was laughing when I wasn't appreciating the lessons. The pony names are, as always, plays on real people and places and internet memes. One of the want-to-be clowns, for example, is named Trollo Lollo. Applejack also learns about the Sass Squash (a sassy squash-throwing creature). I think it's awesome how pop culture is embedded in these comics, which are huge in pop culture themselves. 

I definitely recommend this for fans of MLP:FIM. You don't need to have read the other comics to enjoy these stories. I think these comics would be a great way to introduce the younger generation to comic books, so buy them for your children/younger siblings/nieces/nephews/etc. and enjoy the comics with them! 3/5


--Ashley

Jim Henson's The Storyteller - Paul's REVIEW

***I was provided an ecopy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review***

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Title: Jim Henson's The Storyteller
Authors:  Katie Cook, Colleen Coover, Nate Cosby, Chris Eliopoulos, Francesco Francavilla, Justin Gray, Roger Langridge, Marjorie M. Liu, Ron Marz, Jim McCann, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jeff Parker, Paul Tobin , Tom Fowler, Janet Lee, Mike Maihack, Evan Shaner, Janet K. Lee, and Jennifer L. Meyer 
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: When people told themselves their past with stories, explained their present with stories, foretold the future with stories...the best place by the fire was kept for...The Storyteller 
Archaia and The Jim Henson Company are proud to present all-new tales of fantastic wonder and extraordinary myth, as told from the tongue of The Storyteller and his loyal canine companion.

Review: I am a huge fan of all things Jim Henson. As a child, The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock were two of my favorite shows. I also really enjoyed The Storyteller. Each episode would tell a different story, some from myths, some fables, and others taken from history. I even have the DVD set on my shelf right now. 

This graphic novel was set up in a similar fashion to the tv series episodes. Each story is bookended by the Storyteller himself and his dog. They even come up within the stories as well sometimes. I like the interactions between the Storyteller and his dog. 

Many authors and illustrators contributed to this graphic novel. There is a lot of diversity in the type of stories. Some of them I was familiar with, but most of them I had never heard of before. The style of each story is also different. The art is different and unique for each story. Some are more cartoony while others have a realistic feel. 

If you are a fan of Jim Henson or even just fables and fairytales, this is a book for you. This would be a nice book to read to a young child, each night reading a different story. This would be a perfect introduction to comic books and graphic novels. I give this graphic novel a 4/5.

-PAUL

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Volume 1 - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from IDW Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Volume 1
Author: Katie Cook, Andy Price
Year Published: 2013

Ashley's Review

Synopsis: Welcome to Ponyville, home of Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and all your other favorite Ponies!

 Something's not right in the town though, as some of the inhabitants are acting very, very strange. It’s up to the Mane Six to find the source of the weirdness before it’s too late!

Review: If you enjoy the tv series, you'll enjoy this comic. The art is very similar to the show. there are lots of colors and quite a few pages with so many details I found myself checking out what the background ponies were up to. The humor and dialogue is also very similar to the tv series. 

If you know a kid who loves the show, this would be a perfect way to introduce them to comic books! I'll give this graphic novel a 3/5, but that's only because it is childish and light. But, that's what My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is all about, teaching lessons in a really fun way. 


--Ashley

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Volume 1 by Katie Cook & Andy Price - Ashley's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from IDW Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Volume 1
Author: Katie Cook, Andy Price
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: Welcome to Ponyville, home of Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and all your other favorite Ponies!

 Something's not right in the town though, as some of the inhabitants are acting very, very strange. It’s up to the Mane Six to find the source of the weirdness before it’s too late!

Review: When I first heard that "My Little Pony" was going to be rebooted for television as "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic", I thought it was a really terrible idea. I mean, there have been some pretty awful incarnations of this franchise. But then, I decided to give it a chance... and I got hooked. And so, when I saw this comic available on NetGalley, I had to request it immediately. 

The ponies in this story are drawn a little differently than in the show, but it isn't too far off and I think it works in this medium. They're more cartoon-ish, but I guess that's what you get when you're not using a computer to animate. The story is predictable (because the Mane Six always win!), but it's nice and presents a good message nonetheless. They have to work past their differences and the trickery of Queen Chrysalis in order to make it to her kingdom and rescue the Cutie Mark Crusaders. 

I think any fan of the TV show will really enjoy this comic. I also think this would be a nice way to introduce younger children to the wonderful world of comics and graphic novels - give them something nice and easy to read, full of vibrant colors and their favorite characters. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this story (I mean, there are Bronies after all), and you don't have to be afraid of anything too scary or too mature for kids to handle.

Overall, I actually enjoyed this story more than I thought I was going to. I would definitely suggest buying the paperback version though, because reading an electronic copy of this was a little rough. I think comics are more effective in printed form anyway. A 3/5 from me. 


--Ashley