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Long Friendships

1 (5.9%)

Creatures of Elfquest

0 (0%)

Homes of EQ

4 (23.5%)

Landscapes

1 (5.9%)

Seasons

1 (5.9%)

Villains and Hero's

3 (17.6%)

Cliffhangers

0 (0%)

Comedy

1 (5.9%)

Encounters

2 (11.8%)

Action

1 (5.9%)

Inside Life

3 (17.6%)

Total Members Voted: 17

Voting closed: April 20, 2021, 11:41:50 AM

[Maggie]

While we wait for the 2021 fan calendar I thought we could start chatting about next year's calendar. I think the two-stage deadline worked last year (earlier for some later for others), so that will stay the same but I was wondering about the theme.

Do you all want to submit ideas and vote as usual or should the theme be something that is discussed and decided by those who are participating? We also have several themes that haven't been used so we could always put those to a poll again and see what happens. I was thinking it would be nice given last year and the fact that the pandemic is still around this year that we choose a light theme for 2022 if possible. Something funny, or pretty or hopeful.

Let me know your thoughts. 

Unused Themes

Long Friendships
Creatures of Elfquest
Homes of Elfquest
Landscapes
Seasons
Villains and Heros
Cliffhangers
Through the Comics
Comedy

[Afke]

I think homes and landscapes would be something else entirely! I like it, though it may prove too much of a challenge for people who are used to focus on the characters. I can see visions of like overview drone images though, like LOTR mountains and such, with perhaps a hint of a few elves to make it relevant for EQ. Or just a lovely shot of the Father tree and the feeling of home and belonging, or the emotions Skywise felt when he first saw the world from above.

Still fond of cliffhangers too.
No new ideas yet, will have to let it simmer.

[Startear]

I really like landscapes. They are fun to do! Villains and heroes is fun one as well.

[Wildfire]

Homes and Landscapes would be great! Landscapes and Seasons have a fair deal of overlap as well, but the "seasons" aspect will probably come into play automatically
Would Landscapes be able to feature a character in the foreground as long as the background plays a significant role?

I don't personally have any new ideas (except for maybe combining some of them), voting on last year's themes/having a discussion instead would be fine with me.

[Afke]

Putting them in a poll sounds like a good idea to me as well.
Though I'm unsure what Through the Comics is meant as..? Can anyone clarify?

[Treefox]

As always I am up for anything. I personally would enjoy Landscapes a lot. However, I am not sure, if many would be interested in turning in artwork if there is little of their beloved characters to be drawn.
I also think a poll is a good way to work it out...
I really wish I could come up with a good theme for once. I'll let my mind wander a bit...
But whatever we choose, I would definitely love to join again.

[Maggie]

Though I'm unsure what Through the Comics is meant as..? Can anyone clarify?

That was an idea Yavia had for the 2021 calendar theme and this was the explanation:

Elfquest through the comics - Draw Elfquest figures in another comic style/art.

For example: Draw the characters (free choice) in their original environment but like Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Albert Uderzo, Hergé, Moebius or even Mangaka like Yoshitaka Amano, Rumiko Takahashi, Hayao Miyazaki or even Disney would do - oh, wait - could this be a copyright problem?

It might also be too difficult to fulfill and not loved because it's not original Elfquest Art but I absolutely love seeing Cutter with an "Asterix" nose or "Sailor Moon" Trolls 

[AceQuester]

Ah it would be great to think and sketch already for the next calendar.

First off all: Maggie, I'm glad you still want to go on with it Big howl for you :D

Second: theme. Hmm Personally I am not so found of landscapes. I mean I love beautiful landscapes but to be honest, there are lots of beautiful calenders available with landscape photo's. I want an ElfQuest calendar because of the characters and messages in the story.
So my choice would be Comedy (indeed, we all could use a laugh) like the funny scetches Wendy did years ago (and made the famous mistake to give Clearbrook 5 fingers ) or another theme.
I can't wait to start

[Amberfox]

Yes, first and foremost, thank you very much, Maggie, for continuing to do this.  I am certain it is a lot of time and effort, often seeming pointless.  We love you!

I have two possible suggestions.  I believe I've suggested "ACTION" before, but I'll offer it up again.  This can be anything provided the images are not static - it must have ACTION in it!  The other idea is "CONFRONTATION" meaning depicting the encounter between A and B.  It can be something like Cutter confronting Winnowill or something less negative such as when Savah met Timmain.  I believe it was Treefox that did the illo of the GoBack deer suddenly CONFRONTED by the dense growing green of the Wolfriders' forest home.  When Gobacks met the Wolfriders (or conversely the Sun Villagers).  So, both remain general enough that the artists would have a broad range of ideas and characters to work from.  I suppose "Encounters" as a title would work just as well.

Of the currently provided list, I like Long Friendships, Seasons (but might be limiting since there are really only four), Villains and Heroes (although that seems a little close to Contrasts), and Cliffhangers.  I could manage Comedy after remembering an idea my mother had for Yule.  Really should draw that one anyway - too damn funny!

[jaRf]

could this be a copyright problem?

I guess not really. Iirc. only few "shapes" are protected, like "design patents".

It might also be too difficult to fulfill and not loved because it's not original Elfquest Art but I absolutely love seeing Cutter with an "Asterix" nose or "Sailor Moon" Trolls 

I think in the early new blood series there were several artists with their very own styles, and some "crossovers". Also worldpool. And there was that violent teddybear one...
Even FinalQuest somehow differs from the rest by art style.

like the funny scetches Wendy did years ago (and made the famous mistake to give Clearbrook 5 fingers )

Is there an online version of that?


