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DarkFlame75 — Change
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Published: 2013-02-18 08:40:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 55450; Favourites: 1450; Downloads: 1214
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Spanish translationMany Bronies don't appreciate this change for Twilight. Even I originally had a very strong reaction. After seeing the episode and after thinking about it a bunch, I came up with this comic. I felt that this was the best way I could express my view. It's my hope that this comic helps people who like the change realize why and helps the other people understand the whole situation. There were many more things I wanted to say, but there simply isn't enough time and I'm simply not a wordsmith.
Featured on EQD
Here's a wallpaper celebrating Alicorn Twilight.
There's a longer, unedited version of the text, I'll probably post it in a journal tomorrow.
'Change' followupThis is a followup to this comic I posted last night.
I'd like to start off by saying that I'm happy with the reaction I've gotten so far. I have yet to hear anyone say that they hated her change. I have yet to hear anyone say that they love and fully embrace it, though.
I'd also like to clarify the point of this comic a little bit too. I wanted to make something different. Something touching. Not just another entertaining comic or another circlejerk. I wanted to make people think. I wanted to change minds. I wanted to reinforce opinions people already hold.
So far, I've somewhat achieved that. We'll see how it holds up as it spreads further around the internet.
There were many more things I wanted to say about this, but it started to get too long. There was no way I could illustrate the whole thing. Not to mention would anyone read it. I think it came out as the perfect length in the end. That said, I originally wrot
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Comments: 653
I enjoyed this story. The art was good, the story and good dialogue, and it shows truth. Just because something changed, it shouldn't change us, too. Personally, I hoped Twilight would be a Princess soon. I knew that this would have happened. Just be glad they will still play the show, guys. So what if Twi is now an Alicorn? Don't let it change us and who we are. Leaving the fandom because of THAT was a wrong thing to do. You all need to understand that when you leave something that you enjoyed, you'll miss it greatly. This I know, firsthand.
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Thanks for the input, but I wouldn't really call it a critique. Thanks for the thought though!
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Eh, I tried. I'll remember to try a different approach next time. Gotta work on that.
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I can definitely say that, although I have seen some comics in a similar vein as this one, this particular comic definitely struck a chord with me on a personal level, something no other one has done. While the art style might have a bit left to be desired on first glance, as a whole, this particular piece has something that many other DeviantART pieces seem to lack: a true sense of connection with the viewer.
VISION: I think it's safe to assume the reader can definitely understand where the intent of this comic is coming from, especially if they came from EQD's post. However, something truly inspiring about this comic is that, although the vision and intent are there, the author never criticizes or attacks the other viewpoints on the fact that Twilight is an alicorn. In fact, it says, in essence, "if that's your viewpoint, then that's fine too."
ORIGINALITY: Making this appear from this almost third-party perspective, being that this entire heart-to-heart monologue comes directly from Twilight without any additional bias, is completely refreshing. Right now, a lot of the fan-base is riled up in terms of what to make of the Twilicorn situation, without a doubt. This comic, though, brings her own feelings into it, written in a way that genuinely sounds like Twilight Sparkle, with Twilight's emotions invested in it as she does probe a bit in the reader for an answer to her questions. She's absolutely content and happy with what has gone on, and although wants you to be the same way, she understands if you're not, and won't think any less. In some ways, it echoes the "True True Friend" moral from the actual "Magical Mystery Cure"episode.
TECHNIQUE: Initially, I found the scratch-drawn line art to be a bit distracting. However, as time went on and I thought about the comic (which is a feat unto itself, as most comics never invoke additional thought on my part), I understood the intent behind it: everything is new to Twilight, so she hasn't had the time to really cement herself, leaving everything rough around the edges. Even down to the comic's art design. Although I still will say its not my most favorite aspect of the comic, I definitely get it, and I would say to not change a thing with it.
IMPACT: Already I mentioned that the comic invoked additional thought on my part, which means its impact will have been lasting. What makes the impact of this particular comic even better, though, is the fact that as a reader I became emotionally invested in it as time went on. I think I even began to (pardon the unoriginal phrase) shed some liquid pride. Twilight gives her answers to questions she both asks and assumes are asked in her transformation. But she asks you the same ones: who are you? What were you? What have you become? Such introspection is this comic's virtue. You see Twilight wear her emotions on her sleeve, and soon you do the same. Nothing more could be asked of the reader of this comic.
