Friends forever #8 (caution spoilers inside)

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

So, what did you guys think of #8 in the friends forever series?

This issue covers a cross country trip with Applejack and Rarity and vaguely follows the plot line of several movies that involve large scale road trips and vacations.

 

 

as for my opinon on the comic

 

 

I would rate the comic a 7/10, this issue really was all about the references. It had some really good minor points about how Rarity can be organized and run a business, but that never seemed a real issue in the comic, and was kinda thrown in there. There were some decent gags and forshadowing of the "cattle rustlers" that will appear in later comics. The plot was incredibly predictable, but again you can guess the general outline just from looking at the cover. So I'd say the real draw of this episode was the references and background gags as the interaction between the two was almost exactly the same as we have seen from the show. I really felt like personally, the real draw in and hook of this comic was seeing areas of Equestria we havn't seen yet (such as the ponyfied disney world). and the Mt. Rushmore of the 4 princesses, with a pettition to add queen crysalis on it.

 

Overall, I'd give the issue a 7/10, it was a really nice little issue with some funny gags that helped cover some of the character interaction we have seen before, we got more evidence of Rarity's organizational capacity and we got to see some rather funny sight gags. But it wasn't genre defining nor did it really push the envelope when it comes to the interaction of the duo, but it didn't do anything largly wrong either.

 

[Nuke87654 1,849]

So, what did you guys think of #8 in the friends forever series?

This issue covers a cross country trip with Applejack and Rarity and vaguely follows the plot line of several movies that involve large scale road trips and vacations.

 

1408504159781.jpg

 

as for my opinon on the comic

 

 

I would rate the comic a 7/10, this issue really was all about the references. It had some really good minor points about how Rarity can be organized and run a business, but that never seemed a real issue in the comic, and was kinda thrown in there. There were some decent gags and forshadowing of the "cattle rustlers" that will appear in later comics. The plot was incredibly predictable, but again you can guess the general outline just from looking at the cover. So I'd say the real draw of this episode was the references and background gags as the interaction between the two was almost exactly the same as we have seen from the show. I really felt like personally, the real draw in and hook of this comic was seeing areas of Equestria we havn't seen yet (such as the ponyfied disney world). 1408505108465.jpg and the Mt. Rushmore of the 4 princesses, with a pettition to add queen crysalis on it.

 

Overall, I'd give the issue a 7/10, it was a really nice little issue with some funny gags that helped cover some of the character interaction we have seen before, we got more evidence of Rarity's organizational capacity and we got to see some rather funny sight gags. But it wasn't genre defining nor did it really push the envelope when it comes to the interaction of the duo, but it didn't do anything largly wrong either.

 

 

Along the lines with your opinion as honestly, the plot proved meaningless in the end as let's face it, this was simply to Katie how many references about the U.S's west she can stuff in a comic. It has her usual marks on humor and, paired with Andy Price's art, it did had some good moments. Sure I can point out of how Rarity tries to help install some business sense in Applejack, but considering how the ending turned out, yea pretty much didn't cared after that.

Also, after reading the much more satisfying 'Manehattan Mysteries' arc from Ted Anderson, how bad Katie's 'Reflections arc was, and his other works, I think Ted Anderson is now the top writer on IDW FIM's staff. What do you think?

[FlitterFlutter 1,583]

Along the lines with your opinion as honestly, the plot proved meaningless in the end as let's face it, this was simply to Katie how many references about the U.S's west she can stuff in a comic. It has her usual marks on humor and, paired with Andy Price's art, it did had some good moments. Sure I can point out of how Rarity tries to help install some business sense in Applejack, but considering how the ending turned out, yea pretty much didn't cared after that.

Also, after reading the much more satisfying 'Manehattan Mysteries' arc from Ted Anderson, how bad Katie's 'Reflections arc was, and his other works, I think Ted Anderson is now the top writer on IDW FIM's staff. What do you think?

I don't know, I think that all the Fiends Forever comics are meaningless. They remind me of the slice of life episodes in the show. They address a problem then solve it, simple short and sweet.  I guess basically what I am trying to say is although I agree this is not the best comic epically if you are comparing it to the mane series it is still good. I also agree the Katie's writing is getting worse or maybe just boring. But for my Andy's art really saves her comics.

[Banul 3,831]

I liked it. Not the best, as you guys said, but I always get a chuckle out of seeing Applejack and Rarity interact. Could have had more actual plot than "look at all these places with horse puns". I was disappointed in that respect, though the gags were good. I'd give it a 7/10 as well.

 

Liked the short story at the end with Winona. Reminds me of my dog :3

[Nuke87654 1,849]

I don't know, I think that all the Fiends Forever comics are meaningless. They remind me of the slice of life episodes in the show. They address a problem then solve it, simple short and sweet.  I guess basically what I am trying to say is although I agree this is not the best comic epically if you are comparing it to the mane series it is still good. I also agree the Katie's writing is getting worse or maybe just boring. But for my Andy's art really saves her comics.

 

What I mean is that the plot was simply there for the sake of showing many of the horse pun locations Katie thought of about the U.S west as Banul said. There was no point getting attached to the plot unlike say the Rainbow Dash and Trixie FF one as we had an interesting tale of Rainbow Dash trying to free Trixie from her bondage with the Diamond Dogs and successfully did it by orchestrating a clever ruse compared to Applejack and Rarity traveling cross county to meet some business partners only to have the plot go 'lol they went to the wrong part of Equestria' and ended the story there pretty much, which would turn many readers off from seeing such an ending.

What helped this comic was Katie's humor, Andy's art perfectly complimenting it, the world building, and foreshadowing the cattle rustlers that I've noticed thus far. It's not a bad comic, but I wouldn't consider it the best of FF series.

