Wendy Richard Books

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I really enjoyed this book. Seeing different art is sort of strange, but some stories are actually kind of funny.

This book was pretty funny, and I kind of enjoyed seeing all the different types of Pini elves people drew.

The pictures are ugly, but a few of the stories are all right...there are attempts at humor...but I would not recommend this book at all.

As long as you realize that this book just doesn't follow anywhere about the famous Elfquest adventures of the World of Two Moons (which has by now been named "Abode"), you will still enjoy all those stories, serious or wacky. Some are quite artful and some are pretty dreadful and not too accurate to the history of Elfquest. And you just won't believe the Warner Bros.-style cartoon featuring Cutter, Leetah and Skywise with all its ridculous visual gags and taunting references to the adventures of the Elfquest! And also, here's a very interesting tale where Dewshine safely drops her cub right after falling several feet right out of a very tall tree! A very amusing recreation for all the bored Elfquest fans!

Dispite the die-hard Elfquest fan that I am, I didn't greatly enjoy this book when I borrowed it from the library. There are many enjoyable stories (including a hilarious one featuring the characters of Elfquest drawn "Tiny Toons" style) but I found some uninteresting (a story by Barry Blair in which Suntop meets a human boy. It was more about humans than elves and just seemed to drag on and on). The art isn't up to par with Wendy Pini's, but I didn't mind that terribly, as these stories aren't canon to the Elfquest saga. Also, you should only read this book if you are familiar with the Elfquest series!

This is more of an action story than anything. The original books also had action but the characterizations and relationships were a lot more "fleshed out". There are some exceptions, compared to previous human characters, the human "villian" (Gromhul Djun) is fairly well developed amd the interplay between him and Winnowill is quite interesting. Winnowill actually has a grudging respect for his viciousness and ruthlessness as a leader. Despite his human limitations, the Djun, is a match for her and is not fooled by her at all. The story also has a much darker tone, Winnowill seems to take an almost sexual delight in the pain and suffering of others.

The only thing that dissapointed me is the use of artists other than Wendy Pini, this was a dissapointment and might have contributed to the story's weaknesses.

Its not the Elfquest I remember but it moves fast and will keep your interst.

Since I read this book in it's original form (comic books) I don't know what the black and white version is like, but I loved this story. It's the most intense Elfquest story yet (and there is some gore - probably not suitable for children)! But if you get this book, you should also read it's sequel to find out what happens. The ending is great!

I had almost decided not to read any more Elfquests, but these artists draw the characters almost like Wendi Pini does (YAY!) and the story really grabbed me. Yes, it is black and white, but that's why it's so affordable, and it's a lot longer than the color Elfquests that cost twice as much. The lack of color didn't bother me at all. My biggest complaints: Aroree doesn't look or act like she did in previous books, the story contains nudity and a lot of people in trashy clothing, and (surprisingly) there's an element of dog abuse in this volume. But I still recommend it for Elfquest fans.

I can't believe that Wendi and Richard sell their story like it was some cheap....@#$!*&^!!! They receive my ultimate praise for the first four compilations (the original #1-#20)which are the best fantasy epic that I have ever read but anything after that I do not bother reading. The quality of the artwork has gone way down and it is as if some giant tornado has come along and swept up all the characters I knew and replaced them with the X-men! Please Richard and Wendi save the characters we all know and love and bring them back to us!

The present book, "Ascent", covers the first part of the story of the Wolfriders' attempt to win the Palace of the High Ones back from their old enemy Winnowill - and a new one, the dictator Grohmul Djun.

First, it must be said that this is the darkest EQ tale yet. Given that the story deals with two would-be Stalins (take a guess, fans), this is inevitable - but fair warning, the opening scene (the first three pages) is NOT for children! That said, this is a dramatic, well-paced story, much more unified than that in the companion volume "Legacy". Too, the artwork is far more consistent, it having been entrusted to only one team of artists. (The use of several teams for "Legacy" is that book's weakness; art and story are very diffuse in that volume.)

It is a measure of the quality and "4-D-ness" of the story that grim, even frightening events share the stage with moments of lightheartedness, each appropriate to the story. Try, for instance, "Wood" (issue 2 of the series),the sequence depicting the Wolfriders and the trolls.

In short, despite the often-depressing story line (which will become even more so in "Reunion", the upcoming sequel), this book is a story well told with artwork well drawn - and a very affecting ending.

Elfquest continues and finally the Wolfriders meet the Wavedancers. It is not an easy meeting as the seaelves have forgotten too much about their past and living on land, and remember too well what they have suffered from humans. This is a good book and I am glad to have gotten it but the paranoic Wavedancer chieftain was annoying. I hope Wendy and Richard Pini continue to write more Elfquest. It is a very original story of rare quality.

Yet again a fantastic story in the Elfquest saga! Both the story and the illustrations. One word: FANTASTIC!

So, Sunstream (previously Suntop) is a big boy, all grown up and now also recognized. And to a wavedancer! The wolfriders are happy, the wavedancers less so, and this book deals with the meeting between the two tribes.

Is this fun? Sure. The wavedancers were an interesting addition to the story, and for those of us more fond of Cutter's kids than Cutter himself, seing Sunstream in action as something else than the genius medium was certainly a treat.
But after reading it, I was left with a certain feeling of deja vu. Conflict between chief and second in command? Between chief and tribe? Inter-tribal problems due to recognition? We've seen it all before. In addition, I felt that very little comes out of the whole encounter, even if the lives of the wavedancers certainly is changed for good.

A downside with the book is the artwork. Though Pini's art is far superior to most of the artists who have worked with Elfquest, the same praise can't be given to her photoshop skills. The sloppy outlines and coloring just aren't nice to look at, no matter how pretty the elves. I liked the lightness and the generally colorfull feeling of the art (as considerable parts of the story takes place in the palace) - it went well along with the generally high-spirited expectations of the story. But I'm inclined to feel that Pini is letting the manga influence go a little too far. Nobody has died from putting more than four panels on a page yet!

In the end, it's a cute little story that brings preciously little invention to the universe. But for a mini-series and an hour of enteretainment, there's nothing wrong with that.

I love EQ, and I love the new DC archives version, comparing this to that shows the decline in art and story telling. Still I love to see the "family" of EQ together and moving forward. Seeing Sunstream and Ember both grown up is always a treat. I found Serge's obsession not to go into the palace hard to swallow and more than a bit irritating. There were some panels that show Wendy Pini's amazingly beautiful art, then there are some pages that are disappointing to say the least. Probably the worst thing is the palace. This is the home of the elves, and what do they do--stand around gaping. There is none of the individuality of the sun village or the holt. What is so good about a shiny BORING palace? Maybe Surge did have the right idea after all.

This book is too abstact for practitioners. I recommend "Strategic Organizational Change" by Beitler. Beitler is a practitioner.

As a student of change and one who writes and consults on the subject I found this pretty academic and full of theory. These folks get connected at the top of companies and then feedback to everyone what they observe from the mountaintop. What they dont seem to consider is whats happening along the way up - since they fly with the executives. There are a few scraps in here if you have time to find them. Average at best.

This excellent text on change management focuses on the role that human nature and psychology play in management, and offers wise advice on how to implement significant change, such as in the transition from a project management based organization to a TQM or balanced scorecard (continuous) management process, or to support business process improvements or reengineering. It is optimistic and helpful -- and short enough to give to your senior managers. Get several copies and pass around; this is a low-cost/low-risk way to get change management started in your organization.

I have to echo what another reviewer has noted -- this is a book for children. BUT, many adults will find it a real pleasure, especially if you do not already know the subject. DK books are renowned for excellent design and this series of Eyewitness Books is very pleasing visually. The only reason I give the book 4 stars rather than 5 is the slightly-too-great nod at the end of the book to commercialism and marketing in contemporary film.

The other reviewer was clearly not aware that the DK Eyewitness guides are intended primarily for use by children. This guide is fully up to the standards of the rest of the series, with explanatory text surrounding beautiful photos.

This book should not be sold to anyone over the age of 12. With the exception of a few interesting photos, this book is a dud. No new points of interest even for the average film buff. Spend your money on something more satisfying....like chocolate.