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No need to thank me. XD You're the one who deserves the thanks. And one thing that I will say that I forgot to mention in the critique: it did cement my view that Twilight becoming an alicorn is not the end of this. There is still some good to be had, and the journey's not over yet [even though this would be the ideal stopping point].
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Yeah, my goal was to not be condemning. That's never good, especially if you're trying to win someone over.
I'm glad that you can read it from Twilight's perspective. I've never felt I was that great at that, so it's nice to see it worked this time.
I'm VERY glad I made you think about it. That, to me, is the most important element of art. If it doesn't make the viewer think, there wasn't much point in it. I'm glad you think I shouldn't change it. Most of my artist friends don't really see what I was trying to say with it and tell me I should have worked it more.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful analysis. It means a lot to have people thinking about my work so much. It really does.
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Thank you! That's a very good analysis! I'll write out a longer reply when I get time.
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I enjoyed this little comic greatly, and I would like to describe some of the things that were striking to me.
First, I enjoyed the artistic style, although it is not something preferable to me and my tastes overall. But do not get me wrong! I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was something that made the point that was meant to be addressed all the more clearer. I believe that you did a great job there, and I commend you in making the art as reflective as possible of the stark emotions that Twilight, due to the changes she underwent, she is feeling in this confusing time.
The originality is overall... original. I mean, the idea is very new. You will not find another one of these anywhere else, but I also feel that some of the feels being addressed are far too overdone. I see stuff like this usually around the time of a very emotional episode, and this is not new in that respect. But trust me, the idea was orchestrated perfectly and I could feel the emotion within the comic/awesome picture.
Now, I am not sure what they mean by vision, but I am going to carry on with what I think it is. Now, I can clearly see what you were trying to address in this. The idea was presented openly and was followed with even more fantastic emotional imagery along with the pictures shown. I could almost see the emotion dripping from the page as I read it, making the connection to the comic/awesome picture all that more stronger.
I have to say this for the impact: phenomenal. As I have mentioned throughout this, I felt the emotion clearly. You made the point very stark and apparent; anyone could see it with little to no serious thought on the subject. Not only that but the ending was overly fulfilling. It ended with a question: what about you? What would you do? That is one of the more serious ways to end a emotional comic/awesome picture. You end it with an open-ended question, making the reader truly think about his/her decision on what he/she should do. Do I follow? Or do I lay stagnate, continuing to refuse to accept the events that have transpired? In the end, what do I do? Ultimatum and choice: these are the bases of a truly high-impact piece of art, and you have succeeded.
In conclusion, you have created a truly amazing piece of art here. You combine many aspects of truly great ways of getting a point across, proven throughout history, and orchestrate it perfectly. You use extreme emotional imagery in your words, in joint relations with your truly amazing use of colours and other related artistic ways—Twilight's emotions as a whole, shown perfectly with the way you draw her—to set a mood. And then you end it with lighter colours, colours that are warmer and far more welcoming, breaking the melancholy befalling the art thus far.
Keep doing what you do and I believe you can create more masterpieces like this one. You are very talented; do not squander your ability here!
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Here, I'm finally actually writing out my reply. Sorry it took a while.
Thank you. The art style was one that I just kind of picked intuitively. I can't really pick out any rule that says it's the way it should be done, but I felt it would be most effective. I've gotten lots of comments on it, I'm sure I could have done better without ruining the effect, but I wanted to get it out of my head and online before the idea got stale.
Yeah, I can certainly see that a lot of what I said has been done elsewhere. I'm a believer in the idea that a creative person shouldn't care too much about what others have done before. If you have a passion for an idea, do it, don't worry about if you're the first to do it. I guarantee you're not.
Thanks about the vision. I'm pretty sure that's basically what they mean.
Thank you. It makes me very glad that you caught that.
Very well put. Thank you for the analysis. I'm glad you liked it!
