Marvel rejected this couple, so they revolutionized the comic industry

How did two industry outsiders upend the comic industry?
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Start reading Elfquest FOR FREE! Right Now! Do It!
elfquest.com/reading-room/eq-...
THE COMPLETE ELFQUEST
These are the beautiful collections that Dark Horse has put out. They look great on a shelf and reprint the original black and white art. Everyone should own at least the first volume.
Complete Elfquest Vol 1 (The Full Original Quest) - amzn.to/3TaeVIm
Complete Elfquest Vol 2 (Series 2 and 3) - amzn.to/3PaAWpj
Complete Elfquest Vol 3 - amzn.to/3V722Sg
Complete Elfquest Vol 4 - amzn.to/48PMo0x
Complete Elfquest Vol 5 - amzn.to/4a44KvQ
Complete Elfquest Vol 6 - amzn.to/3v0XIsW
Complete Elfquest Vol 7 (The Final Quest) - amzn.to/3ItSLfi
Instead of Volume 7 though, I actually recommend you pick up the original trades for the Final Quest, as Sonny Strait’s colors really make Wendy’s art look like animation.
Final Quest Vol 1 - amzn.to/4a6wgZX
Final Quest Vol 2 - amzn.to/4al2ssH
Final Quest Vol 3 - amzn.to/4c8bwmq
Final Quest Vol 4 - amzn.to/3wQJvzg
Elfquest isn’t over! Wendy and Richard have continued the story in Stargazer’s Hunt:
amzn.to/3wGewG5
Everything before the final quest is available on elfquest.com/reading-room/
COMIC SHOP by Dan Georino - amzn.to/437kpbw
ART BOOKS
Line of Beauty: The Art of Wendy Pini - amzn.to/3IuJbch
The Art of Elfquest - amzn.to/3PaZX3K
Elfquest: The Art of the Story - amzn.to/48LfaiU
(As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Full Sources & Episode Notes: pastebin.com/c8Be01S6
Photo & Asset Credits
Phil Seuling Photo by Giles Desjardins en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Se...
Graphic Novels In Bookstore
www.flickr.com/photos/morebyl...
Box in Comic Shop Diagram
www.freepik.com/free-vector/s...

[@mattwith4ts]

I just want to add a non-contractually-obligated thank you to Shopify for being my first sponsor. I've had a lot of sponsors reach out, and I chose Shopify because I truly believe in what they offer to creative people and business owners alike. Please check them out! www.shopify.com/matttt

[@LuisSierra42]

I thought you had been doing this for years

[@diviningrod2671]

Well done .what about one on Malibu comics ( I believe that's the correct name ) Not necessarily a comic book consumer, but yoyr video is incredibly well done

[@guessundheit6494]

I wanted to watch a video about WaRP but can't. What sort of fed up pile child fondler edits video and audio like that? Are you not smart enough to read a script without screwing up?

[@MrChubakal]

matt when will u make a jim lee video

[@spiderjerusalem4009]

Please do Alan Moore on Miracleman next (the very 1st superhero deconstruction)

[@ElfQuest-Official]

Thank you for this in-depth and raw look at the history of ElfQuest, Matt. We're beyond delighted at how it turned out.

[@jasmines.3343]

And thank you for all for all of the magical moments over the years!

[@louloop9137]

Maybe you may need to have the animation done by a Japanese studio like your influence ALAKAZAM. Studio Ghibli, Toei or any small Japanese Anime Studio will do.... A sample would be French Music DJ Duo DAFT PUNK's INTERSTELLA 5555 done by Toei Animation 🙏

[@edricdayne3571]

Nothing but respect and love to the creators of Elf Quest. Loved the comics then and now. And it's amazing to learn that the girl who's physical beauty I so admired (as Red Sonja) was matched by an even more amazing inteligence, thoughtfulness and creativity. And hats of to Richard for his dedication , his talent, his belief and support over all those years. You guys (Wendy & Richard) are an amazing inspiration.

[@ayakuweb]

Thank you so much for ElfQuest! And congratulations on the announcement of ElfQuest's animated series!

