Art by Ian Churchill and Boo Cook
It's nice to see another issue of Elephantmen. Before I even talk about this issue, I think it's worth addressing the schedule of this title. This issue was originally solicited for February of 2008. Now, I understand how it goes, especially with Image titles - they come out when they come out. What I can never understand is how they keep soliciting this book. Number 19 is supposed to be out this month. Number 21 was just solicited in the most recent issue of Previews. If they go weekly from this issue, they can't possibly get them all out in time. Why are they still soliciting? Why not cancel, and re-solicit. It seems like they are able to produce a lot of covers for this book (every issue has two, front and back), but either story or interior art is a problem. I know this is turning into a rant, but it bothers me. If the book is going to be twice a year, I'm fine with that. Just get a few more issues done before you keep soliciting more.
As to the comic itself - it's good. It was a little hard to remember all the details of the recent issues, but it all came back to me eventually. We've got the outbreak of the FCN virus in the US, followed by Trench's extreme measures to stop it from spreading. We get to follow up on Horn's car crash, and the potentially disastrous repurcussions of it, and we see a lot more of Hip than we have before (although not as much as Miki seems interested in seeing). The book ends with a good cliff-hanger, making me hope that it won't be six months before the next issue comes out.
This issue also features the art of Ian Churchill (is the scheduling his fault?) and Boo Cook, after the unfortunate departure of Moritat (is the fault his maybe?). This doesn't look like the typical Churchill book, for which I suppose the thanks goes to Cook, who is an artist that is definitely catching my eye - I like his covers for Marvel a lot.
2 comments:
MEA CULPA!
Thanks for the support, um, Thingslikei
As I am the captain of the ELEPHANTMEN ship, I have to take full responsibility for the lateness of the book.
Mortitat did his best to fit the book in around his busy schedule as a freelance commercial storyboard artist and illustrator for WHITE WOLF, and I overestimated his tremendous capabilities as penciler/inker/colorist. I think it's a testament to his creativity that I needed not one but FOUR artists to pinchhit for him when shoulder and wrist troubles forced him to take a protracted leave of absence from the book after #13.
Ironically Ian Churchill was able to step in as penciler for two issues only because he was RECOVERING from shoulder surgery! Ian has been one of my best mates for a long time, knows and loves the characters (he is the official co-creator of both Obadiah Horn and Sahara!) and was resting between gigs for DC and Marvel... Issues 14 and 15 just wouldn't look as good as they do without Ian's massive talent and he produced the breakdowns for both issues in just three weeks.
Boisterous Boo Cook also volunteered his services knowing we were in a tight corner. He took time out from his busy 2000AD schedule to provide finished art for #14 and finishes and colours for #15. 15's a real beaut, my favourite issue so far!
Beyond that, you'll be happy to know that:
1. The book is back on a monthly schedule as of this issue. #15 is already at the printers and #16, with art by Chris Burnham, is right behind it! #18 and #20 are already in the bag, and #17 is already inked and being coloured this week. It's worth remembering that the first dozen issues of ELEPHANTMEN shipped on time, so I'm glad to report that we're getting back to our promised frequency.
2. Issues #17 through #21 are being re-solicited for shipping in March/April/May/June/July.
3. Issue #21 will be illustrated in its entirety by Boo Cook!
4. Moritat returns for two issues with #22 and #23!
5. FATAL DISEASES, the second hardcover, will be in stores in April!
Again, thanks for your support... no one has been more concerned about the lateness of each issue than yours truly.
Rich!
Rich - Thanks for explaining all of that. I've looked around the net for some kind of idea of what was going on with the book, but this is the first I've seen that clears everything up. I really like the book, and am very pleased to learn that I'll get to read it more regularly.
Keep up the great work!
James
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