First, some announcements... About the Elfquest Videotapes-- we still have no information concerning them. For information (or any other reason) you must call 800-822-1705, Operator 45. If that does not work, call 818-584-4048. Write to us only if you receive satisfaction from neither of these numbers.
About your subscription to Elfquest: Kings of the Broken Wheel. Please, please, please read the itty-bitty type at the bottom of this page, where it says "Subscriptions" and "Change of Address." You must let your old Post Office know that you will pay the extra postage to have magazines like ELFQUEST forwarded; they will not do so automatically.
Sale of Wendy Pini Beauty & the Beast Art: We have gotten a lot of requests for Wendy's original artwork. Nearly all the pages from the two Beauty & the Beast graphic novels she did are for sale. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Warp Graphics for a list and details of the sale.
About Yearnings 4: Heartline Graphics is now at 1308 S. 9th, Noblesville, Indiana 46060.
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You know, maybe there is something to this soul/spirit stuff after all...
Long time readers of ELFQUEST know that the twin concepts of "soul" and "spirit" have come up, from time to time, as elements in the story. The spirits of the Gliders of Blue Mountain, after a brief holding period within Rayek, finally took up residence in the Palace, as all elfin spirits do when the body dies. (Well, Wolfrider spirits can move about freely, but they're a special case, being both of the Palace and the planet itself.) An elf's soul-name is a kind of psychic "key" that protects the door to his or her innermost self, his or her total, basic being.
In the past, the examinations of spirit and soul in ELFQUEST have not been what you could call rigorous-- many of the concepts that we play with in these stories contain equal parts science and whimsey-- but they have never been frivolous. With particular respect to souls and spirits we've not attempted to construct anything resembling a theology for the elves, a hard and fast view of life and death and after-life, preferring instead to let you, our readers, pose your own questions and find your own answers. Nor have we tried to pin down to the last decimal place how the elves' mental or spiritual powers work. We've said let's let it be possible and let it run. It's how we like to tell stories.
Along comes quantum physics. This is really fascinating stuff, if for no other reason than it hints that somewhere, on a microscopic level that is sufficiently micro, we lose the ability to observe what's going on-- indeed, even to know in any way what's going on. That perhaps everything-- this copy of ELFQUEST, the hamburger you had for lunch, the observable universe-- are just huge collections of probabilistic vacuum fluctuations. But we can never quite get close in enough to see that.
There's a wonderful book called Quantum Reality, written by Nick Herbert (with that name he should be writing detective stories) that deals, in its final chapter, with quantum phenomena and consciousness. I'd like to share some of it here, because it was one of those bits that caused a little lightbulb to come on over my head when I read it, and prompted me to say, maybe there is something to this soul/spirit stuff...
Herbert asks: "Is it possible that consciousness is some sort of quantum effect? Is human awareness a priveleged access to the 'inside' of the quantum world...?" He then talks about the two kinds of consciousness we perceive, the everyday, experiential kind, of thoughts, feelings and memories, and a " 'raw awareness'-- that uncanny yet familiar feeling we relinquish when we go to sleep and awaken into every morning."
What if, Herbert supposes, this awareness is somehow the manifestation of some knowledge of what goes on in the quantum realm? (Remember, our everyday consciousness has no way to know what's going on "down there.")
Now, throw in something called Bell's theorem which says, in essence, that in the quantum world all things/events are connected. Somehow. Just what the connection is, is yet unknown-- but the nature of the connection is that it is instantaneous and unaffected by distance. Yow! Here in the "big" world, signals are limited by the velocity of light, and get weaker as they travel.
Now make the "what-if" leap of faith. If the quantum "network" carries all the news of what's happening all over, instantaneously, and if our consciousness can tap into that stream... Sending? Recognition? Are they so very far-fetched any longer? Perhaps souls or spirits are just the consciousnesses of beings-- elves?-- that are free and "on the net," unencumbered by flesh? Who knows, but as Hemingway said, it's pretty to think on. And it sure puts another spin-- no subatomic particle puns intended-- on my thoughts, anyway, about life and death and after-life.
See you in 60!
Richard
PS. Wendy says, "Gee. Such big words! I thought everybody already knew this!"
