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Elfquest: Stargazer's Hunt Volume 1
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. In times past, whenever he has felt lost or empty, he has turned to the starry skies for guidance. Now is no exception. Once again Skywise sets his sights on the cosmic horizon for answers, sending him on his own epic quest from the elves' ancestral Star Home through uncharted space, and back to the World of Two Moons.
This volume collects issues #1-#4 of Stargazer's Hunt, with story by ElfQuest co-creators Wendy and Richard Pini, with script and layouts by Wendy Pini. Veteran ElfQuest alumnus Sonny Strait returns at full force as the artist and colorist for the new series.
Now the stargazer elf, who thought he knew everything about Cutter, discovers how mistaken he was. In times past, whenever he has felt lost or empty, he has turned to the starry skies for guidance. Now is no exception. Once again Skywise sets his sights on the cosmic horizon for answers, sending him on his own epic quest from the elves' ancestral Star Home through uncharted space, and back to the World of Two Moons.
This volume collects issues #1-#4 of Stargazer's Hunt, with story by ElfQuest co-creators Wendy and Richard Pini, with script and layouts by Wendy Pini. Veteran ElfQuest alumnus Sonny Strait returns at full force as the artist and colorist for the new series.
104 pages, Paperback
Published March 16, 2021
14 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Pini
614 books395 followersWendy Pini is one-half of a husband and wife team with Richard Pini that created, most notably, the Elfquest series.
Wendy was born in California and adopted into the Fletcher Family in Santa Clara County. Early on, she developed as an artist and was the illustrator of her high school year book. She submitted samples of her artwork to Marvel Comics at 17 that were rejected.
Pini attended Pitzer College and received her B.A. in the Arts and joined the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society.
In 1972, she married Richard Pini and began illustrating science fiction magazines, including Galaxy, Galileo, and Worlds of If. In 1977, Richard and Wendy established a publishing company called Warp Graphics to publish their first Elfquest comic. Elfquest was self-published for 25 years and in 2003, licensed to DC Comics. The comic series has won several awards, including the Ed Aprill Award for Best Independent Comic, two Alley Awards, the Fantasy Festival Comic Book Awards for Best Alternative Comic, and the Golden Pen Award.
Wendy has illustrated other works, including Jonny Quest in 1986, Law and Chaos in 1987, and in 1989, two graphic novels of Beauty and the Beast. Recently in 2007, she completed a graphic novel entitled The Masque of Red Death.
Wendy has received several awards over the last four decades, including the San Diego Comic Convention Inkpot Award, the New York State Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Balrog Award for Best Artist, and was inducted into the Friends of Lulu Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wendy and her husband currently reside in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Wendy was born in California and adopted into the Fletcher Family in Santa Clara County. Early on, she developed as an artist and was the illustrator of her high school year book. She submitted samples of her artwork to Marvel Comics at 17 that were rejected.
Pini attended Pitzer College and received her B.A. in the Arts and joined the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society.
In 1972, she married Richard Pini and began illustrating science fiction magazines, including Galaxy, Galileo, and Worlds of If. In 1977, Richard and Wendy established a publishing company called Warp Graphics to publish their first Elfquest comic. Elfquest was self-published for 25 years and in 2003, licensed to DC Comics. The comic series has won several awards, including the Ed Aprill Award for Best Independent Comic, two Alley Awards, the Fantasy Festival Comic Book Awards for Best Alternative Comic, and the Golden Pen Award.
Wendy has illustrated other works, including Jonny Quest in 1986, Law and Chaos in 1987, and in 1989, two graphic novels of Beauty and the Beast. Recently in 2007, she completed a graphic novel entitled The Masque of Red Death.
Wendy has received several awards over the last four decades, including the San Diego Comic Convention Inkpot Award, the New York State Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Balrog Award for Best Artist, and was inducted into the Friends of Lulu Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wendy and her husband currently reside in Poughkeepsie, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 15, 2021
Okay, I'll be honest and tell y'all, I've never really read Elfquest; I've read a reprint that has the first five issues, and that's it. There's so much material that I've missed that I know virtually nothing about what's happened in the story. If you, like me, are not familiar with this series, you are going to be so lost, just pass on this one, unless you're cool with being confused AF.
