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Elfquest #8.1
Elfquest The Hidden Years
A quintet of lavishly illustrated short stories that fills the gaps in the long history of the Wolfrider elves. Share the ill-omened birth of Skywise the Stargazer. Feel the heat of the tempest as the grown-up chief's daughter Ember strives for her own freedom. Experience the joys and sorrows of a mortal human cub growing up among the Wolfriders... and more
160 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Pini
614 books391 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 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 12, 2019
So here we are. I have finally knocked off ALL of the existing Elfquest graphic material that was to be found in the Jandrok abode. This last installment consisted of the collected issues 1-5 of the “Hidden Years” series. “Hidden Years” was an attempt to collect and tell some of the tales from various periods of time that didn’t fit directly into the major storylines of the original Quests. Thus some of the stories are from that eons-long span of time between when Rayek forced the Palace forward in time, stranding Cutter and a number of his tribe in what was now the “past.” Some of the tales date to that time AFTER the two tribes found each other again after the long wait and the even longer sleep that Cutter and his band had to endure. And one or two of the issues date back to a time before Cutter was even born.
As far as I am aware, this collection (in hardcover, no less) was the only set of the “Hidden Years” stories that was published in graphic novel form. All of the other issues (there were 29 in all) were simply published as newsstand singles. As such, it’s a bit of an oddity in the Elfquest canon. All of these short epics were done in full-color with artwork by Wendy Pini, or at least these first five were. The writing is absolutely up to the usual high Elfquest standard. The art is….well, the art is a bit…..DIFFERENT. Wendy Pini had by this time become intimately familiar with her Elven alter-egos, and the lines here show a deft hand and a welcome familiarity. But there is an odd lack of motion in these frames, as if Wendy had abandoned the kinetic nature of the original series in favor a more static style of positioning and posing that didn’t look bad, just….DIFFERENT. Part of it is that I think these panels were drawn with color in mind, and Wendy did not rely on an inker to go back over her pencils. Thus some of the lines look a bit thinner than what I have been used to in the past with Elfquest. The stories are summarized in order here:
“Wolfwood” - A tale set in that long stretch of time after the Palace has been swept into the future by Rayek. Strongbow’s wolfrider bond Lashpaw has gotten older and less able to keep his place in the pack. According to “The Way,” he must be exiled from the pack. Strongbow goes after Lashpaw, ostensibly to give him a final, glorious…..and humane…..end to his life. But before he can do this, Lashpaw saves him from a rabid dog, being bitten in the process. Strongbow attempts to save his wolf, but in time he too is infected with the foaming madness. Both must now rely upon Strongbow’s strength of will to survive long enough for the Trolls to intervene with a possible curative.
“Going Back” - Also a tale from the dark times before Cutter makes the call to go all wrapstuffy. Kahvi and Tyldak decide to travel to the Sunfolk enclave and lay claim to the shard of the Palace that remains in their keep. Assembling a small attack group, they attempt to extract the shard peacefully at first, but are rebuffed. This causes them to regroup and try to liberate the shard through brute force. They come close, but…….
“Little Patch” - Perhaps one of the more heartbreaking, yet uplifting tales in the entire Elfquest canon. The Wolfriders save a human infant who has been tied to a tree and left in the wilds to die. Tyleet soon adopts the human baby as her own, and brings him up to be a fine Wolfrider. But the lad yearns for what he cannot have with the Elves, and tries to integrate himself back into human society, with mixed results at first. Just remember that the Elves are nigh immortal by comparison to human lifespans…….
“Right of Passage” - A story set post-Reunification, in that time after the two groups of Elves have “caught up” to each other in time. Cutter’s daughter Ember has big ideas and a rebellious streak a mile wide. Now teenaged by Elven standards, she attempts to accompany a revitalized Rayek on a journey back to the Sun Folk. But Papa Cutter has other ideas. Trouble ensues. As a father to a daughter, I must say that this story hit me in the feels.
“Starfall, Starrise” - A tale set in the pre-Cutter days when Bearclaw was still Chief of the Wolfriders. The focus here is on Skywise, as this is basically his “origin story.” Intrigue with the humans leads to tragedy all around, and we get to see a bit of why Skywise is the person he is in later years. A solid story that fills in a few of the narrative gaps in the early portions of the original Quest.
