Because of the lead time necessary to prepare these comics, you'll read this sometime in April even though I'm writing it on December 31, the final day of 1986. The year, now over, certainly deserves some reflection.
There were many responses to the editorial call -- why do you read what you read? -- printed in Apple/WaRP's October issues, and the overwhelming indication seems to be that you choose your comics based on that elusive characteristic: quality. Quality of art, of storytelling, of ideas, of entertainment. All right, but that doesn't explain where all the mediocre, quality-lean books are going. Or perhaps it does, since it appears that the bizarre boom market in "hot" new titles, which peaked through 1986, is teetering on the brink of collapse and will probably be history as you read this. Those thousands of copies, bought as investments, will join the dusty crates of Dazzler #1 and Shazam #1 where they belong; businesses will fail because of shortsightedness. Sic transit ...
1986 was certainly my own Year of Living Dangerously and in the hope that it's the only such year, I've come up with a few resolutions. Never attempt to run to the long-term parking lot at Newark Airport in winter. Never dance to the song "Rock Lobster," not only on wobbly DC party boats, but ever. Never attempt a quick stop on wet leaves while riding a motorcycle on the way to see Reform School Girls.
In 1986 WaRP Graphics became the newest mutant, as it budded off Apple Comics to handle the publishing end of things, while WaRP became a creative and editorial (oops, sorry, dirty word) shop. It's somehow significant that 1986 was the year of Halley's Comet, which brings to mind Mark Twain, the reports of whose death, he said, were greatly exaggerated. There were rumors of WaRP Graphics' impending demise; titles were supposedly dying left and right. Sorry to say we're healthy, Apple Comics is healthy, the line is healthy, and the coming year will see growth like never before. There's Elfquest: Siege at Blue Mountain. Unicorn Isle. Thunderbunny. FantaSci. Space Ark. And coming soon -- Blood of Dracula, by the team that brought you Blood of the Innocent. And Vietnam Journal by Don Lomax, with the grit you won't find in that other war comic. Mythadventures returns. And more! Tempt yourself with a bite of Apple.
So long, 1986. Welcome 1987. May it be a year of peace and prosperity for everyone.
--Richard Pini
Because of the peculiar timing of these things, this letters column is being typed before response to issue #2 has come in, so once again I'll dip into the mail for the premiere issue of Siege At Blue Mountain. But first, some announcements...
THE LIGHT OF THE CHARGE BRIGADE. It'll sound like one of those late night TV commercials, but what the heck. Effective right now, we're set up to accept both Mastercard and Visa on any order you place for merchandise and subscriptions, which is essentially anything published by Apple Comics, WaRP Graphics, or Father Tree Press. You can use your plastic to join the Elfquest Fan Club, too! To work this magic, all you have to do is copy onto a sheet of paper all the information that appears in raised lettering on your credit card. Write down what you want to order on the same sheet and send it to us at WaRP Graphics, 5 Reno Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12603. We'll do the rest from there. Easy? You bet!
HOTLINE NEWS Did you know that you can phone (914) 462-0559 any time of day or night to get the month's news about what's coming from Apple Comics, WaRP Graphics, and Father Tree Press? It's the only hotline of its kind --and it's available to you 24 hours a day!
And now back to your letters.
Considering all the gratuitous nudity in Elfquest: Siege at
Blue Mountain #1, why don't you put a "Mature Readers"
banner on the cover of similar issues? As I recall, the
notorious Elfquest #17 did not have a warning either, with
the result that many children missed out on following the
Quest any further because of a parental directive. I don't
blame the parents.
By the way, is it true that Mythadventures has been canceled?
Nancy McCaskey
Columbus, GA
First, we'll debate you strenuously on that "gratuitous" label. You may not like a certain aspect of the elves' life style, but it's as natural and necessary to them as breathing is to us. Don't forget this is probably the first true freedom they've enjoyed in many, many years. Issue #17 of the original series didn't carry an advisory because we didn't and don't feel that there was anything to advise, whereas issue #15 did carry a warning about the (non-gratuitous!) violence.
And by the way, no, Mythadventures has not been cancelled. Contrary to whatever rumors you may have heard, the series is alive and well and continues in June with the adaptation of Robert Asprin's Myth Conceptions.
...And so the story of the Wolfriders resumes -- with a
totally unexpected scene: Leetah and Nightfall, dancing
together, naked.
OHHHH boy, you really believe in letting yourselves in for it, don't you? I'd just love to see some of the letters you get this time around. Of course, many of them will scream, rant, and rave, reading sexual connotations into the scene (which you probably didn't intend) and accusing you of peddling pornography. Just like old times really, eh?
