Wendy Pini

While the art and writing in the first four stories collected here aren't the best, the last story alone is worth the price of admission. It's the long-awaited Cutter/Rayek smackdown. Wendy's art is top-notch, the story is painful, thrilling and moving, and on top of it, she subverts the whole idea of the classic comic book brawl by making it ugly and pregnant with emotion. (And I don't mean in some bullshit faux-gritty Frank Miller way, either.) Seriously one of the best ElfQuest stories, show more and puts the lie to the reigning myth that the best stories ended when the Original Quest did.

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Cutter/Rayek Smackdown: http://www.elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/HY/HY09.5/DisplayHY09.5.html show less

Right off the bat, I was blown away by Wendy Pini who is an absolutely phenomenal artist. The entire thing is rich with color and a distinctive flair that I came to appreciate as Wendy's signature style. Another reviewer said that this series is born more of the heart than of the mind and I totally agree with them. [A/N: If you're looking for a cerebral sci-fi then you have made a wrong turn and need to look at your directions a little more closely.] Pini has created a true fantasy epic that show more is about the people just as much (maybe more so) than the journey they undertake.

And then came along Volume 3 where Cutter and his best friend (and possibly lover if you read between the lines) Skywise (my favorite character) are on a quest to find the rest of their Elvin kinfolk and the home of the High Ones (if such a place exists). Their quest leads them to foreign lands where they are met by humans who view them as gods instead of enemies and who speak of others who look as they do with pointy ears (but much taller). When they finally locate those that call themselves the High Ones (and who ride on giant birds) they are not welcomed with open arms but with scorn, distrust, and outright hatred. The group's elder wishes for them to stay but his adviser (and the power behind the throne) has other plans in mind. Winnowill possess the opposite of Leetah's gifts (Leetah is Cutter's mate) which means she has the power to hurt and even to kill so her threats are anything but empty. #dangeraplenty

This series looks in depth at these characters and examines their relationships, philosophies, and general way of life. We learn that appearances are deceiving because these so-called warriors are at their core simply a resilient little family just trying to find their place in the world. Full of romance, bloodshed, redemption, and definitely suspense I was shocked at how quickly Elfquest worked its spell on me. 10/10 and can hardly wait for Volume 4.

On with the Quest!! show less

Book 1 in the Complete Elfquest series, follows the story of Cutter and his clan of elves after they are burnt out of their forest home by humans.

The Bad stuff: In my humble opinion, there ain't no bad stuff in this little Gem.

The Good stuff: Elfquest covers the issues of race hate, mateship, family bonds, love and overcoming adversity using characters such as Elves, Trolls and Humans in a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. It will transition you through a variety of emotional show more experiences as it deals with conflicting views while trying to give readers an insight into the reasons behind them.

What can I say? I love Elfquest. It is one the first graphic novel series I ever read. I read this series when I was in my mid teens and I enjoyed it immensely. So much so that as an adult, I read it to my 3 daughters every night when they were little. Guess what, they loved it too. I give it 4 out of 5 golden bookmarks. show less

Right off the bat, I was blown away by Wendy Pini who is an absolutely phenomenal artist. The entire thing is rich with color and a distinctive flair that I came to appreciate as Wendy's signature style. Another reviewer said that this series is born more of the heart than of the mind and I totally agree with them. [A/N: If you're looking for a cerebral sci-fi then you have made a wrong turn and need to look at your directions a little more closely.] Pini has created a true fantasy epic that show more is about the people just as much (maybe more so) than the journey they undertake.

Volume 2 introduces us to a new clan of elves by the name of the Sunfolk who live (predictably perhaps) in the oasis of a barren desert and who are very different from their Wolfrider kin. Not only are they brown skinned (The Wolfriders are quite pale as they dwelt among the canopies of trees and hunted by night.) but they are peaceful, spiritual, and live much longer lives. (Possibly due to the peacefulness of their people or something else? Yes, this is explored later.) They also possess different gifts from the Wolfriders and have among them a spiritual leader who resembles the mythologized High Ones. These two clans clash immediately and explosively as Cutter finds himself entranced by their leader's daughter who has a relationship with a male of her own clan. #drama show less