Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Elephantmen #30Elephantmen #30
Image Comics
Starkings, Medellin & Bautista

The latest issue of Elephantmen brings one of the longer subplots to a steamy boil. While one of the more sinister ones pushes forward an agenda that probably most loyal readers saw coming. The issue is another example of how well crafted this series has been from the beginning. You would be hard pressed to find a comic book that has more compelling characters set in such a heavy science fiction setting. Did I mention this issue carries "For Mature Readers" tag? Yup, this is an issue you don't want to miss.

As you may have guessed from the cover; Miki disrobes for Hip. Miki, up to this point, has been a bit of a wild child, that drove a cab and seemed spunky, quirky but rather childish and perhaps on the side of not to be taken seriously. Her hair even looked crazy. Well, she shows up on Hip's doorstep in the rain dressed for trouble. Miki's has had a thing for Elephantmen, particularly Hip, throughout this series and she's makes her move in this issue.

There's no question about that this issue is extremely hot. Miki seduces Hip and the visuals and dialogue hold nothing back. Anything that you may have thought about Miki going into this issue probably is going to change. Can Hip continue to turn her advances away? Why would he want to? What took Miki so long to push the limit?

The issue has some other plots turning over in this issue. Sahara and her stand in get some page time here but more importantly we seem to get some hard evidence about the general intention and future of the Elephantmen. If you ever wondered why they weren't destroyed when the war ended or why they were assimilated into society you get some reasons why in here. And generally they aren't good for the regular population.

Medellin has a long way to go before he cements his name into the amazing list of artists that have held some time on this title. However, this issue is a classic in ever sense of the word because of his artwork. Panel after panel the visuals he puts across of Miki get this story hotter and hotter. Medellin makes the reader feel Hip weakening in the knees as Miki slides through his house removing articles of clothing. Medellin's story is simply amazing in this issue.

This title is a lot like The Walking Dead in that there is never a bad issue. That also means the great issues need to be one of the very best the series has ever seen. This one pretty much cracks that plateau. I just can't imagine a reader picking up this issue for the first time and not wanting to pick up another one. This is an excellent read.

4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles