History YMMV / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDWIssue34To37

** Radiant Hope could have been a ShadowArchetype and {{Deconstruction}} of [[ThePowerOfFriendship the basis of the franchise]], who's willingness to to forgive ([[RousseauWasRight done successfully in the series]]) was something that could go wrong. WordOfGod arguing Hope was a stronger character than Twilight Sparkle for having to deal with a friend turned evil made the failure to make the comparisons in-story all the more stinging.

** The [[AbortedArc Aborted Arcs]]. The whole VillainTeamUp and the fact that there are more creatures in the Umbrum's prision then just them whould've made for great stories, but nothing ever comes of it.

* FourthWallMyopia: Many critics of Radiant Hope point to her trusting the Umbrum as [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter as an example of her stupidity]]. But while audiences were shown in [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFiendshipIsMagic the prior story]] enough to know they were evil, Radiant Hope didn't know that or about the Umbrum, who went to great effect to hide their true nature even disguising their ObviouslyEvil forms for over 1000 years, prior. There's also the over 1000 years the Umbrum deceived Radiant Hope against her people, praying on [[DespairEventHorizon her utter brokenness and guilt]] making her desperate to believe them, explaining her initial resorting to villainy instead of talking things out and how long it took her to [[HeelRealization realize she was deceived and wrong]] happening largely offpage compared to the consequences and calling outs held against her.

* AccidentalInnuendo: While the princesses rid Sombra of his Umbrum magic, Luna says, "I would follow Twilight anywhere." The expression she makes while saying it doesn't help.
* AlternateCharacterInterpretation:

* IdiotPlot: Iron Will and Flim and Flam both agree to take part in a plan that would be career suicide (public speaking and being conmen means ruining their reputation is the absolute ''worst'' possible thing they could do) and involves working with Queen Chrysalis, a ManipulativeBitch known for being incredibly untrustworthy. Radiant then proceeds to steal the Crystal Heart and revive Sombra...only to act surprised when that turns out exactly as one would expect. To top it off, the Mane Six minus Twilight are captured primarily due to suddenly holding the IdiotBall (especially Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie) rather than anything the villains do and Radiant is surprised when foolishly getting between the Princesses and Sombra ends badly for the former. Really the only characters who were actually intelligent the entire arc were Chrysalis and Sombra.

* VindicatedByHistory: Somewhat. After the show's Season 9 premiere saw Sombra return as a LargeHam GenericDoomsdayVillain, some fans started to appreciate this arc more for actually giving him some characterization that's not just [[CardCarryingVillain Card-Carrying Villainy]]. The rest of the comic is still highly contentious, but the focus of the fandom is now on what's considered it best aspect.

* AlternateAesopInterpretation: The comic ends with AnAesop about trusting friends and how it redeemed Sombra. However, Radiant Hope trusting [[EvilAllAlong the Umbrum]] led to the conflict of the story, while talking things through with Sombra is what brought about his HeelFaceTurn. Then there's the VillainTeamUp realizing too late that the consequences of their actions [[PyrrhicVillainy would negate whatever they hoped to gain]], and [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Princess Cadance hearing Hope out]] nearly fixing things until a anger-blinded Twilight Sparke [[NiceJobBreakingItHero ruined it]]. This led many readers to view the Aesop as [[DidntThinkThisThrough not to act too much out of emotion]].

** The justification that Flim, Flam, Iron Will, and Lightning Dust remain with King Sombra out of fear. Some people accept this justification, others view it makes this ''worse'' by making them {{Dirty Coward}}s who'd sell out everyone to a pair of tyrants just to save their own hides. Others feel it would work as a solution, but [[InformedAttribute the fact none of them actually act like it]] ruins any chance of it actually working. This only got worse when by Issue 36, the antagonists indeed became nervous and realized just how much they messed up... but more out of ''fear'' rather than actual remorse or guilt with little to no foreshadowing before then. When they all just disappear from the plot completely in #37, some were grateful for it being swept under the rug, while others felt it was too little too late and/or proved the whole thing was a narrative mistake.
** How [[TheWorfEffect easily the heroes lose in Issue 35]]. Some feel it's reasonable given Sombra's PowerNullifier and TrapMaster history, others feel the heroes were all thrown the IdiotBall and Sombra handed a GameBreaker spell just to justify the DarkestHour. Those against it also point out that Cadence remaining at the Crystal Castle seems to ''only'' happen so Chrysalis and Sombra can reasonably win [[note]]As Chrysalis is at best a little stronger than Twilight and no match for ''one'' of the Princesses (outside of EnergyAbsorption) while Celestia and Luna defeated Sombra a thousand years ago (albeit having to do so with a CombinationAttack or possibly even the Elements).[[/note]] and makes no sense given Cadence has always been an able fighter. This is reduced somewhat when Chrysalis seems to pull a KnowWhenToFoldEm rather than face the Umbrum, and Sombra's PowerNullifier crystals are able to broken by the Harmony power (just like with any other PhysicalGod-type villain). However, others point out that the Princesses ''only'' role in the story is "show up and then lose" and the time could've been devoted to much needed fleshing out of Radiant or the VillainTeamUp.

