My Little Pony/Transformers

My Little Pony/Transformers
Cover art for Friendship in Disguise! issue #1.
Publication information
PublisherIDW Publishing
ScheduleMonthly
FormatLimited series
GenreScience fantasy
Publication dateSeries 1:
August 5, 2020 — November 4, 2020
Series 2:
April 28, 2021 — July 21, 2021
No. of issuesSeries 1:
4
Series 2:
4
Creative team
Written byJames Asmus
Ian Flynn
Sam Maggs
Artist(s)Casey W. Coller
Jack Lawrence
Sara Pitre-Durocher (series 1)
Priscilla Tramontano
Tony Fleecs
Editor(s)Megan Brown

My Little Pony/Transformers is the name of two American limited comic book series by IDW Publishing, representing a crossover event between Hasbro brands My Little Pony and Transformers.

The first series titled My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise! was released on August 5, 2020, after being delayed from its original release date of May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and concluded on November 4, 2020.[1]

The second series titled My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron was released on April 28, 2021, and concluded on July 21, 2021.[2]

Premise

In the first series, when Queen Chrysalis casts a spell looking for more changelings, she accidentally interferes with a malfunctioning Cybertronian Spacebridge, transporting both the Autobots and Decepticons into Equestria.[3]

In the second series, while using a modified Spacebridge to bring magic to Cybertron, the Decepticons end up unleashing a more powerful evil from Equestria than they ever could have imagined, which leads the ponies to travel to Cybertron and team up with the Autobots.[3]

Publication history

In 2020, IDW Publishing announced My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise!, the first crossover miniseries between Hasbro brands My Little Pony and Transformers, being written by James Asmus, Ian Flynn, and Sam Maggs, with art by Casey W. Coller, Jack Lawrence, Sara Pitre-Durocher, Priscilla Tramontano, and Tony Fleecs.[4]

Asmus says "The writing I’ve gotten to do individually for My Little Pony and Transformers have already proven to be some of the most fun I’ve had in my career, so it’s pure joy to play them off each other. We’re making a wild mash-up unlike anything else in your comic collection. You basically owe it to yourself and your future happiness to get a copy!"[4]

Flynn says "It’s been a delightful challenge finding common threads between the ponies and bots. It’s certainly a fun and unique opportunity. I hope fans of both franchises can come together and enjoy this." Maggs says "My Little Pony and Transformers are two of my all-time favorite universes. Having written for them both previously, the idea of bringing the citizens of Equestria and Cybertron together is incredibly exciting."[4]

IDW Editor-In-Chief John Barber says "teaming Transformers and My Little Pony has been a dream we’ve had for a long time. We’re all really excited to see this mashup of characters by a mashup of creators who are honoring the legacy of both universes… and doing it in the most bonkers, fun way imaginable!"[4]

In 2021, IDW announced a sequel series titled My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron, featuring of most of the creative team from the previous series.[5]

Maggs said "I can't wait to jump back into this world of magical friendships that really is More than Meets the Eye. It's such a blast coming up with the most fun (and downright weird) pairings of ponies and 'bots, and I think fans of both series are going to be surprised at what's we've got for them this second time around!"[5]

Asmus added that "The first crossover was about as much fun as I've had in my writing career. I am hugely delighted that we're not only doing a follow-up, but getting to flip the script. In the first series, we got to tell really charming and fun stories by tossing the Autobots and Decepticons into the colorful, magical world of Equestria. But now, dragging dark magic and friendly ponies into the sci-fi world of Cybertron lets us play with brand new tones, toys, and team-ups![5]

Editor Megan Brown says, “We are so excited to work with some amazingly talented writers and artists to bring this marvelous mashup back to comic stores! Just like the previous volume, many creators are contributing stories that are going to bring our favorite ponies to Cybertron and beyond, including returning writers James Asmus, Sam Maggs, Ian Flynn, and returning artists Jack Lawrence, Casey W. Coller, Priscilla Tramontano, and Tony Fleecs — all joined by some new, exciting faces! The creators on this series are exceptional, able to bridge the gap between Autobot and pony to make a colorful, vibrant world. We’re thrilled for everyone (and everypony!) to see what we have in store!”[5]

List of issues

Series 1: Friendship in Disguise! (2020)

Issue Title Written by Drawn by Colored by Publication date
1 "Transformation Is Magic" James Asmus Tony Fleecs Tony Fleecs and Lauren Perry August 5, 2020
"Shine Like a Diamond" Ian Flynn Jack Lawrence Luis Antonio Delgado
2 "Inspiring" Sara Pitre-Durocher Joana Lafuente September 2, 2020
"They Eat Ponies, Don't They?" Sam Maggs Casey W. Coller
3 "Pet Sounds" James Asmus Jack Lawrence Luis Antonio Delgado October 7, 2020
"The Flyin' Fox Trot" Sam Maggs Priscilla Tramontano
4 "Strength in Numbers" Ian Flynn Sara Pitre-Durocher Joana Lafuente November 4, 2020
"Finale" James Asmus Tony Fleecs Lauren Perry

Series 2: The Magic of Cybertron (2021)

Issue Title Written by Drawn by Colored by Publication date
1 "The Magic of Cybertron" James Asmus Jack Lawrence Luis Antonio Delgado April 28, 2021
"A Good Mother" Sam Maggs Casey Coller Joana Lafuente
2 "Stunt Flying" Ian Flynn Priscilla Tramontano May 26, 2021
"One Trick Pony" Sam Maggs Trish Forstner Luis Antonio Delgado
3 "Sick Beats" Tony Fleecs Tony Fleecs and Lauren Perry Tony Fleecs June 30, 2021
"The Beauty of Cybertron" James Asmus Priscilla Tramontano Luis Antonio Delgado
4 "The Mightiest Dinobot" Ian Flynn Casey W. Coller Joana Lafuente July 21, 2021
"Finale" James Asmus Jack Lawrence Luis Antonio Delgado

Reception

Issue Publication date Critic rating Critic reviews Ref.
My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise!
1 August 5, 2020 7.8/10 8 [6]
2 September 2, 2020 7.7/10 3 [7]
3 October 7, 2020 7.0/10 [8]
4 November 4, 2020 6.7/10 [9]
My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron
1 April 28, 2021 6.5/10 2 [10]
2 May 26, 2021 6.0/10 1 [11]
3 June 30, 2021 4.0/10 [12]
4 July 21, 2021 7.0/10 [13]

Collected editions

Title Material collected Publication date ISBN
My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise!
  • My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise! #1−4
March 3, 2021 1684057590, 978-1684057597
My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron
  • My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron #1−4
November 30, 2021 1684058708, 978-1684058709

See also

References

  1. ^ "Transformers & My Little Pony Are Teaming Up In New Series". ScreenRant. February 10, 2020.
  2. ^ January 2021, Newsarama Staff 19 (19 January 2021). "Transformers and My Little Pony get sequel crossover". Newsarama. Retrieved 2021-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b "My Little Pony/Transformers Is the IDW Crossover You Never Knew You Wanted". CBR. February 6, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Morales, Carlos (February 7, 2020). "NEWS WATCH: Two Beloved Hasbro Brands Unite in MY LITTLE PONY / TRANSFORMERS Comic Book".
  5. ^ a b c d Burlingame, Russ. "My Little Pony and Transformers To Get a Second Crossover Series From IDW This Spring". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  6. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers #1 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  7. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers #2 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  8. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers #3 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  9. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers #4 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  10. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers: II #1 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  11. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers: II #2 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  12. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers: II #3 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  13. ^ "My Little Pony/Transformers: II #4 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2021-08-03.