Books: Elephantmen

__________________________________________________________________________________

Elephantmen
Vol 1: Wounded Animals
Written by Richard Starkings and Joe Kelly
Art by Moritat, Ladrönn and Chris Bachalo
2010



Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Elephantmen
Vol 2: Fatal Diseases
Written by Richard Starkings
Art by Moritat, Ian Churchill, Axel Medellin, Rob Steen, Boo Cook and Ladrönn
2010



Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Elephantmen
Vol 3: Dangerous Liaisons
Written by Richard Starkings
Art by Moritat, Chris Burnham, Marian Churchland, Andre Szymanowicz, Rob Steen and Boo Cook
2010


Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Elephantmen
Vol 4: Questionable Things
Written by Richard Starkings
Art by Axel Medellin, Moritat, Ian Churchill, Marian Churchland, Andre Szymanowicz and Chris Burnham
2011


Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Described by it's creator Richard Starkings as "Pulp Science Fiction" Elephantmen is set in the 23rd Century where an evil corporation (MAPPO!) has created transgenic animals to join the war between Africa and China. ("Transgenic animals" you ask? Animals that act and talk and think like humans). Will loads of actions, fights, futuristic cityscapes, crazed scientists, babes with large breasts and all the rest. With a large over-riding story that falls into place ever so-slowly - you will need to be patient and give it some time: but you'll probably be dazzled by all the high-concept fireworks that you won't even notice.

My favourite bit was the Joe Kelly pirate story at the end of Vol 1 - which managed to be both sappy and tough at the same time: the rest of it left me a little cold - but I reckon it's a book that will very much appeal to those a little more gung-ho than me.

..............................................................................................................................................
Links: Den of Geek Review of Vol 2, Things From Another World Richard Starkings Interview.

Further reading: Orc Stain, Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth Saga, Blacksad: Somewhere between the Shadows, The Goon, Grandville, Tom Strong.

All comments welcome.

Books: I Kill Giants

_______________________________________________________________________________

I Kill Giants
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by J. M. Ken Niimura
2009




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Barbara Thorson is either the toughest meanest giant-killer in the world or a pretty disturbed young Dungeons & Dragons oddball. I Kill Giants is her emotionally hardcore story. With a graceful balance struck between the mundane and the fantastic: maybe she is a mighty warrior standing alone against the forces of darkness or maybe she's having a psychological breakdown (or - shock - a little bit of both?) and the expressionistic artwork that coveys the horrors and delights of adolescence - this is a comic for the wannabe giant-slayer deep in everyone's heart. If Scott Pilgrim had a younger, darker, stranger sister - it would look and sound like this. But be warned - it get's pretty intense.

...................................................................................................................................................
Links: Comic Book Resources Review.

Further reading: The Tale of One Bad Rat, Scott Pilgrim, Joe The Barbarian, A Distant Neighbourhood, Solanin, The Unwritten, Death: The High Cost of Living, The Sandman, Orc Stain.

All comments welcome