"Hip Flask: Concrete Jungle" was very much what I expected in terms of continuing the stories begun in the "Elephantmen: Wounded Animals" graphic novel. This volume could be considered a stand-alone volume in some circles, but in my own experience, it was a mistake to attempt to read "Concrete Jungle" without reading "Wounded Animals" first. "Concrete Jungle" offers only the barest recap into previous events which helps jog the memory of readers who are already familiar with the series, but offers little in the way of explanation to readers who are experiencing "Elephantmen" for the first time. The first attempt at reading this volume was largely unenjoyable because I didn't have the faintest idea why I should care about any of these characters. After reading (and very much enjoying) "Wounded Animals," I began reading "Concrete Jungle" again and discovered it to be a far better volume than I'd anticipated.

As with "Wounded Animals," "Concrete Jungle" masquerades as a pulpy, genre action story that centers on Hip Flask, the Elephantman who appears to be a bipedal hippopautamus. He was introduced in "Wounded Animals" as a private investigator type who's been contracted by a branch of official law enforcement. His exact employment status and agency aren't fully revealed, but it's clear that he's meant to be on the side of the "good guys" as much as this series can be said to have "good guys."

Once again the artists have gone for a look that while richly textured is decidedly dark and gritty which is fitting considering the hard-boiled pulp noir storyline. This book follows Hip Flask through the partial investigation of a case that clearly involves a hitman, the elephantman Obadiah Horn, and a man named Serengheti. What isn't clear is exactly how the case will be resolved because this volume, frustratingly enough, doesn't contain a full story arc. It's obviously setting up plot elements for bigger and better things to come in the series, though the cliff-hanger ending is less about cheap tricks to sell more books and more about a logical place to end what is, essentially, a single chapter in a much larger work. "Concrete Jungle" shifts between plot threads fluidly, while only weaving a couple of them into the larger storyline. The reader gets the impression that they can trust the author and artists to resolve all of these glimpses into a coherent whole, especially if that reader has gotten to read "Wounded Animals." The changes in characters and plotlines are nothing new for "Elephantmen" and it's part of what keeps the story so interesting.

The "Elephantmen" series is a fast-cut action series skillfully melded with noir and near-future science fiction and "Concrete Jungle" is no exception, however, as with "Wounded Animals", much larger and deeper issues are at the heart of this story. "Concrete Jungle" raises issues of scientific ethics and responsibility, racism, economics, and even provokes some thought on law enforcement and prisons. While this certainly shouldn't surprise readers of graphic novels or genre fiction in general (because much of it does contain worthy statements on society and culture), the simple fact is that the "Elephantmen" series carries all this issues within a story that brings them up without ever getting horribly preachy or boring in the slightest. "Concrete Jungle" is one of those books that a person can't help thinking about after reading it, and that's certainly not a bad thing at all.

Ex Machina has at its heart two central conceits. One of them is readily apparent from the outset, is proudly displayed on the back cover summary, is the main calling card and probably the reason that the book was picked up in the first place. What if a super hero became an elected official? Mitchell Hundred was a civil engineer who stumbled upon a glowing object of mysterious origins that bestowed upon him the ability to talk to machines. After healing from his burns he embarks on a short lived career as the worlds first and only superhero. Short lived because he feels as if he is just maintaining the status quo and he could make more of a difference by unmasking and running for mayor of New York City.

Now, I said above that there were two central conceits at work here. One is on the surface and the other is buried below the surface and could only have been asked by a modern comic creator. I'll get to the second one in just a minute so I ask for your patience.

Ex Machina: The First Hundred Days collects the first 5 issues in trade paperback and I might add is reasonably priced. Brian Vaughn has stated that the series will run for 50 issues which I think is indicative of its quality because it shows that he has the story and all of the arcs that encompass it mapped out in some capacity, in other words this will not turn into a shaggy dog story as is often the case with monthlies that go on endlessly bouncing from one creative team to the next.

Some, but not all of the far reaching story arcs that will be addressed but not yet resolved include: the avenged death of Hundred's mother, the mysterious origins of his powers, the fact that the NSA swore him to secrecy in regards to discussing his powers, apparent quirks or flaws in his powers as we and he understands them and finally his nemesis who may or may not be dead. All of these and others keep the story intriguing and move the over all story along.

I have been tired of super heroes for a very long time, even in their modern incarnations. As I've grown older and after the publication of Alan Moore's Watchmen which systematically dismantled the super hero mythos, I have become increasingly removed from the super hero titles that continue to populate the shelves. I have gravitated towards other types of stories like crime, horror, action and thriller which are served well by the format. Brian Vaughn, whose previous titles include Y: The Last Man and Runaways, is a modern master of comic writing and speaks to my disillusionment like no other. His titles consistently show such a high level of quality that he has the ability to literally take your breath away sometimes. One of his strongest traits is that he comes up with an interesting central idea, and then surrounds it with a full exploration of that idea, often times in ways which you had never anticipated and populated by realistic fully formed characters.

Ex Machina is the current torch bearer of Alan Moore’s Watchmen and such comparisons are truly drawn out upon re-readings where it become readily apparent just how thought out this parallel New York is. From the multiple meanings of the title of the series right on through to the complexities of the political system and everything in between. Obviously there is much more to be said on this title but some spoils should be left for you the first time reader.

This is Vaughn firing on all cylinders and at the top of his game. Brian K Vaughn is not only the best comic writer working today but one of the best writers bar genre.
Now that I've talked about the strengths of the title as a whole it is time to address that second central conceit that was mentioned above. For this part of the review I am going to ask that you trust me and to indulge in something a bit out of the ordinary but we will get to that is a second.

Mitchell’s opponent in the mayoral race is a well connected, well funded Republican candidate. Mitchell gets elected to office in a stunning landslide victory. His final act as a super-hero is shocking, stunning, truly heroic and is revealed to the reader on the FINAL page of the first issue. It is this final act that allows Mitchel to ride an unprecedented wave of popularity into office. It takes a modern image that is burned into the brain of all of us and twists it a quarter of a turn finding a hidden power that will haunt you with the ramifications. It will take your breath away, make you choke up, may make you cry a little as a whispered "My God" escapes you.

The first issue in its entirety is available online for free. I implore anyone reading this review to follow the link now and read it before continuing on. Images in this case speak far more eloquently then words ever could. It won’t take long to do. It will be worth it, I promise I'll wait. Remember, don’t skip to the end.

Whistles a tune.

Reads a book.

Google’s own name.

Listens to the new Tom Waits.

Works on Ken Bruen project.

Ok, your back, good. Now you see the ONE way that a super hero could get elected in a world where super heroes hadn’t existed before. It’s this story that permeates the ENTIRE series. The ramifications of this one selfless act will be played out over the series in ways that you can’t begin to imagine. At time shocking, funny, and heartbreaking, the entire scope of human emotions will be represented here.

Now tell me you don’t want to rush out and start reading this series.

--Brian Lindenmuth