And that’s it…...maybe. One of these days I may try and get around to reading some of the later story arcs, as well as the remainder of the “Hidden Years” series. The entire Elfquest saga prior to 2014 can now be found online here:
http://elfquest.com/read/digitalEQ.html
So it’s there for the taking if I so choose. But I may have had my fill now of the Elfquest universe, at least for a while. Other muses are calling my name, and there is so much to read and so little time. But I have had a ton of fun discovering this groundbreaking series this late in my personal game. That crazy little magazine that I saw people quite literally devour back in the day now has its rightful place in the pantheon of Great Comic Books. Elfquest redefined what it meant to be an independent comic back in the day. Wendy and Richard Pini quite literally revolutionized how the comic book industry operated. Chances are that you would not now be so inundated with great and exciting titles and classic characters across genres had it not been for the Pinis and their modest little tales about pointy-eared Elves. They changed the parameters for graphic storytelling forever, and for that we owe them a huge debt of thanks.
Carry on Cutter…..carry on Wolfriders…..carry on Winnowill….and Rayek….and Kahvi…….there are still those who have yet to hear your tale…..carry on and tell it anew to each generation.
As far as I am aware, this collection (in hardcover, no less) was the only set of the “Hidden Years” stories that was published in graphic novel form. All of the other issues (there were 29 in all) were simply published as newsstand singles. As such, it’s a bit of an oddity in the Elfquest canon. All of these short epics were done in full-color with artwork by Wendy Pini, or at least these first five were. The writing is absolutely up to the usual high Elfquest standard. The art is….well, the art is a bit…..DIFFERENT. Wendy Pini had by this time become intimately familiar with her Elven alter-egos, and the lines here show a deft hand and a welcome familiarity. But there is an odd lack of motion in these frames, as if Wendy had abandoned the kinetic nature of the original series in favor a more static style of positioning and posing that didn’t look bad, just….DIFFERENT. Part of it is that I think these panels were drawn with color in mind, and Wendy did not rely on an inker to go back over her pencils. Thus some of the lines look a bit thinner than what I have been used to in the past with Elfquest. The stories are summarized in order here:
“Wolfwood” - A tale set in that long stretch of time after the Palace has been swept into the future by Rayek. Strongbow’s wolfrider bond Lashpaw has gotten older and less able to keep his place in the pack. According to “The Way,” he must be exiled from the pack. Strongbow goes after Lashpaw, ostensibly to give him a final, glorious…..and humane…..end to his life. But before he can do this, Lashpaw saves him from a rabid dog, being bitten in the process. Strongbow attempts to save his wolf, but in time he too is infected with the foaming madness. Both must now rely upon Strongbow’s strength of will to survive long enough for the Trolls to intervene with a possible curative.
“Going Back” - Also a tale from the dark times before Cutter makes the call to go all wrapstuffy. Kahvi and Tyldak decide to travel to the Sunfolk enclave and lay claim to the shard of the Palace that remains in their keep. Assembling a small attack group, they attempt to extract the shard peacefully at first, but are rebuffed. This causes them to regroup and try to liberate the shard through brute force. They come close, but…….
“Little Patch” - Perhaps one of the more heartbreaking, yet uplifting tales in the entire Elfquest canon. The Wolfriders save a human infant who has been tied to a tree and left in the wilds to die. Tyleet soon adopts the human baby as her own, and brings him up to be a fine Wolfrider. But the lad yearns for what he cannot have with the Elves, and tries to integrate himself back into human society, with mixed results at first. Just remember that the Elves are nigh immortal by comparison to human lifespans…….
“Right of Passage” - A story set post-Reunification, in that time after the two groups of Elves have “caught up” to each other in time. Cutter’s daughter Ember has big ideas and a rebellious streak a mile wide. Now teenaged by Elven standards, she attempts to accompany a revitalized Rayek on a journey back to the Sun Folk. But Papa Cutter has other ideas. Trouble ensues. As a father to a daughter, I must say that this story hit me in the feels.
