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Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman #1-4
Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman, Vol. 1
Joseph Merrick: The Elephant Man fucks up the occult, in a Victorian tale of gin joints, black magic and carnival freaks.
A gaslamp tale set in 1880’s London which steps between historical facts and figures and turn of the century folklore juxtaposed with the American superhero comic conventions of super powers, masks, secret identities and fantastic adventures.
The trade paper back contains issues #01-04 plus a covers gallery, pin-up gallery and other bonuses including an introduction from Joe Casey (Wildcats 3.0, Uncanny X-Men, The Intimates, Adventures of Superman).
A gaslamp tale set in 1880’s London which steps between historical facts and figures and turn of the century folklore juxtaposed with the American superhero comic conventions of super powers, masks, secret identities and fantastic adventures.
The trade paper back contains issues #01-04 plus a covers gallery, pin-up gallery and other bonuses including an introduction from Joe Casey (Wildcats 3.0, Uncanny X-Men, The Intimates, Adventures of Superman).
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 1, 2026
What a deliriously inventive piece of work this is. Tom Ward takes one of Victorian London's most poignant real figures and does something wonderfully audacious with him: he makes Joseph Merrick the hero of his own riotous gaslamp adventure, complete with gin joints, carnival freaks, black magic, and a villain pulled straight from the fog-soaked nightmare of 19th-century folklore.
The collision of registers is the book's greatest strength. Ward weaves genuine historical figures — Dr Treves, Thomas Hardy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Freemasons — into a narrative that cheerfully borrows the conventions of the American superhero comic: secret identities, spectacular powers, and the thrill of the fantastic adventure. It shouldn't cohere, and yet it does, because the script never loses sight of the human being at its centre. There's a sly, knowing wit running through it all, nowhere more pleasingly deployed than in the hidden nod to a certain resident of Baker Street — a citation that rewards the attentive reader with a quiet smile.
And Spring-Heeled Jack as the (final and future) villain? Inspired. A figure who belongs entirely to the lurid mythology of the era, dropped into proceedings as though he were always meant to be there.
Luke Parker's art is the ideal complement — atmospheric and kinetic in equal measure, rooting the fantastical firmly in the gas-lit grime of the 1880s without ever letting the energy drop.
Merrick Vol. 1 is the kind of graphic novel that earns its ambition. It steps between history and folklore with a swagger that feels entirely earned, and it leaves you very much wanting Vol. 2. Highly recommended.
The collision of registers is the book's greatest strength. Ward weaves genuine historical figures — Dr Treves, Thomas Hardy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Freemasons — into a narrative that cheerfully borrows the conventions of the American superhero comic: secret identities, spectacular powers, and the thrill of the fantastic adventure. It shouldn't cohere, and yet it does, because the script never loses sight of the human being at its centre. There's a sly, knowing wit running through it all, nowhere more pleasingly deployed than in the hidden nod to a certain resident of Baker Street — a citation that rewards the attentive reader with a quiet smile.
And Spring-Heeled Jack as the (final and future) villain? Inspired. A figure who belongs entirely to the lurid mythology of the era, dropped into proceedings as though he were always meant to be there.
Luke Parker's art is the ideal complement — atmospheric and kinetic in equal measure, rooting the fantastical firmly in the gas-lit grime of the 1880s without ever letting the energy drop.
Merrick Vol. 1 is the kind of graphic novel that earns its ambition. It steps between history and folklore with a swagger that feels entirely earned, and it leaves you very much wanting Vol. 2. Highly recommended.
March 17, 2025
To first address the elephant(man) in the room; this is such a clear-cut love letter to the world of Mike Mignola, between the art style and the occult references, it's hard to deny such a fact.
But sadly, by paying such a hefty tribute to Hellboy, you draw comparisons, and this book is simply not as strong in terms of direction and style.
However, I have to remember this is an indie comic with so much love and affection in every panel and every page turn. Like me, the creators have a fascination with the life of Joseph Merrick, London's elephantman. His life was heartbreakingly tragic and was the victim of such ridicule from 19th-century society. But from that tragedy, this team has made Joseph into a hero, who longs to protect those as downtrodden as himself.
Even though we can never know Joseph Merrick personally, I choose to believe he would endorse the empowerment this book gives to the name elephantman.
But sadly, by paying such a hefty tribute to Hellboy, you draw comparisons, and this book is simply not as strong in terms of direction and style.
However, I have to remember this is an indie comic with so much love and affection in every panel and every page turn. Like me, the creators have a fascination with the life of Joseph Merrick, London's elephantman. His life was heartbreakingly tragic and was the victim of such ridicule from 19th-century society. But from that tragedy, this team has made Joseph into a hero, who longs to protect those as downtrodden as himself.
Even though we can never know Joseph Merrick personally, I choose to believe he would endorse the empowerment this book gives to the name elephantman.
January 11, 2022
Acclaimed comicbook series wonderfully written by Tom Ward with fantastic art by Luke Parker, evocative of the style of Hellboy artist Mike Mignola, which suits the Victorian period of the tale. Taking the story of the famous Victorian character, Joseph Merrick, the eponymous Elephantman, and positing him as a reluctant hero with strength beyond that of a normal man and blessed/cursed with an impervious hide.
April 24, 2019
Awesome art by Luke Parker and an intriguing storyline from Tom Ward elevates Merrick above many other comics based on real-life characters and situations. Mystery, injustice and considered weirdness mix together within a perfect setting – 'The Sensational Elephantman' is a joy to view and read, full of thoughtful complexities, violence, action, and a real hero.
May 13, 2021
Enjoyable romp mixing historical fact with fiction.
October 6, 2016
I was a little uneasy when I started reading this, Merrick was a real man and a heavily exploited one, but the book treats him sympathically while also making him into a Hellboy-esque hero. That's quite a balance.
That Hellboy link is hard to get away from. There's a similar tone and the art feels undeniably Mignola. Despite this, the book feels like it's own thing and it's very well made - pushing Victoriana and the occult together with engaging characters and shadows upon shadows.
I'll be looking out for the next volume.
That Hellboy link is hard to get away from. There's a similar tone and the art feels undeniably Mignola. Despite this, the book feels like it's own thing and it's very well made - pushing Victoriana and the occult together with engaging characters and shadows upon shadows.
I'll be looking out for the next volume.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews