I’ve been a fan of Elfquest for a very long time. It was back in the day when you’d only hear rumors of comics that existed outside of the spandex clad “Big Two”. I remember wandering into a head-shop back in 1979, drawn in by the electric neon glow of a Led Zep black light poster. As I wandered through I noticed a comic section. Ladies and gentlemen, if I tell you that my world changed that day, I’d probably be understating the fact. It’s here where I discovered the Underground. I found Robert Crumb and his brother’s in arms. I found that Richard Corben had his own piece of the comic book pie instead of short, 4 page epics in the pages of Heavy Metal and Creepy magazine. It was here that I also discovered Elfquest and the magic of Wendy and Richard Pini.
My reason for this little diatribe is to tell you all that you can now read the Elfquest epic online. I’ll leave the details for you to discover on your own but, this is a great thing. Personally, I love holding the yellowed-pages in my hands and have recently purchased DC’s hardcover collections, (4 volumes) of the “Original Quest”, which I highly recommend. For those unaware or reluctant to dive into this world; this is a great opportunity to give it a try.
Play Nice, Wolfriders.
I own Volume 1 & 2 of the collections, one in hardback. I haven't read the other two yet.
ReplyDeleteI remember an ad in a Marvel comic...I think it was John Carter, Warlord of Mars. Must have been 1980-1982. I can't remember the year because I didn't really pay that much attention back then. But there was an ad showing two child-like people, one with a sword, and there was a cave and perhaps a serpent. I don't remember. But it really stuck in my subconscious. I've always assumed it was Elfquest. I might be wrong. But that day was one of the watershed moments of my life. I was 9 or 10.
Anyway, the Pinis are fantastic. Wendy's art is incredible, seminal, and highly influential.
Believe it or not, I have never read Elfquest -- It always seemed a bit too cutesy for me, but I actually went to see Wendy Pini speak at the Cartoon Art Museum in SF a couple of weeks ago and though then that I really ought to give it a go... guess now I have no excuse!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's definitely in the romantic vein. Lots of stuff about soul mates and relationships and what-not. But it's good stuff. Real good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI rent "Beaches" once or twice a year.
(just kidding. I rent "Die Hard" every fucking night and don't you fucking forget it)
I was a HUGE ELFQUEST fan as a kid. One of my earliest influences. Skywise was my homey.
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