“Starfall, Starrise” - A tale set in the pre-Cutter days when Bearclaw was still Chief of the Wolfriders. The focus here is on Skywise, as this is basically his “origin story.” Intrigue with the humans leads to tragedy all around, and we get to see a bit of why Skywise is the person he is in later years. A solid story that fills in a few of the narrative gaps in the early portions of the original Quest.
And that’s it…...maybe. One of these days I may try and get around to reading some of the later story arcs, as well as the remainder of the “Hidden Years” series. The entire Elfquest saga prior to 2014 can now be found online here:
http://elfquest.com/read/digitalEQ.html
So it’s there for the taking if I so choose. But I may have had my fill now of the Elfquest universe, at least for a while. Other muses are calling my name, and there is so much to read and so little time. But I have had a ton of fun discovering this groundbreaking series this late in my personal game. That crazy little magazine that I saw people quite literally devour back in the day now has its rightful place in the pantheon of Great Comic Books. Elfquest redefined what it meant to be an independent comic back in the day. Wendy and Richard Pini quite literally revolutionized how the comic book industry operated. Chances are that you would not now be so inundated with great and exciting titles and classic characters across genres had it not been for the Pinis and their modest little tales about pointy-eared Elves. They changed the parameters for graphic storytelling forever, and for that we owe them a huge debt of thanks.
Carry on Cutter…..carry on Wolfriders…..carry on Winnowill….and Rayek….and Kahvi…….there are still those who have yet to hear your tale…..carry on and tell it anew to each generation.
February 16, 2024
The series ElfQuest by Wendy & Richard Pini is what first brought me into the comics/graphic novels world years ago. I was introduced to the series by my high school boyfriend (now my husband ♥) and I was enthralled. The Wolfrider saga was complex with a multi-generational elf tribe and long-running storylines. The art is outstanding with such beauty and detail, and I bought the books for years. Trying to summarize the epic adventures is hard, but the story Little Patch I am highlighting took place during the hidden years when the tribe was divided and many years have passed. Tyleet, a young elf, is sharing what happened to her during the other’s absence.
When this issue came out Tyleet was a relatively new character who was the child of original tribe members Redlance and Nightfall, and with this story, she became my favorite, due to her sweetness and quiet determination. Tyleet discovers a newborn human abandoned in the forest and tries to secretly return the child to its home village. When the child is again brought to the forest to die, she decides to adopt the child and raise him in the elfin tribe. While several members are against her doing so, Tyleet perseveres and raises the boy to his teen years, with everyone pitching in to teach him forest skills. Eventually, though he reaches adolescence and craves to be with his own kind. Tyleet reluctantly says goodbye to her adopted son, knowing if he leaves the elves, he will not be welcome back for everyone’s safety.
Tyleet finally discovers why he had been rejected by his birth parents, for the birthmark around his eye was deemed a bad omen, and she realizes her loving nickname for him is what had originally been the reason he had been cast out. Now it is Little Patch’s turn at perseverance and he out-hunts and out-provides all the men in the tribe, resulting in him being taken back into their fold. Years go by, and Tyleet secretly watches him, as he marries and becomes a respected leader. He never reveals the whereabouts of the elves, but when he reaches old age, dementia loosens his tongue and he speaks of his childhood with the elves. Luckily he is not believed, and in one last burst of strength, he comes back to the forest to find his mother Tyleet. As elves take hundreds if not thousands of years to age, Tyleet looks exactly the same to him as when he was an infant. Mother and son share one last sweet moment before he dies in her arms.
No matter how many times I read this story, I am struck to the core and cry. Tyleet’s parting words, “One brave and helpful life…two worlds the better for it. He did well, my cub. He did very well” shows a deep love that does not require blood ties. In fact, there must be something in my eye as I type right now because tears are splashing on the keyboard. While the long tales are beyond good in this series, it is this one-shot story that forever defines ElfQuest in my mind.
My review (on just "Little Patch") can be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/05/2...
When this issue came out Tyleet was a relatively new character who was the child of original tribe members Redlance and Nightfall, and with this story, she became my favorite, due to her sweetness and quiet determination. Tyleet discovers a newborn human abandoned in the forest and tries to secretly return the child to its home village. When the child is again brought to the forest to die, she decides to adopt the child and raise him in the elfin tribe. While several members are against her doing so, Tyleet perseveres and raises the boy to his teen years, with everyone pitching in to teach him forest skills. Eventually, though he reaches adolescence and craves to be with his own kind. Tyleet reluctantly says goodbye to her adopted son, knowing if he leaves the elves, he will not be welcome back for everyone’s safety.
