I received this copy of Elephantmen #1 in the mail from Image. This issue is solicited for this coming Wednesday. Thank you to Image Comics for the generosity.
I remember seeing the name of this comic when I was looking thorough the books coming out next week, but I’ll admit I didn’t really pay much attention to it. I usually wait for the trade with a lot of stuff Image puts out because my list is a little full right now.
This series, while set in the year 2259 from the start dives right into a red hot debate among politicians and religious leaders in the present. The process of human cloning and what that could possibly turn into at some point in the future. This series deals with the outcome and effects of splicing human DNA with animal DNA.
From the flashback scenes this issue uses to deliver a bit of the origin it appears that at some point prior to this a scientist in Africa started splicing human DNA with animals to create an army of super strong soldiers. From there if you’re a comic fan you probably can guess what happens next. The scientist tries to use this army to take over the world.
The book in the present time it takes place, I assume the war is over and the animal men are just considered to be a part of society. Accept for one thing, history is repeating itself; the animal men are being treated as second class citizens. People are afraid of them and want nothing to do with them.
The main character in this issue is Ebony a half man half Elephant who is befriended by a little human girl even though the prejudice is there. The girl by way of talking to Ebony makes him relive certain aspects from his past. This is how his origin is told along with the set up for the entire story.
I liked this issue for the fact that it really was a good way to bring a reader into this world. I explained just enough of the world’s back-story so you’ll want to come back for more to find out what else happened in this possible future.
This issue is written by Richard Starkings, who I have previously on known for lettering on Conan. He puts together a good first issue and has me interested to read more.
The artist Moritat is not on who’s work I’m familiar with, but it’s a nicely drawn book and the style is a good fit for what the book is supposed to be.
This might end up being something that goes on my list along with Walking Dead and Invincible. Just not sure whether it’ll be the singles issues or the trades that I’ll be picking up.