One of my favorite characters is Petalwing. It seems its role is to be the the link between the ELFQUEST characters and the readers. The readers can't interact with the characters, obviously-- except in their imagination-- but, they do react (I do, anyway) to what the characters do, and ache to tell off or smack a character who is misbehaving. The preservers also cannot be physically hurt or killed by the events in the story. Petalwing is the only neutral character, who sees things that go on, and who can react to things that happen without getting too hurt. It tells off Rayek for me when I get enraged at his idiocy. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, it acts out the feelings of the reader and has an effect on the story which the reader obviously can't. It's our go-between.
I rejoice with Strongbow, for he is finally free of death-guilt. I feel for Treestump-- it's hard loving someone who may only think of you as a dear friend.
You've got my curiosity and imagination going. Just who are these elves plaguing poor Suntop? Could they be descendents of Two-Spear? They could be elves that were on the island Tyldak left Winnowill on, and she's doing her old tricks on them! Or, maybe...well, we'll find out later. I want to know more about Dart's eight-and-four jack-wolf riders. (I love it! I can see it now... a new tribe called the Jack-wolfriders. If the Palace hadn't come when it did, they'd've been told to hit the road, Jack-wolfriders!) What are their names? I'd like to see more focus on them in the story...
It is this kind of writing, the kind that makes people feel things, even shock, and that also makes all the characters seem like real people, and that fires people's imagination and curiosity, which makes a great story. And the artwork is great too! I won't go into detail about it, because this letter is too long as it is!
Thanks for giving me the pleasure of reading and seeing a great tale that goes an and on-- kind of like a neverending story.
Margie Amberoy
St. Louis, MO
ELFQUEST is way cool! I totally agree with Jennifer
Monzon, whose letter appeared in SIEGE AT BLUE MOUNTAIN
#3. I'm thirteen too and I feel that some adults think that
kids my age are so innocent and stupid.
I think ELFQUEST is the most fantastic comic ever! In my opinion, I think that there are too few Wolfriders. It's the smallest tribe of all. Moreover, Dart, Newstar and the rest of Rainsong and Woodlock's kids are probably Sun Folk. So, why couldn't you let the Wolfriders have more kids? Cutter and Leetah should, and so can Dewshine and Scouter, Moonshade and Strongbow, and maybe even Skywise.
Anyway, thanks for reading my letter. KEEP UP THE RAD WORK!!
Leona Yuen
Singapore, Rep. Singapore
I remember that time long ago, at the beginning
of the quest. How normal and sometimes really peaceful
and quiet the elfin life was. Even when Cutter and Skywise
began this big, fantastic search, the adventures they faced
and the things that happened in those early times, were
much more normal than the things which happen now in
KINGS OF THE BROKEN WHEEL all together in just a few days.
During the old search the magic wasn't so huge, so
unbelievable. There were problems between some of them
and fights for freedom, life and for the quest. It wasn't so far
away from the natural way of the World of Two Moons. As
they found the Palace and Timmain and all that magic in
the Scroll of Colors, it was something big, fantastic--
something to let my mouth stay open, understand? It was
a great day and an exciting end for the (first) quest. Now,
in KINGS, it seems like every day three of these great,
unbelievable things happen together! Sometimes everything
and everyone in KINGS seem so different--so strange.
But it's realistic.
I like all these changes, really. All of this are signs for the beginning of a new, wonderful time, in which all the elves could remember what it means to be elves. Now, as the Palace flies again, all of them could be united again-- could become the old, one and only tribe. At the first look I was happy about this, like Cutter was happy and excited about the Palace at first. But I find it will be very difficult for all of them, but most for the Wolfriders. They are (up to now) the only elfin tribe that belongs really to the World of Two Moons. Only one thought about someone like Strongbow makes me a bit afraid. A little too much changes for him last time, don't you see? He had always believed most in The Way. I wonder how much his healing in the Palace could have changed him. Is his belief in The Way gone to make room for a new Way, a new reality? I'm afraid he could be no longer this Strongbow so many are knowing and loving (me too). I think he is one of the truest Wolfriders after all. Don't let him change so quick and so much-- it wouldn't look at all like him.
Or take Pike, for example. He believes in life, that is certain. But could someone like him live like his ancient fathers?