I read this last night and I thought it was pretty good - not incredible, but decent.

Maybe I was more pleased with it because I had just finished reading the EQ New Blood "Forevergreen" series which was HORRIBLE and a complete waste of time, and in comparison this was a breath of fresh air! Or maybe it's because I welcome any chance to read about Cutter's tribe; Cutter and the Wolfriders will always mean much more to me than any other EQ characters, and I enjoyed the chance to just interact with all those old friends again, especially as drawn (and inked) by the creator of Elfquest, Wendy Pini. I thought the artwork was very nice, unlike some other reviewers.

There were some unrealistic plot elements, like Kimo being able to shapeshift, the strangely crazed trolls, and Ahdri coming back to life. And there was of course the usual Pini "hippie" preaching about feminism, free love, and tolerance, which gets annoying. But overall I thought it was more enjoyable than not.

Though this story was no where near the original elfquest series (graphic novels 1-8) it held that old flair that has been truely lost in the newer novels. The art was still missing whatever made the originals so monumental, but it was closely akin to their old ways. Though on a smaller scale than previous books, the storyline was well formed, telling the tale of the sole human member of the Wolfriders, Shuna, and her struggles with finding her place in the tribe. It follows her journey to unit the worlds of both man and elf. It also delves into Treestump's quest to master the elusive art of metal work for the good of the tribe.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this so much was that it focused a bit more on some of my favorite characters, Dart and Kimo, who've been poorly represented the whole way through, Their joint friendship with Shuna is endearing and a highpoint for me.

Though this book is still of a lower class than that of the mighty originals, I'm giving it four stars because it seems to be the begining of Elfquest's long overdue trek back to greatness. YAY!

wow this was a terrible story and the computer coloring was HORRIBLE. I feel terrible that Wendy Pini had really lost her touch. There are no fine details, and its just sloppy.

This is the story of Shuna, the adopted, human, daughter of Cutter and Leetah. A story of a human who finally found a home, a home among the elves, and her attempt to bring a rapprochement between the elves and the humans. It's a story of hope and failure.

I love the early Elfquest comics, with their fascinating stories, bright colors and magical worlds. However, this graphic novel was a real disappointment for me. Shuna's constant moping was a real downer, and her discovery that all men are abusive, domineering misogynists was predicable and far from entertaining. To make matter worse, the story has an unfinished feel to it - What was wrong with the trolls that attacked Treestump and Clearbrook? What did Shuna finally do to bring the two worlds together? To simply end it with "But that's another story altogether!" was very disappointing.

So, as an Elfquest fan, I can only say that this book does not live up to the earlier works. I did not enjoy the story, not at any time, and it saddens me to say that I do not recommend this book.

I checked this book out of the library for a quick read. I have been a fan of Elfquest since I was a kid and couldn't resist looking through new artwork by Wendy Pini! I was entertained in both areas of story and art.

The story is told in retrospect by the human, Shuna, adopted by Cutter and Leetah. The story isn't amazing, but it entertains for an afternoon. The art was done using Photoshop and I think Wendy uses the technology well, a lot of the panels reminded me of her work in the Hidden Years. She's top notch again with the facial expressions of the elves. The best panels don't have any dialogue. Those people who do not like the new art just need to calm down and accept her choices!

I would advise anyone to READ this story, just because it is a nice addition to the Elfquest archive, but I wouldn't buy it. If you want to spend money on a truly worthwhile piece by the Pini's get your hands on the first Hidden Years anthology. It has the best artwork the series has to offer and includes five different stories spanning three generations.

Beginning in 1990, the Pinis radically expanded the scope of the story of Cutter and his Wolfrider tribe. First, "Kings of the Broken Wheel" (reprinted in Books 7 and 8) advanced the characters 10,000 years in time - causing Cutter to have to cope, first, with the sudden loss of his family and second - after the reunion with his loved ones - with the changed, more dangerous world in which he and his tribe now found themselves: a world with more, and more powerful, humans in it. Book 10, featuring issues 8 to 15 of the "Hidden Years" series, begins the new tale of the elves' adventures in the midst of human civilization - above all, the seeds of their struggle to retake their ancestral home, the Palace of the High Ones, from the human dictator Grohmul Djun.

