Katie Cook's contributions

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

For better or for worse, if there has been one common complaint in regards to the IDW series of comics based on the "Friendship is Magic" franchise it has been the writing of comic author Katie Cook.

 

Is this justified? Well, at first it would've been hard for me to say. For me personally, her best work was the "Reflections" arc which I do recognize is a bit divisive between those who have read it. At the same time I share in the belief that while "The Good, The Bad, and The Ponies" had some good elements here and there the overall package was lacking somewhat when compared to some of Cook's other works; or even "Manehatten Mysteries," which was written by a different author.

 

With the release of the "Revenge of Everfree" arc I had been considering the question of Katie Cook's recent efforts. Personally, I have been fond of the vast majority of her work; Reflections, Chrysalis, the Big Mac & Shining Armor/Cadence arcs, and even the Micro & Friends Forever issues she contributed to. However, "The Good, The Bad, and The Ponies" arc had plenty of issues and while the Everfree arc is improved from the previous one; some have noted various issues with it.

 

I was giving some thought to all of this when I came upon this video from one of my favorites in the MLP analyst community.

 

 

Admittedly I still need to give some of the earlier arcs a second or third read because as much as I did love the "Revenge of Queen Chrysalis" arc, he points out a few issues here and there. For me, it will be worth to put it through a second reading as a refreshed perspective can be quite eye-opening.

 

He points out that in his own view Cook's strengths lie in the issues that feature a more SoL angle; as opposed to the larger adventure-style stories. He may have a point there, and it was one that I never considered.

 

So, what do you think? Has the writing of Katie Cook suffered as of late? Has it improved? Or has there really been no change, and her strengths just aren't in the 'antagonist-centered' arcs that we have had as of late?

[Nuke87654 1,849]

If she were to go back to doing comedic slice of life stories instead of serious adventure stories she's been doing recently, her quality in writing will go up exponentially.

 

Her issue is similar to Meghan in that both are trying to do types of stories (adventure) that they're not that especially great in. Unlike Meghan who can at least write a working and entertaining adventure story, Katie can't write a good serious adventure story to save her life.

 

They just need to have her stop writing those kinds of stories she's been doing and let her write her strong suits in comedic slice of life stories to rebuild her reputation after what the last few arcs had done.

Edited March 25, 2015 by Nuke87654

[Megas 27,769]

I think Nuke said it best, her comedic slice-of-life stories have been some huge hits while her adventure stories have been some of the comic's weakest

 

Also as a personal complaint she needs to stop putting all the mane six in all of her comics, it's obvious to see what characters she writes better/prefers

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

@@Nuke87654

 

That's a fair way of looking at it; I believe. While the Chrysalis arc kinda blew away everyone's expectations; it was the FIRST arc in the series, and we either had no expectations or very little. Once that was done, she gave us the Big Mac & Shining Armor/Cadence arcs which really caught everyone's attention; as well as the decently written Micros for Rarity and Luna. That kinda put certain expectations on her; especially with the Reflections arc oncoming at the time.

 

As much as I liked Reflections, I agree that I would prefer to see more SoL stories from her. That's been the strength of the Friends Forever series in general, and while not every issue has been a winner, plenty of others have been QUITE good; Cook's Rarity/AJ issue among them, IMO.

 

Of course I am eagerly awaiting her Chrysalis comic in the Fiendship is Magic series.

 

 

I think Nuke said it best, her comedic slice-of-life stories have been some huge hits while her adventure stories have been some of the comic's weakest

 

Also as a personal complaint she needs to stop putting all the mane six in all of her comics, it's obvious to see what characters she writes better/prefers

 

 

That's also a fair complaint; considering it's very difficult to pinpoint the entire group's contribution to either of the recent two arcs.

[Nuke87654 1,849]

I think Nuke said it best, her comedic slice-of-life stories have been some huge hits while her adventure stories have been some of the comic's weakest

 

Also as a personal complaint she needs to stop putting all the mane six in all of her comics, it's obvious to see what characters she writes better/prefers

And to stop making the show's characters look impotent next to her oc's whom she likes to prop in a favorable light over them.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

And to stop making the show's characters look impotent next to her oc's whom she likes to prop in a favorable light over them.

 

Agreed; though this may have been alieviated some in the recent arc, but I know opinions will vary. In any case I can live with interesting characters playing main roles since we won't always see that in the show, but like you said not if the main cast are dumbed down.

 

Case in point: Twilight in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ponies."

[Nuke87654 1,849]

Agreed; though this may have been alieviated some in the recent arc, but I know opinions will vary. In any case I can live with interesting characters playing main roles since we won't always see that in the show, but like you said not if the main cast are dumbed down.

 

Case in point: Twilight in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ponies."

 

True, at least the deer leader got humiliated by the minotaur and did make amends in the end so it's a start.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Nuke87654

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

True, at least the deer leader got humiliated by the minotaur and did make amends in the end so it's a start.

