Elephantmen #0

Genre action Author Richard Starkings and Joe Casey Publisher Image Comics External Links Official Hip Flask and Elephantmen Website

It's not often that you get a chance to get a full recount of an origin without having to go out and purchase the original publication that contained it. With the growing popularity of Elephantmen, those of us who missed the creation of these hybrid beasts and the world they live in have been given just such a chance with this issue in order to get a better understanding of these outsiders that inhabit Los Angeles in the year 2259. We are shown the extreme scientific research and experiments that one Dr. Nikken has undertaken to create an army of hybrids using the most feared animals and homo erectus. The result is the Elephantmen - massive and unique to their heritage but able to stand on two legs like man and seemingly able to function in the likeness of man including opposable thumbs to some degree and the ability to think independently. This recount before we get too much farther into the series is perfectly timed and very much welcome.

The recap shows that Dr. Nikken has moved from the furthest reaches of civilization to conduct his experiments. Employed by MAPPO, an unknown conglomerate, Nikken is playing god with his creations, all in the name of science and progress. They are force fed ideas, instincts, and behaviors - none are their own, all are MAPPO's. This is reinforced in classes and constant announcements over the loudspeaker throughout the facility. Pushing them to the extremes and limits of their capabilities, Nikken is seeking the best of the best. Those that fail, and there are thousands, are put out of their misery and join the countless corpses he has utilized for the birthing process.

When civilization finally does come nosing around, they come armed to the hilt. Casualties mount on both sides as Nikken is apprehended and taken off to jail. The remaining surviving Elephantmen are rounded up and brought back to be assimilated into society. Of course they will have to undergo some sort of deprogramming of the brainwashing Nikken has instilled in them and apprehension exists to be certain. The Elephantmen have known nothing else since their births. However, we saw flashes that these large mammals have the capability of free thought when Hip Flask dared to ask a question during one of his classes. It is independent thinkers that always tend to survive better when confronted with harsh conditions. They can adapt to the changes that occur around them and often retain their optimism no matter how deeply it is buried. This incident just happens to be the start of a big change and could be daunting for both the Elephantmen and humanity.

Ladronn is the artist for this full issue. It is a real pleasure to have his handiwork on the story that he helped create. Detailed and futuristic in scope, you almost feel at times you are watching a science fiction movie. He successfully blends colors to give the right feeling of nausea and darkness and light. Further, there is a proper perspective of size and ratio for all the characters that successfully conveys the grandeur of the story.

This issue is a good introduction to understanding the Elephantmen and provides some other small insights in the process. We learn how Hip Flask got his name from the branding process on his backside. We see the nervousness of man facing these creatures in battle and that living side by side each other will prove much more difficult. While Nikken is very reminiscent of Hitler and his creation of a new race, we don't quite have a full understanding of MAPPO as a company that would authorize these extreme experiments and for what purpose. If you have been reading Elephantmen and missed out on the previous publications that brought us to this point, pick up this issue. While I believe it is merely a reprinting of previous work, it is well worth the background information it helps provide and will make understanding these gigantic beasts easier going forward.