** Whether the arc was fair and at least passable or absolutely terrible. For those that do hate it, there's debate over whether or not it's the worst arc in the entire series or just another stinker.

* VindicatedByHistory: Somewhat. After the show's Season 9 premiere saw Sombra return as a LargeHam GenericDoomsdayVillain, some fans started to appreciate this arc more for actually giving him some characterization that's not just [[CardCarryingVillain Card-Carrying Villainy]]. It's still highly contentious overall, though.

* AccidentalAesop: The comic ends with AnAesop about trusting friends and how it redeemed Sombra. However, Radiant Hope trusting [[EvilAllAlong the Umbrum]] led to the conflict of the story, while talking things through with Sombra is what brought about his HeelFaceTurn. Then there's the VillainTeamUp realizing too late that the consequences of their actions [[PyrrhicVillainy would negate whatever they hoped to gain]], and [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Princess Cadance hearing Hope out]] nearly fixing things until a anger-blinded Twilight Sparke [[NiceJobBreakingItHero ruined it]]. This led many readers to view the Aesop as [[DidntThinkThisThrough not to act too much out of emotion]].

* VindicatedByHistory: Somewhat. After the show's Season 9 premiere saw Sombra return as a LargeHam GenericDoomsdayVillain, some fans started to appreciate this arc more for actually giving him some characterization that's not just [[CardCarryingVillain Card-Carrying Villainy]]. It's still highly contentious overall, though.
* WhatAnIdiot:
** Radiant Hope steals the Crystal Heart and revives Sombra, acting ''surprised'' when he starts acting exactly as one would expect and goes on a rampage. Radiant even outright ''admits'' she was an idiot to trust Chrysalis when the Queen predictably betrays them. Though this may or may not have been downplayed, given Radiant then revealing that Chrysalis would've ultimately had to be dealt with anyway (but didn't seem to actually have a ''plan'' to do so, apart from the implication that she was relying on the Umbrum to help her with it). She then decides that TakingTheBullet for Sombra from an angry Twilight was a good idea...''directly'' after one such beam barely tickled him and knowing Sombra is LEAGUES stronger and tougher than she is. Some agreed with Chrysalis' calling [[YouFool her a fool]].
** Iron Will and Flim Flam, who agreed to do something (namely taking part in an attack on the Crystal Empire accompanied by Queen Chrysalis, a ''known'' tyrant and enemy of state) that would taint any reputation they had for their respective careers (motivational speaker and con artist respectively) all on the word of a random stranger they don't even know. It's baffling how any of them believed committing high treason would benefit them in any way. They likely would have benefited more from stabbing Radiant and Chrysalis in the back and turning her into Equestria. It takes being told the Umbrum are going to escape to actually get them to realize they didn't think this through.

** Radiant Hope could have been a ShadowArchetype and {{Deconstruction}} of [[ThePowerOfFriendship the basis of the franchise]], who's willingness to to forgive ([[RousseauWasRight done successfully in the series]]) was something that could go wrong. WordOfGod arguing Hope was a stronger character than Twilight Sparkle for having to deal with a friend turned evil made the failure [[NotSoDifferent to make the comparisons in-story]] all the more stinging.

** The Princesses have a history with Hope...but we hardly see any of it. The Princesses just show up and get turned to stone, then help make Sombra mortal at the end. They have no other interaction with Radiant, nor do we get more of their past. Both also have pasts (Luna [[FaceHeelTurn has Nightmare Moon]], Celestia [[LoveMakesYouDumb has the events of]] ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDWIssue17To20 Reflections]]'') that [[NotSoDifferent would justify how easily Sombra and Hope were forgiven]] that nothing is made of. Some fans have even pointed out that the Princesses showing up could've simply been moved to the FinalBattle and nothing of value would've been lost, and their initial appearance ''adds'' a [[AWizardDidIt borderline plot hole]] in how they received their correspondence so quickly.