Sylvie Toporski
Hockheim, Germany
These books are fantastic, and I simply wanted
to thank you for having the dream and sharing it with
people such as myself. I always have enjoyed reading, and
finding good stories that fed my imagination. In ELFQUEST
I find that satisfaction. Once again, thank you, and I wish
you much continued success.
Rebecca Vandersee
Norwalk, IA
Speaking of Clearbrook, she's let go at last, and
Hallelujah for that! Her relationship with Treestump, in
whatever form it takes, is beautiful-- the two oldest members
of the Wolfriders, they have so much more in common
than that. And I hope Clearbrook's statement in the JOURNEY
TO SORROW'S END novel, where she says she thinks she
will have no more children, is wrong. After all, Leetah's
twins were born to a 600-year old woman! I for one want to
see what happens when the thunderbolt does strike twice
in the same place, even if Recognition comes at the same
level as Redlance and Nightfall experienced it (voluntarily).
Speaking of Redlance and Nightfall-- couldn't happen to a nicer couple, but what's the big secret? I mean, if she is pregnant (thanks to some not-so-subtle hints), why treat it like a big deal? Not you guys, I mean the happy couple, the tribe. It's not like having children is an uncommon thing in the Holt-- unless there's something wrong... However it goes, it's about time something happened with them.
A few more points... Did Aroree take a left turn at Albuquerque, or what??
My own two coppers as to the source of the cry-- boy, this is a long shot-- but Two-Edge can send now, can't he?
And finally, KINGS #3, page 19, panel 2. Now that's time travel! Insert theme from Twlight Zone here.
Arlene C.H.Fassett
Framingham, MA
I just realized something. The Wolfriders and the
other elf tribes have lived a fairly simple life. They think of
there being one plane of existence and no more. We
believe the same thing but we (our society) have thought
of there being other planes and that time travel might be
possible. From what I've heard and seen, the Wolfriders
are going to travel to different times to aid other, as yet
unseen elves. Couldn't this devastate the Wolfriders to see
the world hundreds of years later? Will these new elves
teach Cutter anything he doesn't know that might change
history?
You see, ELFQUEST has been wonderful and simple. There have been no aliens or time travel. Just a tribe that went on a quest and fought a war. Now we have to complicate things with time travel. This could ruin the comic if you don't do it exactly right! This could change the image and the feel of the comic and could change it forever.
Paolo Thompson
Houston, TX
(To the Wolfriders)--I have been following your
adventures for a long time, but the events chronicled in
issue #3 have finally prompted me to write. Many of the
issues faced by individuals in this chapter of your history
are familiar to me; therefore, I wanted to offer my reactions
to them to the elves personally.
Skywise: I have always identified with you, and I now do so even more. Death is a horrible thing to face, especially the death of one so near to you. Endings are hard to face as well. But they make you learn to walk alone, if you ever have to. Lean on Cutter, lean on Timmain. They will be there for you until you can let go, and there is no shame in leaning.
Suntop: I feel for you. You were born special and must learn to love with all that that entails. It will never be easy for you, but I have faith that you'll always have the strength to see each new challenge through to its conclusion. High Ones watch over you.
Rayek: You're growing up again, growing more into your power. You aren't even a quarter as arrogant and haughty about it as you used to be. Even if you have slipped up along the way, your intentions have been with the good. Keep it up.
Kahvi: You have good reason to be angry (I never said Rayek was perfect) but watch out for hatred. It tends to be self-consuming.
Dart: No one ever said leading was easy. Ask Cutter.
Ember: please be nice to Suntop. He needs you.
Strongbow: You don't have to be blameless to be forgiven. And the person who will find it hardest to forgive you will be yourself. But at least you learned that lesson before it was too late. That took courage.
Clearbrook: At last you've let go of One-Eye and can begin to live again. I know you'll never forget him, but you no longer cling to his memory. You showed the most courage of all, releasing yourself and ONe-Eye. And we know that because...
...One-Eye, One-Eye, my brother. My eyes see with joy. And so do yours. Both of them
Kristin Gray
Roseville, CA
Backing up a bit, I want to compliment you on
your finish to the SIEGE AT BLUE MOUNTAIN series. Winnowill,
dear Winnowill, stranded in the middle of the ocean on
a small deserted island, master of all she surveys. (At
least, I hope it was a deserted island! With you folks, one
can never make too many assumptions.) This so fitting
fate warmed the cockles of my heart and gave me a
number of great laughs. I must say, too, that while Tyldak
has always been my favorite ELFQUEST character, not even
I would have suspected he had such a delicious sense of
humor. Good for him! I couldn't have dreamed up a better
revenge myself.
