Elfquest: Stargazer’s Hunt #1

Elfquest: Stargazer’s Hunt #1

Writer: Wendy Pini, Richard Pini

Artist: Sonny Strait

Dark Horse Comics

2019

When ElfQuest: The Final Quest concluded, it ended the hero’s journey of Cutter Kinseeker, chief of the Wolfriders. But that was only the start of a new adventure for Cutter’s “brother in all but blood,” Skywise. Now the stargazer elf, who thought he knew everything about Cutter, discovers how mistaken he was. That, combined with a tragic accident involving his daughter Jink, sends Skywise on a quest of his own, from the elves’ ancestral Star Home through uncharted space, and back to the World of Two Moons.

Stargazer’s Hunt has story by ElfQuest co-creators Wendy and Richard Pini, with script by Wendy Pini. Veteran Elfquest alumnus Sonny Strait returns at full force as the artist and colorist for the new series.

o All-new material for an established character.

*MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD

Elfquest is in a tough spot. As a comic started in 1978, this story is older than most of the comic readers out there, and it is one of the few books to have a (mostly) continuous story without being retold or relaunched every few years. As such, unless you’re already on board, it’s just kinda hard to get on board.

I was never on board before, so reading this issue and not knowing each character’s history or relationships, and not understanding most of the lingo they use, made for a pretty boring read. “Father and daughter are looking for something the daughter misplaced, encountering no resistance, and running into old friends along the way.” That’s not really an idea you could easily sell me on. It might not be a bad read, but I am quite obviously missing out on most of the good stuff.

And the art is nice, but it does have a certain look to it that’s not quite right. Everyone is a little too thing and a little too angular to feel natural to me. It’s full of vibrant colors though, and the backgrounds are chocked full of natural beauty. It’s a style all its own, but I just don’t quite love it.

Of course, this may not sound like a fair review to anyone who has spent decades reading this series – and that’s exactly the tough spot Elfquest is in. I’ve heard about it for years, and just never bothered for whatever reason, there’s really nothing that is going to make me bother now. I’m sure the longtime fans will dig it, but I don’t think any one else really will. Any one new is going to start at the start, after all, not pick things up after The Final Quest ends.

Brian Reed

Brian has been reading comics since January, 1987, when the death of Optimus Prime rocked his young world. Once a regular presenter on The Nerdstravaganza Podcast, Brian now writes for Florida Geek Scene.