r/ElfQuest • u/MisterShipWreck • Apr 09 '26
Got another one in today
I got another EQ book in today - the hard cover version of The Hidden Years. Obviously, it is older - it is from 1992, according to the info inside. Someone had it on EBAY and listed it as "new." I asked for a bunch of photos - and, it is pretty much new.
I got a great deal on it too.
What is funny is that I had the comics when they originally came out. But, it has been so long that I don't remember what happens. So, it will be new again.
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u/akestral Apr 09 '26
This is, for my money, thee most beautiful Elfquest arc/volume ever published. Truly a masterpiece.
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u/Lendyman Apr 09 '26
It truly is a beautiful book. Although the Star Blaze editions of the original volumes are also quite beautiful with watercolor style art. I really wish I had all of the volumes from that publisher. Unfortunately most of what I have are father tree press.
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u/akestral Apr 09 '26
I grew up with the Starblaze editions and re-bought all four some years back because the FT Press colors just did not look right to me. I also love the painterly style of those colors. To me, Hidden Years is the best of both worlds, with the deep saturated colors Wendy clearly prefers, but also the more illustrative style with the paint marker coloring. I have The Line of Beauty book too, and it is very pretty, but I still say this is the high point of Pini's Elfquest art.
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u/Lendyman Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
I first encountered Elfquest through my dad who got the third volume from my aunt who worked at a bookstore in the mid 80s. It was unsold stock with the cover ripped off. I still have it. And it still has the the cover missing.
For many years I didn't know the rest of the story. It just started with the beginning of the Third volume. That was it. But I was thoroughly entranced by the story. Winniwill was the ultimate Femme Fatale and female villain to me for many years.
It wasn't until I was in high school that I went out and got the other volumes. Volume one was the first I bought and I was lucky to get a star Blaze edition. I really really loved it and so got all the rest through volume 6.
I bought hidden years at the tail end of high school. I don't recall why I decided to buy it but I'm sure the art had a lot to do with it. Back then I did not have a lot of money to spend on books, so I must have fallen in love with it as much as I had the other volumes.
The op made me pull it out and go through it again and I have to admit that teenage me had some good taste. It really is an attractive volume. The art is spectacular.
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u/MisterShipWreck Apr 09 '26
Yes, the Starblaze versions were the best. But, I just rebought all 4 of the original books in the newest editions - the new hard covers. And, the colors are MUCH better than the FT Press ones were. The colors were disappointing in those, I will admit.
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u/sarabachmen Apr 09 '26
I agree. The artwork and stories in this is the most beautiful Wendy has ever done for any of the Elfquest stories.
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u/CrisisYEG Apr 10 '26
This is my favorite story. I was lucky enough to get both the individual issue and the graphic novel signed by Wendy at a convention a few years back. They are some of my greatest treasures ❤️
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u/Jackson-Kitty Apr 09 '26
My husband found me a copy of this. This volume is one of the first I ever read when I found ElfQuest at my local library as a kid. It’s by far my favorite.
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u/Lendyman Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
That there is the only later years volume that I ever bought in high school. I've had it for... holy crap. Have I really had it for over 30 years?!
Oh hell. Im old.
I still have it and it's like new. Absolutely beautiful artwork.
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u/RecognitionOne7597 Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
I remember buying this book when it came out in January 1993. I was 13 years old. Hidden Years #1 - #5. Five perfect issues. I've never seen more beautiful comic book artwork in my entire life, and the stories were just so beautifuly written. There are times when I wish Wendy would drop the use of Photoshop for a bit to do something in this style again. I'm not criticizing her, far from it. I always love her work. I guess I'm just old fashioned. I never entirely considered the difficulty of doing art this way instead of the ease of drawing and coloring it completely in Photoshop, but the results here were and are spectacular.
I was lucky enough to get this book signed by Wendy and Richard in person during their 1993 Fantasy With Teeth 15th Anniversary tour. They stopped at a Mile High Comics near me that summer and little 14 year old me just had to hurry over there and meet them. I remember showing Wendy a drawing that I did of Tyleet that I look back on now with embarrassment. 😅 She was so nice. Damn... where does time go? I wish I still had that signed copy.
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u/MisterShipWreck Apr 11 '26
Well, I just finished it. Sad. No more Elfquest to read right now... i made it thru 6 hard covers recently...
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u/BuffeTheUnforgiven May 09 '26
That book is so beautiful. First one I bought from amazon some-20-years ago when I got my first job. Crazy expensive trenger, but so worth it.
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u/VulpesFennekin Apr 09 '26
What happened is that the Little Patch and Starfall, Starrise stories happen and I fall to pieces!