1978 was also the year that Richard and Wendy Pini's fantasy classic Elfquest began. Elfquest
has one of the most interesting publication histories in comics,
demonstrating how creative control can lead to huge success. First
published in the underground comic Fantasy Quarterly in 1978,
the Pini's were so disappointed in the reproduction of this first issue
that they formed their own company — WaRP Graphics (WaRP indicating Wendy and Richard Pini) — and began self-publishing with issue #2. (The Fantasy Quarterly material was later reprinted as Elfquest
#1, in the same WaRP Graphics format.) What was interesting about the
series, at the time, was that it was close-ended — it concluded with
#20. A #21 was also published containing fan letters and
behind-the-scenes material.
Eventually, the series was collected into handsome full-color
collections, originally by Donning/Starblaze and later by WaRP Graphics
themselves. There were also many follow-up miniseries and series — some
by the Pinis, others by artists and writers under their supervision.
The original saga has been in print now for over three decades and has
the unique distinction of being republished by both Marvel Comics
(under its Epic imprint) and DC Comics (as a part of their hardcover
Archives series). At the time of its original publication, Elfquest was the unofficial entry-level book for male fans to present to their girlfriends to interest them in comics. Elfquest's artist and primary creator Wendy Pini also became notable as a leading female creator in a male-dominated field.
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