A new edition of Pony Media is up as I review the second volume of the Melowy comic series. Even though MLP's Gen 4 is coming to a close this year (which saddens me), that doesn't mean we won't find anything pony related. Fortunately, I was able to find a couple between D'Lirium (the only mature pony title) and Melowy that follows the standards of Gen 4. The first Volume kicked off this series on a high note as Courtney Prowell must have taken inspiration from FIM's Season 1 Premiere. Even though both stories got written in a different manner from each other, however, they share the same quality beginning. It's great to see other pony theme franchises that are actually good outside MLP, something that was always an issue years ago. We honestly need to thank Lauren Faust for setting a high quality standard to write a pony series.
For this second volume, there is a fashion event going on as Flora; a fashionista is holding tryouts for her club. Electra gets interested but believes she is not good enough to enter the contest. However, after being encouraged from her friends both Selena and Electra go together. Eris, who is a part of the fashion club plans to sabotage their efforts after finding a dark magic paint brush left inside her lounge by Circe (the Ruler's agent) secretly. The dark artifact is capable of stripping color from anyone and within Aura. Electra and Selena set out to the fashion tryouts unaware of Eris' plan to cause problems for them. The story direction of this series ever since the first comic's cliff hanger has continued keeping my interests. No doubt, the series' originality and its characters are what attracted me from the start and because it's another quality pony story. Melowy Vol.2: The Fashion Club of Colors Review
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A new edition of the Equestrian Blog is up, and I have a major question to ask since 2014. What happened to our favorite colorful Sirens from Rainbow Rocks? The question has gotten asked many times since 2015 by the Brony community with debates and even several theories. The EQG series would have villains that were either a hit or a miss half the time. The Dazzlings were the only ones to get ranked up there with FIM's antagonists. That speaks volumes compared to Sunset, Cinch and Vignette Valencia who should've never been an opposition. Of course, Midnight Sparkle and Gaia Everfree were still good villains on their own. However, the Dazzlings were the ones to set the standard for EQG and an example the others should follow. We already saw the Shadow Bolts return in Dance Magic, making the episode the best of EQG. If only Hasbro could bring them back in an urban fantasy adventure, it then ties the loose end and gives closure for us. Even another slice of life episode like Dance Magic would also do so many wonders for the girls.
As you will notice under the Equestrian Blog section, I posted a new banner. Making these was a thing I wanted to do for Alicorn Enchantment for months. If you are wondering, my experience with Photoshop is really how these banners and logos got created. That leaves Pony Media which needs a change considering it still has Alicorn Enchantment's main page banner. For this section, I wanted to use a mock-up traditional blog post image. Another thing added was a mock-up computer screen effect with the image at a slant angle. It creates the illusion of looking at a monitor from a side view. Originally, I was going to use a paper scroll effect that Twilight often sent letters to Celestria with. However, it's a blog section, so that weren't make sense to apply the image as a background. Now, if this were called the Equestrian Courier then that would've made perfect sense to use. The Last thing for me to say is I'm sorry for not posting weekly content like usual. Lately, with being swamped in studying for a certification exam for IT (which is this week) its why I haven't published more articles. I will try to post often after Thanksgiving and give more content during the Christmas season. Were the Dazzlings a Missed Opportunity? I have an update today regarding the Pony Central section and finally, I was able to put together a new banner. Some of you instantly noticed the name change as Pony Central didn't sound unique. The section will now be called Alicorn Enchantment as Pony Central and the Home banner of the site's name wasn't doing it. I wanted a magical design for the font mixed with a magic starry night sky. The banner demanded something that came across as different to the 80s retro design. Implementing this style for the third time was a little repetitive for an area related mostly to the current gen of MLP. Of course, MLP started in 1984 and the series is really considered retro by its history. My content for this area is mostly based on the current gens of four and the upcoming five in a couple of years. For a while I wanted to have a pony vector of Retro Gamer as the website's mascot. You already witness her as a human and now you get to see Retro Gamer get ponified.
