Editor bashing is a sport, I've found, that is played most fiercely by those who have had little or no real experience with editors. The perception among many aspiring writers and artists, as well as those-who-can't-but-revere-those-who-can, is that the creator's first draft is sacrosanct. Any editorial input is tantamount to desecration. Feuds between certain writers and editors take on mythic proportions as gossip filters down from the comics industry into the fan network. Most of the time the creator is cast as Bucky Beaver and the editor comes off as Mr. Tooth Decay. It's a real "us against them" bias that produces doubt and fear in not a few young hopefuls.
Are there insensitive, arbitrary, semi-literate editors in the field of comics? Sure. Are there insecure, inflexible, egomaniacal artists and writers? You betcha. Thankfully there are also solid, secure professionals in both areas who know when to hold their ground and when to listen and accept.
Over the years I've worked with several terrific editors-- most recently with Anina Bennett, who edited my Beauty and the Beast graphic novel "Night of Beauty." What makes a working relationship good is simply this: Each partner takes responsibility for himself. By that I mean all good guy/bad guy, lost lamb/rescuer, victim/victimizer role-playing is eliminated. This is how Richard and I have managed our own professional partnership (admittedly with a few stumbles) for thirteen years.
You get exactly what you expect from people. It's Cosmic Law. If a creator always perceives himself as the likely victim of a blind, unsympathetic editor who will mangle his vision, that's exactly the kind of working relationship he's going to attract. Things can't help but go wrong because each ego enters the ring hyper-primed to defend its point of view. On the other hand, if a creator and editor team up expecting good listening, good seeing and all around good communication, their shared vision often manifests a product everyone can be truly be proud of. I speak from experience-- both kinds.
In the case of "Night of Beauty," my original concept was in no way compromised, though the script was first edited by Anina Bennett with my full cooperation, and later by Ron Koslow who had final approval. At rare times I took a stand when I felt a suggested editorial change was inappropriate. Such times required me to make my point clearly and unemotionally. Because I was willing to listen and trust, I was heard and was trusted. This doesn't happen in all cases. But people should be aware that it can happen more often than it does. At his or her best, a truly objective editor can help to clarify, simplify and thereby enhance an already splendid idea.
Should some works of art in the comics medium, because of the utterly unique vision behind them, remain untouched by any hand save the creator's? Of course! But then it behooves that creator to find an outlet for his work that allows him to remain true to himself. There are independent and underground publishers who hold firmly to this ideal and who take every opportunity to nurture total freedom of expression. And, of course, one can always find ways to try one's luck at self-publishing.
But what of the creator whose honest goal is to function within an established group and appeal to the widest possible audience? This person is not usually a lone wolf. He's a member of a pack. As such, he's willing to listen, to trust his gut feelings and to choose responsibly when to stand and when to yield. For him there are publishers, both independent and mainstream, who provide a group working environment that includes, among others, editors and art directors. The creator's opportunity in a pack situation is to learn cooperation and the joy of shared accomplishment. Those who have anshin (a Japanese term meaning confidence and reliability) last longest and rise highest. The victims remain "omegas" only because they choose to.
My point is this: Like anyone else, we writers and artists are responsible for ourselves and the situations we get into. And, like anyone else, we don't always operate from the purest of motives. We make choices. We sign contracts. We always have the option to say "no." If we treat supposedly victimized creators as heroes, perceiving them as the eternal prey of the big bad editorial system, how can we possibly be doing them a service? To celebrate the underdog is to promote the acceptability, indeed, the glamour of defeat. Shouldn't we, rather, affirm the anshin in all of us, the power that makes us all masters of our own destinies?
Wendy
See, there was this cat-burglar in New Haven,
Connecticut back around 1958, who dressed up in a
black costume and cape, and who called himself Nighthawk
(long before the Marvel character used that
name). And he was caught, and they asked him "Why?"
Tell you in 60!
Richard
Even a 49 year old woman such as myself can get hooked on a wonderfully creative and important graphics story like ELFQUEST. In the last seven years, since I discovered your adventures, I have done some self study and societal study and I find your series to fit in quite well with the spirit of our age within the global setting-- it's only natural for ELFQUEST to go international!
In our present uprooted society of broken relationships, your holistic message is a good role model of commitment to each other and greater causes of good. Your message tells me that it is OK to be a spiritual and intuitive being today. Just as Leetah brings healing to the individuals she encounters, so your story of the quest brings subtle forms of healing on various levels of living in your fans' lives.
Lannette Huberty
Minneapolis, MN
I am angry at you for having killed Kahvi at the
end of issue #1. Kahvi, in my opinion, is a warrior and if she
did have to die I feel it should have been in battle against
the trolls instead of in such an inglorious way in a cave-in.
Therefore in August I could care less about Picknose,
Ekuar or any of the other ELFQUEST characters. Kahvi I
could identify with and only through her, with the others.
