The Return of Queen Chrysalis
The Return of Queen Chrysalis is the first storyline in IDW Publishing's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic book, written by Katie Cook, drawn by Andy Price and colored by Heather Breckel. The story takes place sometime after the events of "A Canterlot Wedding" and is partly followed up by neigh anything... and Zen and the Art of Gazebo Repair, though Nightmare Rarity was the second arc in the series.
Issues
Overview
The Return of Queen Chrysalis is notable for its tonal dissidence and the way it treats the title character of Queen Chrysalis. Technically, the portrayal of her being a murderous tyrant who devours entire towns of people and eats ponies is fitting with her characterization, but actually seeing it or hearing about it is another story all-together. Many fans praised the book for its visceral portrayal of Changelings, while still keeping the charming and whimiscal nature of My Little Pony. Perhaps the darkest moment happened in #3 where Chrysalis smashes a Kitten-bunny against the wall, leaving only a splat of dark liquid in its place.
It should be noted that future storylines, including the very next one Chrysalis appeared in, already demoted her position as an actual threat and turned her more into a joke villain. As the tone of the comics shifted from varied storylines that followed the ponies of Equestria to more predictable gag-comic one-shots, the dark tone established in this storyline diminished very quickly.
Foriegn releases
- Japan: Queen Chrysalis Return