It feels so long since the last issue of Elfquest has graced the shelves of comic book stores everywhere.  But don’t worry, Wendy and Richard Pini have heard our fandom cries and have soothed our need with issue 5. Last month left us hanging when Teir fell off a cliff and Ember was still in the clutches of the evil human, Djun. We almost thought the Wolfriders wouldn’t be able to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead. However, the spirits have heard Ember and are willing to help. Teir’s mother speaks to him as he drifts further below the surface. There seems to be a lot of baggage in that relationship, but some spiteful words actually help Teir swim to the surface. Then a pod of elves rescues Ember and the other elves. I know it probably sounds like a quick resolution but there’s some important dialogue within those scenes that fans will just eat up.

Though I enjoyed this conclusion with all its whimsy, it did seem a little silly to me. Why couldn’t they have called on the spirits from the very beginning? Maybe I’m missing something as to why this just happened now. Then the issue went on about having cubs and I wasn’t expecting that. I know the elves are very passionate creatures, it just felt like it jumped to baby talk real quick.  I don’t know how I feel about that. And while it was a resolution for the elves, Djun is not giving up so easily.  I suspect an invasion of humans. I’m worried that the next few issues will be a cycle of repeated event; however, Wendy and Richard seem to know what they’re doing, after all the series has been around for a few decades.

I never complain about the art. Elfquest has some of my favorite illustrations. Everything about it screams fantasy and wonder. So if anything, the illustrations could easily win me over alone.

Score: 4/5

Writers: Wendy and Richard Pini Artist: Wendy Pini Publisher:  Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 9/24/14 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital