ElfSong

Normally, this is the space where the creator of a website would go on and on about themselves, thier history and about how great they are. Not here, tho. I’ve done way too many of them in the past (if you’re dying to find out more about me, check out my personal site over at the Mat Nastos website — you can find out more than you ever wanted to about me there) and I really hate the darn things.

What I’m going to do here is talk a bit about “ElfSong” itself and the influences behind it.

ElfSong is the result of three very specific childhood loves of mine: Elfquest (by Richard and Wendy Pini), Elflord (by Barry Blair) and the 1970s Marvel Comics magazine, Savage Sword of Conan. Those three things helped to mold my attitudes towards comic books and artwork from a very early age. Interestingly enough, every one of those comics were in black and white, and two of them were originally magazine sized.

Elfquest, and the amazingly beautiful artwork of Wendy Pini, has always been a dominant force in my life and in the way I approach my own art. Coming out of the 70s, her work was an amazing blend of underground comics, early Japanese Manga and animation. I’ve always felt Wendy is one of the most under appreciated comic book artists in the world and that very few artists have ever approached her level of sophistication in storytelling and emotion.

As a fan of fantasy I was excited to stumble upon Elflord as a child. It was one of the few well-done fantasy comics published and was a nice alternative to Elfquest. Beyond the comics, Barry Blair would eventually become an even great influence on me when I went on to work with him under the auspices of Warp Graphics on a number of Elfquest books in the mid 1990s. Not only was Barry a fine artist and spectacular storyteller, but he was also a great teacher. I can honestly say I learned more from working along side him for 10 months than I did in 4 years of art school.

Finally, Savage Sword of Conan. This series, drawn mainly by John Buscema and inked by the likes of Alfredo Alcala and Tony Dezuniga, showed me that fantasy comics — and comics in general — can reach heights that rival the finest of pen & ink illustration. The work of Alcala in particular is some of the most jaw-dropping examples of black and white illustration I’ve ever seen. The book taught me that comics were as valid an art form as any other ever produced.

ElfSong is my love letter to the high level of storytelling that has come before me. With it, I hope to bring out the beauty and spirituality of Elfquest, the energy and quirkiness of Elflord, and the high level of illustrative skill of Savage Sword of Conan. Beyond all of that, I hope to bring my own love of comics and fantasy to deliver an incredibly fun and passionate modern day fairy tale.

-Mat Nastos, creator
ElfSong