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Elfquest Gatherum: 001
As pictured. Revised Edition of 1981 original, January 1987. Volume One, 10th Anniversary Issue. Absolutely new; no sign of use or wear and spine unopened. Marred only by accidental fold at corners of pp 133-138. Paperback. For the collector. Sold by Friends of the Fullerton Library. 16
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 27, 2018
One of my main reading goals for 2018 was to complete the first eight volumes of the Elfquest saga, compiling the first three main story arcs of the series. I did in fact complete that goal, and if you’re REALLY interested in what I have to say about the experience you can go and check out my reviews for each graphic novel. If you wish….or not. I can get wordy sometimes.
THE USUAL QUICK DISCLAIMER: If you’re reading the “Gatherum,” then I have to assume that you are a true fan and don’t need any exposition. If this is where you are starting on your Elfquest journey, well then good luck to you, you febrile and over-confident newbie.
I was very fortunate to have access to the original printings of said graphic novels, along with a couple of interesting artifacts of peripheral material, those being the first two Elfquest “Gatherums,” also in all of their first edition glory. The first “Gatherum” was published back in 1981, when the first Quest was only a few years old. In point of fact, the first “Gatherum” covers the timeline only to issue nine of the original black & white series. There were still eleven issues to go in the first tun, although even that fact was a bit in flux at the time of the “Gatherum” release.
Wendy and Richard Pini were busy beyond belief in 1981. They were still deep in the details of publishing the quarterly newsstand editions of Elfquest, they had the first of the full-color graphic novel about to be released, and at the time they were also in the negotiation and initial planning stages of what was to be the first animated release of Elfquest to movie theaters. THAT project would never pan out, but in 1981 it seemed like a very real possibility. So the Pinis themselves were sorely strapped for time, and adding the “Gatherum” to the mix stretched them even further, although they didn’t really have to contribute any new material to the project other than a long and very informative interview.
The “Gatherum” itself reads pretty much just like what it is: an extended graphic fanzine to appease the masses of fans who had flicked to the independent and wildly popular publication. There is a ton of sketch work by Wendy Pini, and a lot of it is full of developmental insight into the characters and the world of the Two Moons. There are also several articles written by fans of the series, and the long interview with Wendy and Richard themselves, which gives the general reader a TON of backstory and exposition to the Elfquest experience. I picked up many delicious nuggets of Elven trivia along the way.
For example, the Pinis never put a whole lot of thought into the basics of how magic works for the Elves. Their take on it is that magic is simply a natural elemental force that the Elves can tap into when necessary. It’s true magic in the simplest terms, although it is in question as to whether or not this ability has any basis in “science” on a planet where even the concept of electricity is in flux. There is also quite a bit of insight into the world of the Elves in terms of how they view sexuality and pair-bonding. And the evolution of the human characters from rote brutes to nuanced individuals is also discussed. The philosophical world of the Two Moons is certainly not one based on elementary Manichaeism, although it might have seemed that way in the first few issues.
J. J. Pierce contributed a great article on the idea that Elfquest is epic fantasy with a science-fiction worldview. This viewpoint would become of greater importance as the second and third quests would reveal, but at this stage in the game it was a deft and original conclusion to come to. (Spoiler alert: Elfquest really IS science-fiction cleverly disguised as epic fantasy, but don’t tell that to the average fan or you might get the stink eye back. This blurring of the lines between fantasy and SF would end up being one of the ultimate keys to the enduring success of the series as a whole.)
At 146 pages, the “Gatherum” is a fun and mostly non-essential snapshot of where everyone’s heads were at during the Great Elfquest Expansion of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. By this time the original black & white newsprint issues had taken the comics world by storm. The proof of concept was unmistakable. It really WAS possible for a self-published, independent comic to become wildly successful, and imitators and competitors were already beginning to flood the racks in comic shops. Elfquest was even getting foreign distribution deals back in ‘81, as the humorous section on the Danish translation of the comic bears out. All in all, though, the “Gatherum” seems to be strictly for the most hardcore of fans. That said, I have always been THAT geek that sets out to find the most obscure facts about something that intrigues me. That knowledge base makes for great one-upmanship at parties and marks me forever as the sometimes boorish nerd that I can be at times. If you are a completist , then you should definitely have this on your shelf. The interview with Wendy and Richard alone makes it worth your while, and the peripheral material is pure golden gravy on top.
“Fan” is short for “fanatic, by the way. Just thought I’d point that out.
The second Elfquest “Gatherum” was released somewhere around 1988 or thereabouts. I own that volume, too, so I’ll eventually get around to reviewing it. In the meantime, I will make some more Dreamberry wine and settle back to enjoy the New Years celebrations. Shade and sweet water to you and yours.
