ElfQuest - Perhaps the best comic you have never read.

[Tawmis]

... anyone here ever heard of the comic ElfQuest? The first couple of issues are kind of campy - but it's like no other comic you have probably ever read. The Original Quest (20 issues) is perhaps the most intelligently written comic - ever.

And now they're available online (legally) on the ElfQuest website. So for your benefit I will link the issues!




ORIGINAL QUEST

Issue #1

Issue #2

Issue #3

Issue #4

Issue #5

Issue #6

Issue #7

Issue #8

Issue #9

Issue #10

Issue #11

Issue #12

Issue #13

Issue #14

Issue #15

Issue #16

Issue #17

Issue #18

Issue #19

Issue #20

SIEGE AT BLUE MOUNTAIN

Issue #1

Issue #2

Issue #3

Issue #4

Issue #5

Issue #6

Issue #7

Issue #8


KINGS OF THE BROKEN WHEEL

Issue #1

Issue #2

Issue #3

Issue #4

Issue #5

Issue #6

Issue #7

Issue #8

Issue #9


And there's much more here but not written or drawn by Wendy Pini.

[Flightpath07]

To each, their own.

I tried to read a few of them, back in the day. Don't ask me which issues, I do not know (or remember). I just know that they were not for me. Rather than campy, I`d use the word childish, like for fans of Rainbow Brite or the Smurfs.

Like i say, they weren`t my thing at all.

[Le Messor]

'ever heard of'? Back in the day, this was a very well-known series. Possibly one of the most successful indie titles out there (but then Marvel produced it through their 'Epic' imprint).

I've often considered reading it, but never have.

~ Le Messor

[Tawmis]

To each, their own.
I tried to read a few of them, back in the day. Don't ask me which issues, I do not know (or remember). I just know that they were not for me. Rather than campy, I`d use the word childish, like for fans of Rainbow Brite or the Smurfs.
Like i say, they weren`t my thing at all.

Rainbow Brite? Smurfs? Really? Here's a few select scenes, and tell me if they look childish, Rainbow Brite'ish or Smurf'ish to you...

There's a reason I linked those specific sets of books. They're done by the original creators. They later opened it up to other writers, which for the most part, I did not care for, because I felt like they didn't get the characters. There ARE some campy moments, in the series. But that's to establish the "innocence" which, as you can see from the images, really is forced to get turned around and thrown out if they hope to survive.

It's like an comic person say, "All I read of Alpha Flight is Mantlo's run. It's just not my thing."

[Tawmis]

'ever heard of'? Back in the day, this was a very well-known series. Possibly one of the most successful indie titles out there (but then Marvel produced it through their 'Epic' imprint).
I've often considered reading it, but never have.
~ Le Messor

You should. At least the three sets I linked. They're all free to read on their website now. (And I kindly linked directly to the issues)

[Flightpath07]

Rainbow Brite? Smurfs? Really? Here's a few select scenes, and tell me if they look childish, Rainbow Brite'ish or Smurf'ish to you...It's like an comic person say, "All I read of Alpha Flight is Mantlo's run. It's just not my thing."

To each, their own.Like i say, they weren`t my thing at all.

Wasn't trying to diss what you like, Tawmis. Just stating my opinion.

[Tawmis]

Wasn't trying to diss what you like, Tawmis. Just stating my opinion.

No, I get that. Trust me, I took no offense. I was just surprised you said whatever it was you read was "childish, rainbow brite and smurfs" like. That's why I selected a few panels that from the original quest that showed anything BUT that. I was more trying to imply that whatever you read from ElfQuest, since you can't remember, may have been written by other writers. After Original Quest, Siege at Blue Mountain and Kings of the Broken Wheel (the three original series, by the creators) - they opened up ElfQuest to let everyone and their mother write it. As a result, titles such as Hidden Years, Shards, New Blood, Blood of Ten Chiefs, Kahvi, Two-Spear, Jink (don't get me started...), and The Rebels (so, so, so very painful), all emerged. Some of them were good - some of them were good in parts - some (Jink and especially The Rebels) were down right horrible (and I have no idea how Richard and Wendy Pini were okay with those stories being published under the ElfQuest brand).

So, the reason I linked all the issues of the Original Quest, Siege, and Kings, was because these were great pieces. Whatever you may have read, may have been elsewhere in the ElfQuest universe of titles - and for that, I wouldn't fault you AT ALL, for thinking it wasn't your thing. But you may have read the "Bill M. version of Alpha Flight" for the ElfQuest Universe. (Although The Rebels would fall under whatever horrible writer did Llan the Sorcerer in Alpha Flight - as long as those issues exist, Bill M's work, to me, is like the work of the gods).

