Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Elephantmen #27
Image Comics
Starkings, Medellin & Howard
Elephantmen returns after a sizable absence with a new artist and another excellent story. While this issue had a higher level of action than usual I found the lasting impression to be that you just never know which Elephantmen can or will be turned back "on". While we've seen it before in previous issues it seems more apparent now that they are all a risk and a hazard to literally anyone they are around at any given point. The issue is a fantastic read and continues to sit at the top of the science fiction food chain.
The issue opens with a bit of an introduction (or reintroduction) to the specific type of Elephantmen: the crocodile. This series is at its creative best when it enumerates exactly what tasks specific animals were selected to do during the war and how their basic instincts made them the most effective for fulfilling their duty. While explaining some of the savagery, Starkings lets loose one of the best lines I've read in a long time, "It doesn't really matter if your dinner is a small wild rabbit that bled to death in a trap in the countryside, or a genetically enhanced supercow that never had a chance to enjoy the open air… or escape the smell of its own waste as its feces was sucked from the its intestines by industrial tubing." Funny, descriptive and vile; all of which is fitting for this series. It takes someone special to think up a line like that and create some of the beauties in this series.
Sahara, still undercover, seeks out Granger (a giraffe) for some council. Perhaps the most interesting piece of this exchange is that it seems clear that not only is Sahara protecting Horn from himself, but it seems that Horn's behavior might suggest he is not fully rehabilitated. Or at least, she (and possibly Granger) don't believe Horn thinks he's rehabilitated. Oh, but the plot thickens by the end of their conversation as some of the threads are starting to collide.
The action in the issue finds the team of Hip, Ebony and Blackthorne tracking down and confronting some of the crocodiles on the loose. Of course, the crocs aren't just milling about with no one watching them. The question now becomes: what is phase two of the devious plan?
Axel Medellin takes over the art for this issue in what is clearly a strong debut. Upon a read through of this issue you would never know this art isn't the norm of the series. No, it's not Moritat, Hine or Szymanowicz, but he finds the vibe of the book which is so much more important than jamming a specific style into the book. His pencils are very sharp (as seen in his black and white sample in the back) and he obviously understands the strengths of this series and displays a terrific familiarity of the characters. This is a very good start for him.
I feel like we've been waiting for things to really start to explode for a while now and this issue certainly delivers some action and blood to go along with it. I'm finding myself unraveling one strand of the mystery only to discover two more await me. I simply can't wait for the next issue. This issue and series are a fun romp down the science fiction lane. I definitely recommend this issue.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
