Send in the Elves
A fantasy classic is about to gain a whole new generation of fans
By Steve Weiner -- School Library Journal, 2/1/2004
| ElfQuest | The Classics Illustrated | The Lesson of 9/11 | Its a Mad, Mad World | The Summer Job |
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ElfQuest is back. The trail-blazing graphic-novel fantasy series, created by husband-and-wife team Wendy and Richard Pini and originally published by Warp Graphics, will be rereleased in its entirety by DC Comics. When ElfQuest first appeared in the 1970s, it was sold exclusively through comic-book specialty shops, and its appealing artwork, spunky characters, and inventive story line attracted legions of readers. Following in the footsteps of the traditional hero tale, ElfQuest takes place in a mythical prehistoric time when elves and humans feared each other. The series chronicles the adventures of a society of elves searching for its homeland on a planet very much like Earth. Inspired, in part, by European, Norse, and Native American mythologies, the series revolves around Chief Cutter, who has mastered his animalistic instincts and succeeded in building a stable society for his tribe. The Pinis have surrounded Cutter with a diverse cast of characters who embody both male and female attributes—a rare occurrence in graphic novels back in the late '70s. ElfQuest was also the first graphic novel series to move beyond comic-book shops, eventually landing in public libraries and bookstores nationwide. The series has reached many readers who don't typically read comic books—girls as well as boys—and was praised by the American Library Association, in 1984, for its important contribution to the fantasy genre. With its broad crossover appeal, ElfQuest is a likely precursor of the current manga revolution. DC Comics has released ElfQuest in two formats: as a series of manga-sized black-and-white paperbacks that fit easily onto standard library shelves, and in hardcover. The new paperback series begins with the tale of Cutter's father, Bearclaw. (When the series originally premiered in February 1978, it began with the story of Cutter, and shifted back and forth between the generations). DC Comics plans to release two hardcover volumes each year and a paperback edition every two months. DC Comics will also be publishing a new ElfQuest graphic novel by Wendy and Richard Pini in 2004. School and public libraries should give this groundbreaking series serious consideration. I highly recommend ElfQuest for students in grades eight and above, and especially for girls. ElfQuest: Wolfrider, vol. 1 DC Comics. 2003. $9.95. ISBN 1-4012-0131-8.
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Gareth Hinds has created two graphic novels based on classic stories. Bearskin, a retelling of a Brothers Grimm tale, and Beowulf, the venerable Viking-age saga, feature Hinds's dark, moody, evocative illustrations, which make the tales truly mesmerizing. "I love the fundamentals of the superhero mythology," says Hinds, "but I try to separate those from the trappings—so, hopefully, nothing in my work looks like a superhero book." Discounted rates are available for educators with orders of $40 or more. (For more details, visit www.thecomic.com.) Both books are recommended for students in grades six and above. Bearskin The Comic.Com. 1998. $5.95. ISBN 1-893131-00-9. (Limited availability). |
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Oliver Chin's 9 of 1: A Window to the World is a healthy response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. In this graphic novel for young teens, nine high school students are given a challenging assignment by their U.S. history teacher: they are each asked to interview a community member they don't know. The teacher's hope is that the students will gain a new perspective on the catastrophe. Chin's illustrations provide the background for this thought-provoking work, and carry the story forward seamlessly. Recommended for students in grades six and above. 9 of 1: A Window to the World Frog Ltd. 2003. $12.95. ISBN 1-58394-072-3. |
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The Grasshopper and the Ant, a story that first appeared more than 40 years ago in Esquire magazine, is the late Harvey Kurtzman's fervent ode to the 1950s and early 1960s—the grasshopper represents the alternative beatnik-hippie culture, and the ant the dutiful status quo. Kurtzman was a prominent and influential cartoonist and satirist. He also founded a few humor magazines, including Mad Magazine and Humbug. As a standard setter, Kurtzman is so revered throughout the comic-book industry that an annual award for excellence, "The Harvey," was created in his honor. The Grasshopper and the Ant is recommended for students in grades 10 and above. The Grasshopper and the Ant Denis Kitchen Publishing. 2002. $25. ISBN 0-9710080-0-0. |
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Were you ever a counselor at a summer camp? Harvey Award–winning cartoonist Michel Rabagliati was, and he recounts the trying experience in his latest graphic novel, Paul Has a Summer Job. In a fit of rage, Paul quits high school and starts working for a printer. When that doesn't pan out, he accepts a job as a camp counselor. However, Paul is unprepared to supervise children. Through a relationship with a blind camper and his co-counselor, Paul grows toward adulthood. Rabagliati's artistic style is unadorned, compassionate, and humorous. Older teens will laugh at Paul—and then with him—especially if they've ever been a camp counselor. Paul Has a Summer Job Drawn & Quarterly Books. 2003. $16.95. ISBN 1-896597-54-8. |
| Author Information |
| Steve Weiner is director of the Maynard (MA) Public Library. His latest book is Faster than a Speeding Bullet: The Rise of the Graphic Novel (NBM, 2003). |
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