Spike the Giant Dragon - October 2012

Name: Spike the Baby Dragon
Aliases: 'Spikey-wikey'; Spikezilla (fan created name)
Portrayed By: Cathy Weseluck
First Appearance: "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic"
Went Giant-Sized In: EP 36 "Secret To My Excess"
Original Air Date: 12/10/2011
Species: Dragon (Equestria)
Kaiju Portrait Order: #41


Yes...it's finally come to this! I've done a Kaiju Portrait based on a character from the animated series "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic". How did this happen?

Well...I have only (Chad Rocco) to blame for all this, as his fantastic web-series "Familiar Faces", which focuses on obscure or overlooked characters throughout fiction (hey, just like my Kaiju Portraits), did a two-part retrospective on the My Little Pony franchise. And with particular focus placed upon its current incarnation, "Friendship Is Magic", which has gained a surprised following with older fans, along with the intended child audiences.

This might have to do with the involvement of talented animator and writer Lauren Faust, who knows how to do smart and offbeat humor with prominent female characters. And it really showed in the first season, and some of the second, when she was still the lead producer for "Friendship Is Magic" ('FiM' for short).

You can watch Chad Rocco's entertaining 'FiM' video (the one that started it all), here: blip.tv/familiar-faces/familia…



Based on CR's recommendation, I gave 'FiM' a chance, and was pleasantly surprised at how well animated and generally funny it was. Though admittedly, it's one of those cartoons where the comedy is better experienced for oneself, instead of being explained to an outside party. Not unlike another oddball favorite of mine "Azumanga Daioh" (blip.tv/jesuotaku/azumanga-dai…).

And before we go any further...NO, I am NOT a 'Bronie' - just a respecting fan and viewer. And after my less than thrilling experiences at Am2Con 2012, I can say definitely say so with confidence, in comparison to the more extreme fans I met and dealt with there (as well as the haters on the equally extreme opposite end of the spectrum).

Although I must admit that many of the sexy girls cos-playing as humanized versions of the 'mane heroines' were most appreciated.



Now that I've gotten my level-minded introduction out of the way, time for me to geek out from this point forward!

My favorite characters would to be Rarity the Unicorn, and Spike the Baby Dragon, along with their ongoing friendship / semi-romance, that is more adorable than it initially sounds. Especially when you consider that Spike is portrayed more of a pre-teen over a simple 'baby', who has an emotional crush on the still-older Rarity.

Rarity is an fashion designer and professional seamstress, with a very 'posh' attitude, but one that doesn't come off as unlikable or stuck-up. Despite her glamour and sophistication, Rarity is actually one of the funnier characters of the series - largely thanks to voice actress Tabitha St. Germain. And the occasional, stress-induced freak outs that Rarity sometimes experiences, mixed with her already histrionic (overly theatrical) tendencies.

Spike is both the assistant and surrogate younger brother (son?) to another unicorn named Twilight Sparkle; a bright and talented sorceress, as well as the de-facto lead of the series. Spike is a sweet enough fellow who likes helping others, but can be refreshingly sardonic when compared to his more upbeat 'sister' Twilight, or the other wackier ponies. And as mentioned before, Spike has feelings for his lady friend Rarity, who is seemingly unaware of his romantic affections.

That was until the episode "Secret to My Excess", in which the recurring subplot finally came out in the open...and with giant monster overtones no less! Seriously, it was like show writer M. A. Larson accidentally received a psychic message from me, stating 'Rarity / Spike romance...Godzilla rampage...that is all', and went straight to writing. And a few months later, this was the end result!



Spike is celebrating his first birthday in the town of Ponyville with his friends, and receives many gifts outside the expected book from Twilight Sparkle. Even better, is that Spike previous gave Rarity a Fire Ruby, which he was originally growing for himself as an edible treat (Dragons eat crystals and gemstones in this fictional world). And because of Spike's generosity, received a kiss on the cheek by Rarity, along with open affection towards him.

