The Lists #2: My Little Pony Comics

Since their debut in November 2012, the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comics have proved to be a hit. It is a frequent visitor to the top 150 comics sold per month and is IDW's biggest hit. Plus, they are the best source of new MLP material while we wait for Season Five to start. This will be a series of three lists. The first has to do with the main series which will be listed by arcs, so some will be four issues long while some others will be two in length. This will also include #23 featuring the pets in a one-off issue. List #2 is the Micro Series which was a series of ten side issues featuring a particular character. The third will be the Friends Forever series which features a pair of characters. So here we go!

MAIN SERIES:

1. Reflections Arc (17-20):  This was a shining example of something that can be done in the comics that arguably cannot be done on the show. It also gives Celestia development that fans are craving for on the show, though we got some of it in the Season Four premier (and then not see her again until "Equestria Games"). Celestia was the main focus of this one as we see her is not flawless at all and indirectly ease Twilight's worries of following in her hoof steps. The humor didn't seem out of place at all surprisingly and provided a neat twist with the alternate Mane Six in the mirror world. Finally, Tom Baker pony FTW!

2. Return of Queen Chrysalis Arc (1-4):  This was the maiden arc for the comics and you could hardly have asked for a better start. The Queen is out for revenge and kidnaps the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It's up to the Mane Six to rescue them before a comet arrives that could make Chrysalis overpowering. It's the fourth part the really sells this arc featuring the epic battle between Twilight and Chrysalis. It was up there with the battle with the Changelings in "A Canterlot Wedding." And then "Twilight's Kingdom" came.... This was an arc that could easily have been on the show.

3. Zen and the Art of Gazebo Repair (9-10):  It's Big McIntosh's arc and it's non-stop funny! Here was another character that got more development in the comics than on the show. This was the proverbial hurricane of pop culture references and hurricane of hilarity that could also qualify as an episode of the show (written by either Dave Polsky or Josh Haber). 

4.  Manehatten Mysteries (21-22):  This arc does more for Trixie's redemption than anything on the show and some great scenes from Babs. It makes up a bit for her absence in Season Four. 

5. Neigh Anything (11-12):  Here's the second two-issue arc and it's how Shining Armor met Princess Cadance. It's like an 80s movie and it's fun in its own way though the 80s motif. Also, Shining Armor and young Twilight, FTW!

6. Nightmare Arc (5-8):  This is the one where Rarity turns into Nightmare Moon and confirmation that darker forces could well have influenced Luna's transformation earlier. This also would qualify as a show episode, though this one flattened a bit as the arc wore on. 

7. Pets (23):  Who would've thought Angel would get great development in the comics. It also made Opal more of an @$$ in this one. However, the ending seems a bit random and disjointed from the rest of the episode. 

8. Friendship Ahoy! (13-14):  Ponies as pirates. It's also the first arc where Twilight has her wings. However, this arc suffers from Fluttershy's characterization and a misleading cover that saw the Mane Six battle the pirates on the ship--which doesn't happen in the story. 

9. Ponies in Book Land (15-16):  This was one I didn't car for too much. Characterization is off for more than a few characters and the A-plot and B-plot were a bit disjointed here as well.

I'll just give a list for the next two sets of lists. No brief skinny needed with a dash of between the very good ones and the OK to bad ones. 

MICRO SERIES:
1. Pinkie Pie
2. Rarity
3. Princess Luna
4. Princess Celestia
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5. Cutie Mark Crusaders
6. Twilight Sparkle
7. Rainbow Dash
8. Fluttershy
9. Applejack
10. Spike

FRIENDS FOREVER:
1. Twilight and Shining Armor
2. Pinkie Pie and Luna
3. Celestia and Spike
4. Rarity and Applejack
5. Rainbow Dash and Trixie
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6. CMC and Discord
7. Fluttershy and Zecora
8. Applejack and Pinkie Pie

BONUS LIST:
Chapter Books:
1. Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Ponypalooza Party
2. Applejack and the Honest to Goodness Switcheroo
3. Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell
4. Rarity and the Curious Case of Charity
5. Rainbow Dash and the Daring Do Double Dare

Next lists will be the top and bottom 10 episodes of Littlest Pet Shop.

That's all for now. More later.

StatManDan