THE USUAL QUICK DISCLAIMER: If you’re reading the “Gatherum,” then I have to assume that you are a true fan and don’t need any exposition. If this is where you are starting on your Elfquest journey, well then good luck to you, you febrile and over-confident newbie.
I was very fortunate to have access to the original printings of said graphic novels, along with a couple of interesting artifacts of peripheral material, those being the first two Elfquest “Gatherums,” also in all of their first edition glory. The first “Gatherum” was published back in 1981, when the first Quest was only a few years old. In point of fact, the first “Gatherum” covers the timeline only to issue nine of the original black & white series. There were still eleven issues to go in the first tun, although even that fact was a bit in flux at the time of the “Gatherum” release.
Wendy and Richard Pini were busy beyond belief in 1981. They were still deep in the details of publishing the quarterly newsstand editions of Elfquest, they had the first of the full-color graphic novel about to be released, and at the time they were also in the negotiation and initial planning stages of what was to be the first animated release of Elfquest to movie theaters. THAT project would never pan out, but in 1981 it seemed like a very real possibility. So the Pinis themselves were sorely strapped for time, and adding the “Gatherum” to the mix stretched them even further, although they didn’t really have to contribute any new material to the project other than a long and very informative interview.
The “Gatherum” itself reads pretty much just like what it is: an extended graphic fanzine to appease the masses of fans who had flicked to the independent and wildly popular publication. There is a ton of sketch work by Wendy Pini, and a lot of it is full of developmental insight into the characters and the world of the Two Moons. There are also several articles written by fans of the series, and the long interview with Wendy and Richard themselves, which gives the general reader a TON of backstory and exposition to the Elfquest experience. I picked up many delicious nuggets of Elven trivia along the way.
For example, the Pinis never put a whole lot of thought into the basics of how magic works for the Elves. Their take on it is that magic is simply a natural elemental force that the Elves can tap into when necessary. It’s true magic in the simplest terms, although it is in question as to whether or not this ability has any basis in “science” on a planet where even the concept of electricity is in flux. There is also quite a bit of insight into the world of the Elves in terms of how they view sexuality and pair-bonding. And the evolution of the human characters from rote brutes to nuanced individuals is also discussed. The philosophical world of the Two Moons is certainly not one based on elementary Manichaeism, although it might have seemed that way in the first few issues.
J. J. Pierce contributed a great article on the idea that Elfquest is epic fantasy with a science-fiction worldview. This viewpoint would become of greater importance as the second and third quests would reveal, but at this stage in the game it was a deft and original conclusion to come to. (Spoiler alert: Elfquest really IS science-fiction cleverly disguised as epic fantasy, but don’t tell that to the average fan or you might get the stink eye back. This blurring of the lines between fantasy and SF would end up being one of the ultimate keys to the enduring success of the series as a whole.)
At 146 pages, the “Gatherum” is a fun and mostly non-essential snapshot of where everyone’s heads were at during the Great Elfquest Expansion of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. By this time the original black & white newsprint issues had taken the comics world by storm. The proof of concept was unmistakable. It really WAS possible for a self-published, independent comic to become wildly successful, and imitators and competitors were already beginning to flood the racks in comic shops. Elfquest was even getting foreign distribution deals back in ‘81, as the humorous section on the Danish translation of the comic bears out. All in all, though, the “Gatherum” seems to be strictly for the most hardcore of fans. That said, I have always been THAT geek that sets out to find the most obscure facts about something that intrigues me. That knowledge base makes for great one-upmanship at parties and marks me forever as the sometimes boorish nerd that I can be at times. If you are a completist , then you should definitely have this on your shelf. The interview with Wendy and Richard alone makes it worth your while, and the peripheral material is pure golden gravy on top.
“Fan” is short for “fanatic, by the way. Just thought I’d point that out.
The second Elfquest “Gatherum” was released somewhere around 1988 or thereabouts. I own that volume, too, so I’ll eventually get around to reviewing it. In the meantime, I will make some more Dreamberry wine and settle back to enjoy the New Years celebrations. Shade and sweet water to you and yours.
January 6, 2021
I was a big fan of the Elfquest comic which I probably first came across in the early 1980s. I even joined the Fan Club! This collection of interviews, articles and sketches was published in late 1981 so I probably bought my copy the following year and I would certainly have read it when I got it though I did not record when I first read it.
As the libraries are shut I have been looking for things to read so decided to pick this off my shelf. Still a fascinating read all these years on. I am now going to read Elfquest Book 1.
As the libraries are shut I have been looking for things to read so decided to pick this off my shelf. Still a fascinating read all these years on. I am now going to read Elfquest Book 1.
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September 2, 2017(found read date in diary)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews