Written By: Ted Anderson
Artist: Brenda Hickey
Colorist:Heather Breckel
Lettering By: Neil Uyetake
Cover by: Brenda Hickey
Published by: IDW Publishing
The Cutie Mark Crusaders are going out on a Camping Adventure for the weekend. Having set their base in White Tail Woods, they soon discover that it has been destroyed by litter. The ponies return with their classmates the following day for a big clean up, which had remarkable results. However returning just one week later finds that the woods have been destroyed once more. Just who could be causing this reckless pollution?
This issue sees the Cutie Mark Crusaders centre stage as they tackle a severe case of pollution in their local woods. Having gathered help from their young friends for a big clean up, just days later the woods are back in the same desperate state. Having spent a night in a tree on look out for the perpetrators, the crusaders eventually spot some ponies littering on their way down the road. Seeing their uniforms, the young crusaders head straight for their Boss to voice their concerns. Met with a familiar face and having heard stories of how connected his family is to the forest, why does it seem then that he wants to cut it down?
This is ultimately a storyline that promotes the importance of protecting the environment. With this story being told by the Cutie Mark Crusaders, some of the youngest characters in the franchise, it speaks directly to the younger readers, teaching them a valuable life lesson. So not only is this comic absolutely adorable to look at, but it is also highly educational. That certainly justifies the purchase to me. Now this storyline is going to be carried out across three issues, which will be interesting to see how this story arc develops.
As always with the My Little Pony comics, this issue can be found in three different variant art covers. Cover A is by Brenda Hickey, who is also this issues artist, so the same artstyle continues on in this story. Cover A showcases the Cutie Mark Crusaders making their way through the forest, discovering that it has been heavily littered. Cover B is from Tony Fleecs, which features Spike and the Mane Six doing their best to care for a young tree, which once again promotes the importance of caring for the environment. And finally the Retailer Incentive Cover is by Kate Sherron. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are flying around as super heroes as they beat up a giant drink can in the middle of the forest, an imaginative take on what a battle against pollution could possible look like!
This issue is the start to what is going to be an interesting and I hope enjoyable story arc, that is going to be set across three issues. Definitely worth picking up for the younger readers, and just as worth it for those that are older if they are huge fans of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. You can buy this issue of My Little Pony: Spirit Of the Forest #1 in your local comic book store or digitally online through the IDW Publishing website.
Overall: 7/10
