Welcome to our third issue. In place of our usual profound long editorial we have a profound short introduction to the central characters in our story, the WOLFRIDERS... our kids. We've received several letters from good folks out there saying. "We love your elves. but who are they all?" Well, to answer that question, and for those of you who are just joining the ELFQUEST, here goes...
CUTTER is the chief of the Wolfriders, a forest-dwelling band of elves who have been forced to leave the woodlands for the desert. He is a primal elf. He has been known to slash now and think later, but only when provoked. His closest friend and confidant is SKYWISE, keeper of the lodestone and consummate filch. Skywise is the world's first astronomer elf. TREESTUMP is Cutter's uncle - a stout fellow - and his daughter, Cutter's cousin, is the gamin DEWSHINE. Dewshine occupies the center of attention of SCOUTER, who's the son of ONE-EYE and CLEARBROOK. REDLANCE and NIGHTFALL are the old marrieds of the tribe. RAINSONG and WOODLOCK are something of a prolific phenomenon, having produced two offspring, NEWSTAR and WING, in a world where elf children are rare. Rounding off the family groups are STRONGBOW, his mate MOONSHADE, and inquisitive little DART. And then, last but certainly not least, there's PIKE, bless 'im, keeper of the dreamberries. Pike is not burdened with a vast intellect, but sometimes he sees right to the heart of things.
We love 'em all.
Dear Wendy and Richard,
Thank you for the copies of ELFQUEST. I have absolutely no suggestions regarding the story or artwork - they are both splendid - and only one teensy suggestion regarding form. In embarking on the second issue, I found it a bit difficult to instantly recall who was who and get quickly into the story. Perhaps a little WHO'S WHO page might be called for on the inside front cover...
I'm not the least bit surprised that neither Marvel or DC have no real interest in your strip and I suppose you should be flattered. It doesn't fit into their marketing principle. The cover of your second issue illustrates it perfectly. Instead of opting for a scene of violence or death, you depict a scene that, above all, depicts personality and character. It's rather interesting to compare your cover scene with the similar panel on page 13. You omitted one knife, made the beast a little less vicious and drew Leetah in a little less terror... as if something subconscious was telling you to avoid the Marvel cliches. If you'd drawn the cover just like the scene on page 13, you'd have had a bargain basement version of Conan and who needs that?
Mark Evanier
Los Angeles, CA
Dear Wendy and Richard Pini,
This past weekend I made a trip to Seattle to see what was new in the SF and fantasy books and magazines. While there I picked up a copy of ELFQUEST #2. I took it home and ended up reading it four or five times! Talk about impressed! I'm hooked! Your artwork is fantastic, the characters delightful and the plot excellent! Thanks for creating such a wonderful magazine.
Lynn Kingsley
Pullman, WA
Dear Rich 'n' Wendy,
In a word - WOW! In another word - WOW! again. We loved the second issue... we're going to expect tickets to the first ELFQUEST full length animated film! Honestly, Cutter and his crew are better than the Hobbits, Walt Disney, Superman and Spiderman all rolled into one. We wish you guys fast and furious success in this labor of love, because you more than deserve it.
We get a kick out of these guys, you know. You've got half a hundred possible plot lines before you, and the enthusiasm of hundreds of elves, waiting to be biographied, behind you! The vibes (those great storytellers, all hoping that they get heard) must be fantastic. We hope the distribution goes well, too. These elves are good fun and they teach good lessons. It's possible to become totally enraptured by their close group and then find out much later that they are demonstrating some sound hints on the business of living. Being elves they are naturally enchanting; yet their emotions and temperament are not unfamiliar to us all. Best wishes to you both.
Bill & Marcella Malik
Poughkeepsie, NY
Dear Richard and Wendy,
Have finished ELFQUEST #2, front to back; I like it! Suggestion - please don't go super-heroey with costumes. Please use only colors of clothes that elves could produce with their level of technology - leaf green, berries for blue, clay tint of red, moss green. Gold? Must be a magic fountain of gold sparkles that cling and still sparkle on the costume, but can't be physically touched (even in battle). Thank you for beautiful moments.
Pride Haworth
Omaha, NE
Dear Wendy and Richard,
I loved the first two issues of ELFQUEST. I am reading it aloud to my children and we can hardly wait for #3. It is clearly a labor of love, and for that reason it surpasses almost everything currently being done in the comic book field. The only thing that regularly equals it is Russ Manning's TARZAN strip: another labor of love. There are very few artists who will put in the hours and hours a good strip demands when they pay as well, or better, for hackwork.
I did feel the conflict between the Wolfriders and the Elves of Sorrow's End was resolved a little too quickly and easily, but then, these are elves and so are a lot more forgiving than humans.
Rick Norwood
Lafayette, LA
Dear Wendy,
Thanks for ELFQUEST - especially as I don't seem to have your address and was wondering where to send this letter!
What a difference good printing makes! I compared the cover of ELFQUEST #1 with #2 and there is no comparison! Same goes for the new big size. Your inking is clean and shows great control - the story kept me reading straight through - I hope #3 comes out soon so I can find out what happens!
Trina Robbins
San Francisco, CA
Dear Richard And Wendy,
I can't tell you how very pleased I am with ELFQUEST The characters are a pure delight! And your basic story is clean and original! And what artwork! Wendy, it's beautiful, filled with the love and skill of a true artist. Thank you for giving us ELFQUEST. I'm sure it will make history in the comic industry, and perhaps in films too! Come on, if you dream, dream big!
Kevin Mathey
Okla. City, OK
*** As you can see, the art swelled up to fill the whole book this issue, and so we have just one letters page, which is probably how it'll be from here on in. We received many great letters that we just didn't have room to print or to reply to, and we thank everyone who wrote, from the bottom of our hearts. Take care all, and write.