I was wondering if my days as a letter editor were over; I'm very glad they're not. We both also wondered if we'd get mail response to Elfquest, and there doesn't seem to be a question any longer. Now, if someone would kindly provide a shovel so I can uncover the word processor and see about a letter column --R.P.
I am writing to you in regard to
the new Elfquest series. I would
like to know if a subscription to
the comic will be offered and if
so, what the cost will be.
Lawrence Watkins
Houston, TX
Glad you (and many others) asked. The subscription information you're looking for is contained within the indicia, which is that tiny type at the bottom of page one. Check it out. --R.P.
Elfquest #1 was great. The
drawings were super and the
comic book was fantastic. I
would like to know when Issue
numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are coming
out to the newsstand.
Chris Campisi Longwood, FL
Ah, an easy question. Respectively, one, two, three, four and five months after issue #1 appeared there. --R.P.
I've been a fan of Elfquest since
1978 and have to admit that I was
a bit skeptical when I heard you
would be putting out the series
again-- in color. I picked up #1
and read through. Not too bad!
Only too much new material! I
feel you should stick to the same
Elfquest that appeared in the
magazines. No offense intended
but pages 17-21 seemed childish
and unnecessary. Since I greedily
scoop up anything that has to
do with Elfquest, I'll overlook the
problem. Good luck!
Dave Vargo
Avenel, NJ
Elfquest is one of the-- strike
that-- is the best comic I have
ever had the pleasure to read. I
bought the issue #1 by Marvel
because it was a first issue and
therefore a possible collector's
item. I have the color volumes
but never bought the original
comics for a simple reason; I
never saw them. I assume the
color volumes are exact reproductions
of the WaRP editions,
so why the additional pages in
the Marvel edition? Don't get
me wrong-- I love having some
new Pini drawings. I just wonder
why.
Nettie B. Hayden
Pelham, AL
Good question. When WaRP Graphics first published Elfquest, lo these many years ago, we put 32 pages into each issue. Epic comics average about 22 pages per issue, which would mean splitting the original story in odd and awkward places. Wendy does new pages of art and story to bridge these gaps and provide continuity-- as well as providing new glimpses into what's going on.
One thing I remember with great fondness (and not a little frustration!) from the original series was the neverending stream of questions from readers. Looks like the floodgates have opened once again. --R.P.
On page 3, panel 5 of Issue #1,
what are the short brown things
and what are the little white
ones? Are they fairies or something?
Also, what era of time are
the stories in?
Andy Kimbrough
Houston, MS
The answer to your first question lies in future issues of Elfquest; longtime readers know we never give away answers that might spoil the story later on! The time of the story is vaguely prehistoric; mammals have come into their own, but the "dinosaurs" haven't all died out. --R.P.
Are you going to give the elves
other woodland friends like dryads,
sprites, pixies and centaurs?
Tim Templar
Eugene, OR
One of our greatest hopes is that as the Elfquest goes on, you will come to see that it's different from any other fantasy story you have read. For that reason there won't be the same kinds of creatures-- unicorns, dragons, pegasi and so on-- that you may be expecting. But wait until you see what we've replaced them with! --R.P.
I thought Elfquest #1 was awesome.
But on page 4 it said that
the elves' powers are very weak,
and on page 12 Cutter is using
some sort of telepathic power to
call the Wolfriders. How can he
do this?
Jon O'Keefe
NO ADDRESS GIVEN
Lots of practice. It's important for the Wolfriders to communicate silently, so not to frighten game or alert humans. As a result, they've honed their skills at "sending" more than anything else, and are now masters at it. --R.P.
Why do the humans call the
elves "demon-spawn"?
Matt Bayne
Simsbury, CT
My mom said that Elfquest is
demonistic and that she would
burn it if she found it in my
room. I know this may sound
stupid but it's true. She doesn't
even know what Elfquest is about
or what it is. Right now I'm trying
to talk my mom into letting me
join the S.C.A. which is a club
that enables you to relive medieval
times. My mom also thinks
the S.C.A is demonistic. Anyway,
I need someone like you to
tell my mom that Elfquest is not
demonistic.
Name and Address
withheld by request
Elfquest is a fantasy like any other in that it tries to say something about the world we live in by using symbols. The elves, the humans, the planet itself, the creatures and characters you will meet-- these are all the tools we use to tell the tale. Hopefully, you'll find that Elfquest is not so much a story of Good against Evil, but of Knowledge against Ignorance. The primitive humans call the elves "demon-spawn" because long ago their own ancestors, in their ignorance, were badly frightened by the elves' ancestors. Ignorance often leads to fear, and then to hate. The elves have nothing to do with anything demonic; in fact, we think you'll find that they are very natural and innocent beings simply trying to survive. --R.P.
What can I say but-- Marvelous!
I liked Elfquest when it
was black and white (I read my
friend's copies) but the color
version is awesome! It blows me
away! Great job, Glynis.
Some people I know tell me things like "Elfquest is for kids" and "You're wasting your money on Elfquest-- try (comic book) instead." But I know better. For years I have wanted to get my hands on copies of Elfquest. Now my wish has come true.
I'm glad Marvel didn't make the same mistake (turning Elfquest down) twice and that Archie Goodwin owned up to his mistake. By the way, ever notice how Archie Always looks like Archie no matter what he's drawn into? Must be that moustache.
Byron Go
Hacienda Hgts, CA
Actually it's because, primal image that he is, Archie is-- forgive me, I can't resist-- an ARCH-etype. --R.P.
Elfquest is a great story. I got
Issue #1 at a local drug store. I
told my mom to get my brother
one, but she said no. Now we
have to share it. How are you
supposed to share a comic
book?
Matthew Thompson
Lugoff, SC
With good grace and with as many friends as you can. --R.P.
Elfquest #1 impressed me so
much that I will probably read
Issue #2. It's interesting to view
an alien race (the elves) as being
the persecuted innocents while
home sapiens seem to be the
villainous misguided ones. Cutter
doesn't seem to smile much.
I wonder if he has the capability
to be happy.
Keith Drawbaugh
York, PA
The relationship between the elves and the humans is a complex one-- and will become more so as the quest progresses. As far as Cutter's happiness is concerned, let's just say he's in for some roller-coaster ups and downs. --R.P.
I recently bought your Elfquest
novel. Two days later, I read in
Marvel Age that Marvel would be
reprinting the comics as part of
the Epic line. In the article, it was
stated that the actual quest begins
after the Wolfriders find the
Sun Folk. Not having read the
original series, I was unaware of
this and thought that Journey To
Sorrow's End would have to end
this remarkable fantasy.
My question is: Will there be another novel based on the Elfquest comics? Also, is there any chance of the comic book series being continued, or does the series end without any loose ends? Forgive me for this long letter, but in the space of one novel-- which I read in a matter of hours, it was so interesting-- the Wolfriders snared me. A month between issues is too long to wait!
Lynn Tucker
Las Vegas NV
A month is too long?! Thank heaven you weren't here the first time around; it was four months between issues then! We don't plan any further novels at this time, but there are more, new Elfquest stories in the works that go beyond the end of the first series.
And until next issue, shade and sweet water to you all.
-- Richard Pini