Well I got Pearl a few days back. I'd been really excited about several of the new Pokemon, including Buizel, Lucario, Mismagius, Magmortar and Mime Jr. but in all honesty I really didn't think much of this times starters.

I normally pick the water type. Squirtle. Totodile. Mudkip(although in all honesty I never really liked Mudkip much). So I'm looking at Piplup, and he's the obvious choice. He's cute...better looking than Chimchar and Turtwig...and water is usually a safe bet. Then I check out his evos. Prinplup and Empoleon...I don't like em. Then my two buddies say: Hey! We're getting Piplup, and so I decide to look at Chimchar and Turtwig.

I look at Chimchar with disgust. I remember how much help Torchic was as I've heard that the fire starter evolves into a fire/fighting type again. I dislike Combusken and Blaziken...their designs never appealed to me personally.
I check out Turtwig's evos and I'm not impressed. Chimchar's my last hope...and low behold...Monferno.
I love monferno. Seriously. If I was to do another comic starring someone other than Ace in Sinnoh...Monferno would be their partner.

I mean...everything about him screams Abra partner to me. Cheeky expressions(although granted I am one of the only people to give Abra any personality), bounces off walls to attack(again...Ace's Abra is very acrobatic) and it's the same height and human shaped. I love the human shape Pokemon...Abra, Machop, Monferno...Jynx(well more Smoochum, but Jynx is technically an adult Smoochum), Mr. Mime(Mime Jr...see Jynx), Electabuzz, Magmar, Hitmon trio, Meditites and Lucario. Such awesome bi pedal Pokemon.

In summary: MONFERNO IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND.

And yeah...I know I missed out on the obvious flaming poop throw joke, but I figured a lot of people had probably done that by now.