Elephantmen 2261 Volume 1 by Richard Starkings and Axel Medellin (graphic novel review).
The Elephantmen are transgenics, human/animal hybrids genetically engineered by the MAPPO Corporation to fight in the Afro-Sino war of 2239-2243. After that, they were rehabilitated by the UN and introduced into human society. ‘Elephantmen’ is a long running comicbook series but this is my first contact with it.
‘Book One: The Death Of Shorty’ begins with an episode that took place in Scandinavia in 2239, during the war. Ten foot tall Elephantman Sherezade, nicknamed Shorty, fails to catch Yvette, a brutal killer who hates his kind. Cut to Los Angeles 2261 and Shorty lies dead in a four-poster bed in luxurious surroundings, a wealthy and popular Elephantman about town. His clever manservant robot Dillon insists that Shorty was murdered. On the case are Hip Flask, an Elephantman made from hippopotamus genes, and his human assistant Jack Farrell. This is a clever Science Fiction detective story with several twists and good ideas built in.
‘Book Two: The Pentalion Job’ is a different sort of caper. The pentalions are huge war machines, called exo-suits here but they’re more like tower blocks with a pilot, albeit with heads and arms and legs. In the war, they were manned by China’s human/tiger hybrids known as the Black Dragons. Now, in 2261, wealthy sponsor Obadiah has purchased the last three pentalions to exhibit in The Museum of Tolerance. They are to be transported there with Hip Flask and Jack Farrell in charge of security to stop them being hijacked. A clever tale of conspiracy and corruption with big robots, this yarn was more influenced by corny action movies. Referring to things as ‘these puppies’ gets annoying after a while. On the other hand, corny action movies are fun and so is this. Modern computer graphics enable vibrant colours and that glowing look for the art but the panel to panel storytelling is good, too. They get the basics right.
This omnibus collects ‘Elephantmen 2261’ seasons 1 and 2 by creator/writer Richard Starkings, artist Axel Medellin and a cover by artist Ian Churchill. I liked the plots and the characters in both stories but preferred the first one as it was subtler, more intelligent. Overall, good stuff. I won’t be splurging on the ‘Elephantmen’ back-catalogue but it was pleasant to dip a toe in their universe.
Eamonn Murphy
November 2023
(pub: Dark Horse, 2023. 248 page graphic novel softcover. Price: £23.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-50673-540-5)
check out website: www.darkhorse.com