[@jonathanberry1111]

Your guy's movie could still happen, just get AI on the job, it shouldn't be hard, need not cost much. Just look into generative AI, Sora etc...

[@SendFoodz]

any couple where one person feels like the other has all the talent "what can they possibly offer", look at these guys.. this girl could draw, write, discovered anime, invented cosplay, won hot girl contests.. but he taught himself how to do what she couldn't to make her dreams come true, cause he believed in her. wow

[@stellviahohenheim]

@@poppinc8145 Go touch grass, here we have such a beautiful story so why are you antagonizing people?

[@nerdyoldwoman9651]

Yup. A good marriage is a partnership where 2+2=5.

[@flavorwise3511]

Do you take everyone literally all the time? Life must be exhausting for you.

[@flavorwise3511]

I thought it was widely understood that trolls love the energy they get from other people's angst over matters that honestly nobody needs to be fighting over when there are bigger priorities in life. @@stellviahohenheim

[@Myhaay]

it's not 1970 bro, someone like wendy would most likely have thousands of courtships from social media or dating websites, poor richard here would probably be left fapping to onlyfans, stop looking at the past and connecting it to the present, it's been more than 50 years, shit doesn't work like that anymore, these guys got married in like 6 months, such were the times, can it happen? sure, will it happen as often as before? not in a million years.

[@percyvolnar8010]

Met Richard and Windy in the late 80's.. Words cannot describe how awesome they were. They were pure magic to me...

[@gravy9280]

I'm 50. I discovered ElfQuest on a spinning rack at my local supermarket in the farm town I grew up in. I was looking for the latests "ROM, SpaceKnight", but it wasn't out yet. Epic Comics (Marvel) was reprinting EQ in color at that time. It was issue #8, and I was captured by the cover. And you're right about the importance of letter columns... I'd never heard of Lord of the Rings until someone compared EQ to it in one of the letters columns. I was hooked. I had my grandmother take me to any comic shop I could find in the phonebook, collecting EVERY issue I could find, even managing to find the Fantasy Quarterly issue. The EQ family got me through a really dark period of family upheaval in my life. I was 11 when I found it... 39 years later, I'm happy to share the books with my 14 year old daughter.

[@PeanutButter21505]

This channel came out of nowhere and is suddenly making the absolute best comics content

[@NotSoThoughtful]

I am hearing this for the second time

[@beatsbeercigarettes]

Yeah this Matt with extra T’s fella is doing some great work.

[@steventutein6866]

Some of the best content, period! I honestly can't wait for an upload from this channel each month or so.

[@johnnydropkicks]

I couldn’t agree more.

[@herpdsohardIderpdxD]

I was thinking the same thing. Wild content!

[@rogueguardian]

There's a stan Lee quote that has stuck with me ever since I heard it. "If you have an idea that you genuinely think is good, Don't let some idiot talk you out of it."(I mentioned it in the Todd McFarlane video before) Wendy had an idea she wanted to share with the world and she refused to let the world tell her no.

[@JLeeeP]

I think Lee actually said, “If you find a good idea, immediately claim it’s yours.”

[@jesseowenvillamor6348]

​@@JLeeeP @rogueguardian is actually right with the quote.

[@MichaelSmith-sd9kz]

I always say, "Let your darlings live!" Why make art if not to see your visions realized?!

[@TheGrifhinx]

So Stan Lee was an idiot?

[@theothertonydutch]

Because a lot of people value art "made" (appropriated) by artificial intelligence at the same level as a skill that people have toiled over for decades.@@MichaelSmith-sd9kz

[@KayButtonJay]

Sometimes I feel jaded and negative about the world. Then I listen to something like this and find myself tearing up multiple times over and feeling better. Thank you

[@jasondudda490]

Elfquest #1 was the first comic book I bought with my own money. The Pini's hold a special place in my heart.

[@CorbieMitleid]

I have been part of Warp -- as staff, as writer, as friend -- since 1983, and even **I** didn't know a lot of this. Brilliantly done.

[@liwojenkins]

Thank you so much for your contribution to my childhood.

