Review: Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship in Disguise #1

A great crossover story has a simple premise, great character interaction and madcap energy. Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship in Disguise #1 succeeds in the first two but falls a bit short on the third.

The issue is split into two parts. The first written by James Asmus Is the simple setup with Queen Chrysalis using dark magic along with the Cybertronian Space Bridge to bring a core group of Transformers to Equestria.

The Transformers are written very simply and it is quite clear that this is a Pony book in tone and in the art by Tony Fleecs. The dialogue and visual style is meant to be kid friendly but comes across as a bit bland. It is great to see Twilight Sparkle introduced to Optimus Prime and Megatron introduced to Queen Chrysalis.

The first story is clearly very much just setting up the action, with the second showing a larger potential for the series ahead. Here Starscream has greater designs on ruling the populace of Equestria, but his threats towards the city and the pony Rarity are stopped by the arrival of Arcee. Arcee and Rarity bond over empathy, heroism and fashion sense before joining together to battle the Decepticons. The writing by Ian Flynn benefits from being able to focus on fewer characters and is more interesting because of it. The art by Jack Lawrence does a great job of combining the styles of Transformers and Ponies without watering either down.

Many readers will likely pick up this first issue out of the novelty of the crossover. This first issue serves its purpose with a simple setup and interactions between the characters. Unfortunately the overall effect is a bit underwhelming. Hopefully the meeting of Grimlock and Spike next issue brings a needed energy to the crossover.

Writing: 3.5 of 5 stars
Art: 3.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.0 of 5 stars

Overall: 3.8 of 5 stars

Writers: James Asmus and Ian Flynn
Art: Tony Fleecs and Jack Lawrence
Colors: Tony Fleecs and Luis Antonio Delgado
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.