There additionally have been a few changes done in this section as Grimdark Tales got removed. As much as I love reading those MLP Grimdark fan fictions, but it's hard to keep up with reviewing them. The only story ever to get reviewed was My Little Pony SNES and Horror Gaming wasn't doing any favors. Any reviews for Grimdark tales in the future will be in Pony Media. It's a section dedicated to other pony themed stuff that isn't related to the main MLP content. The generations of the canon shows and comics are now being renamed Alicorn Reviews. Friendship is Magic and Equestria Girls will however, be called what they are for its reviews. However, the other Generations (when I get to them) will get listed by their number as Hasbro never named them. Another edition of Pony Media is up, and I have a comic review about a brand-new series called Melowy. Since Season 8 is on hiatus and the next EQG special won't air until August or September, I wanted to check out this comic. Once in a while I like to take a break from MLP to focus on another pony theme series. As for this comic, it initially comes from a book collection called Melowy written by Danielle Star. I couldn't discover anything on her aside the fact she lives in England with her five horses in the countryside. Danielle seems to come off as an unknown which I find similar to Lauren Faust before she began FIM as Gen 4. The series is actually brand new and started in January of this year with five books already translated into English. However, the writer for the comic is Cortney Powell another unknown that I can't find anything on from any previous works. There was one name I recognized and its the drawer named Ryan Jampole. He's known for drawing others comics like the Archie Mega Man collection. For the review its self, Melowy takes place in a magic world called Aura that's populated by Pegasus ponies. These are Melowies, a fairy winged Pegasus' that have unicorn horns. At the start, I thought Melowy was the main character's name, but that is just the specie of ponies of that world. The main characters who I call the Main Five are Cleo, Selena, Cora, Maya, and Electra, a group of friends that attend the Castle of Destiny. It's here they learn the traits of friendship and how to harness their magic powers. Now, you are thinking it's another magic girl group in a high school setting? It actually is not as unlike Equestria Girls, this takes place in a magic realm similar to Equestria. I was glad to discover this in my recommendation list when I was shopping for other comics on Google Play. Melowy Vol.1: The Test of Magic Review A new edition of Alicorn Reviews is up, and we get treated to another CMC episode. Ever since the Crusader received their cutie marks in Season 5, the girls have been on a role helping others. The CMC even helped a griffon named Gabby try to get her cutie mark despite that her kind can't. I'll be honest about these fillies, I was never a fan of them and these kids have never stuck out with me once. However, I'm not saying they are not good characters as they have provided unique and fun moments. I can understand why they have such a following among Bronies and it's their charm of kids growing up. Fans have watched these girls grow from patiently waiting for their cutie marks to now going through the struggles of using their talents. I may never be a fan of these girls but the appeal of watching them grow is very understandable.
The episode is a first for the Crusaders as up until now they have always helped ponies (aside Gabby) find their talents. Now, the Cutie Map has summoned the Crusaders to a friendship problem much to their delight. Not only is this the first time the map has called them but it's leading outside the boarders of Equestria. The map called them to Mount Aris in Seaquestria and a Hippogriff/Seapony named Terramar needs help solving an issue. It turns out that he has become divided between staying with his mother in the ocean and wanting to live on Mount Aris along his father. The Crusaders must help convince Terramar over a family problem on where he should live. These episodes involving other characters with the map has helped put them in different situations. It also takes them out of their comfort zone when solving problems and grows them as characters. Surf and/or Turf Review A new edition of Alicorn Reviews is up, and we take a look at a Rainbow episode with the Apple Family Elderly. The Cyan mare known for her enjoyment for going fast hears about a ride at Las Pegasus. Inside the Wonder Bolt Academy's locker room, Rainbow was getting ready when she over hears Soarin and two other bolt members talk about a roller coaster. Unfortunately, the ride will soon be closing down and would only make Rainbow anticipate wanting to visit the cloud city. The problem is she had duties at Twilight's school with teaching gym classes. She goes to Applejack to ask for a favor to teach her classes while she visits the city. However, Applejack would only do it unless her friend of loyalty takes Granny Smith and the Gold Horseshoe Gals with her. Every year the GHS of Granny, Goldie Delicious, Applesauce, and Apple Rose attend the city for a short holiday. Much to Rainbow's reluctance, she agrees to take them to Las Pegasus and chaperon the Oldies. When I first heard the title, I knew it was going to involve Granny Smith in some crazy form. However, I never thought the writers would take it this far with the apple Elderly. Usually when I think of "Gone Wild" and it involves old people is never a good sign. I better stop and it's because I don't want to imagine Granny doing anything too exciting. Another surprise is the pairing of Rainbow and Granny in one episode. The one where Pinkie accompanied the Apple Family was a new pairing that created a few interesting moments. With this filler, you don't know what to expect when you have Rainbow and Granny together. One can wonder what hi-jinks the Grannies could get into with Rainbow by their side especially at Las Pegasus. My Little Pony: Grannies Gone Wild Review A new edition of Alicorn Reviews is up as I will review a Fluttershy centered episode. To be honest, she is my least favorite Mane Six or HuMane Seven as her shy attitude never felt interesting. Even M.A. Larson made that point about Fluttershy never really evolving that much in "Fame and Misfortune" from Season 7. Most of the time she would just hang around in the background as the others got the attention. Of course, she did have some funny moments with a few interesting ones sprinkled in between. When she was able to act like a "vampire" that scared the Mane Six enough then I would consider that a defining moment. Fluttershy feels like a main character that is apart of an important group for the sake of it in most cases. It's like Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series and he's probably the only one out of Herminie and Harry that contributes less to them.
Honestly, I don't know what else they could do for Fluttershy as we already went passed most of her flaws. She certainly has come far since the first season when Flutters was a simple shy character. That's basically some of the reasons I never found her all that interesting when Gen 4 started. It wasn't until the later seasons when the writers started exploring other areas they could take her. As for the theme of the episode, its about Rarity trying desperately to find someone to watch the store. It's because she has to attend a fashion show in Canterlot but no matter who she asked no one wanted to help. Rarity eventually comes to Fluttershy who agrees to help watch Saddle Row while she is away. However, Fluttershy feels a bit nervous and wonders if she could take care of the store by herself. Listening to Rarity's advice before leaving, Flutters takes her acting skills and tries to sell cloths for her friend's customers. My Little Pony: Fake It Til You Make It Review A new edition of Alicorn Reviews is up as we look at the third episode of Season 8 titled the Maud Couple. Pinkie has always been the hyperactive party planner that oddly enough came from a conservative type family. Yeah, I could see why Pinkie would obviously be the odd ball of the family. Of course, I noticed some things lately about the Pie Sisters and they are different in more ways than one. Starting with Marble (who I believe is the youngest) is the shy Pie or should I say she's Marbleshy. I'll stop now... Then there's the aggressor of Limestone and I'll assume she is the text-book middle child. Although, under normal circumstances I would say Pinkie falls into that category but usually the angry child fits that better.
Let's now bring up Maud, she's definitely another strange case to Pinkie as it's hard to believe her and the Pink Wonder are related. One is super excited and the other is as reserved and quiet as her mother. Yet, she has the strength to pound even a boulder to pebbles in mere minutes and that's something Pinkie can't obviously perform. Like I keep telling people always watch out for the quiet ones and in this case Maud. Another thing about the rock loving mare is how the writers retconned her in Season 4 and in Rainbow Rocks. In Season 1 during Pinkie's flash back with how she got her cutie mark, it only shows Marble and Limestone. Of course, joking aside, this episode has something we didn't see coming and that's Maud actually dating some pony. It's funny how Pinkie never got it on with Cheese Sandwich as his last appearance was from the 2017 Movie. Yet, Maud manages to get a date before her happy and outgoing younger sister that plans parties. The Maud Couple Review A new edition of Alicorn Reviews is up and it's that time again for a new season. The seasonal opening titled School Daze sees the return of the two-part episodes as Twilight opens a school of friendship. When she and her friends got back from Canterlot after the events of the Storm King, the cutie map has expanded. Twilight then thinks of a plan to open a school so she could teach other creatures from around the world the lessons of friendship. However, teaching and running a school could be harder than first perceived by her when she has to convince the EEA of providing lessons to non-ponies. The premiere also introduces six new characters called by the fandom as The Young Six. A guest voice actor named Maurice LaMarche best known for playing Brain from Pinky and the Brain plays a role as well. He voices the male unicorn called Neighsay, the Chancellor of the EEA. Walking into this I had my skepticism about these new characters considering the show always puts our favorite magic girl group first. Sure there were other characters like the CMC, Discord, Trixie, and Starlight who was giving solo episodes. However, to introduce six new characters like this does show the writers are confident to take the show in another direction. Even though it's failed with Starlight (who was a response to Sunset) but I'm confident the writers can pull it off this time. I mean they did it with Sunset to near to perfection so I will look forward to these six kids. What I would like to expect from the Young Six is for the writers to explore their flaws. I also would like to see what traits they could excel at as we seen from the Mane Six. I will be looking forward to each of them to see where the writer take these kids throughout the season. School Daze Part 1 and 2 Review A new edition of Alicorn Reviews is up and this time let's go back to where it all began for us with the first season premiere. As I was watching the season 8 premiere I noticed a similarity to how the Mane Six were first introduced. Once the premiere was over, I went over to Netflix to go re-watch the first two episodes of season 1 since I was getting nostalgic. It's hard to believe that it has been eight years since Gen 4 started with FIM and when I stumbled upon MLP. The first thing I realized is how simple the theme and lore was in the first season. I mean, this was before the whole fiasco of Twilight getting her wings to humanized versions of ponies from EQG. There's something about the first three seasons as they always had that simple charm to them. Of course, its great for a series to get more complex then staying the same as Twilight and the others weren't had grown to cast they are today. The first season will go down as where it all began, a simple beginning to a series that definitely needed a new revival.
As for me, I guess I can tell when I got into MLP and I remember as far back as 2010 when I was on GameTrailers (its gone now). I was surfing through the Wii forum when I was looking through the some of the posts. That's when I noticed several posters had Gen 4 pony avatars and banners. At the time, I was a little surprised that these gamers were all of sudden into MLP and in fact I had no idea Hasbro restarted a new gen that year. I think the first season was at least several episodes in when I decided to check it out. Needless to say I was actually stunned by the results and couldn't believe this reboot of MLP was great. Ever since then I have been a fan of MLP as awaited the next season of FIM and new episodes of EQG. Gen 4 might still have a few years left as Hasbro is developing concepts for Gen 5. However, the fact that it has been eight years since FIM debuted has me intrigued that it has lasted this long. It also show how dedicated Hasbro and the Brony community has been. My Little Pony Season 1 Premiere Review |
A center for all Pony StuffRetro Gamer has been an avid fan of the My Little Pony Series since the debut of Gen 4 in 2010. Whenever she isn't talking about gaming, Retro will give her thoughts on the brand. Archives
August 2019
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