[@kittydaddy2023]

Maybe you should have spent more time around the watercooler

[@odepoikanen]

I wrote a fan letter to Pini's, to Warp Graphics, I think in late eighties. Can't remember what I wrote, simple fanboy stuff but never the less they sent me an autorgraphed Elfquest postcard from the other side of the world. Still one of my coolest possessions.

[@joezar33]

I remember enjoying the art as a child , skimming through those comics , I definitely should buy a Omnibus Book of Elf Quest . This woman was beyond ambitious.

[@TitularHeroine]

...I just realized Matttt mentioned Wendy was winning belly dancing contests -- and later that she had hip dysplasia. Wow. I now have more respect than I already did. Thanks to all involved for giving us this video! I have newfound gratitude for the Pinis as well, for leaving a bigger mark on comics as a whole than I was aware. This is a remarkable story.

[@SongsOfSavagery]

Glad to hear someone telling the tale of the Pini's. Such wonderful folks.

[@grasshopper1153]

I LOVED Elfquest growing up. I was obsessed with it when I was in 4th grade. I liked to draw a lot when I was a young boy, and I drew Elfquest characters all the time back then. My fourth grade teacher wanted me to draw something for him and I still remember him telling me "And don't draw any of those weird elves." Emotional damage lol. Yep, I bought my first Elfquest books from Comics-N-Comics in San Franciso. I think the store was on the corner of Irving back then. I can't remember the cross street.

[@Moodymongul]

2:47 - this first image, that she drew at two years of age, is facinating to study. You can see her mind has already moved from 2d, basic stick figures. And is already trying to grasp three dimensional perspective, in her drawings. You can see her mind working, in the lines, attempting to grasp it. Very informative picture ..and Genius level stuff :)

[@christianlazaro6868]

The goat of QUALITY comic book video essays

[@crashtv3732]

I met them at my local comics shop back in the day. They were kind and gracious people.

[@donblair3715]

I found my first copy of Elf Quest in 1983, I was 11 yrs old and a self-proclaimed Otaku living in the Bronx, NY. I was a strange child, to say the least, because I didn't follow the norm as they were at the time. I was ostracized by my peers and spent most of my time alone reading comics at a veracatist level. I had a neighbour who lived in the building my family lived in, who had an extensive collection of comics and shared them library format with me. 4 weeks into his collection, I found Elf Quest and found my people Wendy and Richard Pini. The artwork and stories gave me the understanding that I wasnt alone in the world I'd known and saw more for it. They gave a young boy of multicultural origins hope in a world changing from what he felt was the worst it had to offer for the better it could become. Thank you, Wendy and Richard, for having touched my heart and giving my mind a story that kept me alive as a child when the world around me made me feel as if I'd die. I will always treasure your stories ,art, and love and pass them on to others who need to hear of your incredible journey together and the gift you shared that is Elf Quest.

[@joelman1989]

“The reward of patience is patience” that last quote has left me floored. It’s a quote I know I will never forget.

[@acuityproductions4142]

Bro came out of the void and started making the BEST comic break-down videos

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

Seriously, he's been making some of the best content Ive seen on this platform in years.

[@oversipelio983]

I agree. Inspires me to get something done

[@jbird976]

My grandpa used to take me to yard sales every Saturday, which is nothing short of amazing to a eight or nine-year-old boy, but at one of these yard sales, I found these immense thick elfquest graphic novels. The first experience i had with comics. Elfquest was so unique. I loved it.

[@liwojenkins]

I saw the title and I knew it would be Wendy and Richard. Their Elfquest stories absolutely made my early teenage years. My family were wanderers and I was an outcast wherever I went. Being able to identify with the struggles and triumphs of the characters in these stories meant so much to me at that time I can hardly express it. I lost my comic book collection to an evil step mother and I am wandering around old comic shops now and then and finding old Elfquest books to rebuild. There is no other fandom I feel such a deep love for. Thank you for everything Wendy and Richard.

[@Saturndragonfly]

I knew it was the Pini's, too🙂.

[@persephoneszeliga]

So did I! My heart dropped. I really love Elfquest and it had a huge impact on me when I was young.

[@boboloko]

I discovered Elf Quest as a teen in the mid eighties. I was obsessed. Growing up in the Sonoran desert, I'll never forget when the Wolfriders showed up to my landscape.

[@HywelapDafydd]

The experience of Wendy and Richard is so beautiful ❤ Considering the story of the comic's industry is full of exploitation, erasure, betrayal, and broken projects, the fact they overcome all their obstacles to the success they is outstanding.

[@ashcasseragonzalez3701]

As a cartoonist who wants to make work that is personal and big and independant, this video brought me to tears by the end! Thank you for keeping comic history alive, not enough people do

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Honestly, I hope Elfquest and Bone get a series or a movie that they so lovingly deserve! They have such unique narratives completely on their own! They are nothing like the norm and in this age of staleness, we need Original Stories like these!!!

[@Chaoticgrrrl1]

Why am I about to cry 😭 that was so beautiful I love how Richard believed in her so much that he did everything he could to make her dream come true. I hope the animated series comes to fruition and it’s everything they thought and more 🎉🎉🥳👏🎊

[@JennyEverywhere]

I'm not crying, you're crying!

[@19Pyrus70]

I purchased the VHS of the Elfquest Movie that came out in the 90's. It was basically a motion comic (before I knew what a motion comic was). The Pinis were so upset, they offered refunds for people who returned their copies. I decided to keep mine. Too bad I'm 1 of those people affected by the 2008 housing crisis & ended up losing the tape as a result.

[@labelle9921]

✨️My eyes see with joy! ✨️ As an Elfquest fan for over 35 years, I'm so glad the Pinis are finally being recognized for their revolutionary creation.

[@Niemand]

After watching this, I hope and wish that they will one day see their work be turned in beautiful animations.

[@metatrongroove2824]

being developed currently by FOX

[@H3y_Im_Rob]

@@metatrongroove2824 ...Fingers crossed they don't try to change anything.

[@headbangersworld]

I was LIVING Elfquest back then... By far my favorite and the most influential comic in my life...

[@anthonybird546]

Artist, cosplayer, indie comics, otaku, what a futurist!

[@tariqjohnson9421]

Getting gifted the original drawing of Johnny quest is wild as hell. Think I’d lose my shit lol.

[@noranizaazmi6523]

My bad, but isn’t it Jonny Quest? Without the h?

[@demarcdegasol]

Your bad for surr

[@melasnexperience]

I saw that and immediately thought "Damn, she was lucky!" I was first introduced to Wendy's art via her doing one of the Comico Jonny Quest comics, never knew she was also such a big fangirl of the series!

[@kloa4219]

Tezuka no less

[@WolfWiz99]

What an inspiration!!! Finally, a success story I have no idea about where imdustry outsiders made waves wih an original and heartfelt narrative. It mirrors what my friends and I are going through right now trying to create a comic-book that says a lot about alienation and overcoming barriers with strangers in a strange new world. Thank you for sharing this with us! 🌌🧙‍♂️

[@Shane_Blaq]

This is one of my all time favourite youtube videos period. Elfquest had an immense impact on me as a kid, and somehow over the years i lost that connection until this moment. Thank you so much for reminding me about this inportant part of my life. I cant wait to delve back into this series.

[@VortexBunche]

The first decade of Elfquest stands as my favorite comics series. Superb artwork, great storytelling, and unbeatable characterization.

[@kidsComics]

My 1st _Mandela effect_ as a child was that "There was a ElfQuest movie?" 🤔 Yeah, there was: The Last Unicorn, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Heavy Metal, Valhalla, Ewoks,The Black Cauldron, Willow and there was...🙄😳

[@kneau]

Sorry if the video covers this (I'm only at 9:30 ) but the movie you might be thinking of is _ElfQuest - Fire and Flight_ a "video comic book" briefly available, decades ago, on VHS.

[@nemesiscomix]

Holy crap i have seen that at my creepy uncle's house

[@thorocomments817]

@@nemesiscomixdamn…

[@DJ_POOP_IT_OUT_FEAT_LIL_WiiWii]

@@nemesiscomix were you touched?

[@nemesiscomix]

@@DJ_POOP_IT_OUT_FEAT_LIL_WiiWii Of course I was touched! By the plight of the hopeful yet akward elvin mages as they...oh you mean bad touched....ummm....no.

[@antonydrossos5719]

You know, I've never read Elfquest, though, of course I've heard of it. I appreciate the struggles Wendy & Richard went through to get their vision realized.

[@19Pyrus70]

I hope you will correct that & go find some copies to read.

[@Ki11ersix]

I absolutely ADORE your content. Thank you for all the time and effort and research you put it. I had never read Elfquest back then but with this video I’ll be giving it a shot. Thank you!

[@Shan_Troker]

This might be your best video yet, I have to imagine it took quite a bit more research and hunting down information, I'm glad the Pinis were so cooperative with this (and that they're still together, that part made me tear up I won't lie).

[@TheSeeking2know]

I agree. The quality of the story made it more so.

[@DavidJohnson-td5ic]

Yes, this exactly. I'm so gladdened to see that through all of the success and the failures, they never gave up on each other. I'm smiling with tears in my eyes after watching their story. And then Wendy sums it up perfectly; "the reward of patience, is patience". I mean, just beautiful words from a genuinely beautiful soul.

[@esiasfrost2306]

Man their whole story is so beautiful almost every other comic Creator Duo has a creative falling out or get so wrapped up in their work that they lose the passion for their art but for them they kept doing what they loved and even put their work and lives on hold to help repair and rekindle their relationship and still get to finish their work on their terms

[@mitsuomits9077]

Omg... such an honor of how the ones she admired and was inspired by showed them their apreciation. That was very touching❤

[@KTF0]

I know Elfquest, but, i didnt know the full story of Wendy and Richard. What a story. Love it. Also the recoloring of Elfquest is the only modern recoloring that is actually good.

[@seakelp3508]

I'm 58. I've read Elfquest cover to cover. My animation teacher, in college, had his own company and was approached to create a full feature film.

[@splashpit]

I’m curious how much a manga style feature film would have cost in the 90s , they had a dozen or more staff at the time they should have just hired another member that only worked on the movie and independently sold the dvd through comic stores

[@kneau]

Abby Lou Productions is sweating.

[@atilax6452]

​@@kneau what?

[@Ben-zr4ho]

​@@splashpit A dozen people making an animated feature film? No wait that's not what you said is it? You said they should have hired ONE PERSON to make an animated feature film? Are you high? Then put said film on DVD... In the 90s. And sell it independently through comic stores? Ok...

[@kirbyjoe7484]

@@splashpit You need dozens of very highly skilled people to animate a movie.

[@gabrielhunter3351]

Super nice video. As a kid I loved the ElfQuest books. My mom's friend happened to know the Pini's and got some of my drawings to show them. A while later when she gave back the drawings it included a letter from Wendy encouraging me to keep it up. It was very special to me. Great artist. Great people.

[@ClickToSeeMore-zy9fc]

Wow! Amazing !

[@maldor56]

Omg as I kid I sent letters almost daily to authors and Wendy always sent somthing back. I probably sent her 15 letters in 3 years and I always got something back. Super awesome person!

[@randallrohr623]

Wow I’m simply blown away. I can’t thank you enough for making this video. I’m so excited to start reading elf quest now!

[@Justin-jr6ny]

The way Rick looks at Wendy at the end.. the power of love, vision, and devotion. Inspiring 💚

[@BLMcKinney1]

I had the amazing good fortune of working with the Pinis for many years when Elfquest expanded to multiple titles., and saw them go through many of the trials you so eloquently showed in this video essay. They are truly pioneers in comics and incredibly good, kind people that created these characters and stories that have touched me and so many other readers. Thank you matttt for putting together this tribute!

[@ElfQuest-Official]

Thank you, Brandon!

[@jamesclukey7488]

I had the honor of meeting Richard and Wendy Pini at a the Astronomicon in Rochester, N.Y. a couple of years ago. They were very gracious and signed a book of theirs for me. I have a full run of the original comic, so I've followed them since the beginning. They are both extremely talented and professional people. Being a self published comic book artist I'm aware of how focused they have to be in order to make a fantasy world come to life ! Wendy has always been an inspiration to me and I've always been a fan of her cosplay of RED SONYA with Frank Thorne ! Thanks for giving us their story and the struggles they had to overcome throughout their lives. They are a pair of very strong people.