 

Aye, and even though the environmental (whether it was intentional or not) message felt strong, the deer were not in the total right in the end, so I appreciated some balance that Katie attemped to inject.

[ArcheoPony 76]

Reflections is what cemented what she's good at and what she fails at. She should stick to slice of life, and if she insists on doing more serious stuff, she should start out with small cast stories. 

[Steve Piranha 29,434]

Reflections is what cemented what she's good at and what she fails at. She should stick to slice of life, and if she insists on doing more serious stuff, she should start out with small cast stories. 

Agreed, I've noticed that involving the whole Mane6 in her stories, is one of the most noticeable weaknesess in her writing, as not only few of them do anything important, they make jokes that, not only they are bad and inappropiate, but also feels forced used to remind the readers they are there..... just to be there

 

I'm quite happy that these responses are actual constructive criticism, and not the average "UUUUHHHH, KATIE "CROOKS" SUCKS, SHE SHOULD STOP WRITING  . KATIE SHOULD BE FIYAH FOR MAKING ME SPEND MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF SHIT   . KATIE RUINED THE COMICS, I'M NOT BUYING ANYMORE  :angry:" . etc etc etc, and many more etc    

[ArcheoPony 76]

Agreed, I've noticed that involving the whole Mane6 in her stories, is one of the most noticeable weaknesess in her writing, as not only few of them do anything important, they make jokes that, not only they are bad and inappropiate, but also feels forced used to remind the readers they are there..... just to be there

 

I'm quite happy that these responses are actual constructive criticism, and not the average "UUUUHHHH, KATIE "CROOKS" SUCKS, SHE SHOULD STOP WRITING  . KATIE SHOULD BE FIYAH FOR MAKING ME SPEND MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF SHIT   . KATIE RUINED THE COMICS, I'M NOT BUYING ANYMORE  :angry:" . etc etc etc, and many more etc    

 

I personally really despise Reflections. But what would be gained from me going on in a rage? It can be hard sometimes, but it's best to try and view things from the most neutral yet constructive perspective possible. I myself are actually surprised to, I didn't expect such thought out comic discussion here.

 

As to the Mane Six, that's exactly why I say she should tackle adventure stories with less characters if she insists on doing them. Actually writing stories with less characters could maybe even give her the chance to get to know and write those characters better. And after writing different stories with different small sets of character, she could get a hang of just what everyone could do and portray them adequately. 

 

[Mesme Rize 15,687]

Honestly? Reading all the stuff i heard about the comics, i am kind of glad that i don't read the comics. It's not like i have hated them from the start, i just can't go into this sort of media. But considering how bad they have been received in the last few months, i am even more glad that i don't read them.

[Castle Bleck 19,380]

I learned the reason she keeps bucking up lately is because she's trying to take care of her new baby at home.

 

In which case, she should find a co-writer or two to make things easier.

[ArcheoPony 76]

I learned the reason she keeps bucking up lately is because she's trying to take care of her new baby at home.

 

In which case, she should find a co-writer or two to make things easier.

I believe she was with child when she was writing Reflections as well. I know she was when I met her at BronyCon 2013.

 

[AlbaTross 1,586]

I actually like Katie Cook's writing. I am a little behind on the comics though having just read Vpolume 5 of the graphic novels and Friends Forever Volume 2. While I can understand wanting to take the comics as seriously as possible, and I applaud the comics and even the show for being far more dark and serious than something called My Little Pony has any right to be, I also like that neither series takes itself too seriously. In the show comedic and more serious moments are kept separate, and for good reason, but I like Katie Cook's style of mixing more serious moments with comedy.

 

I will admit that I find her finales a little underwhelming, but maybe that's because the buildup is too strong. I often find her middle parts to be stronger than the rest. I'm actually ok with her focusing more on OCs, as they aren't in the show and so need more time to be established and worked into the story. Sure, in retrospect there isn't a lot of what can be defined as legit character development on the part of the mane six but I do like the little character moments that pop up here and there and we actually got to see a whole new side of Celestia in Reflections which led to Twilight putting her role as a princess in perspective, even if the place in the canon for that entire arc, and by extension all post-Twilicorn comics released before it, is questionable at best.

 

That said, Katie Cook's one off stories in the Micro Series and Friends Forever are among my favorite IDW comics to date. Rarity's Micro is clever, Luna's is funny and Applejack and Rarity's Friends Forever issue is both funny and full of good character moments. Of course I may be a little biased since I love anything to do with Disneyland and California as a whole, as well as classic 80s films like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, not to mention the Applejack and Rarity pairing. The funny thing is I actually find most Friends Forever issues to be mildly disappointing but it's hard to describe why, yet Issue 8 which centres around a pairing I don't need to read this side series to see, ended up being my favorite in that series to date. I look forward to what later issues have to offer.