Thumbs down; she was a warrior and should have died a
warrior's death. That's the way I feel... without Kahvi, the
story has died.
Arizona Haynes
Nyack, NY
Whee! Back on the road again. "Kings of the
Broken Wheel" looks like a great adventure, although not
at all what I expected as the sequel to "Siege." My God! The
Go-Backs have been decimated-- Kahvi was always one of
my favorite characters-- invincibly cheerful, completely
unapologetic for her ways-- so many readers seemed to
dislike the "coldness" of Go-Back culture but I saw it as
quite necessary toughness in response to a very hostile environment.
Anyway, I do hope her baby survives.
Alice Cascorki
Minneapolis, MN
Yeah! We're having a baby! Nightfall and Redlance
are having a baby! All right! Rahrrrrrah-da-da-DAH!
Everybody conga! I can't wait! A boy? A girl? Twins?
No, you did that already. Triplets! Ha!! Now I'm being silly.
Nightfall and Redlance are having a baby! Ooo, what'll it
be? Par-tee!
Tish
Philadelphia, PA
Looks like poor ol' Starjumper isn't long for this
world. But Nightfall is pregnant, which may help even
things up a bit. I was wondering when this would happen--
after all, Redlance and Nightfall achieved Recognition and
beyond at the end of the Quest.
So Suntop called for something else rather than the wolf blood. Does this mean he's a pureblooded elf, and potentially immortal? Wonder if Winnowill intended to kill him with the rest of the Wolfriders.
Ember brings up a point I've been wondering about. The Wolfriders have been (unduly?) concerned about what would happen if Winnowill were killed-- that her spirit would rampage about causing death and destruction. Yet we are told, time and again, that pureblood elf spirits must go to the Palace. Only Wolfrider spirits are free to roam the length and breadth of the World of Two Moons. (Not that a raging Winnowill would be a desirable addition to the Palace!)
Interesting to see Rayek's newly-honed powers. I particularly enjoyed his returning the big spear whence it came. Looks like those powers have gone to his head. Will he need to be healed, too? And dear, oh dear, Suntop has more powers than we had suspected.
June Moffatt
Downey, CA
Arrrrgh! You really know how to get our attention,
don't you? How can I wait two months for the next
issue without going crazy? If issue #1 of "Siege" was a
ripoff, this one was a definite cliffhanger. I can identify with
Strongbow's inability to let down the floodgates of his pain.
Tears are fickle-- when you need them most is when
they're most likely to remain dammed up inside, and that
hurts a lot.
Jeneva Smythe
Cheney, WA
It was sad to see the burden of pain and guilt that
Strongbow is carrying, and how tormented he is by it. And
it is an obvious parallel (this series is full of them, which is
good, impressive writing) to the burden Rayek doesn't
even realize he is loading on his soul. I think I'm going to
feel sorrier for Rayek than anyone before this tale is over,
which is a rare feat for a character with so few admirable
and congenial qualities.
No, I don't think Kahvi and her baby are dead, though the High Ones help Rayek if they are. I do think they'll live, but be separated from the others of their tribe, and the Go-Backs without Kahvi's leadership will be in a bad way. About the only thing they can do is rejoin Skot and Krim at the Forbidden Grove. I also see a colony reestablished at the Holt, perhaps after all this is over. It was growing back... And I think it is remaining true to what an elf is that will be Cutter's strength and ace in the hole against Rayek.
Alan Bradbury
West Valley City, UT
Skywise and Starjumper... it's Skywise's choice
as to when he wants to allow himself to realize the truth--
that Starjumper's days are growing shorter. ("But mommy,
I liked Starjumper, an' Skywise is gonna be so sad. He
might cry." "I know, honey, but these things happen.")
Page 7-- as a student nurse-midwife, I've seen that look before--the look of a couple that might be pregnant but isn't sure enough to tell everyone yet. Either that, or they're trying (and hoping) real hard. (Either that, or it's another of your famous red herrings!)
Healing circle sequence-- ceremonial robes for Cutter and Leetah? I like! Also, I wonder, does Strongbow want to be forgiven or is it that he can't forgive himself until he feels sufficiently "punished." I hope he can work this out, but any nurse can tell you the patient won't get well unless he/she really wants to.
Rayek: They said he has the "energy" from all the Blue Mountain elves-- could he also be having a problem with 'possession' by the personalities/attitudes of some of them, Kureel and the Chosen Eight, for instance?
Jessica Steyers-Lucens
Glendale, CA
The first issue, and already there're plots and
subplots and sly hints of future unfoldments, and Rayek
totally around the bend and acting utterly villainous, and I
can hardly wait for the next issue! And Strongbow--l didn't
used to like him (such a Republican, y'know?), but now I
could weep for him. The look of hope on his face at
Ember's very wise suggestion was so profound...
Leslie Holman
Seattle, WA
Out of room, but our heartfelt thanks to all who've written. Keep those thoughts and comments coming! And as always, see you in 60!