From: mkuhn@cs.uiowa.edu
Overall, very nice. The art is really shaping up- just beautiful. Even Nightfall is starting to look herself again (though she's not quite there yet)... The story is taking off nicely too-- ah, something with ongoing importance! Something to add some mystery and ask questions of the reader. Ah, yes...
"Who are you?"
Actually, that is a good question. Who is this
elf? Is he descended from a tribe we know about? Teir
doesn't have any major magic-- or at least that's what
Leetah thinks. Does Teir have wolf blood? Well, he does
call Timmain "white mother..." Leetah would be able to
tell for sure, though. If Teir is of Wolfrider descent (the
tribe has split before, y'know), how'd he get to the new
land? Hmm. Questions, questions, questions... And
another thing-- the subtitle of this issue is "Messenger."
If Teir is the messenger, then what is the message? (and
I don't think it's "Drink more Ovaltine" or something
like that...) Well, there's always next issue--
Marty Kuhn
From: uthepike@mcl.ucsb.edu
Just picked up HIDDEN YEARS #21 after a great day at the movies, and wow! My first words were "Teir RULES!" He's just the perfect character to offset the Wolfriders. Interesting how until now the Wolfriders under Ember have been facing things they must overcome, but Teir is not so easily dealt with... witness Skywise's (Jealous? I thought that was done with after the battle at Guttlekraw's throne!) reaction to the newcomer! Phew!
You can't overcome Teir, you must get along.... The first real outsider the Wolfriders can ID with since the Sun Folk. Well, maybe not
Something else about Teir that makes me happy: new blood. Ember certainly feels some sort of kinship with him, and frankly, a Skywise-Ember coupling seems just too... I dunno. Wrong. Not incest exactly, but I always wanted Ember to strike out in new and awesome directions... like her dad... I would like the idea that Ember keep Skywise as an advisor and learns things from Teir that give her newer perspectives on being chief.
Teir provides a new angle. Instead of the tribe dealing with internal problems vis-a-vis Moonshade vs. Ember, they have a new figure to bring them together. Teir is at once an aggravation, a kindred soul, and an enticing mystery. I like the guy.
One final word: The art in HY is more and more comfortable, if you know what I mean. It's really great, especially Ember. (Meow!) Ever since HY 4, I've been jealous of Mender. I truly love Ember. May she get together with Teir and continue to be as great as she always was...
Thanks much for ELFQUEST. It makes life wonderful.
Owen "the" Pike
From: JONAGLIR@aol.com
Kudos once again on yet another fine issue. HIDDEN YEARS is now my absolute favorite ELFQUEST title, perhaps because it has the "feel" of the earlier quest more than any of the others, as it concentrates more on the small struggles of the Wolfriders' daily lives.
I am in love. Notice to Mender: You are no longer the most gorgeous elf in existence. Not only is Teir beautiful, but I loved what little of his character has been revealed (and the mystery serves to add further spice to the mixture). His natural affinity with animals drew me to him immediately, and the sadness of his long time alone made me feel very sympathetic towards him. Please, please, please make him an ongoing character. There is a lot of material here-- after all, we know practically nothing about him, and I suspect that the few answers he will be able to give about his past will only raise more questions. Also, please don't make him a "baddie." A grey character, like Rayek or Strongbow, sure--that would be wonderful. But I like him so much, I find myself wanting him to eventually become a part of the Wolfriders (and would have no objections at all if it was to be as Ember's lifemate--see above comment on Mender!).
As usual, Steve Blevins' art was spectacu- lar. One of the things about his art that I like so much is that he doesn't forget that this is a group of individuals. In a lot of comic books, the people in the background just stand around looking towards whoever is speaking. But Blevins' characters remain alive instead of turning into mannikins, whether it be playing with Stubtail, growing moss, or whatever. (I loved the scene where Dewshine crashes into Scouter in the background!) Blevins also has an incredible talent for facial expression, on both elves and animals, which adds tremendously to the book. I pray that he stays the main artist on HY for all time to come!
As for the cover for next issue: is it my imagination, or does Ember look an awful lot like Timmorn in that picture?
Elaine
From: fscem1@aurora.alaska.edu
Kudos for Steve Blevins and Howling Rock Holt. Artwork is steady throughout, characters are all recognizable, and the color is nice. Kudos to all involved artists, in fact. You're doing well.
Teir is... interesting. Very nice entrance. I think he looks rather like Rayek, but that probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to anyone. And an animal-bonder, eh? Again, interesting. I do wonder where he's come from, but presumably they'll let us know eventually. I don't have a /lot/ to say about him at this point, except for, let's not have him Recognize Ember, puh-leeeze! I mean... it's been done. Skywise is sure in a tiff about him, though, isn't he? Poor stargazer... no longer certain how useful he is. *sigh*
*chuckle* And Redlance doesn't much care for Teir, either, which strikes me as amusing. Good old, quiet, dependable Redlance... is this a sign that the rest of us shouldn't trust the new elf, either?
*laugh* Ember's not a very good liar, is she? But then, the elves don't have much reason to keep secrets, so why /should/ she be a good liar?
Dunno. Got a 'bridge' feeling from this issue. Maybe I'm just used to the old storyline, when everything was Of Vital, Earth-Shattering Importance, and the more day-to-day work of setting up a holt just hasn't come to sit well with me yet. Next issue looks like Earth-Shattering Issues will be dealt with, though! Sign me on!
Catie Murphy
In case anyone was wondering, our mystery elf's name is pronounced TEE-er. Does this mean the Wolfriders are going to have their own version of the Golf War? Hey, what do you want, it's Wednesday. Keep those cards, letters and chip shots coming, and we'll see you in 45! - RP