Webcomic Gripping and hard-hitting in more ways than one
I found this story sometime in the middle of publication but only got around to reading it as it started to wind up. This is probably just as well, as I was gripped by not only the central mystery but the character arcs it triggered. When the drama and tempers eventually flare, some of the characters are confronted with their faults and actions from one of canon's more controversial moments, and the hope that they can overcome these faults adds to the inability to "put the book down". (It may also be an effect of being able to binge this comic all at once that I was not overly put off by the character mainly used as the mouthpiece for this confrontation, who admittedly is as divisive in-story as outside of it.) Additionally, the art is quite vibrant and colorful, with some awe-inspiring, cosmically-inspired shots later on. In short, check this out- but make sure you have two or three hours free to let it soak in.
Webcomic Well...it looks pretty.
This comic is honestly not a good one in my personal opinion. It's not the worst thing ever, but it's decidedly not ANYWHERE as good as some make it out to be.
The good things? The art style is absolutely stunning. The villain's design is great. The Final Battle is definitely a fight to behold, and finally let's the Princesses actually DO SOMETHING, which I do approve of, and helps with quite a few problems that the story had before hand. Gralo is a decent villain, but I feel the 'he dulled everyponies wits' is not only an Ass Pull, but makes him less impressive of a villain than when he was just a calculating schemer waiting in the background waiting to strike.
The bad? WAAAAAYYYY too much Author Tract. The author has BIG problems keeping their own bias from interfering with the story. Nahmat is nothing but a mouth piece for things the author doesn't like, and frankly? She's more or less just a Designated Hero. Gralo didn't NEED to do anything but hide in his host, she did everything for him. She Mind Rapes Fluttershy for standing up to her for completely understandable reasons (and her turning the Stare back at her does NOT make her badflank, it makes her a Mary Sue), and SOMEHOW we're supposed to be on her side when Celestia finally has enough of her crap? I'm sorry, but this character is not well written or sympathetic...but admittedly, she DOES get better towards the Final Battle when she actually admits she messed up and has to take a back seat to the Princesses and let them defeat Gralo instead. I will give it that, THAT was a good part.
The biggest problem is that despite the author justifying it as being like Superman on Earth, that Nahmat is stronger in Equestria than her home world, we never really see her actions or REACTIONS reflect this, which make her come off as an overpowered Mary Sue.
Gralo is also overpowered, but at least has a counterbalance in that he's a Glass Cannon.
The Reveal makes zero sense and honestly has NO impact on the plot. At all. It's just there because of Author Tract.
So while not the worst story ever, it's decidedly not great. It has a lot of problems, both small and large, and the main redeeming qualities are the final lap of the story and the art style. There's definitely potential for it to have been great, but it doesn't live up to it.