As for me, I'm just sitting here with a big stupid grin on my face. Not one of lust but of sheer admiration for you two for once again daring to go where no comic book boldly dared go before. Sexual or not, the scene is certainly erotic, and when the color reprint comes out I'm going to buy half a dozen extra copies so I can cut out those pages and hang them on the wall. Just the thing to have on display when the vicar comes round for tea.
Lee Mendham
Kent, England
Excellent! Marvelous! I love what you've done with
Elfquest! I just wanted you to know, I am thirteen years old
and there are some parts of this book that grownups don't
think we know about but we do. Elfquest shows what real
life is all about in almost all its parts. Elfquest is cool
because it doesn't make the reader feel like the book insults
his/her intelligence. Well, see you later!
Jennifer Monzon
Diamond Bar, CA
Oh, for about fiffy million readers like you... Are you listening, Mister M**se?
I don't think I can tell you how much I have enjoyed
Elfquest but... what have you done to them? We
appreciate changes and new aspects as well as anyone else
but what we have here aren't our old friends but a totally
new tribe. They act mostly like the old ones but their old
personalities are gone! I'm not an oldtimer but the drawings
don't give me the same old feeling of recognition, love, and
warmth. Is it possible that you have lost some of your old
love for them? It doesn't shine through the way it used to.
Asa & Anders Karlsson
Gothenburg, Sweden
Your Elfquest has given me much more joy, color, and
personal strength than you will ever know. I cannot tell you
how grateful I am for your story. Finally, the new Elfquest is
here! I love the story, plot, everything but... something's
wrong. They look like punk rockers! It's not my friends any
longer. They're strangers. I can't find myself in them.
Mariette Svensson
Lund, Sweden
It seems we've really affected Sweden! Folks, we haven't lost any of the love for these characters that we had, but they have indeed changed. Remember, it's been three years, and the elves who would change most are the younger ones: Cutter, exploring the results of his vision; and Scouter and Dewshine, new parents. And Leetah, too, has learned to become a Wolfrider even after 600 years of her previous easygoing life in Sorrow's End.
I like Moonshade's clothing changes. When I first saw the
preview of the Wolfriders' new styles in (old) Elfquest #21,
my first thought was "punk rockers!" But after seeing them
in more detail and use in SABM #1, I don't see the change
being quite as radical as that first. look In fact, I find myself
liking the change the more I see it. The reason behind
Cutter's hair style change was interesting, to say the least!
It's also good to see someone in the Holt who can match intellects with Pike now. Pike was born outside of Recognition and so were Skot and Krim. A matched group if I ever saw one!
Seeing that this was the year of the return of Halley's Comet, it was no real surprise to see a "star with a tail" gracing the sky this issue. In some places it is believed that the coming of a comet heralds the downfall of a leader. Knowing the conflict that must come from the "siege at Blue Mountain," could it be that this is a foretelling of Winnowill's downfall? Or Cutter's? Just a thought...
Ted Blasingame
Midwest City, OK
Or else it could be our own tribute to the Great Cosmic Dustbunny. After I spent 22 hours in an airplane seat flying to Australia in order to have good viewing of what turned out to be a celestial smudge, Wendy decided to give Skywise a shot at what I wish I'd seen! Some elves have all the luck...
Wow-ee! That was intense! But honestly, the first thought
I had was, "Windkin!?! Is that like firkins and bumpkins? Did
Rainsong and Woodlock name their cub Drizzle?" Then I
figured it out: Wind-kin, as in kin to the wind! Right? I know
you wouldn't give the kid a cutesy name for no reason.
Disturbing changes! I guess all change is disturbing, though. Couldn't exactly expect 'em to be the same after all that war and bloodshed. Thank the High Ones that Strongbow hasn't changed. I didn't used to like the sullen archer, but now any port in a storm, I guess. Everything is disturbingly out of kilter. It's too much to take at one setting, I guess. Beautiful work -- I love it!!
Erika Haynes
San Antonio, TX
Of course we wouldn't give any character a cutesy name for no reason. We've got to compete with Furskins and Cabbage Patch Kids and Popples and... (shudder!).
Why, for heaven's sake, did you have to bring Aroree into
the picture? Of all the Blue Mountain elves, she's my least
favorite; at least Winnowill's evil had some entertaining
aspects. Aroree is simply neurotic; I'm afraid for Windkin's
safety while he's with her. Speaking of which, I'm so glad
you didn't give him wings; I think that would have been a bit
too much for Dewshine to bear (and also, I won a twenty
dollar bet on it!).
