Elf Quest : Volume 0ne

Graphic Novel review: Elf Quest : Volume 0ne
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Reprints old Elf Quest stories


Elf Quest is a magical story from Richard and Wendy Pini. It was first published in 1978 by Warp. I think Warp stands for Wendy and Richard Pini. I fell in love with stories of Elves back in high school. This is highly entertaining story told in issue by issue 30 page story. There is magic in stories. The story is about a group of Elfs forced out of holt (place lived ) by humans that put fire to land that lived. This caused tremendous hard ship. The group was led by Cutter. He and group went into caves to escape fire. His best friend Sky Wise attempted to get help from some trolls that lived in caves. This did not go as planned. The elves and wolves were led to area in caves thought to lead to new Holt. It was trap. They were actually trapped in area which outside cave was actually like desert. They could not go back into cave do to intentional rock slide by troll leading them to what thought was safe location.

There were many trials and possible deaths as crossed desert. It was very hot and little food was to feed large group.

When get to other side find another group of elves called Sun Folk. There are many difficult times as groups tried to get along. Cutter had battle with Rayak. He was Elf from Sun Folk tribe that was in love with Leatah. Cutter who was from other tribe had feeling of recognition (ability to know others soul name). This did not go well with Rayak. There was ceremonial battle of three tests. This was tradition of rare times used in Sun Folk history.

This is only part of many themes going through Elf Quest story. There were characters like Zooks. Horse like creatures. There was amazing history which talked about how humans killed off most of first elves that landed on planet. This story does not happen on Earth. The planet has at least two moons. The time period is very barbaric in human time. I never even seen humans wearing armor. There is distinct hate between most humans and Elves. This is not made easier since time when burned forest of old Holt. There are moments shown of characters that can do mind telepathy.

There are even interesting things like The Forbidden Forest. There are fairy like creatures like Petal Wing which is a preserver. She can put things in webs and they will go into long sleep until cocoon is broken open. This is highly different that the Cocoons in Stephen and Owen King's novel "Sleeping Beauties". When women's cocoons were opened early they became violent. The cocoons in The Forbidden Forest made people wake up not knowing how much time had passed. They were just as if had little nap.

The art was wonderful. I really appreciated art by Wendy Pini. I got to see even such things as Cutter's Knife. I got to see how there was a tree that grew dream berries. It made very delicious alcoholic drink. There were giant hawk like creatures in one section at area called Blue Mountains. I read over 500 pages of 700 page Dark Horse graphic novel in two days. This was black and white version. I liked even seeing troll that created Cutter's sword. I imagine cost was big problem when reprinting old Elf Quest stories. This is why stories were not in color like in old graphic novel like when in high school. I never did figure out why this series never got turned into movie or some sort of cartoon. I remember long time ago Elf Quest stories were even at Marvel Comics. I really do not know how ended up at Dark Horse. I got three Dark Horse graphic novels from library. I think almost 1500 pages of reading. I also noticed many bonus features at end of books like story boards and out lines for some of issues.

This is not so much a synopsis as would be to hard with such large stories. This is just my way of saying "Elf Quest" is a amazing story. It beckons to days of Terry Brooks" This Magic Kingdom for Sale". Stories that are magical. Although I have not yet in first 500 pages have I seen dragon in "Elf Quest". There was a dragon in Terry Brooks story . I think dragon was called Strabo. Elf Quest is fantasy. It does not link to Earth.

I am not really sure of cost of Dark Horse volumes. They are library copies.

I did notice at end of each volume they are other compilations available.

I suggest looking at

www.darkhorse.com

for prices.

I think Elf Quest is Young adult to Adult story. I am also not sure if are newer "Elf Quest" stories published. Volumes that I got though gives great feel to story. It passes though at least seven years of Cutter and his clans lives.

Update from Dark Horse Comics. Cover the legendary ElfQuest! Chief Cutter and the Wolfriders are driven from their forest home by threat of annihilation. As they wander an ever-changing landscape in search of a new home, they are confronted by fearful and vengeful humans, power-hungry trolls, and other mysterious elfin tribes. Alliances are forged, enemies discovered, and savage battles fought in this epic fantasy adventure! Collects ElfQuest #1–#20.



* The entire Original Quest in stunning black and white, under one cover!



* Winner of the Golden Pen Award from the Young Adult Advisory Committee!



* A value-priced 720-page collection!



* Celebrate 35 years of ElfQuest!



CREATORS

Writer:

Wendy Pini, Richard Pini

Artist:

Wendy Pini

Cover Artist:

Wendy Pini

Genre: Action/Adventure, Fantasy

Publication Date:

August 06, 2014

Format:

b&w, 720 pages; TP, 7" x 9 3/4"

Price:

$24.99

Age range:

12

ISBN-10:

1-61655-407-X

ISBN-13:

978-1-61655-407-1



Allen Klingelhoets