From: shannon
<ZU03626@UABDPO.DPO.UAB.EDU>
Okay, I've finally read enough issues of THE REBELS to have an opinion. I must admit, there were some turn offs at first. Rosie was especially unattractive; all I could think was "a giant preserver?" Now that we know where she comes from, she's more acceptable. Is she truly female or are the humans just sort of guessing? I suppose if she was genetically reconstructed, they would have to use some human genes, which would explain her having a sex. Anyway, it's good to see her participating and being helpful now.
I didn't like Shimmer at first either; the "droid with an all too human face" thing gave me the creeps. Not to mention I couldn't figure out why he looked like a cross between a High One and a Conehead. Then in issue 2 and on into issue 3, I started liking him and the way he interacts emotionally with Rosie (like when he returns her hug). Then came those two mysterious panels in issue 3 (Junnard says "I might ENJOY this," Shimmer says 'I ENJOY piloting this ship," both with eerie green light around the eye). Now Shimmer gives me the creeps again. Is he psychically linked to Junnard, or was that a coincidental occurrence to show us that both have something to hide? Obviously, Junnard is an elf, which explains why the droids all look like a High One/Conehead crossbreed. I think he's Door; that look in his elf-eye reminds me of how Door looked when he broke loose not long ago in New Blood. So I've got Junnard figured out, but what about Shimmer? I want desperately for him to be a good guy, and the Eerie Green Glow of Evil makes me doubt his loyalty to the rest of the crew. But he does seem loyal to Rosie, which is more than we can say for Scorch...
Of course, you won't answer me, will you, Richard? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I'll find out later.
Anyway, the Rebels must be a really good series, because it's already got me questioning what's to come. I should really be happy that you guys are still the best when it comes to keeping me waiting for the next issue. The art work has been great so far (I respect anyone who has to draw Shimmer over and over again), and we seem to be adapting well to Life After Wendy (wow, THAT'S a topic we haven't heard of in a while!). Keep up the good work, and don't keep us hanging too long on the Shimmer mystery.
PS - how does Scorch know to call Rosie a bug? The Wolfriders called Preservers bugs because they were small and flew, and were like butterflies. Rosie isn't all that bug-like compared to her ancestors.
Shannon
Ahem. It's called dramatic foreshadowing. Until Scorch actually discovered Rosie's preserver roots, he simply considered her a little nuisance, underfoot all the time. A bug. Ahem. - RP
From: Lynne Ann Morse
<morselya@Simplex.NL>
You dear Warped people...
Years ago, I picked up my first issues of ELFQUEST thinking that this at least would not blossom into a multitude of titles and collectors' items like every other hobby going at the time. I was wrong. That's okay--I've enjoyed the new titles as they've come along. That's sometimes proved a stretch, but hey, if I don't like your work, I take my shekels elsewhere and not darken your day with petty complaining, right?
Real reason number one for writing--comment on REBELS. Interesting little trick the Skyward did to Chandra, with that scholarship/indenture. It seems to me there is an opportunity to show another colonial, treated similarly, who decided to resign him or herself to the situation... and then (maybe years later) calls that decision into question when meeting Chandra and seeing where her life is taking her. Another thought is how poorly Abode must be doing in some aspect of its society, to have to beat its colonials in this fashion--what secret, or maybe unexamined structure, lies at the root of this treatment?
Keep it coming--thanks all of you: you're an inspiration!
Lynne Ann Morse
Love it! Absolutely love it! This story line is truly intriguing and the art is fantastic. Is it just me or does anyone else out there think lovely Chandra looks just a little bit like a certain white-haired Wolfrider chief? Another curious character is Rosie. In Rebels #3 we got a look inside Rosie's room. On one wall was a picture of Winnowill and on another was one of Savah. Isn't Petalwing the only Preserver that got the opportunity to meet both of these ladies?
Anyway the real reason I'm writing is just to point out a little something that other readers might not have picked up on. In fact the folks down at Warp may not even have caught this little bit of trivia. I've noticed that whenever any of the characters get angry the preferred curse is "Oh frak!" Does anyone remember the TV series "Battlestar Galactica"? Starbuck was often heard muttering the word "frak" when things got tough. Just thought I'd point that out.
Bryan Tumer
<<street address removed from archive>>
True, a similar cuss word may have been used on that long-gone beacon of televised science fiction, but the folks on Abode use the correct pronunciation, frak it! - RP
You guys may not have known it, but you
have created a masterpiece! I just don't know where
to begin! (When in doubt, start at the middle and work
out.) So, first, I guess, are my character homages.
The best and worst - Scorch and Cosmo, respectively.
I have a personal problem with Cosmo, that being that
he's tall, blond, handsome, and a genius. He is also
nice, responsible and probably one of the best friends
a person could ask for. You may now be asking, "OK,
I don't get it, what is her glitch?" Well, here it is. Ever
since Robotech: Invid Invasion I have had an itty bitty
(about the size of New York) soft spot in my heart for
redheaded, uneducated yet intelligent, smart-alecky
and quippy throwbacks to a better, more chivalrous
time. Therefore, I resent Cosmo for even being, as he
is a viable rival for my affections, as it were. Don't get
me wrong, I wouldn't change either one for all the tea
in China; I'm just airing my laundry. (Plus, I think that
y'all are doing too much character development on
Shim, Chandra and Cosmo, and leaving poor Scorch
out in the cold. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten Petal...
I mean, Rose. It's just... how much personality can a
preserver have??)
Cassie Tipton
<<street address removed from archive>>
More than you think! Keep those cards, letters and frays coming, and we'll see you in 45! - RP