New Elephantmen On Sale Now

By John Freeman on May 2, 2008

Elephantmen: War Toys #3 - cover by Boo Cook

Elephantmen: War Toys #3, written and produced by by former Marvel UK staffer Richard Starkings and drawn by Moritat is on sale now in all good comic shops and concludes the much-praised mini-series. Since Mr Starkings has kindly plugged downthetubes in the Elephantmen #12, his regular title (on sale soon), we’re more than happy to reciprocate with an unusual plug for a US-originated title!

The issue cover is by Boo Cook, with a variant cover by Ladrönn also available.

If you haven’t read Elephantmen then you’re missing out on one of the coolest independent US comic books on sale right now — described by SFX magazine as “pulp sci-fi with a European edge… a future gone wrong made to look nightmarishly beautiful” — and we’re not just plugging the book’s praises because Richard slipped us a virtual fiver (he hasn’t, curse him, because we always need the money). Cerebus creator Dave Sim is just one of many who have has sung the praises of the comic in the past.

Talking specifically about War Toys, Tom from the Gosh London comic shop feels Richard and artist Moritat have brought (the war) to life in vivid, gory detail, “bringing about some of the series’ greatest thrills to date.

“Yes, it’s the final issue in the series, but I’ve just been enjoying it so much that it deserves this last shot at being spotlighted.”

In the concluding issue of the mini, even in the face of blistering resistance, it seems that nothing can stop MAPPO’s advance across Scandinavia. But as hero Hip Flask comes face to face with the last vestiges of humanity in the frozen Scandinavian wastes, he discovers that only the dead see the end of warfare…

• Buy Elephantmen: War Toys from your local comic shop

• Buy Elephantmen: War Toys and related projects from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.