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The world of Hip Flask is one I'm still trying to put together. As I understand it, the character, a human-hippo hybrid, was introduced by Starking as a mere margin illustration in another book, but he expanded that image into a story of humanity and identity. Created in our distant future as super-warriors, he and his fellow "Elephantmen" have since escaped the clutches of their mad creator and are being integrated into human society. This book covers their creation and liberation, with only the last few pages touching upon their life among humans.

This volume is in theory the first, though it begins in the middle of a story and has no real ending. This can be very alienating. The reader has to be able to accept that they don't have the full story and must fill in some of the holes. Visual, it is quite stunning and disturbing, made more so by the chilling story of the wrongs that can be committed with advanced genetic modification and shaky morals. Many concepts are frightening and violent, as one would expect from a story of engineered battle-men. None the less, we are allowed to pity some of these beings and the slavery they live in.

Fans of this sort of trans-humanismistic story will enjoy it, as well as those who find the art of Mobeius and related artists. Those who are just curious may want to borrow it from a friend or see if they cannot dig it up on an inter-library loan, for the price is quite steep for such a short volume, even if each page is large and often stunning. I do plan to follow up on the Elephantmen and the ill-fated Hip Flask. ( )

LIDO!