Broken Frontier

It’s been a long time coming, but at last the story of Mappo, the Elephantmen and the World War in which they fought will be told. Beginning in August, Richard Starkings, Moritat and cover artist Boo Cook embark upon a 3-issue mini-series entitled Elephantmen: War Toys. Exactly who and what were the Elephantmen fighting for? It’s all here in Elephantmen: War Toys (Image Comics, $2.99, Diamond #JUN071879 black and white, 40 pages with variant covers by Ladrönn).

"We’ve been asked over and over, repeatedly, to tell this story," said Richard Starkings, Elephantmen writer and creator and President & First Tiger of Active Images. "I’ve always had it in the back of my mind and now it’s time to let loose. It’s the story of all-out War and it’s anything but civil."

Elephantmen: War Toys #1 (of 3) INVASION! Africa and China are at war. The battlefield: Europe. Enter: MAPPO's genetically engineered soldiers, The Elephantmen. At last, Starkings & Moritat tell the story of the war to end all wars.

Elephantmen: War Toys #2 (of 3) RESISTANCE! France has fallen to MAPPO… but even the Elephantmen have sustained heavy casualties. As Africa's forces advance into the North of Europe, Hip Flask, Ebony Hide and Obadiah Horn find that their way forward is not as easy as they thought it would be.

Elephantmen: War Toys #3 (of 3) VICTORY! Even in the face of blistering resistance, it seems that nothing can stop MAPPO's advance across Scandinavia. But as 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.

And don’t forget to check out Elephantmen: Wounded Animals (Image Comics, August 2007, ISBN: 978-1582406916, $24.99, 224-page hardcover, wraparound cover by Ladrönn) collecting issues 1 through 7 of the acclaimed series called, "A labour of love, not just for the fictional world within it, but the medium itself." [Adam White, Pulp Fiction Comics] Elephantmen: Wounded Animals is written by Richard Starkings & Joe Kelly, with art by Moritat, Chris Bachalo, Henry Flint, Tom Scioli, and David Hine.

All Image Comics and Active Images's books are available in all finer comic book stores.