I just got my issue of HIDDEN YEARS #12 and it's phenomenal! The art is the best I've seen since Wendy did the issues and the story is comfortably believable. There's something undefinable about an ELFQUEST story when it's done correctly and this issue finally hit the mark. HIDDEN YEARS has been getting better with each new issue since Wendy's five but the "Shards" storyline is by far the best I've seen from anyone other than... you know who. I'd like to shake the hand of whoever was smart enough to give the job of colorist to Suzanne. Her colors give each issue an ambiance that was lacking before. Now Tyleet's eyes are liquid pools instead of green wax. Each tree, cloud and elf look three dimensional again. Also, Brandon McKinney's pencils are a breath of fresh air and, already, he improves with each issue.
Finally, a Recognition! The concept has been the most fascinating to me since I started reading ELFQUEST eight years ago. Scouter and Tyleet are perfectly matched. Both had surrogate cubs when they lost to time itself. I'm glad Dewshine wasn't jealous; we get enough of that on the twenty or thirty soaps that are shown each day.
I want to thank you, Wendy and Richard, for sharing your stories with the rest of us. ELFQUEST is special because of the effort that is continually put into it. Thank you for the years you have devoted to nurturing this unique reality.
Lyn Wemmer
<<street address removed from archive>>
Wow. That's all I can manage to say at the
moment. I just got through reading HIDDEN YEARS #12.
I loved it! The last two issues were (I thought) something
less than fantastic, but "Shards - part 3" more than
made up the difference.
The cover was what grabbed my attention. Tyleet and Scouter?? Ahhh! Please don't misunderstand, I think they are a great match... but what about Dewshine? As it turned out, she handled it extremely well; she didn't even seem surprised!
Her line on the third to last page was really a stumper: "Now you know the mystery, beloved." Please tell me I'm not going crazy, but what did she mean? Is this some new puzzle, yet to be unmasked?
What was interesting was how unexpected this new plot twist was - it took me completely by surprise! Thanks to all the Warp Graphics team for giving us a superb piece of ELFQUEST.
Matthew Olwell
<<street address removed from archive>>
It's a mystery, yes, but not a new one. Dewshine was talking about Recognition, that insistent genetic urge that guarantees offspring between two elves. Way back when, in the original quest, Dewshine had Recognized with Tyldak, pretty much against both their expectations. But with time, she came to see what an enriching experience it was. But for so long, Scouter had not Recognized anyone, so even though he and Dewshine were lovemates, they could not share the knowledge of what Recognition was like. Now they can. - RP
I have always underestimated the human
characters in ELFQUEST. I always used to think I'd be able
to predict how their involvement in the elves' lives
would end, but you've made likable human characters
as well and have given them well developed
personalities. It's nice to see a human-elf relationship
end on a positive note - Nonna and Cutter, Geoki and
Dart, the Woodsman and Tyleet.
But humans have always been distant characters - it's "us" or "them.." I love good fantasy; however, good fantasy doesn't mean recycling generic characters, does it? I've seen greedy, vain tyrants like Grohmul Djun before. Do humans in the world of ELFQUEST have no mysteries of their own? No magic uniquely their own? Are we simply to repeat the same time periods in human history? Are the humans all to be distant friends of the elves, only to be called upon when needed - or "used," rather, to be manipulated into aiding "spirits"?
Will we ever see space people, other elves (the ones who made their homes on other worlds)? We've seen the impact made on humans simply by Tyleet's raising one. Would any elf mourn the loss of one human? In short, will there be any lasting human characters with any significant impact on the elves' lives? Or will they always be "them"?
Catherine Rodgers
<<street address removed from archive>>
Good questions. First though, we think you might give ol' Grohmul a bit more of a chance than you've been able to so far. We don't think he's "generic" in any sense of the word, and he's certainly had a lasting impression on the lives of the Wolfriders - just look at this issue! Who else has ever managed to split up the tribe? And he didn't even have to work at it! But the point is well taken; as human civilization spreads further and further over the World of Two Moons, elf-human interactions are going to become more and more inevitable.