If you have read this series, if you're familiar with The Final Quest, you'll enjoy this book and get all kinds of feels about/because of it. It's just, wow, is the whole series this emotional? Skywise is having a hard time dealing with his brother-from-another-mother Cutter's death, and his mate Timmain drops a bombshell on him, and he runs off to figure out how to deal with his case of the morbs. Jink, his and Timmain's daughter, go off to find out more about Cutter so she can understand what's going on with her father. It's all kinds of emo, and I'm not really sure what happened, but it seems like readers are getting a new quest and storyline, so that should make fans happy. Just because I chose to read a book from a 40+ year long series and don't know what's happening doesn't mean I'm going to hold that against the authors or the book. The 80's style art hasn't changed, or hasn't much noticeably over the years, and it remains the bright, colorful, sparkly goodness it's always been. Recommended for fans of the series.
If you have read this series, if you're familiar with The Final Quest, you'll enjoy this book and get all kinds of feels about/because of it. It's just, wow, is the whole series this emotional? Skywise is having a hard time dealing with his brother-from-another-mother Cutter's death, and his mate Timmain drops a bombshell on him, and he runs off to figure out how to deal with his case of the morbs. Jink, his and Timmain's daughter, go off to find out more about Cutter so she can understand what's going on with her father. It's all kinds of emo, and I'm not really sure what happened, but it seems like readers are getting a new quest and storyline, so that should make fans happy. Just because I chose to read a book from a 40+ year long series and don't know what's happening doesn't mean I'm going to hold that against the authors or the book. The 80's style art hasn't changed, or hasn't much noticeably over the years, and it remains the bright, colorful, sparkly goodness it's always been. Recommended for fans of the series.
July 13, 2022
I read this volume as it was released in short issues before the pandemic hit, then put off reading this volume until I got the second one, so I could binge read them.
Below are the reviews I wrote for each single issue:
# 1
I'm so happy we get more stories from Elfquest! And I love how this story ties together the many stories and worlds told to us before. I always suspected Jinks parentage - or 50% of it - so to read this story now is great.
Also to get answers to questions asked in Final Quest.
Artstyle great and characters great as always
5/5 stars
# 2
My heart broke for Skywise, and I cried for his loss. Few comics - or even books - ever makes me cry, but Elfquest has always managed it.
The main ARC of this story has now started, and I'm curious to see where it leads
5/5 stars
# 3
And we're back with the Wolfriders! Yay! I hope we get to see how things went for Ember and Teir. And how things are with the others. And I am curious as to where this story is going!
4/5 stars
# 4
I enjoyed the jumps around the World of Two Moons, and the look at characters we haven't seen in a while.
Also found the ending interesting, although I'm unsure of how they plan to wrap this all up in just 2 more issues.
4/5
----------------------
Considering the second volume is as thick - or thicker - than this one, it's safe to say the series stretched for 4 more issues.
My general thoughts on this volume now is that it felt both rushed and just right. Some parts made sense to gloss over, considering we can read them in the previous books, but I also felt like we were lacing some of the connections between characters I've come to expect from this series. Like they just glossed over places where it would be natural for them to feel emotion.
Final rating:
4/5 stars
Below are the reviews I wrote for each single issue:
# 1
I'm so happy we get more stories from Elfquest! And I love how this story ties together the many stories and worlds told to us before. I always suspected Jinks parentage - or 50% of it - so to read this story now is great.
Also to get answers to questions asked in Final Quest.
Artstyle great and characters great as always
5/5 stars
# 2
My heart broke for Skywise, and I cried for his loss. Few comics - or even books - ever makes me cry, but Elfquest has always managed it.
The main ARC of this story has now started, and I'm curious to see where it leads
5/5 stars
# 3
And we're back with the Wolfriders! Yay! I hope we get to see how things went for Ember and Teir. And how things are with the others. And I am curious as to where this story is going!
4/5 stars
# 4
I enjoyed the jumps around the World of Two Moons, and the look at characters we haven't seen in a while.
Also found the ending interesting, although I'm unsure of how they plan to wrap this all up in just 2 more issues.
4/5
----------------------
Considering the second volume is as thick - or thicker - than this one, it's safe to say the series stretched for 4 more issues.
My general thoughts on this volume now is that it felt both rushed and just right. Some parts made sense to gloss over, considering we can read them in the previous books, but I also felt like we were lacing some of the connections between characters I've come to expect from this series. Like they just glossed over places where it would be natural for them to feel emotion.
Final rating:
4/5 stars
July 16, 2022
I had already read the issues so I just got this volume for the extra pages. The insert pages between the original issues are beautifully done. As are the bonus pages which provide a behind the scenes look.
Elfquest no longer resonates with me as it used to. But I still like to check in from time to time to see how the characters are doing.
Elfquest no longer resonates with me as it used to. But I still like to check in from time to time to see how the characters are doing.
December 22, 2020
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Although Cutter's story ended with the Final Quest series, there were still many tales left to be told. Continuing directly from Final Quest, we explore the legacy of Cutter Kinseeker in two ways: Skywise must come to terms with the terrible secret Timmain holds while Jink, daughter of Skywise and Timmain, seeks to learn all she can of Cutter and journeys to the world of Two Moons. This collects 1-4 of the comic series and is part of a larger story arc.Story: Skywise is somewhat content in the Palace of the High Ones, raising his precocious young daughter Jink with with lifemate Timmain. But in his heart, he has not come to terms with the loss of Cutter, brother in all but blood. When Skywise seeks to learn the truth of Timmain and Cutter, it has as devastating an effect on Skywise as it did Cutter. Skywise seeks solace asleep in the stars as Jink grows up and returns to Two Moons to learn more of Cutter. But there is more to the stars than just the inhabitants of New Moon and the palace....
The story follows two arcs: Skywise fighting the empty feeling from the loss of Cutter and his daughter Jink seeking to find as much information about Cutter as will help her understand her father's sorrow. It was a pleasant return to the various characters (elf, troll, etc.) of both the palace and Two Moons. As well we are introduced to new characters such as Leetah's child (unborn at the end of Final Quest) as well as Venka's daughter Satreeka. All the characters have aged nicely and the drawings are excellent throughout this book. It has the look and feel of the original Elfquest, with Wendy contributing strongly to the art along with her apprentice Sonny.
This first volume ends on a cliffhanger and there looks to be a nice long story arc here. In all, it is a wonderful return to the Elfquest world with a new and decent story to follow. The illustration work is clean and reminiscent of Wendy Pini's original The Quest Begins era. Yes, there are some moments that bog and I can't say I've ever understood the whole "go nuts when you learn Cutter and Timmain share a soul" thing. But in the end, I'm just glad that this 40 year journey continues. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
April 15, 2024
Wait, wasn’t The Final Quest, the final quest? Apparently not…
I mean, even if Cutters story is over and done with, we have a TON of characters left whose stories were not finished being told.
First and maybe most importantly, Cutters brother in all but blood… the one he shared his soulname with… Skywise. The stargazer.
We do get to check in with a lot of the other characters too of course (Strongboy, my heartbroken darling!), but this story is mostly about Skywise. And his family!
Because this is one of the things I really like about this one. There’s a shorter series called Futurequest, which is pretty much Elfquest but in the future. Very science fiction. And this story, about Skywise, binds the regular Elfquest together with Futurequest really really well! Because the one elf-character that exists in Futurequest… well, she’s in this story too. Wendy and Richard need to stop playing the long game like this…
ANYWAY! Here we meet Skywise family, he did after all recognize the High One Timmain and got himself a daughter, Jink. Clearly having two such powerful parents AND being born on the Star Home, the planet in space where the elfs originally came from, she’s… naive and protected to say the least.
So when she keeps seeing her father Skywise be sad, she just wants to help him… with her magic… the way a kid would… because she’s a kid…
Disaster ensues.
It kinda shows the dangers of having too strong powers in too small hands.
I like Jink though! We get to follow her journey of discovery as well as Skywise! She learns more about her father and his love and friendship with Cutter. How he grew up and how affected him, a life and worlds Jink knows nothing about.
And we get to meet the last kid Cutter managed to put into this world together with Leetha, Goldruff. And he is very much his fathers son, let me tell you!
So a couple of new characters, but not that many. And nearly all are there to show Jink and Skywise the way, basically.
Ends on a cliffhanger though… Gotta read part two tomorrow!
I mean, even if Cutters story is over and done with, we have a TON of characters left whose stories were not finished being told.
First and maybe most importantly, Cutters brother in all but blood… the one he shared his soulname with… Skywise. The stargazer.
We do get to check in with a lot of the other characters too of course (Strongboy, my heartbroken darling!), but this story is mostly about Skywise. And his family!
Because this is one of the things I really like about this one. There’s a shorter series called Futurequest, which is pretty much Elfquest but in the future. Very science fiction. And this story, about Skywise, binds the regular Elfquest together with Futurequest really really well! Because the one elf-character that exists in Futurequest… well, she’s in this story too. Wendy and Richard need to stop playing the long game like this…
ANYWAY! Here we meet Skywise family, he did after all recognize the High One Timmain and got himself a daughter, Jink. Clearly having two such powerful parents AND being born on the Star Home, the planet in space where the elfs originally came from, she’s… naive and protected to say the least.
So when she keeps seeing her father Skywise be sad, she just wants to help him… with her magic… the way a kid would… because she’s a kid…
Disaster ensues.