[FlitterFlutter 1,583]

What I mean is that the plot was simply there for the sake of showing many of the horse pun locations Katie thought of about the U.S west as Banul said. There was no point getting attached to the plot unlike say the Rainbow Dash and Trixie FF one as we had an interesting tale of Rainbow Dash trying to free Trixie from her bondage with the Diamond Dogs and successfully did it by orchestrating a clever ruse compared to Applejack and Rarity traveling cross county to meet some business partners only to have the plot go 'lol they went to the wrong part of Equestria' and ended the story there pretty much, which would turn many readers off from seeing such an ending.

I still did not find it that bad, I was entertained throughout and that is about all I can ask for. I found many of the horse puns to be quite funny (some overdid it) but all in all it was good. In my opinion I liked it better than the Rainbow Dash Trixie FF. Although I may have a slight bias in favor of Rarity.     

[Nuke87654 1,849]

I still did not find it that bad, I was entertained throughout and that is about all I can ask for. I found many of the horse puns to be quite funny (some overdid it) but all in all it was good. In my opinion I liked it better than the Rainbow Dash Trixie FF. Although I may have a slight bias in favor of Rarity.     

 

I agree, it wasn't a terrible decision as it was obvious the point of the comic was to show off the world building Katie Cook thought of for Equestria's wild west and I thought it did a very good job at it.

 

Just felt she should've cared more for the plot than what she had shown and I thought her portrayal of Rarity and Applejack was rough as I didn't like how bubbly Rarity was about the many landmarks they passed by considering of whom she is and what's at stake for Applejack, and how poor Applejack's business sense was considering she helps run the most successful business in Ponyville in the Sweet Apple acres and how we've seen them struggling trying to make ends meet to make it through the spell.

Edited August 20, 2014 by Nuke87654

[Whatevs 377]

It was a fun roadtrip story. It never tried to be anything more.

 

7.5/10.

One of the better FF comics. 

 

I like that Rarity has mellowed out, and her wanting to see important places is not out of the ordinary.

Neither is AJ getting work up thinking she has to do everything. 

Edited August 21, 2014 by Whatevs

[Octavia_Melody2 187]

 

the Mt. Rushmore of the 4 princesses, with a pettition to add queen crysalis on it.

 

(signs petition) 

Looks like Chrysalis has pretty good penmanship. 

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Subjectively speaking, it's a 9.5/10 If you're a Rarity or an AJ fan (or both, since there's a lot of that) then you'll love it. Good humor and a lot of fun references a good world-building. I stayed up until the crack of dawn waiting for it to be released on Comixology, and I picked it up within  2 minutes of it being released Well-worth it

I had a lot of fun reading this as a huge Rarity fan boy I'll probably cuddle up with my Rarity plushie and read it again tonight
 

[PoisonClaw 8,164]

Personally, I loved this issue and it easily makes it into my top 3 for the Friends Forever series. While reading it,  it reminded me of how much fun I had reading the very first issue of the main series, constantly stopping to laugh at all the little details and references, like the goat snacking on the Season 5 script, the admission sign for the Equestrian Disney world being "Leave all bits at the gate" and the petition to add Queen Chrysalis to the Mount Rushmore expy. Speaking of Mount Rushmore, that must be a relatively new thing in the last year or so in Equestria. I'm not sure if Cadance was an official princess while she was baby sitting Twilight, but as far as anyone knew Celestia was their only princess so Luna wouldn't have been there and they were only just carving out Twilight's.

 

The best part was obviously the interactions between Rarity and Applejack. For some reason they just work so well off one another that I could easily see this being an actual episode. 

[Gallopfreyan 2]

For me, this is possibly the best Friends Forever comic yet. Rarity and Applejack's interaction was the highlight, of course, but the worldbuilding and cultural references were also wonderful. For example: the train that they take to Salt Lick City is NOT the Friendship Express. It actually looks like a proper locomotive and train, all done up in red and gold instead of gingerbread.

 

Regarding Mount Monument, my thought process was that:

• They just have Celestia. She would think carving a mountainside in her likeness... excessive.
• Cadance ascends. Still a filly, the ponies reason: 'Let's wait until she's grown up before remodelling mountains.' (Especially if they end up not liking what she grows up to be.)
• Luna has been returned! And Cadance is a beautiful young Princess that they all adore. Let's carve that mountain.

Notice how all three seem to be carved together, as if they were done at the same time? The ponies finish, Mount Monument is opened to much fanfare - and then Twilight ascends and they have to go back to add her visage. (Since her image is physically seperate from the other three and facing an entirely different direction.)

 

I know it's a ponified Mount Rushmore and all, but it explains the sculpture without saying: 'Oh, Celestia and Starswirl saw the original on one of their mirror trips and decided to have it copied' or something of that nature. 

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

I only JUST got to reading this one...

 

...and it was easily one of the best of the FF comics to date, IMO. Not to the level of the Celestia/Spike or Dash/Trixie issues, BUT it's fairly close. Honestly, I think this comic did a MUCh better job at the Rarity/AJ duo than most of the actual episodes did. Never once did it feel awkward.

 

In fact; it all felt natural and downright comical! My hats off to the crew again! Well done!

[Darker 1,351]

I liked it. Not that special compared to the others, but Rari and AJ share a few good moments.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Well since I live in Utah, the mention of Salt Lick City was exciting and amusing.

 

... there is also the equivalent of Mount Rushmore with Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight on its face. Rarity and Applejack crash into Luna's left eye. Also, a petition to add Queen Chrysalis to the Mount Monument, I wonder who put that up?