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Elephantmen #1
Book Released: 19 July 2006
Review posted: 26 July 2006
Writer: Richard Starkings
Artist: Moritat
Artist: Ladronn (Covers)
Publisher: Image Comics
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Adam White
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In my review of Hip Flask: Mystery City, I showered
the series with praise (all well-deserved) and discussed the undeniable greatness created by Richard Starkings and Ladronn.
I was excited to later learn about the ongoing Elephantmen series, yet somewhat apprehensive at the prospect of of a
Ladronn-less series, mainly because his work is unbelievably spectacular and I was afraid no other artist could live up to
what he began. Having now read Elephantmen #1 I can safely tell you to cast any similar fears aside because this is one
fantastic series.
Starkings has again proven he has missed his calling as a writer by providing us with very believable human
characters (despite their outward appearances). Starkings focuses his first tale on Ebony, an Elephantman trying to overcome
his past and exist in an uncertain world that would just as soon see him dead.
This first issue revolves around Ebony’s encounter with a little girl and possesses more emotional resonance than
almost anything I’ve read in recent memory. Starkings continues his examination of ethics, racism, and existence in an
affecting self-contained story (the first of many), ideas especially relevant amidst the ethical and religious turmoil of the
early twenty-first century. Starkings addresses those ideas in the back-up story as well, covering the “human”
side that reflects the sentiments of too many humans currently occupying the real world. As great of a letterer
as he is, Starkings should really consider becoming a full-time writer, mainly so that we can all be treated to more great
Pulp Science Fiction every month.
While equaling Ladronn’s work on the Hip Flask series is essentially impossible, Moritat holds his own and
does himself proud by more than doing justice to these great characters. Moritat captures all the
Every self-respecting comicbook reader should own Elephantmen.
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expressions and emotions of the story, revealing them through the art instead of relying on the words to tell the story.
Juxtaposing the worlds of Elephantmen and humans, Moritat reveals the distress between those worlds through the size
differences in Ebony and the girl (Savannah) as well as through Ebony’s reactions to Savannah’s treatment of him.
The last page reveals hope in the face of prejudice, which is a perfect ending for the issue and masterfully drawn by
Moritat.
On the letters pages, Starkings says that he “created Hip Flask and the Elephantmen with the
intention of filling a series of comic books full of implausible ideas and impossible characters;” instead he
has created a very plausible future filled with important ideas and believable, soulful characters. Elephantmen is a little bit Noir, a
little bit science fiction, and a whole lot of great story. Every self-respecting comicbook reader should own every issue
of Elephantmen without exception — so get out there and buy it already.
Make sure to check out: HipFlask.com and ActiveImages.com.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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