Kris Dotto
Phoenix, AZ
Always glad to be of assistance. Now that you've seen this issue, the question becomes: Just how much of Aroree's problem is in fact born of herself? And in related news, if you thought that Winnowill was trouble before...
I know you will never print this letter and I know I will be lucky if you even read it through, but I feel this is just too important for me not to write.
Ever since Elfquest ended a few years ago I could not wait for the new series promised in (old) issue 21. Today in the mail I received something I was shocked you had the nerve to sign your name to. The story was not bad and I actually enjoyed the fact that the saga was finally continuing but it was far from entertainment. The artwork I am sad to say was as bad as any Marvel comic book. Wendy, I never thought I would say this but it was far below what you have the talent to be doing. The characters look nothing like they should but I like the new hair styles. The price was outrageously expensive, half the size, half the length, a fourth the quality and no back cover picture!
Issue one was a joke made to rip off your devoted followers! You owe us all an apology. The cover price should have been no more than 75 cents or you should have made each issue at least 40 pages long and put some sweat and love into it. Ending the issue where you did was not a cliff-hanger, it was a ripoff! I have spoken to several fans of Elfquest and we all feel that you took advantage of our good faith. We figured for the price we would be getting eight issues at least fifty pages long and with the loving quality we enjoyed.
You have betrayed us all. I hope this letter has made a difference even if just by letting you know that you have lost the love, admiration, and respect of your fans.
Shane Conner
St. Louis, MO
Only one of them, far as I can tell.
I have just seen the first issue of Siege at Blue
Mountain. Now I have to write for the first time.
The word "revenge" has been uttered in Two-Edge's
presence. He has nothing. Nothing to lose. He is nothing.
He lost the Game. He lost his responsibility. A slave who
tried to lift his head, and failed to find an answer. He is now
lower than a slave. "How does it feel to lose?" And Two-Edge
honors Picknose with a clear answer: "Look how he
glares." First sign.
He lost the Game, but he is still Two-Edge. Trolls let him free. Stupid enough not to see. He would like to be like them, not to feel. Is he a troll? No: "The low blood does not cancel the high." And the others still do not understand the depth of the truth. Heal him? The answer still lies on his face. Second sign.
Troll and elf can feel revenge. And now Two-Edge has a reason to take a terrible revenge upon both races. He is still alive while they should all kill him. Two-Edge is still responsible. The Game, his Game is not finished.
Patrice Coquelin
St. Michel/Orge, France
I'm glad to see a bit more of Skot and Krim, who appear
to have formed a menage a trois with Pike. For that matter,
Skot seems to be Pike's equivalent in the Go-Backs, for he
likes his ease and leaves the heavy thinking to others. I hope
he and Krim will be more than just "extras" in this story.
And then there is a subtle clue that opens up wide possibilities in the world of Elfquest, on page 22, when Cutter remarks that there may be "other (elf) tribes we don't yet know!" Just what have you got planned, some way down the road, Wendy?
When Skywise spotted that comet on page 24 I detected your finger in the pie, Richard. Considering how many big comets can show up around this tired old Terra of ours, I figured Skywise had to see one eventually. But wait a minute! In less than 170 years astronomers here on Earth have spotted nine big comets that were easily seen without telescopes. Surely in all those 10,000 years since Timmorn was born, there must have been a few comets come by -- certainly enough so that Skywise would know, from tales he has heard in howls, that such things are possible. So why is he so surprised about the comet he sees now?
Concerning Aroree, the odd expression on her face on the last panel on page 28 would seem to indicate that Winnowill has enough mental control to turn a Glider into a biologic robot. Doesn't she have any weaknesses?
Richard Paul Smyers
La Porte, IN
It's entirely possible that Wolfriders past have seen comets in the night sky. It's also possible that the knowledge, or even tales of these celestial visitors have been lost. It's a theme that's starting to be explored in the Blood of Ten Chiefs books, available now at bookstores everywhere (unabashed plug).
"A floater! A chance!" For what?!
How -- AAAHHHHARRRGH!!!
Sometimes I hate you guys!
Why does every issue of Elfquest seem to remind me of an advertisement for a topless bar that I saw driving back from a fencing tournament in Colorado: "We tease to please."
Right. How can you keep doing this to me?
no name on letter
Oh yeah, that topless bar. How can we keep doing this? With smiles on our faces! Keep those letters coming, and see you in 60!
-- Richard Pini