On the other hand, I can't imagine that we've heard the last from friend Winnowill. What will she be up to next? Suborning whales? Sending out her spirit image to crash the Palace? One thing about Winnowill-- at least she's never dull.
Sandi Hogben
Tenino, WA
Hi, Wendy. I'm writing to say I really admire your
artwork!! You are an incredible artist, and since I am an
artist myself I sure hope that means something to you. I've
been into drawing since childhood; I got my first light-table
when I was five years old. My greatest influence when I was
a beginner was Disney-- Walt was a master in my eyes (still
is).
I started really drawing when I was about 15 or 16. Dragons and sorcerers were hip to me. But the biggest gain was learning proportions and point-to-point perspective, that's when drawing became an incredible rush! And sooooo much fun, I tell ya!
When I was 17 your artwork caught my eye-- and became an influence. You are a hot, kick-ass artist! So take pride in yourself and don't take a talent as gifted as yours for granted! Keep up the killer artwork, and I can dream of meeting you at the top, someday!
Dennis McCauley
Petaluma, CA
Everything stops for ELFQUEST, if I can wangle it.
I go and find a cafe, or sarnie bar, have a cup of tea, and
read. Trying not to get tea or crumbs on the pages (about
95% successful, on average). My point of view should have
altered a great deal since BLUE MOUNTAIN finished. For one,
I have now read the eerie things the tribe went through in
the early stages of its evolution-- people who didn't know
whether they were elves or wolves or neither, and people
who were elves who had traveled the universe, wasting
away with the effort of staying alive on one world. Timmain's
choice was one desperate strategy to survive in an
alien environment. I wonder, does the circle begin again,
not at the point when the elves can escape the World of Two
Moons, but when among all those whose obsession is to
regain the Palace, there is one whose desire is to leave the
Palace and go out into the world again (and can): One-Eye
(issue #3, page 29)? The real puzzle in their world as in ours
is not so much how to get off the planet as how to get on
with the neighbors. I know quite a few people-- I expect you
do too-- who think the former may one day be a viable
alternative to the latter. Maybe they are right. The Pilgrim
fathers did it, after all, only a few hundred years after they
said it couldn't be done. They sailed west. They did not fall
off the edge. (Yet. There's always California.) But it doesn't
solve the problem in the end, because there is always
another set of neighbors.
And now, I keep seeing them as aliens. Of course, before, I read all the words, I knew the story, I have no problems with the wolf/elves, I can make sense of Tyldak (Have you noticed that Cher's body-stocking is just like Tyldak's furry vest? What is she thinking of having done next??) But until young Geoki addressed the matter of similarities and differences in SIEGE #8, I had fallen under their spell and read them as if they were us--caricatures, if you like, symbols maybe, different from humans, OK, but basically us. But they aren't-- they're aliens. You'd get a fright if you met one down a dark alley. So would he. They are like us in some ways and completely unlike us in others. This is one of the things that fantasy or fairy-story exists to do: confront things that are like and not-like, and lead us to make some kind of sense of them. Fairy-stories come to ground (like runaway castles?) in more places and times than straight literature and reportage can do.
And I agree with Lee Mendham. ELFQUEST is unique, for many reasons, but for me, especially, because there is page after page after page that I could stick on my wall and never get tired of looking at. I open the page, and there are live people looking out at me. How many artists do that?
But something has changed. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I know it has happened. Can it be the shadows which have changed? The strong lines seem to be working harder, especially round the faces and eyes, carrying more weight and less backup from the fine lines. Some of them are sharply undercut. Sometimes a broad elvish brow doesn't seem quite broad enough for the huge bright eyes, and every now and then a pair of eyes or a smile seems to float a little on the surface of a face instead of sitting deep inside it... It's not invariable, but I keep seeing it. Whatever you're up to (that's behind this), I hope we get to see it over here. I've not grown out of impatience in this life, but I'm getting better at it.
Helen Armstrong
Beds, England
Next issue: Guess who's back! Shade and Sweet Water to you all, and see you in 60!