** The justification that Flim, Flam, Iron Will, and Lightning Dust remain with King Sombra out of fear. Some people accept this justification, others view it makes this ''worse'' by making them {{Dirty Coward}}s who'd sell out everyone to a pair of tyrants just to save their own hides. Others feel it would work as a solution, but [[InformedAttribute the fact none of them actually act like it]] ruins any chance of it actually working. This only got worse when by Issue 36, the antagonist indeed became nervous and realized just how much they messed up... but more out of ''fear'' rather than actual remorse or guilt with little to no foreshadowing before then. When they all just disappear from the plot completely in #37, some were grateful for it being swept under the rug, while others felt it was too little too late and/or proved the whole thing was a narrative mistake.

* FourthWallMyopia: Many critics of Radiant Hope point to her trusting the Umbrum as [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter as an example of her stupidity]]. But while audiences were shown in [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFiendshipIsMagic the prior story]] enough to know they were evil, Radiant Hope didn't know that or about the Umbrum, who when to great effect to hide their true nature even disguising their ObviouslyEvil forms for over 1000 years, prior. There's also the over 1000 years the Umbrum deceived Radiant Hope against her people, praying on [[DespairEventHorizon her utter brokenness and guilt]] making her desperate to believe them, explaining her initial resorting to villainy instead of talking things out and how long it took her to [[HeelRealization realize she was deceived and wrong]] happening largely offpage compared to the consequences and calling outs held against her.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter:
** Rabia's daughter Ira. She could've made a great {{Foil}}[=/=]EvilCounterpart[=/=]ShadowArchetype to Sombra, but instead she serves no purpose other than to show how Cadence and Radiant were fooled by Rabia.
** Rabia herself, or rather her initial characterization. When introduced, Rabia acts in a false motherly way to manipulate Hope that many readers found an interesting concept for a villain...but that part of her personality is completely dropped the moment she's freed, with her becoming much more generic as a result. Many fans would've preferred that initial characterization being kept and used by her to continue manipulating Hope and Sombra would've made her far more interesting.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Rabia's daughter Ira. She could've made a great {{Foil}}[=/=]EvilCounterpart[=/=]ShadowArchetype to Sombra, but instead she serves no purpose other than to show how Cadence and Radiant were fooled by Rabia.

* FourthWallMyopia: Many critics of Radiant Hope point to her trusting the Umbrum as [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter as an example of her stupidity]]. But while audiences were shown in [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFiendshipIsMagic the prior story]] enough to know they were evil, Radiant Hope didn't know that or about the Umbrum, who when to great effect to hide their true nature even disguising their ObviouslyEvil forms for over 1000 years, prior. There's also the over 1000 years the Umbrum deceived Radiant Hope against her people, praying on [[DespairEventHorizon her utter brokenness and guilt]] making her desperate to believe them, explaining her initial resorting to villainy instead of talking things out and how long it took her to [[HeelRealization realize she was decided and wrong]] happening largely offpage compared to the consequences and calling outs held against her.

* FourthWallMyopia: Many critics of Radiant Hope point to her trusting the Umbrum as [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter as an example of her stupidity]]. But while audiences were shown in [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFiendshipIsMagic the prior story]] enough to know they were evil, Radiant Hope didn't know that or about the Umbrum, who when to great effect to hide their true nature even disguising their ObviouslyEvil forms for over 1000 years, prior.

** The Season 9 premiere, ''Beginning of the End'', likewise involve a Team-Up between villains (In this case, Tirek, Chrysalis and later villain, Cozy Glow) that resulted in Sombra resurrecting. Though ironically where in the comic he worked with the villains to stop the Mane 6. In the show, he utterly refuses to do so [[spoiler: and ends up destroyed ''again and for good'' for it.]]

** Less seriously, it's been noted that [[ILied if there was any truth]] to Umbrum's MonsterSobStory, It could have made Hope a better character by making her actions morally grey and be consistent with the attempted Aesop on trusting friends. [[AlwaysChaoticEvil Low and behold...]]

* CreatorsPet: Radiant Hope. Some fans ''hated'' her in this comic for being naive, easily manipulated, standing by letting Sombra petrify Celestia and Luna, and not speaking against anything he was doing until the last issue. Then it came out where Jeremy Whitley (writer for both this arc and Sombra's ''Fiendship is Magic'' issue) [[https://derpibooru.org/1046785 made a series of tweets]] that carry the implication he considers Hope a stronger, more heroic character than Twilight, because she stood by her friend when he was turned evil, a trial Twilight has never had to deal with.