(I really should start referring to this planet as "Abode." since we're in the time period when that name starts to stick. And by the time of Jink and the Rebels, that's its name, as much as "Earth" or "Terra" is our world's.)
Just to clear up one point, though. None of the original "coneheads" who went to other worlds are elves. Remember, this particular group took the shape of elves because of images they saw in the mythology of the World of Two... er, Abode. Who knows what the other star-scattered travelers found? - RP
Tue, 17 May 1994 18:12:44 -0500
From: Dorinda Hartmann
<dmhartma@STUDENTS.WISC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hidden Years 13
I called the comic store, just in case, even though the fellow had said "Check back on Thursday"... and HY #13 WAS THERE! I think I left a sonic boom behind me as I whooshed off to the bus stop. Or perhaps that noise was just my warp engines (WaRP engines?) kicking in.
Has anyone else noticed a change in the cover paper stock? I can't exactly quantify this impression, but it feels to me that the cover for HY #13 is a thicker, heavier stock, and it's coated with different (more slippery) stuff. It has a richer feel. Am I sensing this correctly? Any printer's devils out there? [Yeah, I know there are plenty of *regular* devils out there, but this is a special kind... :) ]
Jen Eastman writes:
>Wow.
To say the least.
>Is it me, or is HY getting better with each issue?
It's not just you. I noticed that too. It's GREAT!
>The pencils were superb. The elves were so fluid. the humans so... well, human. The colors were great.
Agreed agreed agreed. Brandon McKinney is really settling down into the characters, that's for sure! They're getting very familiar, looking like our old friends, no matter what angle we see them from. It's a tough job, and he's risen magnificently to the challenge. As usual, below I'll be picking out little strands that I especially liked, so stay tuned.
>Winnowill seems to make a wonderful human (insult? maybe. :). I almost pity the Djun... Almost.
Oh boy, they make such a... deliciously evil couple. And Winnowill is perfectly... uh... Winnowillian (?), making him think he's in control ("Sure, cut my head off...") while all the time she's gathering in the strings and making him dance like her puppet. Ohboy ohboy ohboy...
>BTW, did anyone else get the willies at "Ekuar, open?"
Yes! Not even a "please"... too "Door"-ish for my taste. Good thing Ekuar loves and understands Rayek so (and has been known to stand up to him when necessary). Otherwise I might worry for the both of them. I hope we get to see Ekuar's reaction to the new cub-conception. He's always loved babies.
The Dewshine-Scouter-Tyleet thing worked out perfectly! All three are well aware of the others, taking care with their feelings... Tyleet gets a cub, Scouter gets Recognition without losing Dewshine's love, Dewshine gets Scouter's love, his happiness, and her own solid inclusion in the group. I loved the way her dance was angled and drawn, ending with a perfect landing in the arms of good old solid Treestump. Very ethereal, very elfin.
I loved the continuing bits with Holdfast. Feeding him-- perfect sound effects! And the tug of war... very wolflike, with a strong subtext from Cutter, showing us how he's preparing to do his own (and much more dangerous) form of "Tug of War."
Like Jen E., I also loved the mini-scene between Rayek and Moonshade. He at least said "thanks," but in a very offhand, self-absorbed, Rayek-ian way. And such a beautiful outfit! She deserves more than a "My thanks, Moonshade," tell ya that much. Although his mind was very much elsewhere, what with the Palace being shattered and sensing Winnowill and all... guess I'll forgive him. This time.
I enjoyed Tyleet's true concern for her human friend-- making sure he got home okay, giving him meat she hunted herself. Sure, she wants something from him, lessons in Human-ese, but she's also taking gentle care of him like a real friend would.