Tyleet finally discovers why he had been rejected by his birth parents, for the birthmark around his eye was deemed a bad omen, and she realizes her loving nickname for him is what had originally been the reason he had been cast out. Now it is Little Patch’s turn at perseverance and he out-hunts and out-provides all the men in the tribe, resulting in him being taken back into their fold. Years go by, and Tyleet secretly watches him, as he marries and becomes a respected leader. He never reveals the whereabouts of the elves, but when he reaches old age, dementia loosens his tongue and he speaks of his childhood with the elves. Luckily he is not believed, and in one last burst of strength, he comes back to the forest to find his mother Tyleet. As elves take hundreds if not thousands of years to age, Tyleet looks exactly the same to him as when he was an infant. Mother and son share one last sweet moment before he dies in her arms.
No matter how many times I read this story, I am struck to the core and cry. Tyleet’s parting words, “One brave and helpful life…two worlds the better for it. He did well, my cub. He did very well” shows a deep love that does not require blood ties. In fact, there must be something in my eye as I type right now because tears are splashing on the keyboard. While the long tales are beyond good in this series, it is this one-shot story that forever defines ElfQuest in my mind.
My review (on just "Little Patch") can be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/05/2...
October 26, 2014
This is a collection of issues 1-5 of Hidden Years, and they're mostly one-shots, little vignettes from various points in the Elfquest continuity. The art is absolutely, jaw-droppingly stunning--Wendy Pini is at her best in terms of the grace, motion, and expressiveness of the characters, and instead of the usual heavy inking (many of the early comics were meant for black and white, with color added only in later printings), the inks here are minimal, with gorgeous color adding light and life to every panel.
As for the stories, some are stronger than others, but there are some real winners here. The opening vignette with Strongbow is almost entirely without captions or word balloons, as befits the silent character. There are also two amazing coming-of-age stories, one of a human raised by the elves and one of Ember challenging her father's authority for the first time, and both are incredibly compelling.
My only real quibble is that no later issues were included--while the series drops in quality later as Wendy and Richard move on to other projects, I really wanted the fight between Cutter and Rayek in issue 9.5 to be part of this collection, as it's really phenomenal storytelling. Thankfully, the entire corpus of Elfquest is available online now, so that issue isn't lost to the ages.
As for the stories, some are stronger than others, but there are some real winners here. The opening vignette with Strongbow is almost entirely without captions or word balloons, as befits the silent character. There are also two amazing coming-of-age stories, one of a human raised by the elves and one of Ember challenging her father's authority for the first time, and both are incredibly compelling.
My only real quibble is that no later issues were included--while the series drops in quality later as Wendy and Richard move on to other projects, I really wanted the fight between Cutter and Rayek in issue 9.5 to be part of this collection, as it's really phenomenal storytelling. Thankfully, the entire corpus of Elfquest is available online now, so that issue isn't lost to the ages.
May 3, 2021
A collection of stories from The Hidden Years of Elfquest, all drawn and made by the Pini-couple.
I like this book quite a lot. I love the colors and the art, and how each story is about some form of love, and how they might both hurt and heal.
I always get teary-eyed at the first and last story - even if the last one technically happened before the main series - and frustrated and relieved by some of the others.
I had rated this book at a 4/5 stars back when I added it to Goodreads in 2014, but not I changed that rating up to 5/5 stars. It's a very good collection of stories in many ways, after all, and I don't have anything negative to say about it, and it makes me feel things. Which, when all is said and done, is the thing that stands between a 4 or 5 star rating for me.
I like this book quite a lot. I love the colors and the art, and how each story is about some form of love, and how they might both hurt and heal.
I always get teary-eyed at the first and last story - even if the last one technically happened before the main series - and frustrated and relieved by some of the others.
I had rated this book at a 4/5 stars back when I added it to Goodreads in 2014, but not I changed that rating up to 5/5 stars. It's a very good collection of stories in many ways, after all, and I don't have anything negative to say about it, and it makes me feel things. Which, when all is said and done, is the thing that stands between a 4 or 5 star rating for me.
August 27, 2019
This was sad and sweet and nice, and good tidbits from the stories (which I've mainly read in Norwegian). What happened between the event following Kahvi and the one following Ember though? Which volume is it I need to pick up?
Wonderful! drawings and story as usual however. I particularly enjoyed Patch.
Wonderful! drawings and story as usual however. I particularly enjoyed Patch.
December 27, 2012
All time one of my top favorites in the EQ series. Several short stories that are vital for the overall storyline. Many of the stories compiled in this book are sad and heart wrenching, but beautifully told and illustrated like only the Pini's could do. A MUST Read!
December 21, 2022
Woah... So much to process really... I grew up with Elfquest but I never read anything past Kings of the broken wheel, and then I jumped into the Final quest. I feel I've missed a lot of stuff. Some of the stories I LOVED. The first one with Strongbow in particular, as well as anything involving Tyleet, Scouter and Cutter and Skywises' dynamics. The art was lacking to me in comparison to the other Elfquest I've read. Strangely it was much better in black and white? Well, among the flowers and the thorns, the dreamberries and the strangleweed, the thing that keeps Elfquest close to my heart is the characters and the fact that I relate to different characters each time. Lately it's been a combination of Ember and Strongbow...
January 9, 2024
ElfQuest is a beautiful exploration of people and culture in a fantasy world that started back in the 1970's and still runs to this day. On this world humans are still very much in their barbaric cavemen days while elves are the fierce hunters but also fun loving children of the forest who just want to be left alone. We meet Cutter and his clan of Wolf Riders just as they're escaping a deadly clash with the humans of their area that results in them burning down the whole forest and its through these elves' eyes that we get to explore this lush world and storytelling.
Back when I was introduced to this world in middle school by my cousin, I was immediately taken with the stunning artwork and the way these characters were portrayed. The Wolf Riders and the other elves in the story are very obviously part of the same race, but show a wide variety in every aspect of their design depending on where in the world they settled (much like actual humans in our world). From the beginning we have a large handful of characters to keep track of, elf, troll and human alike, and yet it never felt like a struggle to keep track of them because of their design and how their names just fit them so well...
Read my review on the full series at Well, Are They? A Queer Review blog
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2022...
Back when I was introduced to this world in middle school by my cousin, I was immediately taken with the stunning artwork and the way these characters were portrayed. The Wolf Riders and the other elves in the story are very obviously part of the same race, but show a wide variety in every aspect of their design depending on where in the world they settled (much like actual humans in our world). From the beginning we have a large handful of characters to keep track of, elf, troll and human alike, and yet it never felt like a struggle to keep track of them because of their design and how their names just fit them so well...
Read my review on the full series at Well, Are They? A Queer Review blog
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2022...
January 26, 2024
And in the grand re-read of Elfquest, I've finally reached something I don't have nearly memorized. And I don't like it as much.
Wolfwood - Strongbow and his wolf get hurt and sick and need to be healed. Art is muddy. Story is mostly worldless. And I just didn't like it much - though the last two panels were great.
Going Back - Tyldak and Kahvi pick up some Go-Backs and raid the Sun Village to steal the mini palace. This had some good bits in it. But also has some less good bits. It is always nice to see Kahvi and Tyldak is pretty good in this one.
Little Patch - Tyleet adopts a human. This got better as I re-read it and looked at it longer. Mostly because it is truly a Hidden Years story. And we get to see the Wolfriders teaching who they are.
Right of Passage - Ember is a brat, and I don't like bratty stories about bratty characters. But it is again nice to visit with characters we haven't seen in awhile. And this is truly not a hidden years story.
Starfall, Starrise - Skywise gets born. And then we get to see a brief moment where Skywise is young but Cutter is younger.
The book does work, I just remember it being better. 3.5
Wolfwood - Strongbow and his wolf get hurt and sick and need to be healed. Art is muddy. Story is mostly worldless. And I just didn't like it much - though the last two panels were great.