I am not saying, "You have to read this!" I linked it for those who might be interested. As Le Messor said, they (WaRP, as they were called back then), were one of the most successful indie comics, in the time, that being an indie comic seemed pretty out of the freaking question. Marvel even gave a nod to them in Uncanny X-Men #153 (I believe it was) for "Kitty's Fairytale."



If you're ever so inclined to see if perhaps you just read some bad stories, and want to give the above a shot. Awesome. If you don't care, one way or another, awesome as well. I am merely trying to share a series of comics, I thought were amazing; in writing, art, tone, characters and development.

[Crackity Jones]

I picked up issue #17 of ElfQuest out of the 25 cent box last week.
I read it and liked it.
I am going to get it in trade in August when it comes out.

Btw, I'd read the Hell out of Rainbow Brite, if I could.
And I'll read just about anything with characters with pointy ears. Ears are my weakness.
DEFINITELY my weakness.

[Mekko Hotvle]

So how do feel about Spock?

Also, I did by chance found some elfquest in the bargain bin recently. Haven't read them yet but also found Jinx. Only got them because of the suggestion and because the creators were going to be at Phoenix comic con.

[Flightpath07]

Btw, I'd read the Hell out of Rainbow Brite, if I could.

Oh, this made me LOL.

[Crackity Jones]

Oh, this made me LOL.

It is true, though!
I had those sprite doll things that I played with as a little girl.
As I watched Thundercats and He-Man, they sat next to me on my indoor trampoline. I'd make them war with my My Little Pony dolls.
Best childhood EVER.

[Tawmis]

I picked up issue #17 of ElfQuest out of the 25 cent box last week.
I read it and liked it. I am going to get it in trade in August when it comes out.

I am looking forward to the trade also, despite owning the original B&W magazine, Marvel reprints, and the graphic novel versions...

I will always support any format of the Original Quest.

Also, I did by chance found some elfquest in the bargain bin recently. Haven't read them yet but also found Jinx. Only got them because of the suggestion and because the creators were going to be at Phoenix comic con.

I ask one thing of you. If you ever read JINX, do not base it on ElfQuest, if you dislike it. It's so far removed from ElfQuest, it's not even funny. Wendy & Richard created ElfQuest, they did the Original Quest (linked in the original thread), which ran 20 issues (or 21 if you count the bonus, but it had nothing to do with the story - just art and notes). Then they did Siege and Broken Wheel (also both linked above), all under the WaRP Graphics banner (their company). A few years later, they opened ElfQuest to a bunch of other writers and artists - and it went EVERYWHERE. JINX is in the far, far, far, future. As in REBELS. Neither of which I cared for. They did some series that focused on specific characters, KAHVI and TWO-SPEAR, which were all right. But without focus - it seems like these writers just ran everywhere with these characters, and it didn't FEEL like ElfQuest, for the most part (which is why I specifically linked the three original series by the creators). THAT is what you should just ElfQuest on.

Although they recently did ELFQUEST: DISCOVERY through DC Comics a few years ago; which was good, but very confusing if you didn't read the other stuff. And now they're doing ELFQUEST: FINAL QUEST, which so far has been good (but again, a little confusing if you didn't read the previous stuff, to understand why some characters are where they are) - I think, because it feels like in part, not only are they supposedly closing the door on ElfQuest - but it feels like they're also cleaning up what other writers may have done to some of the characters. Nothing is going to beat the original three series.

As I watched Thundercats and He-Man, they sat next to me on my indoor trampoline.

Own all of them on DVD. Well worth it, I might add. He-Man I can still watch. Thundercats is a little more difficult, because Snarf is EXTREMELY annoying now that I am older. His voice...

[Flightpath07]

He-Man was an interesting series, but I think the voice-acting has to be some of the worst ever. The voices REALLY don't match the characters at all.

[Crackity Jones]

He-Man was an interesting series, but I think the voice-acting has to be some of the worst ever. The voices REALLY don't match the characters at all.

Wasn't there only, like, 2 guys in the 80's who did ALLL the voices for ALLLL the cartoons?
Because I assumed there was.
ALLLL cartoon characters sounded the same to me. Unless they were a girl, obviously, but yeah.

[Flightpath07]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126158/...=tt_cl_sm#cast