Created by Bill Willingham in 1984, The Elementals was one of Comico's breakout hits during the 1980s and remained a standard for independent comics until ending in the 1990s. Combining magic, mythology, and the other tropes of a superhero comic, The Elementals continued to break the same ground that The X-Men and other traditional four-color comic broke during the 1980s and provided a look into a world where the traditional enemies were not so clear-cut.
Formed by the elemental forces of the universe to do battle with a powerful sorcerer named Saker, The Elementals themselves were drawn up from fairly diverse backgrounds, not always able to work together or unite against a more organized enemy.
When I got into Independent comics in the 1980s, The Elementals were a major part of that period for me, shaping me not only as a writer but as a GM and creator. Although Willingham sold the Elementals to Comico in the 1990s it is difficult to see anyone but Willingham crafting the Elementals or designing their stories - a trait that Willingham showed with extraordinary skill during his phenomenal run on Fables.
I've covered the initial team but will be adding to it in the future with their enemies. So far we have:
Fathom - Becky Golden - An heiress who drowned and was resurrected by the elemental spirit of water
Monolith - Tommy Czuchra - The youngest and smartest of the Elementals who was killed by a landslide and resurrected by the elemental spirit of earth
Morningstar - Jeanette Crane - A former police detective killed in an arson attack, resurrected by the elemental spirit of fire.
Vortex - Jeff Murphy - a former military pilot who died in an event related in a helicopter crash. Resurrected by the elemental spirit of Air.
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