Suspended Animation Review

Well, there's this elephant named Ebony wearing a huge overcoat who walks and talks like a man, and this cute little girl with a bunny rabbit backpack named Savannah who wants to be his girlfriend.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking: do we really need another cute little anthropomorphic comic book?! You know--Bugs Bunny, Uncle Scrooge, Sylvester and that "I tot I taw a puddy tat" little bird--funny talking animals?

Please, don't interrupt again.

So the elephant and little girl are waiting on a sidewalk at night in 2259 AD in front of a Hooters restaurant, and Ebony in having flashbacks as it begins to rain. You see, Ebony is a human-animal hybrid, born of a human mother (that must have hurt!) and created by a scientist for only one reason, to kill.

Even though this first issue just hints at future plots, it should be obvious that Elephantmen is not your typical funny animal title.

After all, it is a very dark night. Ebony's flashbacks are unpleasant, and Savannah's mother is horrified when she catches her daughter talking to a "monster".

The cute but realistic dialog also plays in contrast to brooding, dynamic art that will knock your socks off.

Yeah, it's all here, bud. Intriguing writing and distinctive art both fulfill the technical aspects of good graphic storytelling and lay the groundwork for an excellent new comics title. But excellent comics are about more than competent work.

Great comics storytelling is about a unique vision that grabs your attention and wont let go.

It doesn't really matter if it grabs you because of talking elephants or super-humans in spandex tights, so get rid of your funny animal prejudice.

This one is worth watching.

Elephantmen #1/26 pgs. from Image Comics/art by Moritat, words by Richard Starkings/sold at comics shops and at www.imagecomics.com

Order Vance's history of the American Comics Group in Alter Ego #61 at www.twomorrows.com.

Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to fourcolorcommentary.blogspot.com/

Shudder at Michael Vance's "Light's End" audiotapes narrated by legendary actor William Windom. Star of 18 Broadway plays, 200 TV shows (Murder She Wrote, Star Trek, etc) & 50 movies, Windom will chill you as Vance's prose curdles your blood! Light's End #1: "A Change of Heart" and "Cross Purposes" or #2: "Fall Guy" and "The Zoo" plus the song "The World Roars On". $10 unsigned. $20 signed by Windom and Vance. Cassette or CD from: Vance, 1427 S. Delaware Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74104, or www.starbase21OK.com!