Going Back - Tyldak and Kahvi pick up some Go-Backs and raid the Sun Village to steal the mini palace. This had some good bits in it. But also has some less good bits. It is always nice to see Kahvi and Tyldak is pretty good in this one.
Little Patch - Tyleet adopts a human. This got better as I re-read it and looked at it longer. Mostly because it is truly a Hidden Years story. And we get to see the Wolfriders teaching who they are.
Right of Passage - Ember is a brat, and I don't like bratty stories about bratty characters. But it is again nice to visit with characters we haven't seen in awhile. And this is truly not a hidden years story.
Starfall, Starrise - Skywise gets born. And then we get to see a brief moment where Skywise is young but Cutter is younger.
The book does work, I just remember it being better. 3.5
January 25, 2024
Some single-issue Elfquest stories. It's been awhile since we've seen any of those. The series is called The Hidden Years and the first few stories are set with the Wolfriders in the time after the palace has disappeared. But then we get a story set after and a story set before. So, not so much only the hidden years.
First, Strongbow's wolf gets chased out of the pack, but Strongbow refuses to give up on him. Then Kahvi and Tyldak mount an offensive on the Sun Village to get at their piece of the palace. Then Tyleet adopts a human child abandoned by his tribe because of a birthmark. Then the story set after the reunion; Ember is growing up and starting to assert herself. And finally, in the time of Bearclaw, we get the story of Skywise's birth and why he doesn't like humans.
For some reason my usually black-and-white edition has these stories in color. Maybe because it was painted? Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, at least for me.
First, Strongbow's wolf gets chased out of the pack, but Strongbow refuses to give up on him. Then Kahvi and Tyldak mount an offensive on the Sun Village to get at their piece of the palace. Then Tyleet adopts a human child abandoned by his tribe because of a birthmark. Then the story set after the reunion; Ember is growing up and starting to assert herself. And finally, in the time of Bearclaw, we get the story of Skywise's birth and why he doesn't like humans.
For some reason my usually black-and-white edition has these stories in color. Maybe because it was painted? Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, at least for me.
March 21, 2021
Three tales of the years between Rayek's palace-napping and the great sleep - of Strongbow and his wolf after a failed challenge exiles the wolf; of Kahvi returning to the Go-Backs, who have gone back to wilder lives, and her (terrible)goal to raise them up; and of Tyleet's human son, Little Patch. Also is a tale of Ember's growing pains as Cutter refuses to let her palace-travel to Sorrow's End, and the sad tale of Skywise's parents. As usual the art is amazing, and the stories very moving.
May 15, 2025
I own the individual issues, but for the Great ElffQuest Read of 2025, I'm actually reading them on my tablet, on ElfQuest com (almost every EQ comic is available on there to read for free!).
These five stories, done by the Pinis, are great. I love the one about Tyleet and Little Patch, and the story of Skywise's birth is gorgeously done, even if it is super sad.
These five stories, done by the Pinis, are great. I love the one about Tyleet and Little Patch, and the story of Skywise's birth is gorgeously done, even if it is super sad.
February 22, 2020
These stories are expansions on characters that I've known and loved for years. One of the challenges in any storytelling, but especially comics, is to have those characters grow and expand in complexity. Cutter, Leetah, Rayek, all of the Wolfriders do.
April 9, 2020
I read these stories online. This is a collection of issues 1-5 of Hidden Years.
June 11, 2015
Hello readers!
I couldn't finish such an undertaking as 'The Hidden Years' without pointing out this is no Trade Paperback, with 4 or 6 standard issues grouped together... this is the entire Hidden Years storyline comprised of 29 issues.
When I set out to read all of ElfQuest, I had no understanding of how the story would work. I knew there was some time-travel stuff, as well as the Tribe being split up. I was actually pretty worried that it would be disjointed, and incohesive. Thankfully, I couldn't be happier to have been wrong! The Quest is still the quest, with the Hidden Years, Shards, etc. designations just being given to group basic chunks of the Quest together. Although, I wish that it did follow a linear numerical path... i.e. The Hidden Years 001 would really be called ElfQuest 040 or Shards 001 would actually be called ElfQuest 070. All in all, I am happy there is such a body of work, as I read the original quest when I was a child, and only now have rediscovered ElfQuest some 30 years later.