Unfortunately, the abundance of birthday gifts has an unforeseen side effect on little Spike.

In the 'FiM universe', Dragons, regardless if they are good or evil, are naturally prone to greed. Especially in their later adult years, where most become literal hoarders, held up in their respective home-caves with their gathered treasures. And although Spike is still technically a baby, the sudden influx of presents causes him not only to desire more, but begins to have a physical change on him too.

Much like the Ymir from "20 Million Miles to Earth" (1957), Spike transforms through various growth spurts, until he eventually becomes the gigantic, out-of control menace featured in the Portrait above. And with his new found Kaiju height and mass, the rampaging Spike takes his collected treasures to the top of the nearest mountain peek.

Along with the centerpiece of his collection - Rarity herself!

Yes, the climax of the episode is basically a slight homage to the Godzilla and King Kong tropes, with poor Rarity standing in for Ann Darrow

Everything turns out alright in the end, but only through the love Spike has for Rarity, and the recent Fire Ruby incident, which snaps him back to both sanity, and to his original form. But it's the scene right after Spike's reversion, that really makes the episode for me, as both Spike and Rarity are falling from the former's previous monster height. And the very touching interaction that both characters share, while they fall to their virtual deaths.



I finished this picture a while ago, but still have some reservations concerning it, which also kept in storage all this time. The main concern was with Rarity herself, of all things!

I'm happy that I added her to the picture, as a nice bit of extra humor, but some of my friends noted that her design was off. Coming off more frog-like than a unicorn in execution. Unfortunately, I've already spent way too much time on Rarity in the inking and prepping phases before coloring, so I wasn't at all willing to re-do Rarity from scratch at this point. Still, I felt I had to mention this tidbit with you all regardless, and for humility sake.

I might do Rarity justice in a separate picture for the un-seeable future, but she's not the main focus of the Kaiju Portrait, and thus I THINK I can get away with this. But at least her hair looks marvelous!

My other problem was getting this introductory text written just right, which has always been a big problem with ALL of the Kaiju Portraits. And with that said, I'm seriously considering just uploading the Portraits alone, with minimal-to-no text in the future.

Seriously, does anybody read these days? Let alone extensive articles on the most obscure Kaiju and Giant Monsters imaginable?!?!

And yes, I know there's a lot more to be said about Spike, like his other brief touches with giant monster adulthood. Not to mention the fact that he's not really the first Spike to be featured in the franchise...But again, this is going long enough as is, and thus I digress.

However, I will make mention of the continuity that took place after "Secret to My Excess", where Spike and Rarity, although far from being newfound lovers, have still gotten closer as friends. And with Rarity being even more affectionate and caring towards her young dragon friend in turn, like being overly protective of his safety in the episode "Dragon Quest" (3/17/2012).

This is more than fine with me, because as cute as the idea is, there is obviously still a big age and species differences standing between Spike and Rarity. And if there was some sort of monstrous unicorn-like reptile monster from the Ultraman franchise, than a gag about how their possible offspring would look like, would have been included here.

That, and the second season finale entitled "A Canterlot Wedding, Parts 1-2", briefly hinted at new love interests for the two...Not that it really helps matters, as it seems Spike now has eyes for Rarity's kid sister Sweetie Belle!

It's like what said once...'if you can't get with the girl you want, hook up with her sister instead!'



Now to all you 'FiM' fans out there; YES, I am more than familiar with the OTHER giant monsters that have menaced Ponyville throughout the series. All of which being equally worthy additions to the Kaiju Portrait series (enshohma.deviantart.com/galler…). But I don't think I'll be tackling any such characters in the near future, as I have enough on my plate art wise as it is.

Though if I could, I'd like to draw Steven Magnet, the Flamboyant Sea Serpent, the cosmic-bear-beast dubbed Ursa Minor, or the comically bizarre dragon freak named Crackle.

UPDATE For 1/14/2013: Okay...I'm officially a Bronie...Rapture and JOY!