The first two episodes in Book 10 repeat two sections of the now-withdrawn Book 9 "Rogue's Challenge", so I will not touch on those in this review. The new story begins with the third and fourth chapters, when the elves' longtime enemy Winnowill, trying to hijack the Palace for her own ends, destroys it instead; the seizure of its shards (hence the title of the book) by the Djun and his army not only robs the elves of their safe haven, but gives the five-fingers access to its magic - a power they may turn against the elves. Cutter comes to realize that his people must war with the Djun to regain their rightful home... and that the only way to avoid the extinction of the tribe is to send away some of its members. Indeed, the distinctive element of this story is the deft union of the "smaller" personal stories - the maturation of a chief-to-be, the prospect of a new birth, an elf extending her hand to humans in friendship; a leader contemplating the second separation of his family - with the larger tale of the elves' impending battle for their lives. Though Wendy and Richard Pini did not create the artwork, they did write the script for this tale, which rings as true as any of their earlier works.

The bulk of the artwork, from the fifth chapter onwards, was drawn by Brandon McKinney. While obviously not from Wendy's pen (McKinney uses a more angular pencilling style, and draws most faces somewhat wider than Wendy does), McKinney yet shows a natural feel for the distinctive qualities of each character, and the attention to detail is admirable - not only basic figure-work but also inking and coloring are well executed. Having read the original color issues, I must say that this black-and-white reproduction gives only a partial view of the quality of the artwork. That is inevitable, since most of the scenes take place at night, and darker inks and colors are difficult to reproduce well - this being the only relative flaw of this edition.

Very little in the earlier EQ stories could have prepared readers for the new directions this series has taken; but it is just such vision - worthy of Cutter himself - that has kept up, and even enhanced, the Pinis' reputation not only as artists, but as storytellers. The theme of this book, then, is neatly summarized from a quotation from it: "Change is growth; love is never lost."

I know that for die-hard Elfquest fans, the turn to other artists is difficult. Shards is a prime example of the shift to more comic book-like writing and art. It will never compare to the original Series 1-8. However, I had prepared myself for this when, after 5 years of not picking up an Elfquest, I decided to start back up with the series. Expecting the unfamiliar style of art, as from Worldpool, I was pleasantly surprised at the art in Shards. The characters were recognizable and often strikingly like Pini's work. Her art was mixed in and it made for an adaquate and enjoyable read. Although we would all love for Wendy to be doing it all, I think this will do. But I really hope the movie is worth all this!!

I can only assume the Pini's are writing the glowing reviews of the EQ graphic novels themselves. These books are so bad, so badly drawn, so awful, with such lousy reproduction and quality control that I can't imagine any EQ fan actually likes them.

The art looks like it came from a fanzine. It is not professional. The reproduction of the art looks like mud.

Buy at your own risk.

EQ used to be one of my favorite works, but the series no longer has the quality it once enjoyed. My advice is to avoid later volumes and stick to the earlier books which are among the best comics ever published. The later work is embarassing.

I just want to explain to you all why this doesn't have it's former luster. You see, so many people out there think that Elfquest is dying, because other-people are doing art and stories. But you know what? You haven't seen anything yet-- EQ isn't dying, just pregnant. She's about to give birth to the next level; the Elfquest FILM! It'll most likely come out in 2002; And our beloved Wendy is behind it all the way. THAT'S why everything else is so distracted. But ya know...I give them all 5 stars anyways, because for adaptations, they rock hardcore, and besides, they're keeping us alive till '02! AYOOAH packmates! ;)

I just finished Dreamtime and was looking forward to continuing on with Cutter and his Tribe. Unfortunately, that was not to be. I started Rogue's Curse and cannot finish it. It feels completely out of sequence, which it is and gives away things in Reunion, which I haven't read yet.

If you buy this book, read it at the end of Reunion or not at all. I'll keep my copy rather than return it just to have a complete set of books, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

I, too was confused by the way this book jumps out of continuity with the others. It takes place after the Battle for the Palace Shards. And that is a stroy not told for a least a few more books after Rogue's Curse. I don't know why they decided to do that, it doesn't make any sense. However, it is a very compelling story, and it shed a new light on the often misunderstood character of Rayek. I did miss the other elves while reading it, though. I look forward to getting back to their story in future volumes. I recomend getting it, but not until it's chronlogicaly nesescary by story, not by number. Don't make the mistake I did by reading it too soon, it will give future plotlines away!