While the art-style has changed dramatically(for the worse) it is still the familiar characters I used to daydream about, and I'm gleefully absorbing 10 times the story as well as collecting the tail-end of the series in actual 1st Prints.
Thank you, Wendy and Richard, for such an enamoring story!
I couldn't finish such an undertaking as 'The Hidden Years' without pointing out this is no Trade Paperback, with 4 or 6 standard issues grouped together... this is the entire Hidden Years storyline comprised of 29 issues.
When I set out to read all of ElfQuest, I had no understanding of how the story would work. I knew there was some time-travel stuff, as well as the Tribe being split up. I was actually pretty worried that it would be disjointed, and incohesive. Thankfully, I couldn't be happier to have been wrong! The Quest is still the quest, with the Hidden Years, Shards, etc. designations just being given to group basic chunks of the Quest together. Although, I wish that it did follow a linear numerical path... i.e. The Hidden Years 001 would really be called ElfQuest 040 or Shards 001 would actually be called ElfQuest 070. All in all, I am happy there is such a body of work, as I read the original quest when I was a child, and only now have rediscovered ElfQuest some 30 years later.
While the art-style has changed dramatically(for the worse) it is still the familiar characters I used to daydream about, and I'm gleefully absorbing 10 times the story as well as collecting the tail-end of the series in actual 1st Prints.
Thank you, Wendy and Richard, for such an enamoring story!
October 23, 2008
OMG! This is the best collection of stories from one of the best graphic series ever drawn or written. One story stands out, "Little Patch", in which one of the immortal elves adopts an abandoned human child. Seeing this ever-young elfin woman watch her mortal son from from infant to child to adult to dying old man just pulls at your heart. You share her joy and pain through it all. Pini's art wonderfully tells the story in all its sweetness and pain.
October 3, 2012
I was a little reticent at first, because this set of comics weren't drawn by Wendy. However, I could see hints and bits here and there that made it worthwhile in the art. Besides, the story was awesome and I am still a bit mystified by Tier. It jumps to black and white towards the end but it's not a harsh change; rather it harkens back to the days when the Pinis first set out on the journey that became ElfQuest. This is an awesome continuation of that journey.
March 27, 2012
This was when Wendy came back to do the art in her comic and for me that is the first reasons I got into Elfquest was the art. This book is a collection of a few of the comics that fill in some gaps from BOOK 8 in the original series.
The first story in the book is about my favorite elf Strongbow
The first story in the book is about my favorite elf Strongbow
February 4, 2008
"
'Stop! Danger!'
Oh, my good cub! He freezes and falls silent as death." "He'll neither move nor speak 'til mother says all is safe." "They might be his own cubs, those who bind him, bless him and leave him there for the wolves." "I can't blame them."
May 15, 2009
Getting a peek into some of the "untold" stories in the Elfquest saga is a treat. As a HUGE fan of Nightfall and Redlance, reading the story of their daughter's motherhood is a treat. Wendy Pini is one of the most talented artists around!
April 6, 2008
By far the most beautifully colored of Wendy's books. Also contains some of the best short stories.
April 29, 2018
collects books 1-5 of the Hidden Years series.
Tyleet's awesome! I named a dog I had after her. Healer's gift was so apropos
Tyleet's awesome! I named a dog I had after her. Healer's gift was so apropos
January 5, 2010
This collection is one of the finest in the series, and might be my gold standard for great art in comics.
December 22, 2011
Quite simply, one of the most beautiful graphic novels you will ever see. Truly inspiring. I first read these back in the 90s and to this day they remain a favorite.
February 11, 2011
I don't remember liking this one as much as the rest of the set. I guess maybe it was because I was looking forward to more books, and this just didn't hit my expectations.
May 24, 2014
This was a nostalgic read. These were the comic books we had in my house when I was a kid. I'm not much for graphic novels, but I did manage to remain interested enough in this one to finish.
January 21, 2016
Ah... so many good nuggets. The story of Little Patch...
February 14, 2016
Fantastic blend of fantasy and comics. Incredible characters and story line. Highly recommended
November 26, 2016
Part of my great ElfQuest reread. So far I think this is the weakest of the bunch, you could really see the growing pains with new artists and authors struggling to find their footing.
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