Elfquest takes a ride on the space shuttle!
Superman may hail from a distant planet out in the universe, but a new
Elfquest "star," created specially for the task, will be the first
comic book character to accompany a NASA experiment into
near-Earth space.
The experiment, scheduled to lift off on mission STS-87 on November
19, 1997, is designated "ELF," which stands for "Enclosed
Laminar Flames," a study of the behavior of combustion under
microgravity conditions.
The high-flying elf, dubbed "Starfire" by both Warp Graphics,
publisher of Elfquest comics, and NASA Lewis (Cleveland), the
sponsor/manager of the experiment, was designed by Elfquest
artist and co-creator Wendy Pini. Graphics artists at NASA
completed the task by incorporating the cartoon art with symbols
and text representing the experiment itself.
Dennis Stocker, leader of the NASA Lewis ELF team and avowed Elfquest
reader, contacted Warp Graphics publisher Richard Pini in
August, 1996, requesting Warp's assistance in designing a logo
for the experiment, perhaps "lending" an Elfquest character to
the cause. Because artwork used by NASA is copyright-free, none
of the existing characters could be used. The solution? Create a
new elf, who would embody the goals of the experiment in
particular and the spirit of the space program in general. (Read Dennis Stocker's account of the creation of the "ELF" logo here.)
Of the opportunity afforded "Starfire" to blast off into space,
publisher Richard Pini said, "I've always been a space buff, and
if I can't be on the Shuttle myself, this is certainly the next
best thing. Wendy's elves originally came from space; now one of
them gets to go back!"
Wendy Pini currently resides in Los Angeles, overseeing development of
Elfquest as an animated property. Richard Pini resides in
Poughkeepsie, New York.
 February 1, 2003 - In Memoriam STS-107
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