PREVIEWING A HERD OF ELEPHANTMEN

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/Elephantmen/Preview/Emen01_cvr.htm" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/Elephantmen/Preview/t_elephantmen01cover.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a>Richard Starkings and Active Images have provided Newsarama with seventeen pages of Elephantmen – the June-debuting ongoing series of genetically crafted anthropomorphic creatures mingling with the human population of earth. The series will ship under the Image banner.

While similar in its look to Starkings’ Hip Flask series, Elephantmen is separate…but related.

“The <b>Hip Flask</b> mini series is very much one story -- a time travel murder mystery -- with a beginning, a middle and (eventually!) an end, just as <b>Watchmen</b> was a self contained story. <b>Elephantmen</b> is a series in much the same way that <b>The Fantastic Four</b> or <b>Astro City</b> is a series,” Starkings told Newsarama. “Each issue focuses on characters we've seen in <b>Hip Flask</b>, and issue-by-issue, a bigger story will emerge. And, of course, it's become clear to me over the years that we won't see Ladrönn producing a monthly book any time soon, so I approached the amazing Moritat to work on the book with me, with Ladrönn onboard as cover artist, while he continues to finish work on the mini series.”

And while the art will maintain a consistent look to Hip Flask, Starkings explained that the “Comicraft touch” will add another level of familiarity.

“Comicraft's Secret Weapon has been hard at work creating a unique look for the series,” Starkings said. “Over the years it seems to me that mainstream comic creators have become ashamed of their comic book roots -- not us! <b>Elephantmen</b> will look like a comic, talk like a comic, walk like a comic and smell like a comic! <i>Every month</i>!

“We'll also have a whole bunch of extras, including <i>Father’s Day</i>, in which I interview comic book creators about their family lives (the first interview focuses on Ladrönn) and a letters page, a feature on the construction of each of Ladrönn's covers <i>and</i> a flip cover <i>every</i> issue. Upcoming flip covers will be by David Lloyd, Brian Bolland, Ian Churchill and Steve Skroce!

“Oh – and I do have to add that if all the preview pages featured here aren't enough to whet your appetite, check out the flash promo put together by Comicraft's Secret Weapon, John 'JG' Roshell -- it's at http://www.hipflask.com/elephantmen/ ”

Click here (http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/Elephantmen/ElephantmenRich.htm) for Newsarama’s previous interview with Starkings about launching <b>Elephantmen</b>.

Click here (http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/Elephantmen/Preview/HerdE_menPreview.html) for the preview.

[krort6462]

I think my six-year-old would like the concept of Elephantmen. Anyone who has read Hipflask...is it more adult-oriented or kid-oriented? Toward what age group is it geared? I'm pretty picky about what I show my kid, so I really have no idea because I didn't pick it up. Any help out there?
C

[Val]

I haven't had the opportunity to read the title, but the art is outstanding.
From the pencils down to the colors, it's fantastic.

[Da_Black_Goku]

Creepy little series. I may check this out.

[GOSD]

I was on the fence but I might get this now..

Great art and an interesting story..

BTW, I don't think this comic is for kids.. :eek:

[krort6462]

I was on the fence but I might get this now..

Great art and an interesting story..

BTW, I don't think this comic is for kids.. :eek:

Thanks. I guess I'll have to get it for myself, then. ;)
C

[martinp]

Wow! I thought this would be pretty lame but these previews make me want to check it out. The art alone look pretty incredible. If it sucks, I can just pass it on to my nephew.

Vista Comics (http://www.vistacomics.com)
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[TheFinn1225]

I hate when creators compare their work to Watchmen.

[TheFinn1225]

I hate when creators compare their work to Watchmen

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

I cannot express how much i love this...brilliant art and richards work is always entertaining.

I will be investing in this.

Jimmy:)

[Lex]

I hate when creators compare their work to Watchmen.Did you actually read what he said? He wasn't comparing it based on story. He was saying that the annual Hip Flask issues are a finite series, like Watchmen was, while this Elephantman series is more similar to a monthly comic series.

Settle down.

[Lex]

This book intrigues me. I haven't read any of the Hip Flask issues, but I pre-ordered the first issue of Elephantmen. From the looks of it, readers who aren't familiar with Hip Flask will be able to enjoy the book.

It should be really good!

[Mark Cardwell]

That last issue of HIP FLASK was a heckuva leap forward. Weird when you think about it, seeing as how that was the issue an untested writer (even if it was seasoned vet, publisher, and legend in his field Richard Starkings) took over from Joe Casey.

As such, I'm looking forward to this very much - and impressed by the level of talent Starking has lined up to work on the first couple of issues.

[crazyhorse01]

Did you actually read what he said? He wasn't comparing it based on story. He was saying that the annual Hip Flask issues are a finite series, like Watchmen was, while this Elephantman series is more similar to a monthly comic series.

Settle down.

Yeah, well, there are literally thousands of self-contained stories that he could have compared it to, but he happened to pick Watchmen, oddly enough.

I'm with the first guy, I'm tired of it too. It's pretentious and I see it too often.

[fistofkhonshu]

Yeah, well, there are literally thousands of self-contained stories that he could have compared it to, but he happened to pick Watchmen, oddly enough.

I'm with the first guy, I'm tired of it too. It's pretentious and I see it too often.

I'm on both sides of the fence on this, I see where both sides are right. But I'd have to say if I was telling someone about my book and how it was a self contained deal like "blank" was, the first book to pop in my mind would be Watchmen.

I was trying to decide whether to get this or not. Based on these preview pages, its definitely in my pull list now.

[MattBrady]

It's pretentious and I see it too often.just curious, when was the last time you saw a creator doing it about their own work?

MattB

[Webmaster JG]

Did you actually read what he said? He wasn't comparing it based on story. He was saying that the annual Hip Flask issues are a finite series, like Watchmen was, while this Elephantman series is more similar to a monthly comic series.

Please! The idea that we would try to draw a similiarity between the two in style or quality is preposterous.

http://www.hipflask.com/gallery/60years/images/elephantmen.gif

[Webmaster JG]

Hey, has anybody checked out the movie trailer yet?

http://www.hipflask.com/elephantmen/snapshot.jpg
http://www.hipflask.com/elephantmen

Let us know what you think...

[Grimm22]

Hippos fighting dinosaurs.

That just sold the book for me right there :)

[skeletorjr]

Yeah, well, there are literally thousands of self-contained stories that he could have compared it to, but he happened to pick Watchmen, oddly enough.

I'm with the first guy, I'm tired of it too. It's pretentious and I see it too often.

Why do people read so much into things? Unbelievable. If somebody asked me to name few self contained finite comic series, the first that come to mind for me would be Watchmen , Dark Knight Returns and Camelot 3000. From reading the article above, it's pretty obvious he's talking about format, not content. And it's not like Watchmen is the Dead Sea Scrolls or something. It's good, but so are a lot of other books.

[TheFinn1225]

Did you actually read what he said? He wasn't comparing it based on story. He was saying that the annual Hip Flask issues are a finite series, like Watchmen was, while this Elephantman series is more similar to a monthly comic series.

Settle down.

Why not compare it to any other finite series?

[crazyhorse01]

just curious, when was the last time you saw a creator doing it about their own work?

MattB
Well, Matt, since you ask, I'm kinda at work right now, so I don't exactly have the time to stop what I'm doing and dig up Exhibit A, B, or C for you right now.

So, since I don't have the time, or to be frank, the inclination to do so, if you want to dismiss my opinion on the matter as dubious or unfounded or whatever, well, do so with my blessing. It's a free country.

Meanwhile, I'll stand by my earlier post.
:rolleyes:

[MattBrady]

Meanwhile, I'll stand by my earlier post.
:rolleyes:easy bud - was just curious. I just couldn't remember anyone doing it with their own work in a while...

MattB

[genetic freak]

Ladronn!!! 'nuff said.

[boomboom]

I think my six-year-old would like the concept of Elephantmen. Anyone who has read Hipflask...is it more adult-oriented or kid-oriented? Toward what age group is it geared? I'm pretty picky about what I show my kid, so I really have no idea because I didn't pick it up. Any help out there?
C

ADULT series....mainly because some gore and adult political views and stuff about DNA, politics and racial issues but all set in a strange (comic) world....
you yourself should pick it up and read it since it is awesome stuff....it is like reading a novel (a great one) with pictures.

But I would not recommend it for younger kids. My kids are 5, 3 and 1 and they for sure will not be permitted!!

[boomboom]

I cannot express how much i love this...brilliant art and richards work is always entertaining.

I will be investing in this.

Jimmy:)

THERE you have it!!! :)

[Not From Around]

Does this genetically mutated humanoid animals idea remind anyone else of Cordwainer Smith's Underpeople?

[eric_image]

Why not compare it to any other finite series?

Because comparing it to probably the best known finite series in comics makes more sense. Were Rich to have used, say, CAMELOT 3000 as his comparison, fewer people would have got what he was saying. Everybody has at least heard of WATCHMEN -- it's a quick and easy point of reference.

And there's a vast difference between using WATCHMEN as reference point when discussing format and using it to define the nature or the quality of the story. Were he to have said, "HIPFLASK is WATCHMEN-esque in its scope" or something similar, yes, that could be construed as a bit pretentious, but using WATCHMEN to elaborate on what a finite series is? Not so much.

[Rich! Starkings]

I just want to make it completely clear to all those concerned that it was not my intention to compare ELEPHANTMEN to WATCHMEN. Aside from the fact that both titles contain the word 'MEN' and the fact that Dave Gibbons has drawn the ELEPHANTMEN and WATCHMEN, the only other similarities between the titles is the fact that, like Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore, I am British and also my name is Alan. Well, my middle name. Also I once went out with a girl who later married a New Zealander by the name of Dave Gibbons. True story.

WATCHMEN is a finite series, ELEPHANTMEN is an ongoing monthly series. HIP FLASK, the 'parent' title to ELEPHANTMEN, actually IS a finite series, and, like WATCHMEN, a murder mystery of sorts. Also, like WATCHMEN, ELEPHANTMEN features a broad cast of characters, unlike DARK KNIGHT which centers on one character and is not a murder mystery. Had no one mentioned CAMELOT 3000, I would have been hard pressed to think of another finite series off the top of my head. Although I would like to note that WATCHMEN, ELEPHANTMEN and CAMELOT 3000 are all comparable because none of them are based in recognizable contemporary environments.

krort6462, boomboom, although I wouldn't give ELEPHANTMEN to a six year old, I will quite happily let my 11 year old read it -- it's our intention to fill the book with the kind of stories you might find in THE FANTASTIC FOUR, if you'll, uh, forgive the comparison. As I mentioned to Newsarama... over the years it seems to me that mainstream comic creators have become ashamed of their comic book roots -- not us! Elephantmen will look like a comic, talk like a comic, walk like a comic and smell like a comic! Every month!

Anyway, WATCHMEN and ELEPHANTMEN... completely different and not comparable, except in regards to the points raised above.

And a nine panel grid.

And a character by the name of Rorshach.



Just kidding.

Rich!

[Varrus]

This looks cool...I think I might want to check this out.

[genetic freak]

Bumping this thread because those art are beautiful! Wohoo! Go Rich!