On landscapes. I like landscapes, but I do photography. It would be a change from the usual characters in arts, yes. But I also see AceQuester's point. Of course, one could also put elves (or trolls) in front of the landscape.

[Wildfire]

Ooooh Amberfox's "Encounters" idea is very good! That could be interpretated in a million different ways and a will automatically have a story element. Should go on the list in my opinion 

[AceQuester]

Is there an online version of that?

Yes there is! Everyday life with the elves (there are 13 gags. The one with Trick or Treat is also very funny) See link below. You have to click on each image to see the whole gag. This is what I meanted with comedy.

https://elfquest.com/a-day-in-the-life/

We can also choose to do a little stroke of 2/3 panels with a gag or something funny. Like the examples on the link below:

https://elfquest.com/twenty-five-times-elfquest-made-us-laugh/

[Maggie]

Seasons (but might be limiting since there are really only four)

I was thinking about this and what if seasons meant, the seasons in a character's life. Spring would be birth and cublings, Summer would be lovemates and finding your own path, Fall would be lifemates, settled down, your cubs have grown and then Winter would be face-fur, you're older and wiser also depending on the character, death. This could be represented with one character for all twelve months or many different ones.

You can of course also incorporate the actual seasons, so three Spring, three Summer, three Fall and three Winter scenes.

@Wildfire, Encounters will be added to the list.

@Amberfox, thank you for the input, your suggestions will be added to the poll for voting. 

[Afke]

I basically like any theme that is open to ones own interpretation. I personally prefer to keep my picture always canon; I don't want to be forced to make a what if. Stuff like working in another persons style I also feel are too limiting.

As for the copyright mention for crossovers; the reason this was going to be a problem, was not us drawing the pictures, but us offering the calendar for sale. For EQ elements we have permission, for others we don't.

[Maggie]

@Afke - I agree with you. I don't think that the Through the Comics theme is great for the calendar, it would be better suited for a group challenge or just something silly to do, like with the Valentines from last year. And what-if (Worldpool) is something that has never been allowed in the calendar anyway.

[Yavia]

The decision that Through the comics can't be used in the calendar had been made last year with nearly the same people. I also admitted last year that it was a stupid idea and it would be a better fit for a challenge. Could we drop my idea out of every upcoming calendar theme discussion, please? that would be nice.
I know I'm stupid, I don't need to read it every year again on the same subject.

For your starting Question, I would like to know the theme before I participate. If the theme is chosen only by the participants and I don't like it, I would drop out then and be no longer a participant. So I'm for the usual discusion and poll beforehand.

There are a lot themes to choose from and the only new idea I have is being inside the most time. Living Indoors. Elves that live inside are seldom so that is a different theme. Trolls fit perfect, Palest Dwellers would and some of the non hunters maybe. So not a good idea (again). Also it is not very uplifting, hopefull or happy to see them also indoors as we are momentarely. If someone can make something better out of this idea - go ahead.

[Afke]

You are not stupid, Yavia. You offered it as an idea back then while we were brainstorming, please don't feel bad about it.

Living indoors can be applied to any of the tribes really, they all cuddle up and sleep somewhere, or have days where it's too cold or other weather conditions that are unwanted (like heat during draught in the desert). Wouldn't mind seeing some cosy Wolfrider dens, like when they're asleep, but you can still see the sun peaking in.
Actually, I can think of several situations for just the Wolfriders inside; like during a healing, or a cub being born, a sneaky hiding place during a game of Taal...

It is the situation we are in right now, true, but my introvert self doesn't see this as a bad thing of itself, and it's a fitting theme.

[Maggie]

@Yavia - No ideas are stupid ideas. Some people can't come up with any theme ideas so you shouldn't put yourself down for having one that is good but doesn't really work for the calendar. We're discussing it again because you never know. Something may not seem right one year but it could be a perfect idea the next. And the main reason that theme doesn't work is because of the printed calendar, there would be issues making that happen.

As for knowing the theme before you decide to join in, that's fine. I'm sure most people will want to know if they feel like they can work with the theme before they agree to submit something to the 2022 calendar.

I really like your new theme idea. It could be interpreted in many different ways, including what various characters get up to when they're inside alone. There could be comedy, mystery, romance, just about anything you could imagine involved with that theme. 

[Startear]

Yavia, you are not stupid. The idea is pretty good, and would have been so much fun if we could have used it for profit. And as afke said, you offered it back then, and we forgot why we shelved it. It has been a year, and a very difficult one to boot, so it is natural that we forget these things.

I really like Inside Life. It is cozy, gives us oppertunities to draw more elaborate backgrounds that say a lot of the elves and troll's personality. I have an image of Old Maggoty's kitchen/workroom where she makes her concoctions, Trinket's bedroom, the Go-Backs sitting inside and talking, Ahnshen weaving his fabric,  perhaps even a storage room where the Baker keeps her yeast... lots of possibility.

[Hyakurin]

I'm up for whatever.

[Wildfire]

Living Indoors could be very cute indeed! I'm torn, I have no idea which one is my favourite now xD

[Maggie]

I'm going to let everyone continue to discuss/come up with theme ideas until the end of the month and then I'll put up a poll for voting so we can get started on the next calendar. 

[AceQuester]

Hi there all,
Is the poll allready uploaded? I mostly miss notifications so just checking from time to time

[Wintergreen]

My absolute favourites are Long Friendships and Homes of Elfquest, but I'm probably in either way.
Is the poll up somewhere already?

[Wildfire]

Hey Maggie, I hope everything is alright on your end