WaRP Graphics
Encyclopedia
WaRP Graphics, later Warp Graphics, is an alternative comics
publisher best known for creating and being the original publisher of the Elfquest
comic book
series. It was created and incorporated in 1977 by Wendy and Richard Pini. The company title is an acronym formed from the founding couple's name: Wendy and Richard Pini. (In later years the capitalization was changed from WaRP to Warp, a mostly aesthetic move.)
In addition to Elfquest, WaRP also published several other comic book series, including MythAdventures and related titles by Robert Asprin
, and Thunder Bunny
, created by Martin Greim.
WaRP was also the original publisher of A Distant Soil
by Colleen Doran
, until Doran left under acrimonious circumstances, alleging that publisher Richard Pini was attempting to claim copyright on her work. (The Pinis later sued licensee publisher Starblaze Graphics
for publishing unauthorized Elfquest reprints, as well as for attempting to secure the rights to the A Distant Soil series. Starblaze countersued; the dispute was settled in 1988.)
's Apple Comics
so that Warp could concentrate on editing its comics titles. Titles packaged by Warp for Apple included the anthology
series FantaSci, Vietnam Journal, and Lee Marrs
's Unicorn Isle (which only ran to #5 of a projected twelve issues).
In 1987, Apple Comics took over editing duties on all the other titles, and Warp concentrated solely on producing new Elfquest series. In 1990 Warp and Apple parted ways. In 1992 Warp launched the first of several new Elfquest spin-off series (Hidden Years). Shortly thereafter, Warp for the first time invited other writers and artists to join in. Beginning in 1997, WaRP also published some Elflord comics by Barry Blair
and Colin Chan, who had also written for Elfquest. From 1992 to 2002 Warp Graphics worked with several dozen free-lance artists and writers to produce and publish a number of Elfquest related titles. In 2002, the company downsized to its original owners, Wendy and Richard Pini.
s' original tree-home in Elfquest), primarily reprinting Elfquest stories. The imprint also appeared on Chroma, a book on the artwork of Alex Schomburg
and Law and Chaos, a chronicle of Wendy Pini's early attempt to adapt Michael Moorcock
's Stormbringer
saga into an animated film. Warp and Father Tree Press still exist but are not currently publishing new books.
. DC put out two series of "manga-style" digest
reprints (now complete), the first four volumes of an archive reprint series, one new graphic novel, and a four-part comic series entitled Discovery, which has since been collected. DC and Warp split in 2007.
with the aim of turning the comic book series into a motion picture. To date, the project is in development, and a screenwriter and director have been attached.
Alternative comics
Alternative comics defines a range of American comics that have appeared since the 1980s, following the underground comix movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Alternative comics present an alternative to "mainstream" superhero comics which in the past have dominated the US comic book industry...
publisher best known for creating and being the original publisher of the Elfquest
Elfquest
Elfquest is a cult hit comic book property created by Wendy and Richard Pini in 1978. It is a fantasy story about a community of elves and other fictional species who struggle to survive and coexist on a primitive Earth-like planet with two moons. Several published volumes of prose fiction also...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series. It was created and incorporated in 1977 by Wendy and Richard Pini. The company title is an acronym formed from the founding couple's name: Wendy and Richard Pini. (In later years the capitalization was changed from WaRP to Warp, a mostly aesthetic move.)
In addition to Elfquest, WaRP also published several other comic book series, including MythAdventures and related titles by Robert Asprin
Robert Asprin
Robert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, best known for his humorous MythAdventures and Phule's Company series.- Background :...
, and Thunder Bunny
Thunder Bunny
Thunderbunny is a comic book created by Martin Greim about the adventures of a boy who gained the ability to become a superhero who also resembles a large pink humanoid rabbit.-Publication history:Thunderbunny first appeared in fan publications...
, created by Martin Greim.
WaRP was also the original publisher of A Distant Soil
A Distant Soil
A Distant Soil is a science fiction/fantasy comic book series written and illustrated by Colleen Doran, and is the work for which she is best known....
by Colleen Doran
Colleen Doran
Colleen Doran is an American writer/artist, film conceptual artist, and cartoonist. She has illustrated hundreds of comics, graphic novels, books and magazines, and dozens of stories and articles, including works written by Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Anne Rice, J...
, until Doran left under acrimonious circumstances, alleging that publisher Richard Pini was attempting to claim copyright on her work. (The Pinis later sued licensee publisher Starblaze Graphics
Starblaze Graphics
Starblaze Graphics was an imprint of The Donning Company, a publishing company established in 1978 to publish illustrated books. Notable Starblaze publications include Robert Asprin's MythAdventures series, as well as a graphic novel based on the first book...
for publishing unauthorized Elfquest reprints, as well as for attempting to secure the rights to the A Distant Soil series. Starblaze countersued; the dispute was settled in 1988.)
Apple Comics
From 1978 through 1984, Warp Graphics published the 20-issue original Elfquest series. When Elfquest subsequently went on hiatus, publisher Richard Pini began to contract the work of other writers and artists, to establish a line of generally fantasy-oriented comics titles. In 1986, Pini turned Warp's publishing and marketing duties over to Michael CatronMichael Catron
Michael Catron is former publisher of Apple Comics and co-founder of Fantagraphics as well as a classically trained Shakespearian actor....
's Apple Comics
Apple Comics
Apple Comics, also known as Apple Press, was a comic book publisher which operated from 1986–1994. Published by Michael Catron, they began as an imprint of WaRP Graphics, but had their own financing structure...
so that Warp could concentrate on editing its comics titles. Titles packaged by Warp for Apple included the anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
series FantaSci, Vietnam Journal, and Lee Marrs
Lee Marrs
Lee Marrs is an American comic book writer, animator, and one of the first women underground comix creators. She is best known for her comic book series, The Further Fattening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp, which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-Underground comics:Marrs was a frequent contributor to...
's Unicorn Isle (which only ran to #5 of a projected twelve issues).
In 1987, Apple Comics took over editing duties on all the other titles, and Warp concentrated solely on producing new Elfquest series. In 1990 Warp and Apple parted ways. In 1992 Warp launched the first of several new Elfquest spin-off series (Hidden Years). Shortly thereafter, Warp for the first time invited other writers and artists to join in. Beginning in 1997, WaRP also published some Elflord comics by Barry Blair
Barry Blair
Barry Blair was a Canadian comics publisher, artist and writer, known for launching Aircel Comics in the 1980s...
and Colin Chan, who had also written for Elfquest. From 1992 to 2002 Warp Graphics worked with several dozen free-lance artists and writers to produce and publish a number of Elfquest related titles. In 2002, the company downsized to its original owners, Wendy and Richard Pini.
Father Tree Press imprint
Warp also launched a book publishing imprint, Father Tree Press (named after the WolfriderWolfrider
The Wolfriders are a tribe of elves on the World of Two Moons in the comic book Elfquest, created by Wendy and Richard Pini.Wolfrider is also the title of an Elfquest story featuring Bearclaw, in some respects the archetypal member of his tribe.-History:For many millennia the Wolfriders lived in a...
s' original tree-home in Elfquest), primarily reprinting Elfquest stories. The imprint also appeared on Chroma, a book on the artwork of Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg was a prolific American commercial and comic book artist and painter whose career lasted over 70 years.-Biography:...
and Law and Chaos, a chronicle of Wendy Pini's early attempt to adapt Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
's Stormbringer
Stormbringer
Stormbringer is the name of the infamous black sword featured in a number of fantasy stories by the author Michael Moorcock. Created by the forces of Chaos, it is described as a huge, black sword covered with strange runes carved deep into its blade...
saga into an animated film. Warp and Father Tree Press still exist but are not currently publishing new books.
Partnership with DC
In 2003 the Pinis licensed the worldwide publication and media rights in Elfquest to DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. DC put out two series of "manga-style" digest
Digest size
Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end...
reprints (now complete), the first four volumes of an archive reprint series, one new graphic novel, and a four-part comic series entitled Discovery, which has since been collected. DC and Warp split in 2007.
Partnership with Warner Bros.
In 2008, Warp Graphics licensed the media rights in Elfquest to Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
with the aim of turning the comic book series into a motion picture. To date, the project is in development, and a screenwriter and director have been attached.
Titles
Titles published include:- Blood of the InnocentBlood of the InnocentBlood of the Innocent is the name of a comic book created by Rickey Shanklin, Marc Hempel and Mark Wheatley which was published by WaRP Graphics in 1985.-About the series:...
(4 issues, 1986) - A Distant SoilA Distant SoilA Distant Soil is a science fiction/fantasy comic book series written and illustrated by Colleen Doran, and is the work for which she is best known....
(9 issues, 1983–1986) - Elflord (4 issues, 1997)
- ElfquestElfquestElfquest is a cult hit comic book property created by Wendy and Richard Pini in 1978. It is a fantasy story about a community of elves and other fictional species who struggle to survive and coexist on a primitive Earth-like planet with two moons. Several published volumes of prose fiction also...
(1977–present; many mini-series and specials) - FantaSci (9 issues, 1986-1990)
- MythAdventuresMythAdventuresMythAdventures or Myth Adventures is a fantasy series by Robert Lynn Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye. After twelve novels by Asprin, published 1978 to 2002, he and Nye continued the series with seven more books...
(12 issues, 1984–1986) - MythConceptions (8 issues, 1986-1988)
- Return to Centaur (or: What Kind of Foal Am I?) (1990)
- Thunderbunny (12 issues, June 1985–November 1987)
- Unicorn Isle (5 issues, 1986)