AYOOOAH!
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From: natalie.carter@branson.com
Okay, HIDDEN YEARS is doing all right, but you
know what would really make it interesting? If Ember
and Skywise would have a baby while Cutter is gone! At
first I wanted them to Recognize, but I get the impression
that Skywise and Timmain have already Recognized?
How boring! Also, has Ember Recognized anyone
yet? Anyway, even if they have, they could still get
romantic with each other sometime and make a cub!
Just think of all the storylines that would come from
this: Cutter's reaction when he gets back (please bring
him back), Cutter and Skywise's relationship would be
forever changed from this, but I'm sure Cutter could
eventually come to terms with it. Skywise needs something
important in his life, and quite frankly, I think
HIDDEN YEARS needs something really juicy to happen! I
have always wanted these two to fall in love. What
would Mender think when he comes back? This could
lead to so many possibilities. Just imagine what a
talented, energetic, beautiful and honery cub these two
would create! The World of Two Moons would never be
the same. (Honery? Is that supposed to be "ornery" or
"horny"??? I really can't tell! - RP)
Maybe it's just me, but it sort of seems like lately certain titles of ELFQUEST have been "writing down" to their readers, if you know what I mean. I understand that you probably have loyal readers of all ages, but I think the majority of your readers are mature enough to handle something spicy like this. In fact, I for one need something spicy like this to happen to keep me interested. Every now and then the world needs a little rebellion, just to shake some life into it, wouldn't you agree? Well, just a thought.
Natalie Carter
Are the events of this issue sufficiently "spicy" to whet that appetite? - RP
OK, OK, first of all, I'm sooooo glad you
brought cub "toys" back into the tribe. I'm sure it gives
Ember some reassurance; she can still be chief without
losing all that she used to be.
Also, the Wolfriders sure are making a big deal over Tyleet and her cub. They have a good reason though, I just hope they aren't disappointed.
P.S. What do preservers eat?
Nalana (no address)
Why, preserves, of course. - RP
I'm at the end of a final semester of grad
school and have little time for detailed niceties. Suffice
it to say I've been an avid reader and admirer for
years - EQ is a breath of fresh air in the patriarchal
polluted climate of comic book stores, and I try not to
take its presence for granted.
But (oy) I have, you'll pardon the expression, a bone to pick regarding HIDDEN YEARS #19. As a vegetarian, I knew I was in for a rough time when I saw the cover, and I was correct. In fact I had a very disturbing nightmare after reading it. This was a particularly disagreeable effect, as I rarely take a break from schoolwork to relax, and I resented the intrusion of my only recreational reading upon my only recreational sleeping. (Please note, I am in no way attempting to hold you responsible for the contents of my dreams - or, for that matter, my reaction).
Now, I know that the Wolfriders are hunter/ gatherers, and that this is the only Way they know to survive. My objection here is with the one-sidedness of your portrayal of the rodent roundup.
First, the lack of carnage throughout, considering the delicacy of small mammals as compared to their attackers, seemed unrealistic. I saw only three panels showing just a hint of dull brownish blood (the rabbit Patience brought to Tyleet, and the bird shot by Nightfall). I have seen the damage done to birds, squirrels and mice by many a cat, and it is not so pretty a sight.
Second, while a sizable number of panels (though not the overall majority) depicted fearful expressions on the faces of the intended prey, these often appeared to be "cartoony" - for lack of a better word. I believe this may be more reflective of artistic style than it was a belittling of the fear and pain that those animals must have experienced. Nonetheless, I felt it didn't do justice to the emotions (which may simply be more reflective of my own personal artistic preferences than anything else).
Finally, there were no portrayals of the family lives of these animals. We always see the families of even the elves' worst enemies (trolls, five-fingers), yet when Skywise and company smoke out the tunnel-dwellers we see no sign of young. I must assume then, that a) there weren't any - perhaps owing to the season, or, b) they choked to death, unable to "escape" like their elders.
Well! I guess I managed to find time for detailed not-niceties. How odd it is to find myself complaining about a lack of bloodshed. Normally I detest the "entertainment" media's overuse of graphic violence - but of course I have never included EQ in that category. You are unto yourselves an industry that has consistently rejected the vapid norms others adhere to - and for this I am grateful. But as to HY#19, I must say, that regardless of your intent, the results, at least as I perceive it, is to glorify killing without a complete picture of the consequences.
Dena C. Wiener
<<street address removed from archive>>
But you should've seen all the little bones that needed sweeping up! Seriously, we think Elfquest manages to hold a balance between gory (or spicy!) reality and good taste (pardon the pun) in a story intended for a wide audience. Keep those cards. letters and elf-sized toothpicks coming, and we'll see you in 45! - RP