My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined—The Unicorn Of Odd #2 Review

 

Writer: Jeremy Whitley

Penciller: Jenna Ayoub

Inker: Matt Froese

Colorist: Heather Breckel

Letterer: Johanna Nattalie

Cover Artists: Jenna Ayoub, Robin Easter & Andy Price

Publisher: IDW

Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 11, 2023

 

A tornado transported Dorothy and Toto to the kingdom of Odd. A princess told Dorothy that the Unicorn of Odd in the Emerald City could get her back home. How will Dorothy and Toto fare as they follow the Yellow Brick Road? Let’s gallop into My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined—The Unicorn Of Odd #2 and find out!

 

Story

One staple of stories where fate whisks people to a strange land is they immediately yearn to return home. In L. Frank Baum’s classic novel, he describes Dorothy’s Aunt Em and Uncle Henry as old and gray. Playing with Toto prevented life from grinding Dorothy down. In My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined—The Unicorn Of Odd #2, the Scarecrow tackles this topic. Dorothy responds that she loves her family. It's those she cares about that make a place home.

 

Oh, did I not mention the Scarecrow’s joined Dorothy? If I only had a brain! Speaking of the Scarecrow, she may talk a lot and not always look where she's going, but she comes up with a good idea by and by.

 

As they travel, Dorothy, Toto, and Scarecrow meet the Tin Woodsmare. She breaks the fourth wall and takes over the narration, making herself the center of attention. To rein her in, Dorothy and Scarecrow address the narrator and ask him to resume. Eventually, the Tin Woodsmare agrees to join her and journey with them to the Emerald City. Still, that doesn't prevent the characters from interacting further with the narrators in this tongue-in-cheek adaptation of Baum's novel.

 

Did I care enough about you to mention that the Tin Woodsmare has a tragic backstory involving the Wicked Princess of the East? If I only had a heart!

 

There’s much more fun to discover in Jeremy Whitley’s adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. Who knows? Perhaps My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined—The Unicorn Of Odd #2 may even give you the courage to read this century-old novel! 

 

 

 

Art

Jenna Ayoub and Matt Froese’s classic layouts feature rectangular panels with equal spacing. The character’s faces may look more feline than equine, but their bodies look and move like ponies. Dorothy wears a cowboy hat, plaid shirt, and overalls. The Scarecrow may look too flouncy, but her winning smile shows that braininess and happiness don't necessarily travel side by side. The elegant Tin Woodsmare uses her mind to direct her hovering axe. While not highly detailed, the yellow brick road and backgrounds convince in this heartwarming, young adult tale.

 

Heather Breckel loads her palette with soft, appealing colors in My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined—The Unicorn Of Odd #2. While she provides shading and highlights, panels may look a little flat. Still, depth and interest make characters and scenes compelling.

 

Johanna Nattalie places uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons. She colors the narrator’s boxes yellow. When the Tin Woodsmith takes over the narration, Nattalie colors her boxes blue. Sound effects enhance Whitley’s magical tale, and the highly readable dialogue and narration are always easy to follow.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

L. Frank Baum’s “modernized fairy tale” gets an equine update in My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined—The Unicorn Of Odd #2.

 

Rating 9/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.