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You are most certainly welcome. And know this: thoughts count towards the art process! The collective amount of time spent on the image—art creation time and time spent into actually thinking about what you wanted to convey—all add into what it is in the end. No time is ever time not well spent! You did a great job all in all, and what really got me was the colours, as mentioned in the critique. Colours and the way they are organized are all symbolic in a picture you create. And no problem with the time; not everyone has the time I had to spend in making a critique that I did.
Keep on going and you can create more fantastic pictures such as this!
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Thanks for that! You keep being awesome!
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This is extremely well-thought-out and I want to discuss it more. I've got a paper to finish writing, but I'll come back with my thoughts.
For now, thanks! I'm glad you loved it.
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You are absolutely welcome. And one of the things that I believe in is that if someone takes as much time as you did—at least I think so—to make something great, it needs a reply that takes just as long. And yeah, feel free to discuss anything you want with me.
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Thanks! I wouldn't say I spent a huge amount of time, but I did spend lots of thought.
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I think you did a great job describing the vast array of emotions that are probably going through the minds of older fans of the show, and of reinforcing the themes of hope and openness to change/growth that I believe we're meant to take away from Twilight's transformation.
It's rare that I've been emotionally invested in a show to the point where I was both sad and confused, and really in awe, at a turning point in a character's development. You managed to capture that duality, acknowledge it, and present it in such a way that unsaid themes of the season finale are clear. It's very much like a hopeful letter Twilight would write, if not to Princess Celestia, to her friends: we're going to change, and continue to learn and grow, even if things are different.
As for the art style, I agree that a bit more polish would not have been unwelcome, but the sketch-like quality of the art superimposed on the textured background gave it a very personal quality, so it ends up being very effective. In a way, it reflects the passage of time, as our memories blur, but the basic elements remain.
Overall, an excellent reflection on the season finale and what's to come.
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Thank you! It's good to hear those thoughts about it. I've actually been a brony for nearly two years now, so when you say that it's like the feelings of the older members of the fandom, I see where you're coming from. I have to wonder if part of the reason people feel it was too soon is because they just discovered the show recently and they haven't seen Twilight develop over the course of three years of friendship studies. I say it's perfect timing.
I agree with what everyone says about the art style. My only excuse is a lame one. I'm not sure I could have motivated myself to finish if I'd spent a lot more time on it. Not to mention, I finished it all in the course of a single day, which was intentional. I wanted to keep it all self-contained.
Anyway, enough rambling. Glad you liked it and thanks for the honest opinion!
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I think that this is a great comic. I feel like I am one of the few who really genuinely enjoyed the finale, in fact it's one of my favorite episodes. I think that this comic, and others like it, help convey a sense of calmness and a don't worry attitude. (Those aren't the words I was looking for but oh well). I really like how you wrote it and the drawings you used to accompany it. That being said, I think that the drawings could have been executed a little better, but that's alright. Great comic! I loved it.
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Thanks! You're not alone in that feeling.
I agree with the drawings' qualities, but I purposefully rushed it so that I wouldn't put off the completion. (Just look at what's happened to my other comic project...)
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I would say that this is an amazing piece of work, while the art work itself and the style are not the best I've seen the piece truly does carry on the impact of what you want to get across. If I were to be stingy I would say that the art needs to be better, but I am still very pleasantly surprised by this work. You have done an amazing job. Also just for critiquing purposes I would say that several of the lines at the beginning didn't go together as well as they could, I had to make sense of them in my head. Maybe they are not in the correct place for a coherent train of thought? Still though I must congratulate you, for being a writer in artist form. Truly wonderful
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I did, Twilight. I went as far as I could go, and now... it's just not the same.
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crying. crying so hard right now. damn the feels. its wonderful.
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Hey... I was wondering if I could take the text from this comic and set it to music. I might possibly get the piece performed by my schools choir!
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This is really beautiful!!!!!! and sweet!!!!! Great job!
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Wow... this is just... truly wonderful... the feels... 
This comic is so true in all angles, simply love it!!! 
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Why you do this to me? I was all happy n' stuff and now I'm bout' to cry this is so sweet ╥﹏╥
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The tears.
They have been shed after reading this comic. ;-; It's SO BEAUTIFUL.
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I'm glad it can have that effect even literally a year later. Thanks for the comment!
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No problem, it's probably the best Princess Twilight related comic I've read. Like, EVER.
