Comicrafts Release Elephantmen By The Editor Feb 24, 2006 - 3:26:00 PM

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The Elephant

Comicraft's President & First Tiger, Richard Starkings, launches a new monthly Pulp Science Fiction series at Image comics: ELEPHANTMEN!

If you're a fan of Active Images' flagship title, HIP FLASK, but can't stand the agonizing two year wait between issues, there's good news; HIP FLASK creator, Richard Starkings, has been putting together a monthly companion title, which hits stores this summer courtesy of Image comics.

"Ever since I took on the publishing gig at Image I've been trying to persuade Rich Starkings into coming on over and bringing his books with him," says Image's head honcho, Erik Larsen, "The guys here in the studio are just crazy about HIP FLASK and all the other books Richard has published on his own. We've begged, we've pleaded and finally, after all this time, he's caved in and we'll be publishing ELEPHANTMEN-- a monthly, ongoing book set firmly in the world of HIP FLASK!"

"Way back in 2002, it was my intention to take HIP FLASK to Image," says Starkings, "but I was so uncertain about the publishing schedule, given that Ladronn was painting every issue, I decided it was best to self publish. Then, at San Diego Comic Con last year, Comicraft's Secret Weapon, John 'JG' Roshell, and I were discussing a big thick one shot anthology for this coming summer to bridge the gap between issues of HIP FLASK: THE BIG HERE & THE LONG NOW. Within a couple of months I had written so many scripts and lined up so many artists that I realized that what I really needed to be doing was a monthly! I'd been having a great time putting G�DLAND together for Image so I dropped Erik a line and BOOM, we were all set!"�

Image's executive director Eric Stephenson had also been trying to lure Starkings to Image comics... "Working with good people is often one of the most rewarding aspects of comics, and Richard Starkings is one of the best. I've known him for years, and I've always admired the level of commitment and professionalism he brings to every project. It's been exciting to see HIP FLASK grow and evolve over the years, but it's even more exciting that Richard has chosen to bring ELEPHANTMEN to Image as that evolution continues."

Starkings describes ELEPHANTMEN as an ongoing monthly which will include one or two ELEPHANTMEN stories per issue. "Ace artist and all around nice guy, Justin MORITAT Norman, presented me with a beautiful painting of Hip Flask at that same Comic Con last year, as a way of thanking me for publishing his book with Steven Seagle, SOLSTICE, which had been looking for a home for ten years. I looked over Justin's online gallery -- http://moritat.deviantart.com/gallery/ -- and was blown away by his versatility and range. When I conceived of ELEPHANTMEN as an ongoing series, Justin was my first choice. You'll be seeing his work in just about every issue, but I already have some terrific short stories in the can, by artists including Henry DREDD/ALIENS Flint, Tom G�DLAND Scioli, Duncan THE NIGHTMARIST Rouleau, David THE 198 Hine, and a whole issue by Chris X-MEN Bachalo, all of which mesh with the issue-to-issue continuity.

"Naturally, I know that people who've become familiar with Ladronn's definitive take on HIP FLASK will be concerned that the book won't be the same without him, but I'm happy to say that Ladronn is onboard, as cover artist, character designer and cheerleader. His role on the new title is very much like Alex Ross's involvement in Kurt Busiek's ASTRO CITY title. Each issue of ELEPHANTMEN will sport a painted cover by Ladronn, as well as a peek at his sketches and concept art for the series. We'll also have 'flip' covers on every issue by the likes of Steve Skroce, Brian Bolland, Ian Churchill, Pascual Ferry and David Lloyd. For now, ELEPHANTMEN is all prequel to HIP FLASK: THE BIG HERE & THE LONG NOW, so all the characters that have appeared in the first three issues of the HIP FLASK series will have a part to play in ELEPHANTMEN, even the ones who met a nasty end in the most recent issue, MYSTERY CITY!"

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