I have to admit, as I turned to the first page of this comic book, the prospect of delving into Wendy and Richard Pini's long-standing world of magic and adventure was a daunting one. Not only is the genre one that rarely appeals to me, but the property has just so much history behind that I thought it would be impossible to make any sense of what's going on. I have to give the Pinis and their editor credit, though -- there's a strong emphasis on accessibility for new readers. Still, the sheer size of the cast and loftiness of the plotlines still makes for a dizzying read for Elfquest newbies such as myself. The focus on family and the charmingly sweet quality of the artwork are appealing, but ultimately, the immersion of those more grounded elements in magic and fantasy makes it difficult for me connect with the characters.
Cutter's tribe waits with bated breath for its saviour and its chief's son, Sunstream, to awaken from his magical hiberation in the fabled Palace of the High Ones. But while he sleeps, his soul flies free, travelling throughout the lands with his lover, despite the vast distance between them. Meanwhile, in the undersea home of Surge's one-time tribe of water elves, Skimback and Snakeskin seek to heal the fractured mind of the misshapen Broken One.
If one had to choose a single word to describe Wendy Pini's art, it should be "soft." There's a soothing quality to be found in her work throughout the issue. The softness and inviting quality of the art stems not only from the linework and designs, but from the warm glow of the color palette she employs. The character designs are nicely varied, and it's pretty easy to different among the expansive cast members. Oddly enough, Pini's style reminded me a little of that of Don (Megaton Man) Simpson's, but applied in completely different ways.
Two key interpersonal dynamics struck me as being prominent in this story. One is the evolving relationship between Cutter and Sunstream, as the father tries to learn to step back and stop protecting his son. The other relationship is the strained, tense one between Surge and Snakeskin, as the father envies that his son has replaced him while the son seems to resent being forced into such a situation. I like those familial explorations, but the circumstances are just so fantastic that it's difficult for that humanity to really shine through as fully as it needs to in order for the reader to relate.
I applaud the writers for striving to invite new readers into the world they've crafted over the course of so many years and books. I still felt like something of an outsider looking in, but not nearly to the extent I expected. Nevertheless, I do wish that it wasn't necessary to introduce so many characters so early on in the series. Longtime Elfquest fans will no doubt be delighted with this long-awaited continuation, though. 5/10
