LGBT Elves in Elfquest:  Part 2

By Durrilion

“Elfquest art copyright Warp Graphics, Inc. Elfquest, its logos, characters, situations, all related indicia, and their distinctive likenesses are trademarks of Warp Graphics, Inc. All rights reserved.”

The wolf chief and the stargazer (as discussed in Part 1) are certainly not the only examples of LGBT themes in Elfquest.  Pike, Skot, and Krim definitely have a three bond relationship.  In issue #1 of Siege at Blue Mountain there are two panels (figures 6 and 7) on page 23 showing a very comfortable Skot resting his head on an equally relaxed Pike’s hip.  Krim leans behind them unfazed by the affectionate postures of her lovemates (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/digitalEQ.html).

Additionally, this panel (see figure 8 below) from page 89 of the graphic novel Dreamtime, shows an affectionate gesture from Pike to the badly burned Skot.  Given what has already been seen regarding these two males, and taking into account the severity of Skot’s burns (Krim has run ahead to get Leetah the healer), it would still seem this gesture has more to it than just concern for a close friend/tribemate (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/digitalEQ.html.)
It is impossible to deny these three are a family.  Pike himself calls them that after Skot and Krim almost die in Kings of the Broken Wheel #5, page 13.  In issue 7 of Kings of the Broken Wheel, on page 19, the three of them mourn the death of their cub Cheipar.  Treestump, in issue 15 of Hidden Years says on page 32 “It’s hard to watch lifemates and families part… even if it’s not meant to be forever”.  This is his observation when Pike must join Ember’s tribe while Skot and Krim stay with Cutter to reclaim the shards of the Palace of the High Ones (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/digitalEQ.html).
Pike, when reunited with Krim, tells her he danced for Skot (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=HY/HY29&p=19), who died earlier, in the Shards storyline (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=SH/SH10&p=20).  In that instance Pike is referring to the ‘Go-Back’ custom of dancing to honor the beloved dead (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=OQ/OQ20&p=8 and http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=HY/HY23&p=23).  This is also where Pike makes it very clear to Scouter that Skot and Krim are his lifemates, and that he will honor Skot in ‘Go-Back’ fashion.  Chieftess Ember, and then the majority of the tribe, joins in the dance honoring a fallen warrior (see figure 9) (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=HY/HY23&p=25).

Continuing the investigation brings Dewshine and Scouter to the fore.  Ah, Dewshine and Scouter – the high school sweethearts of Elfquest.  They survived her ‘Recognition’ to Tyldak in the original ‘Quest, (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=OQ/OQ12&p=10) and the abduction of her cub Windkin in Siege at Blue Mountain (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=SABM/SABM01&p=30).  Will they survive Scouter’s ‘Recognition’ to Tyleet (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=HY/HY12&p=18)?  According to Dewshine in The Wild Hunt graphic novel, via ‘sending’ to Tyleet “…aren’t you glad we’ve got things so nicely worked out”?  This is in response, so to speak, to seeing the Yun-Mender-Teir-Ember ‘game of chase tail’ (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=WH&p=118).
Further evidence of their harmonious bond can be seen in Hidden Years (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=HY/HY19&p=25 and http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=HY/HY20&p=25).  Whether Dewshine and Tyleet only share Scouter or are equally involved with each other is unknown.
The intimacy of the panels in issues 19 and 20 seems to imply the latter (see figure 10).

Moving on, there are two other major characters to discuss, but first some easily overlooked examples of LGBT elves should be reviewed.  Ruffel, in “The Heart’s Way” refers to elf maidens Vurdah and Maleen as ‘lovemates’ (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=IABB&p=63).  Shenshen, Leetah’s sister, is shown rousing from her bed, while both of her male lovemates still sleep (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=KOBW/KOBW04&p=1).  The ninth issue of Blood of Ten Chiefs explores Chieftess Goodtree’s recognition of Lionleaper, and the impact it had on her other lovemate Acorn.  In the end Acorn says he loves both of them, and they presumably form a three bond (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=TC/TC09&p=24).

While these examples are not definitively LGBT, given what has already been learned of elven sexuality, it is quite likely that some level of bi-sexual behavior is implied.
The original Wavedancers series, published jointly by Warp Graphics and Black Mermaid Productions (now deemed non-canon), showed Paffa and Maron (see figure 11); a loving, lifemated same-sex couple (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Elfquest_characters#Original_WaveDancers_elves).

Given the non-canon status of this first incarnation of the Wavedancer tribe, these two male elves are included for the ‘historical record’, as it were.  Also, I have the entire 6 issue series, and I howled with joy when I first saw them.  The second incarnation of Wavedancers has yet to reveal any LGBT themes.  The closest example being Brill who shares sleeping quarters with her lovemate Skimback and his recognized mate Sandsparkle.  Brill however sleeps alone (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=DISC&p=18).  For the sake of canon, material in the new Wavedancers series briefly alludes to the original as the delusions of poor Reef, also known as ‘the Broken One’, who survived an anti-healing attack from Winnowill, but was left tragically deformed of body and tortured of mind. (http://elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/index.php?s=WDa&p=146).

With most of the elves past explored, in Part 3 we will look at the future of the ‘World of Two Moons’. What will it show us regarding the LGBT community?