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I stand corrected, this was nothing compared to whats coming next. The way the finale is titled, Twilight might end up as the most powerful alicorn equestria has, and maybe the only one they have. If not then the power transfer will mark her ascension from princess to goddes of magic and friendship, with the others being her new royal court/advisors. The way the tree becomes a palace better than Canterlot, I say the tree thinks a goddess deserves one, and why not leave it in Ponyvile. I say after this you can this is one of those moments in tv and show history where nothing will ever be the same and you can split the series into two halves: before and after all this.
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Well it worked out in the end. I was pretty worried there for a bit though.
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I know. The part that really hit me like a brick was watching the library be destroyed. Not just because I like books as much as Twilight, but because of all the memories they had made there. I'm more mad that owluwisus flew the coup when Twilight could have used the moral support. That batttle reminded me of watching Dragon Ball Z: they were throwing so much power around that Equestria is lucky to have any woods remaning. And I like that the chest gave her a new place to call home, I just wonder if the others are going to move in or come for important friendship meetings/summits. And I hope it was placed where the library used to be, I dont think she could stand looking at the ruins all the time.
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I say, the writers have done a 'decent' job of handling Twilight Sparkle as an alicorn and a princess. It started strong with Princess twilight Sparkle, covering many if not most of the concerns fans had with this change and showing that yes twilight is still Twilight. Also I consider this in my own mind as Twilight growing up, taking on new responsibilities, and even taking the first steps of becoming a great leader.
When I first read this comic I loved it, and I still do as it conveys much of my feelings of the subject of Twilight Sparkle and how one should not turn away from a character simply for gaining wings and a crown. For me personally, I say so what if she is a princess now... as long as they keep Twilight heart the same. A mare with a love of learning, one with a powerful bond with five special friends, one with a great destiny not yet fully tapped or even understood. When I see this new princess, I see the beginnings of a leader and teacher, who will still face challenges and uncertain paths, one who no matter what will never abandon those she cares about.
I have watched the show from its more humble beginnings and while I may not agree with everything, such as Discord's reform and fall from villainy, I believe even today it is still good... with lessons to learn and stories to tell. Twilight, while she will continue to grow and develop as a character, will still be Twilight. No mere wings can change this, at least not for me.
Thank you
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With the season finale coming up and with what i've read about it (which isnt much at this point) her change isnt complete yet and the biggest change (which will propably shake up the show more than anything else) is yet to come.
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Yeah, I know what you're talking about.
The thing is, I'm actually against the thing in the finale being permanent. It doesn't make sense from a story standpoint, nor from a toy-selling standpoint. I don't think it will be permanent.
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Even if Clestia and Luna didnt want it to be permant, they may not have a choice. This might be what the Tree has been waiting for, and if they can win the chest might finally open and make the transfer permant.
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looking at my favorites and I found this again,
thought that id let you know that this is still beautiful!
All this time, from the last time I saw this and it still makes me feel the same way I did when I first read this!
Thank you again for this pic!
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Thank you! It meant a lot to me back then to see how many people could be touched by my simple words and my then-crappy art. It means even more that it still touches people to this day.
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i thought that was the point of the favorites page,
so you can go back and re-experience the the pic's that you may have forgotten, and remember the feelings that you had once upon a time.
It touches people to this day because the words you have there are true, and everyone can apply this to someone that they once thought they knew!
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Yeah, that's definitely one good use of it. I don't do that often enough, really.
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.... I have no words to express what I've feel at the moment I read this... I still have a lump in my throat
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Why is it that criticizing one change somehow means you are incapable of handling change? Change only works if it is good! If it isn't, than there is no reason to hold back criticism of it.
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The vast majority of people who were upset about it were simply reacting negatively to any change at all. Things have vastly cooled down since then, and most of the overly emotional reactions are over.
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Really? Did you read the minds of all those people, or are you just making generalizations? A change stands on it's individual merits, not on the fact that it's change. In the context of the animation industry, Twilicorn is not as much progression as it is regression. Rehashing an old villain (Luna turning back into Nightmare Moon in S4), and rehashing an old trope (Princesses) is anything but progress. There are still plenty of fan-artists who ignore MMC and Twilight Sparkle as a unicorn.
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