Rayek, long the most pivotal - and controversial - character in the world of Elfquest, was made the focus of his own EQ series, "Rogue's Curse", between 1996 and 1998. Book 9 collects most of the episodes from the series (except those from issues 28-30 of the EQ magazine, which largely covered earlier plot material) and adds the considerable bonus of a RC short story that previously appeared only once, in the magazine _Frank Frazetta Fantasy Illustrated_.

The present volume actually contains not one story but several shorter ones; all, however, deal with the travels of Rayek - now the "jailer" of the deceased Winnowill's malevolent spirit - and his friend Ekuar, as they make their way into a future increasingly dominated by humans. The stage is set by the opening chapter, one of two drawn by Wendy Pini, which explains the numerous torments Rayek must undergo to keep his ex-lover in check, and to prevent her from lashing out at the outer world. This is followed by three single-chapter stories taking place a few decades later; these are drawn by Delfin Barral, artist for the "Rebels" series (Books 13 and 13a), and are executed in a heavily inked, "contrast-y" style far from the classic Pini technique, but quite appropriate to the moody tone of these tales.

Following these, however, come the greater part of the book: three mini-series both written and drawn by Brandon McKinney, principal artist for the "Shards" series (Books 12 and 12a). Set in various cities fully four centuries after the earlier chapters, this trio of tales presents the elfin protagonists in an entirely new - and attractive - light. Rayek's often heroic efforts, both to control Winnowill and to save his friends from her wrath, are accompanied by the transformation of the character of Ekuar: still gentle and humorous, but also quick-witted, resourceful and prepared to do anything to protect his friend. Not for nothing, indeed, does Rayek remark that his aged mentor has, in his way, grown younger with time!

McKinney's accompanying artwork is rendered in the same naturalistic style seen in his earlier work - a far cry from the hyper-realism of the preceding stories. The inking does lose some of its impact for being in black-and-white (here the fine coloring work of Suzanne Dechnik in "Shards" is missed) but remains technically proficient and, very importantly, consistent.

The last chapter, really a postscript, is entirely the work of Wendy Pini and was originally presented in color. This is a much darker and more frightening tale than the others, particularly as it demonstrates the limits on which an elf like Rayek can be accepted and understood in what has become a human-dominated world. Not surprisingly, Wendy's graphics here are the best by far in the series.

"Rogue's Curse" is among the last Elfquest stories to be created, and might not be considered by some to be a "classic" example of its genre. Yet it marries interesting art to excellent, often moving storytelling; the interested reader will be rewarded.

For the numerous years I've been reading Elfquest, Rayek has been one of my least favorite characters. But being the EQ fanatic I am I had to get it. When they first brought it out in this graphic novel version I thought that it was the same as the hardback Rogue's Challenge that was released a few years back due to the same cover. To my happiness it wasn't. It was a totally different novel and compilations of stories. By the time I finished reading this I had a totally different view on Rayek and not only LIKED his character but felt sorry for him in a lot of ways. A definate need to read if the Elfquest characters have made it into your life.

This is an enjoyable graphic novel. The art is beautiful, as opposed to the horrible scribbles in some of the other non-Pini EQ books, and the plot is engaging, if occasionally somewhat undeveloped. However, EQ fans should be warned that this book has far more humans in it than it does elves. The Wolfriders do not appear, and the time period is comparatively modern -- pistols and steam power have been invented. Winnowill is now a sort of sadistic "soul vampire", which is not how I interpreted her character in the original books; she has lost some subtlety. Since the connection with nature that the Wolfriders and Go-Backs have is my favorite thing about EQ, I found Rogue's Curse slightly disappointing. Still, it's worth a read.

it was sorta confusing though. it goes off the story when it talks about the crash, then in book 10-shards it has book 9's ending as its own beginning.

Nothing has been the same since Wendi stopped drawing and this book proves it. It lacks the depth Elfquest used to be known for. If you want to remain true to yourself, leave this book behind and stick to Wendi's work.

You'd be disappointed by the art work which is not comparable to Wendy's superior own work. The characters lack physical uniqueness as compared to the previous 7 books. However, the stories are worth reading and enjoyable.

This book is in a sense the successor to the "Hidden Years" collection. That book collected the first five issues of the series of that name; this one includes the next five - but rearranged to form a complete narrative.

Only the last story, the highly-regarded "issue 9.5", was actually drawn by Wendy Pini herself. The other segments were among the first EQ issues drawn by the Pinis' apprentices and, while competent, are not really in Wendy's league. Fortunately, the full-color presentation is very lavish and more than compensates. Indeed, though three of the five issues in "Challenge" are duplicated in "Shards" (volume 10), it remains worthwhile to check out this volume, since the reproductions of the three pieces (8, 9 and 9.5) look glorious in color, very poor in black and white (to the point that, for example, important detail in no.9 "The Enemy's Face" is lost).

That said, the real glory of "Challenge" is the storytelling, much of it among the best in the series. Though Rayek is the main character of this book, there is a fascinating digression in the form of the two-part story "How Shall I Keep from Singing?", about the arrival of the High Ones, ancestors of all the elves. All the stories herein display the penetrating views of character that have made the EQ stories loved - and this study of Rayek, the most controversial character of all, is fertile ground for storytelling.

Maybe it's just me and my own sense of humor, and seriousness, but I wasn't amused by these stories at all. Bursting out with laughter? No. And the artwork is awful. I'm a fan of the ElfQuest series all the way up to Kings of the Broken Wheel, and the change from beautiful, symmetrical elves to ugly, lopsided weak characters was shocking. There's a lot of fanart out there that's better than this! And the dialogue was flat and simple.

If you're a really diehard fan of EQ, stay away. If you like the series, but can accept the art, boring stories, and all, then go and read it. I hope the artists that drew this get better. I don't think I could take it if they started doing the main stories.

I don't own this book, I read it at the library. Now, I wish I did own it! The art isn't the same quality as the Elfquest comics by Wendy Pini, but it was good and kind of "cute" looking. And the stories were hilarious - I burst out laughing in some parts! This Elfquest book is intended for children, but it can be enjoyed by anyone - especially Elfquest fans.

I am surprised and dissapointed by this book. The art in particular is very poorly done to someone used to Wendy Pini. Proportions and perspective change completely from frame to frame, and the expressions are rendered with no ability whatsoever. The storylines were simplistic and had little to do with the Elfquest series (which I have very much enjoyed) The characters were simply not the same as those in other stories-they were simply grafted onto stories written without the Elfquest motif in mind. That would not be so bad, but the artwork was so terrible that I could barely finish. I am returning this book, and I would strongly discourage anyone from buying it.

The first time I looked at Bedtime Stories I was really upset. I love ElfQuest, and Bedtime Stories seemed like nothing more than a bunch of half standard artwork. But then I sat down and actually read it. And thought about it. And then I laughed so hard I thought my sides were going to split. This is not an example of the mature, highly involved stories we've come to expect from the world of two moons. This is what we have been telling our children for as long as fairy tales and Elves have existed. Why should Elf parents be any different? I found the artwork crude but the Elf twist on some very familiar stories amusing and interesting. After all, a good story *is* a good story, right?

Apparently, the Pinis have decided that since their cult-like following will purchase *anything* with the EQ name on it, they may as well take the money and run, ignoring the fact that their once-pet project is being dragged through the mud. "Bedtime Stories" is possibly the worst example of the drop in quality which has been occuring since the mid-80's on the World of Two Moons. The art is, simply put, terrible -- sloppy, amateurish, and our well-loved characters are barely recognizable! The stories are all derivative and devoid of the slightest spark of imagination. The "humor" falls completely flat.

Even "completists" will be sorry they bothered. Thank goodness I only borrowed a copy from the library! The price would be highway robbery for a book this slight, even if it were much better done than it is. Time to break out the old comics again, and try to remember what I liked about "Elfquest" in the first place.