Subject: #14 in February on Love
OK -- I am slow about getting issues. I just now got BoTC #14. Let me expound its virtues.
Did anyone else notice that issue # 14, received in February, was about love?
YES!!!!!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!!! THIS IS FUN EQ AT ITS HEIGHT!!!!!!!
1) The story -- Mr. Collins, congratulations. From the first thoughts of mentioning Pike in the beginning, to the touch of silverfins, to Bearclaw taking the story over, this is a wonderful story.
2) The art, though almost a bit stylized, is wonderful too. I like the way it fits the story. It is art with an attitude. It smacks you in the face from page one and keeps going on it's tour de force to the end. It tends to be a shade cartooney, but it fits the story in that way.
3) Finally a good wolf character. A lot of the current story threads have been woefully inadequate in this department. Bentclaw is given as much a personality as any other character. AS IT SHOULD BE!!! The art really shines in Bentclaw too. From the yawn, to coming up with the fish, to *giggle* his expression when they first capture Elona.
4) Even in this almost vaudeville pace of comedy, is broken by the pain of Elona getting abused. This is classic EQ. It is fun but still mournful and the brashness of the human society. Truly the kind of story Pike would tell.
5) The partial viewing of the elves in the night is a good effect too.
More later --
Phil "Stokowski" Pollard
Pepollar@vax1.acs.jmu.edu
From: Fernando69
Subj: Chief Shots
I just finished reading BLOOD OF TEN CHIEFS #15, and was quite surprised by the ultimate fate of Mantricker. Well done!
I've never been much of a fan of the Elfquest mythos, but after reading the last few issues of BoTC, I've come to find a warm place in my heart for these merry elves. Soon, I shall dare to read other books containing tales of the World with Two Moons.
The look of BoTC seems to be evolving into something that may well turn into a work of greatness. Mr. Barral and Mr. Nickerson did a fine job with their talents. Great stuff!!!
You have won over a new fan!!!
Sincerely,
Gerard Stevens
Subj: Chief Shots, BOTC #15
From: kvw@keene.edu
I'm abashed to say I've never written a letter in over a decade of devotion (aside from one business letter, recently). Perhaps this is due to the shyness associated with talking about something as personal and meaningful as ELFQUEST is to me. Here's as good a spot as any to start, as I've recently learned how to read the newsgroup alt.comics.elfquest.
Having just picked up #15, I'm impressed with the Barral-Nickerson team. Plenty of dramatic composition and excellent proportions of characters. The script is also well done--but--it's too short. The story, I mean. I do enjoy the large illustrations, especially when they're well done, but the story then lacks depth, as it's limited to a small number of pages. I actually felt this way during KotBW, but was too emotionally involved too complain.
This was a good strategy, putting several Mantricker stories in a row. This allows new readers to become involved with the series. On the other hand, I'm tired of seeing the short stories condensed into comic adaptations. Actually, I'm not sure #15 WAS an adaptation. I don't quite remember it, though it SEEMS familiar. All in all, well done.
That cover of #16, that doesn't look like a short story I've already read. Hmmm. Good.
Speaking of covers, I have two comments. 1) #15's cover was nice, but annoying since Barry's characters were too visually different from Delfin's and Al's. 2) The corner thingee. Ugh. How about mass mailing to all the retailers instead? Maybe that's not feasible.
Richard, thanks for the pics and continuing story on Japan.
Kevin Vander Woude
From: mkuhn@cs.uiowa.edu
Subject: BoTC: Five and Dime? No way!
Well, looks like the "blood" is back in BLOOD OF TEN CHIEFS, as it were!
Well, it's Delfin again, and I must say I like his work on this issue more than the previous BoTC issues he did (#13 and #14). Not that those were altogether bad, mind you, but I think this time he really has the "feel" a lot better.
Some bits I particularly liked:
- The "<...Always...>" panel on p.11 where
Mantricker cuts Sohan (the human cub). Actually,
this is my favorite panel in the issue--the colors (by
Suzanne Dechnik) really make this panel powerful by
its contrast...
- Bloodsinger racing to his elf-friend (esp.
the last panel of p.l3)--it carried with it a great sense
of speed and urgency...
- A worried Bloodsinger gripping the spear
in his teeth (last panel of p. 14)-- and all of p. 15 where
he pulls the spear out of Mantricker's back (nice
colors), and tries to comfort his elf-friend...
- The cover of #16 is also Delfin's-- very
nice likeness of Bearclaw.
Bloodsinger gets a big role in this story, but
his/her character actually has a larger presence here
than in the original story! Very nice.
Not only was Mantricker felled in a way very counter to the skills which gave him his name, but the humans never even realized that they had in fact hit their target..! That's life, (er, *death*, anyway) I suppose...
Yes, We Have No Superheroes...
Huh. That's the second month in a row
we've had a little announcement like that. I wonder if
perhaps the new JINK and THE REBELS titles prompted
artists to send in more "superhero"-style art than
usual? I mean, if artists were just sending in art to
Warp without actually bothering to read some of their
output first, then they wouldn't ever see this month's
little notice in the first place!
Marty
It just eludes the heck out of me. I mean, if I wanted a job as a car salesman or a stone mason, I'd learn those trades and then go to the places where cars are sold or masons are, um, stoned. Do that many artists think that comics are that interchangeable? Maybe so, if you look at what's out on the stands...
Keep those cards, letters and tax-free bearer bonds coming in, and we'll see you in 45! - RP