Power Ponies

Power Ponies is an upcoming episode of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. It is the sixth episode of the fourth season, and the seventy-second episode overall.

Production and development
On July 20, 2013, an animatic clip of this episode was shown at San Diego Comic-Con International. In the clip, Applejack/Mistress Mare-velous, Fluttershy/Saddle Ranger, Pinkie Pie/Fili-Second, Rainbow Dash/Zap, Rarity/Radiance, Spike/Humdrum, Twilight Sparkle/Masked Matter-Horn, The Mane-iac, and more characters appear.

Summary
The episode's credited cast of characters consists of Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Mane-iac.

Summary from episode press release
"When Spike and the ponies are transported into the city of Maretropolis in his favorite comic book, Spike is disappointed when he becomes a boring sidekick instead of one of his favorite heroes. But when the ponies come up against pony super villain, The Mane-iac, Spike becomes the last line of defense to help save the day."

Summary from highlights press release
"When Spike and the Mane 6 end up as superheroes in a comic book world, the only way to get back home is to defeat the super-villain, The Mane-iac."

Summary from AT&T U-verse
" After finding themselves trapped in bizarre, comic book-style universe, Spike and the Mane 6 realize that if they ever want to return home, must act as superheroes and defeat the world's nefarious super villain, The Mane-iac."

Summary from Zap2it
"Spike and the Mane 6 must defeat a super-villian [sic] when they are stuck in a comic book world."

Superhero theme
This is the show's second superhero-themed episode following The Mysterious Mare Do Well in Season 2. Among the references include:
 * The Mane-iac's origin of dropping into a vat of chemical liquid is similar to the Joker's origin in the 1989 film version of Batman.
 * Additionally, the origin of the Mane-iac where she gets electrocuted by a downed powerline is similar to Two-Face's origin in Batman: The Animated Series.
 * When Spike sees the Mane 6 in their costumes, he says, "Holy new personas, ponies!", which was a running gag said by Robin in the 1960's live-action Batman series.
 * Additionally, Humdrum's (Spike) costume's color scheme is similar to that of Robin's.
 * Saddle Ranger (Fluttershy) is seen undergoing a transformation similar to that of the Hulk.
 * Fili-Second's (Pinkie Pie) superpowers and costume are similar to that of the Flash.
 * The comic book world is named "Maretropolis", a clear play on the city of Metropolis in the Superman comics.
 * Mistress Mare-velous (Applejack) is seen wielding a lasso similar to that of Wonder Woman.

Quotes

 * Humdrum: Holy new personas, ponies!


 * The Mane-iac: Power Ponies! [laughs] How kind of you to join us! [evil laughter]
 * Power Ponies: Huh?


 * Zap: I was already awesome! And now we've all got superpowers!


 * Masked Matter-Horn: All right, Power Ponies, here's the plan. Rarity, you, me and—
 * Zap: Come on out, Mane-iac! Or the Power Ponies are comin' in!
 * [thunder crash]
 * Masked Matter-Horn: So much for "element of surprise".


 * Mistress Mare-velous: Time to Power Pony up!
 * Fili-Second: Nice catch phrase!