Customer Reviews

Elfquest : Bedtime Stories

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The first time I looked at Bedtime Stories I was really upset. I love ElfQuest, and Bedtime Stories seemed like nothing more than a bunch of half standard artwork. But then I sat down and actually read it. And thought about it. And then I laughed so hard I thought my sides were going to split. This is not an example of the mature, highly involved stories we've come to expect from the world of two moons. This is what we have been telling our children for as long as fairy tales and Elves have existed. Why should Elf parents be any different? I found the artwork crude but the Elf twist on some very familiar stories amusing and interesting. After all, a good story *is* a good story, right?

I don't own this book, I read it at the library. Now, I wish I did own it! The art isn't the same quality as the Elfquest comics by Wendy Pini, but it was good and kind of "cute" looking. And the stories were hilarious - I burst out laughing in some parts! This Elfquest book is intended for children, but it can be enjoyed by anyone - especially Elfquest fans.

Apparently, the Pinis have decided that since their cult-like following will purchase *anything* with the EQ name on it, they may as well take the money and run, ignoring the fact that their once-pet project is being dragged through the mud. "Bedtime Stories" is possibly the worst example of the drop in quality which has been occuring since the mid-80's on the World of Two Moons. The art is, simply put, terrible -- sloppy, amateurish, and our well-loved characters are barely recognizable! The stories are all derivative and devoid of the slightest spark of imagination. The "humor" falls completely flat.

Even "completists" will be sorry they bothered. Thank goodness I only borrowed a copy from the library! The price would be highway robbery for a book this slight, even if it were much better done than it is. Time to break out the old comics again, and try to remember what I liked about "Elfquest" in the first place.

I am surprised and dissapointed by this book. The art in particular is very poorly done to someone used to Wendy Pini. Proportions and perspective change completely from frame to frame, and the expressions are rendered with no ability whatsoever. The storylines were simplistic and had little to do with the Elfquest series (which I have very much enjoyed) The characters were simply not the same as those in other stories-they were simply grafted onto stories written without the Elfquest motif in mind. That would not be so bad, but the artwork was so terrible that I could barely finish. I am returning this book, and I would strongly discourage anyone from buying it.

Maybe it's just me and my own sense of humor, and seriousness, but I wasn't amused by these stories at all. Bursting out with laughter? No. And the artwork is awful. I'm a fan of the ElfQuest series all the way up to Kings of the Broken Wheel, and the change from beautiful, symmetrical elves to ugly, lopsided weak characters was shocking. There's a lot of fanart out there that's better than this! And the dialogue was flat and simple.

If you're a really diehard fan of EQ, stay away. If you like the series, but can accept the art, boring stories, and all, then go and read it. I hope the artists that drew this get better. I don't think I could take it if they started doing the main stories.

I thought the book was well written. I was written in the same style as other Elfquest books, which is a nice surprise. The pictures were very good throuhg out the book. I wish they would write more Elfquest books.