It kinda shows the dangers of having too strong powers in too small hands.
I like Jink though! We get to follow her journey of discovery as well as Skywise! She learns more about her father and his love and friendship with Cutter. How he grew up and how affected him, a life and worlds Jink knows nothing about.
And we get to meet the last kid Cutter managed to put into this world together with Leetha, Goldruff. And he is very much his fathers son, let me tell you!
So a couple of new characters, but not that many. And nearly all are there to show Jink and Skywise the way, basically.
Ends on a cliffhanger though… Gotta read part two tomorrow!
March 21, 2022
The Final Quest apparently wasn't the end. It was simply the end of their travels on the World of Two Moons. With most of the elves off in the black in their starhome, heading back to their home planet, the center of the action revolves around Skywise and Jinx, his daughter with Timmian. These issues begin to fill in the blanks between the Jinx series which takes place on the World of Two Moons after its has reached an interstellar level of technology.
Despite the splendor of the Starhome, Skywise is not content with his life. He has yet to come to terms with his best friend's death. To help him, Jinx innocently removes the memory of Cutter from his mind. While the memories are removed, the emotional trauma remains. This sends Skywise hurtling towards an wunknown world which may or may not be the original world of the High Ones.
This is only volume one of a much longer series. Collecting issues 1-4 of the limited series.
Despite the splendor of the Starhome, Skywise is not content with his life. He has yet to come to terms with his best friend's death. To help him, Jinx innocently removes the memory of Cutter from his mind. While the memories are removed, the emotional trauma remains. This sends Skywise hurtling towards an wunknown world which may or may not be the original world of the High Ones.
This is only volume one of a much longer series. Collecting issues 1-4 of the limited series.
December 13, 2023
Elfquest is apparently not a series for the uninitiated. I've always heard about it and decided to check this out when it popped up as a bonus borrow on Hoopla. I felt like I was reading a comic in a foreign language. I had no idea what was going on or even what some of the words meant as they have their own words for certain things. Apparently, you need to be undaunted enough to start at the beginning if you have interest in this series even if this is a number one. For me, I'll go back to being oblivious of this series.
July 14, 2025
Apparently the Final Quest was popular enough to warrant making more Elquest. But that was the final quest. So this is a hunt. That's different, right?
On their new Starhome, Timmain reveals to Skywise the connection between her and Cutter. He doesn't handle it well. His daughter Jink tries to help, but she doesn't handle it well either. This sets them each on a path to travel to different worlds.
On their new Starhome, Timmain reveals to Skywise the connection between her and Cutter. He doesn't handle it well. His daughter Jink tries to help, but she doesn't handle it well either. This sets them each on a path to travel to different worlds.
February 21, 2022
I didn't realize how much I missed ElfQuest until I finished this. I have tears in my eyes because I love this world. While Cutter is forever my chief, my favorite character by far, this honoring of his memory touched me. A really beautiful next step after Final Quest. Too bad thanks to the pandemic and the closing of my local comic store I missed getting the single issues.
October 13, 2023
More if a 3.8.
This was my first elf quest book and so I’m no doubt missing a lot of context and references, but the set and colors were absolutely fantastic and the drawing and line art brilliant. Especially when I tend to dislike American comics in principle for their crappy design and stories. This was very good.
This was my first elf quest book and so I’m no doubt missing a lot of context and references, but the set and colors were absolutely fantastic and the drawing and line art brilliant. Especially when I tend to dislike American comics in principle for their crappy design and stories. This was very good.
February 20, 2023
AWWWWOOOOOO! Five stars for finally spelling out the fact that the entire ElfQuest series has been one ongoing love story between Cutter and Skywise. Fuck. Yes.
But also this volume was pretty devastating and I need to know how it all plays out like now.
But also this volume was pretty devastating and I need to know how it all plays out like now.
September 19, 2023
3.5 Star
So much fun to return to the world of Two Moons. Seeing Skywise as an attentive parent is such a new thing. I really enjoy his relationship with Jink and the twist of this story was pretty good.
So much fun to return to the world of Two Moons. Seeing Skywise as an attentive parent is such a new thing. I really enjoy his relationship with Jink and the twist of this story was pretty good.
January 23, 2022
Beautiful artwork, as usual, engaging story line as always. Can't wait for the next volume to come out
July 15, 2022
It started to redeem itself by the end, but it's painful to get there.
Read
October 19, 2022What? It's best I start at the beginning ..I hope
March 20, 2023
Always enjoy following the wolf tribe and their misadventures
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews