Elephantmen Volume 1: Wounded Animals (v. 1) (Hardcover)

by Richard Starkings (Author), Moritat (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The first seven issues of this superior dystopian sci-fi tale are collected in a deluxe volume. In the year 2162, a madman named Kazushi Nikken creates giant hybrids of humans and animals—elephants, rhinos, camels, giraffes—and brainwashes them into an army of fearless killers. But the United Nations liberates the elephantmen (they're all given that pejorative e-word, no matter their species) and integrates them into society. That's the setting for plenty of metaphor about racism, xenophobia and globalism; against this backdrop we meet hippo Hip Flask, who works for a government agency and is trying to recover a certain African idol. But Obadiah Horn, the world's most successful and high-profile elephantman, wants it too. Brief stories do a great job fleshing out the world and the major players as the larger mystery of Hip and the Idol unfold. Visually, the various artists give a nod to great dystopias past—Blade Runner via Neuromancer via Brazil—but the sepia-tinted color palette and soft, painterly shading set it apart. The character designs in particular are spectacular, and the whole is a lightning-fast but addictive read (July)
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Product Description
They were genetically engineered to be super-human weapons of mass destruction, but now they must walk amongst the people they were created to destroy. Ebony Hide is one of them, an Elephantman. Even when he is befriended by a small girl, Hide is still haunted by his past and is forced to recognize that suspicion and contempt will always be his constant companions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Image Comics; illustrated edition edition (August 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158240691X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582406916
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #268,753 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing, Fantastic Art !!!!!!!!!!!!!, January 15, 2008

By	arachnidman (Upland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

If you are looking for something that offers more than the usual comic book fare then you owe it to yourself to read Elephantmen. The description tells you the premise but there are so many layers to each story written by Mr. Starkings that you are left anxiously waiting for the next issue. The art by Moritat is nothing short of brilliant and the colors he uses compliment not only the fantastic art work but the storyline as well. (Moritat pencils and colors the book) This is one of the best monthly comic book titles being published but woefully under read so give it a chance, you'll be glad you did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Travel new paths and imagine if you were THERE!, August 12, 2007

By	William Walker "Will Work For Comics" (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have collected the comics but the hardcover runs them end to end and makes you regret putting it down to go to bed. Great book and great stories with lots of depth and realistic art!

5.0 out of 5 stars Very read-worthy, July 8, 2008

By	Suzene (BFE, Arizona) - See all my reviews

'Wounded Animals' is a change of pace from most comic collections; it's definitely not of the "written for the trade" species. Instead of a linear narrative, the audience is introduced to the characters through a series of sequentially illustrated short stories that do share some common plot threads, but are largely capable of standing on their own. Starkings, Moritat, and the other contributors do a great job presenting tales that run the gamut of emotions from humor to horror to hope and back again. This is a fantastic compilation and an intriguing look at a dystopian future and humanity's reaction to the Other. I recommend it highly to any comic-book and SF fans looking for something a little different.