There's no doubt that there are far more bronies reading the comic than there are seven-year-old girls -- though part of that is that comics of this sort almost never get sold outside comic shops. The UK-published official monthly MLP magazine has been on my local supermarket's shelves for over a year, and always seems to sell out. From a British point of view, therefore, it would be silly marketing if IDW's effort *did* directly compete.
I really don't think I agree with the "lack of spark" argument, though. I not only love the show, but my favourite extended period is probably the back half of S1, conceived before bronies were even a thing. I bought the S1 DVD, despite the import costs, and don't regret it. But the comic's ponies are (to me) recognisably the same characters we see on the telly, and I love that too. (And I assume your final comment was said tongue-in-cheek!)
There's no doubt that there are far more bronies reading the comic than there are seven-year-old girls -- though part of that is that comics of this sort almost never get sold outside comic shops. The UK-published official monthly MLP magazine has been on my local supermarket's shelves for over a year, and always seems to sell out. From a British point of view, therefore, it would be silly marketing if IDW's effort *did* directly compete.
I really don't think I agree with the "lack of spark" argument, though. I not only love the show, but my favourite extended period is probably the back half of S1, conceived before bronies were even a thing. I bought the S1 DVD, despite the import costs, and don't regret it. But the comic's ponies are (to me) recognisably the same characters we see on the telly, and I love that too. (And I assume your final comment was said tongue-in-cheek!)