Brandon's drawing of the characters is, as I mentioned before, constantly bettering itself with each issue. Heck, the whole kit and kaboodle looks darn good. Check out the group scene on the last page! Excellent! I am so impressed, I can hardly even tell you. And it's not that Brandon is getting better at 100% imitating Wendy, but he is settling into his way of depicting these well-known, well-loved characters, making them his own while keeping them in the established Hidden Years style and in the EQ spirit.
And as for the impending Great Schism... Of course, I'm torn. I'm frightened and excited about the tremendous changes just around the corner. I'm sad to see the tribe split, but happy that some will be better protected from the undeniable threat of the humans. I'll enjoy seeing Ember struggle with chief-hood. I can't deny a growing fear of characters dying, though... I keep thinking in the back of my mind, looking at each well-loved face in turn, "Who will it be?" For some will die in this upcoming turn of events, I have no doubt. This is a very dangerous enterprise. The humans are powerful. (These aren't the "Booga Booga!" easily scared-away humans of New Blood.) It's true that death is a part of life, and just as natural to the Way as Tyleet's new cub. It's also true that One-Eye was infinitely happier once his slumbering body was finally put to rest, and his spirit was free. But still... my love and concern for each of the Wolfriders grips me with fear for them.
I remember when One-Eye died, a sudden and shocking turn of events (I was subscribed wayyyy back then). Letters to the comic were emotional, covering all points of opinion. It was hard and sad at first, but as a fan community, everyone pulled through it. I know, my terms may sound extreme,.. it wasn't fiction/reality overreaction, as if someone in our families had really died, but there was real grief there, nonetheless. When we lose whoever falls in these impending struggles with the humans, I hope that the memory of One-Eye, his death and his spirit, will help me understand and accept the new events well.
Along a similarly sobering note... Which wolf is that in the cover preview for the next issue? Not Patience! Oh, no... Poor old girl... Never did anyone any harm...
All in all, WHAT AN ISSUE! Thank the High Ones it's a monthly title. Otherwise I think my suspense reservoir would explode and do me some damage.
Whew!
Date: Wed, 18 May 1994
From: "Ulrich Schreglmann (CIP 90)"
<uhschreg@CIP.INFORMATIK.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Subject: Re: Hidden Years
>Has anyone else noticed a change in the cover paper stock? I can't exactly quantify this impression, but it feels to me that the cover for HY #13 is a thicker, heavier stock, and it's coated with different (more slippery) stuff. It has a richer feel. Am I sensing this correctly? Any printer's devils out there? [Yeah, I know there are plenty of *regular* devils out there, but this is a special kind... :) ]
That's your saliva from when you drooled on it out of joy. :-)
Drool and Sweat Water!
(C)OOL mcmxciv
Not drool. We discovered a way to put a varnish coating on the covers that really pops the colors out. (And, as an added benefit, actually protects the cover from drool! Just another in our never-ending efforts to make ELFQUEST even more attractive to even more people.) - RP
StartDate: Wed, 18 May 1994
From: R'ykandar Korra'ti
<dark@MICROSOFT.COM>
>I loved the way her dance was angled and drawn, ending with a perfect landing in the arms of good old solid Treestump.
This means, BTW, that Treestump is even stronger than he looks. She had a bunch of kinetic energy and momentum there, and he just absorbed it. Boom. Nontrivial.
>Brandon's drawing of the characters is constantly bettering itself.
It's pretty good. I'm not happy with the colour yet, though. It seems rather... hesitant, somehow. Overly restrained.
>Which wolf is that in the cover preview for the next issue?
I'm wondering what kind of weapon that was the human was using. I guess it's some sort of crossbow, but it looked like it was missing pieces - I thought it was a semiautomatic pistol, at first glance. (That's what it looked more like.) Since it fired bolts, it can't be that, but still - "huh?"
Be on the lookout for a certain perverse tinkerer in the woodpile - or the Djun's citadel, for that matter. He's tried being an elf, he's tried being a troll, what on Abode could he be thinking now?
Thanks to all who've written - keep those letters and posts coming, and see you in 30! - RP