[@orboakin8074]

Thanks so much for this video. As a fan of fantasy and fiction since my childhood in Nigeria, i never who this couple was but their story is so uplifting and inspiring. Despite her hard childhood, she never let go of her dreams and she never gave in to despair and hate and her grandma was there for her. He also saw her potential and genuinely connected with her and used his own skills to help her succeed and they even found love and happiness in each other. So wonderful. I have dreams of writing my own fantasy fiction one day and i hope i can do as these two did.

[@JoeChiappetta]

Wow, what an incredible and essential archive in the saga of comics history! As someone who followed in their trailblazing footsteps in so many ways, thank you for telling the very heart-moving tale of Wendy and Richard Pini.

[@MysteriousSoulreaper]

There are so many videos you've put up full of doom and gloom, so it's really nice to see someone's story with a happy ending for once. They can really be proud of what they've accomplished.

[@owensreviews625]

I had only recently heard of Elfquest, but after watching this video I gained a greater appreciation for it as I saw the great lengths Wendy and Richard went to in order to have their dream/vision realized. Well done, Matttt

[@princessofbalance]

you can read it online too they have an official site for it!

[@MeanMrMustard1]

And now you're gonna start reading it, right? Right??

[@princessofbalance]

ben reading it for a number of years and I love it@@MeanMrMustard1

[@GrandAkuma]

In more than 10 years of browsing youtube this is among the few videos that made me cry. Great job.

[@Doomsword0]

This is such an awesome and special story, thank you for telling it. I had never heard of it at all but was enthralled the whole way. I really want to go read the series now it's so cool that they put it up online for free!

[@crossroad536]

This channel is the definition of QUALITY over QUANTITY.

[@danielfrost473]

Wow! Someone remembers ElfQuest. My favourite comics by far - such a rich, decades spanning story and awesome characters (I still haven't given up on Winnowill's redemption) - and every panel is pure art! Thanks so much to Wendy and Richard for making our lives much more wonderful. And the comic Wendy drew together with John Byrne was historic - two of the greatest comic book artists teaming up.

[@pattongilbert]

This channel is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Every episode is magical, like a high-quality documentary. Truly something special.😊

[@rcjic26]

I am approaching 70 years old now and I still own hundreds of comic books - new and very old. I did not know of ElfQuest back in the day. I will now sit down and read the complete series. Thank you for a well told history. I am truly seized of the matter. Peace.

[@Dupreegod]

This story made me cry. Thinking about my own journey with music and content creation and my understanding of appreciation to independent music. This was such an amazing story

[@patora13]

Never read Elfquest. But this story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

[@MeanMrMustard1]

Aww! Now read Eflquest!

[@CelesteLunaRael]

Yeah. I'm gonna read it. I have never heard of it. So glad for this channel. So glad for the Pinis

[@The_One_Cosmos]

There are condensed book volumes of Elfquest now and affordable. In general, Elfquest is worth reading and seeing the amazing art and the deep and captivating stories for anyone to experience.

[@bobblehead67]

Comics equivalent of Lux and Ivy of the Cramps; a couple devoted to each other and their vision create something of lasting importance and influence. Beautiful true story.

[@jaidamann8365]

I grew up an Elf Quest fan from the very first read. My father used to collect comics (Marvel mainly) but he had some Elf Quest comic as well - in plastic sleeves. He allowed me to read them - I was hooked. Then he bought the large Novels. wow.

[@LongshotLynx]

I was living on Kodiak island in the late 80’s when I discovered Elf Quest. I was living in a USCG military quadplex apt with a devided basement. There was a HS guy who roomed in one of the two rooms at each end of the basement. I snuck into it and stole two of his Elf Quest trades. When I was quickly discovered I was told that he didn’t care if I wanted to read them as long as I asked. Just my story.

