Advance Review – ‘Skinbreaker’ #3 Shows No Quit In It
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
Until now, this series’ artwork has far surpassed its script. But with the story becoming more interesting and even more relatable, the script is catching up. That means readers are in for a treat – from both the text and the visuals.
Overall
9/10Knowing when to call it quits – whether it be a relationship or a career – is one of the most challenging puzzles most of us will ever face. Is this rough patch in a relationship something that is going to get better with time? And am I willing to put the work in to make it happen? Do stay too long at a job and run the risk of becoming outdated and irrelevant?
That last question is a particularly thorny one for Enok, the leader of his tribe in Skinbreaker. In the first two issues, we saw Enok’s ascendance to the role, but in a surprise time jump in the last chapter, Enok is now old. He’s in a similar place to where is friend, the last elder, was when Enok challenged him for the leadership role. That challenge, though, is one to the death – which makes retirement particularly unpleasant.
Robert Kirkman writes a particularly relevant story, especially in an era in the US where politics is dominated largely by older white men who are unwilling to give up what they feel they’ve earned or deserve. And yet Enok is a kind soul who is trying only to help his people. As he tries to bring them along to new ways of thinking, he makes himself vulnerable to traditionalists who seek the glory of battle. And Kirkman shows us how Enok has blinded himself to the threats from outside of the village, as well as those from within.
All of that is fine, but what dominates this issue – and the series to date – is David Finch’s stellar artwork. With large splash pages and detailed penciling, Finch makes the task at hand look easy. This is the kind of series that Finch was born to draw, and he seems to be having a great time while doing it. It’s certainly a treat for readers, as they flip through pages filled with alien monsters in battle and noble humanoids who are just enough like us so we can empathize with them.
Finch’s artwork has been the bedrock of this series. With Kirkman’s scripts improving with each issue, Skinbreaker has the opportunity to set the bar for a monthly independent title. In other words, there’s no reason for these guys to think about throwing in the towel if they keep producing issues like this.
Skinbreaker #3 will be available in comic book stores and digital platforms on Wednesday from Image Comics.
