IDW - Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship In Disguise #1

Transformation is Magic

Writer: James Asmus

Artist: Tony Fleecs

Colours: Tony Fleecs

Colour Flats by: Lauren Perry

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Shine Like a Diamond

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Jack Lawrence

Colours: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

Group Editor: Bobby Curnow

Main Story Plot

It's a normal colourful day in Equestria when the sky suddenly darkens and a strange bolt of lightning is seen lingering over a mountain peak, where Queen Chrysalis and some loyal Changelings are performing a ritual to open a portal to another world to try and bring forth more "Changelings" to help her conquer Equestria...

Elsewhere, on the planet Cybertron, the Autobots have become aware that the Decepticons are interested in a malfunctioning spacebridge, making them worried about what it can be used for. Shockwave manages to hack into the spacebridge and sends everyone somewhere else...just as Grimlock arrives at the battle, annoyed that everyone has "ditched" him again...

Back at the mountain peak, the gateway starts to emerge in the sky, when Princess Twilight Sparkle arrives to try and stop the Changeling's plan, but is too late, the portal opens and several giant figures shoot out of it, going across the world. Realizing that these newcomers are alive, and also falling at great speeds, Twilight goes to help them, leaving Chrysalis to speak to Megatron alone...

Before Bumblebee and Optimus can hit the ground, with Optimus offering to take the brunt of the fall, Twilight arrives and uses her magic to slow their fall, setting them safely on the ground.

Twilight, having overheard the two Autobot's friendship is relieved that Chrysalis had made a mistake by summoning friendly beings to Equestria, however Optimus corrects her that some of the other robots to arrive are indeed evil, and could be a major problem for Equestria.

Elsewhere, Chrysalis has indeed allied with the Decepticons, and marches with them off the mountain...

Side Story Plot

Starscream has attacked Manehatten, and forces Rarity and her staff to create a new outfit for him to wear whilst conquering Eequestria, hwoever he is soon interrupted by the Autobot Arcee, who quickly scares him away with a couple of kicks and punches.

Afterwards, Arcee assesses the damage and makes quick friends with Rarity, who admires her battle prowess, but also her demeanour, whilst  Arcee comments on Rarity's talents and business prowess, and both compliment the other's loyalty to their friends and allies.

Soon however, Starscream returns with Skywarp and Thundercracker to get revenge for Screamer's earlier defeat, only for the trio of fliers to get easily taken down by the two new friends.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Bumblebee - Hatchback

Arcee - Sports Car

Windblade - VTOL Fighter Jet

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Gauge

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Soundwave

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Skywarp - Fighter Jet

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Equestrian

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Rarity

Rainbow Dash

Quibble Pants

Golden Harvest

Minuette

Lyra Heartstrings

Daisy

Rose

Spitfire

Soarin

Surprise

Firestreak

News Stand Vendor

Coco Pommel

Plaid Stripes

Blue Bobbin

"Betsey Trotson"

"Starke Kragen"

Queen Chrysalis

Evil Changelings

Royal Guards

Bunnies

Random Ponies

The Other Mane Six (Mentioned)

Daring Do (Mentioned)

Dr Cabelleron (Mentioned)

Diamond Dogs (Mentioned)

Hydras (Mentioned)

Conquerors and Demi-Gods (Mentioned)

Notes

• This series was originally due to be fully released in May 2020, but was delayed to be a monthly comic, starting in August due to the current global pandemic.
• Just for clarity, I have a passing knowledge on My Little Pony, but I'm by no means an expert on the subject, so if I miss some things on that side of the crossover, sorry!
• The Transformers side of the crossover appears to be based on a version of the G1 cartoon continuity (based on the spacebridge design, and Arcee existing to begin with!). The pony side is a bit more complicated, since we clearly see the evil Changelings still around (or at least a few of them anyway) but the preview for the next issue shows Spike with wings, implying this is after their conversion to good. (I know the first page says not to worry about continuity, but I don't care!)
• The location cards for Equestria and Cybertron are written based on the opposite series' title fonts.
• Unlike in the G1 cartoon,  Mmegatron has a tank mode, rather than pistol form, this is very commonplace in current comics, but is usually not the case in these crossover comics with existing products
• Arcee asks if Rarity is a seamstress, implying she knows about the practise, something that isn't normally seen on Cybertron. This, along with the Earth-looking alternate modes could suggest that this is set following the Transformers already existing on Earth, or another organic world.
• Rarity produces a diamond-shaped shield, something that this version of the character doesn't normally do, but is commonplace for her Equestria Girls counterpart (though she does make a shield by the end of the final series). She is shown sweating a lot after doing this magic though, a nod towards her not being used to using magic this way.
• Its mentioned a couple of times that Equestria is in an alternate dimension to Cybertron. Though its unclear if this is referring to an alternate universe (ala how Transformers Prime and Animated as alternate universes) or if Equestria is in a sort of pocket dimension within the same universe (Like how Gigantion is shown in the Cybertron cartoon)