[@damonteufel]

I came across EQ in 84 at the age of 10 with the big graphic novels and fell in love instantly. The only club I ever joined in school was the ElfQuest club, and even had the RPG. Cut to almost 30 years later, I introduce my wife to EQ, reorder all the books, and now they sit on her bookshelf. Now I discover it's all online for free? The story truly holds up. I hope all the kids out there stumble across it.

[@Rorta18]

I’m honestly so surprised by how touching Wendy and Richard’s story is. It’s amazing that in a time of great stress and uncertainty they were able to strengthen their relationship and continue to grow as artists and a couple. It really is so inspiring. Thank you for making all of us aware of their story and this incredible piece of art that I for one can not wait to read and watch

[@marshalsea000]

Growing up in the 80s Elfquest was essential reading. Thank you for a loving look and rightfully indicating how important Elfquest was to the whole history of fantasy. Comics are still not getting their due and Elfquest in particular. To Wendy and Richard - thank you, you allowed escape from growing up in the very brutal reality of 80s UK - oppressive govt, nuclear threat, and AIDs. Damn we need this now...

[@irishstew2133]

This channel is so POSITIVE!!! Thank you for highlighting such beautiful and human stories. I really appreciate your outlook.

[@timroark9940]

I'm not a comic person at all, but grew up with plenty of comic inspired content. You're easily one of the best video essayists I've stumbled upon on KZbin, and I've found so much joy in learning about stories like this one that would have never come across my radar if it weren't for you. Keep up the great work!

[@kool4209]

It’s cognitive bias 😂😂😂 ppl love deluding their minds with shxt they believe is important.

[@acsaudiodramas]

Back in the 90's I read an article on Elfquest, still being a teen. Now I'm so thankful to finally learn the whole story behind that comic and the biographical part is even more touching and interesting

[@joiemiller2283]

I remember the letters pages, with full addresses of people. It's astonishing to believe there was that type of innocence then.

[@buh2001j]

I was born in Gilroy and my second home was the public library, the Elfquest books were always out on display. Thank you so much for making this video and sharing the Pini's artistic journey, it was very moving.

[@AaronAbernethy]

Mattt shows again why he is the BEST comics historian on KZbin. Stellar work, yet again.

[@NatalieRath]

You made me cry like hell watching this. I really should read Elfquest!

[@Kyoril]

To this day in 2024, I still have each and every hard-bound copy of ElfQuest comics I ever bought during the 1980s. And several of the soft-bound spin-off books as well. Love them.

[@stereolabio]

Beautiful story about love, resiliency and knowing your own potential. Made me cry in the end.❤

[@dreamsalamander]

Maybe its your narrative ability but this couple's video biography feels like a beautifully written story. I rooted for them the whole 45min of the video and smiled when they made breakthroughs or wise decisions about career and relationships

[@michaelogrady232]

From their humble beginnings, through all their successes and failures, the Pinis were always in love, and that is the greatest story of all.

[@Homemadegameguru]

I really needed to see this video! As an indie comic book publisher, hearing Wendy's story and the persistence of her and Richard against the odds is inspiring on so many levels. Thanks, man!

[@iamaspacecalf]

One of the big things I like about your videos is the context they give me. When I was growing up, I saw Elfquest in my local library, but I also grew up when manga was starting to take off in the US: I subscribed to Shonen Jump and would watch Dragon Ball Z with my friends. I also, consumed things that Elfquest would go on to inspire, so I don't think I ever really appreciated it. When all you have to compare a thing too is what had learned it's lessons, it's hard to understand how special it is. Having the context for when it was made, and what it took really makes me want to go and check it out, see what I missed.

[@marthweh7398]

These videos always make me emotional but this one hit hard

[@edisonvikings2009]

I was a huge ElfQuest fan (and letter to the editor writer) and got to meet my two favorite “elf” creators Barry Blair (RIP) with “Elflord” and both Pini’s at a few SD Comic Cons. (Barry Blair’s story is one that needs to be told.)

[@ahmad55]

Ebon Moss-Bachrach who’s playing Ben Grimm in the new Fantastic Four movie read Elf Quest comics in his youth rather than superhero Marvel or DC Comics. And the fact that Wendy was inspired by The Fantastic Four.. it’s like I don’t know some kind of full circle

[@artbyaline]

So glad this popped up in my notifications. Wendy and Richard are legends and changed the life of many, including mine, 30 some years ago. ❤

[@mkreeder]

Your content is exceptional, and it means the world to those of us who've struggled for years but never give up on succeeding and are allergic to compromising our dreams. And thank you, thank you for this particular story of such an inspiring couple. And for introducing me to this wonderful comic! These folks are incredible humans for making them available for free. I can't wait to read it.

[@whssy]

I never read Elfquest. Watching this video made me realise that I need to change that. I had no idea the drawings were so intricate. You can clearly see how it influenced series like Halo Jones.

[@ronalddelrosario7405]

Absolutely loved the ElfQuest series growing up. Thanks for this video!

[@Dancrept]

Beautiful history, I think that Wendy and Richard deserve a full movie more than Elfquest

[@METAS0MA]

Insane this channel isn't even a year old. Beyond just comics media, this is one of the best channels on the entire platform.

[@OwenLikesComics]

An absolutely fascinating video and so well put together! Keep up the fantastic work, Matt.

[@modelnut617]

I am 62. I first discovered Elfquest at my college bookstore in 1981. that was forty-two years ago. I had seen Wizards a few months before and thought, "Great, a rip-off of a so-so fantasy movie." I put it down and walked out. I came back and read a few pages. Left again. Came back and left again. Then I walked to my dorm room a mile away and came back and bought the book. It was the first collection. I think I read it two or three times before bed. I was HOOKED. I subscribed and waited impatiently for each new issue. There were times I thought the mailman was keeping my book longer than he had to just to torture me.

[@alonsofernandez1]

Man this is by far the best KZbin channel in the world. This is what video essays are supposed to be. I don't even like comics but this is too good

[@Mister6]

I proudly own all the original WaRP Graphics published issues of Elfquest. I was a huge collector while they were being published but each new issue was the highlight of my month. I also still have the original coloured editions which allowed me to experience the original saga in a magical new way. Elfquest shaped my childhood in a lot of ways and I will always be grateful to the Pinis.

[@thomasgrable1746]

I was at the 1981 Comic Book Convention in San Diego, a tiny fraction of the size that it is today. Gary Owen was the announcer for the costume contest, and there were two huge groups dressed as ElfQuest characters. He remarked, "I didn't know Leonard Nimoy had so many illegitimate children," which got a huge laugh from the crowd.

[@jjl8296]

Elfquest is beautiful and timeless. Even more knowing the story of its creators ✨️ they were way ahead of their time.

[@studious_nonchalance]

I have been a fan for 40 years now, I cannot begin to tell you what an incredible impact Elfquest has had on my life. Thank you for bringing the background story to life!

[@syrusangi8743]

Wendy n Richard are a match made in heaven. Their dedication n perseverance towards not only their job but themselves as individuals n a unit is so inspiring. I'm so glad they have each other living the life they deserve n for them to share such valuable pieces of themselves to the rest of the world... Urgh not enough words. Thanks Matt for introducing me to these awesome n thank you, Wendy n Richard for being awesome. God bless 😊

[@levisays7676]

Id read Elf Quest in both Black&White & Colour, but never realised how impactful it had been on the genre, thankyou for the video covering all of its history and nuances❤

[@ayakuweb]

I watched this video with my brother and he said at the end: "The real Elfquest is the friends we made along the way" and although it sounded meme-y, I thought it was very appropriate. Another great video, Matt! I always get the case of the feels after each of your videos.

[@mokeygreen]

This is a beautiful rendition of what true devotion looks like. For the art and for themselves. I am in awe of this couple.

[@rbiznezz2]

You’ve done something that decades of comics media failed to do: make me interested in reading Elfquest. I’ve known about it forever, respected the creators, but hadn’t been compelled to pick it up

[@unownintendo]

I’ve never heard of Elfquest having been born in 2001, but I love hearing about media that laid the road for the things I love now! Great job covering this, I learned a lot!

[@mawest71]

I have seen ElfQuest comics over the years but never looked into them. Thank you for the excellent Documentary!!! Half way through I purchased my first volume of ElfQuest. Their dedication is inspirational in today's world.