Advance Review: ‘Skinbreaker’ #4 Showcases Its Creative Team’s Talents
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
This issue demonstrates how the dynamic combination of a writer and an artist at the top of their respective games can pay off for readers. It’s a compelling and visually stunning story that will leave its audience wanting more. What more could you ask for in a comic book?
Overall
9.5/10To paraphrase Peter Graves’ character from Airplane!: “Do you like comic books about gladiators?” If so, Skinbreaker #4 is for you. Actually, even if you’re not into battle royales, there’s plenty to love in this dynamic issue.
Most of this issue is consumed with a fight between the elderly chieftain Anok and the much younger and stronger upstart Paca. It is as much a battle of brute strength and cunning as it is a conflict about the old ways versus the new.
If that doesn’t excite you — and it probably should because Robert Kirkman writes a strong script — then knowing that David Finch draws it should seal the deal.
As he has throughout this series, Finch uses double-page spreads, splash pages, and extreme closeups to give the story scale and detail. Finch is at the top of his game here – which is saying something for an artist of his caliber.
We can feel the impact of each blocked sword blow during the battle and are truly frightened when we see Paca’s face, which is filled with bloodlust, as well as his furious clenched fist.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Finch’s storytelling abilities is that all of the word bubbles could disappear, and readers would understand most of what’s being communicated in these pages.
That’s not an indictment of Kirkman’s script, but rather a testament to the partnership in this creative team. Both creators are clearly enjoying their work in Skinbreaker. Kirkman is telling an adult story, free from his trademark quips and characters created solely to lighten the mood. The real battle is the struggle to innovate and do things more intelligently in a society that relies on its tradition. In some ways, it’s one of Kirkman’s most relevant works, despite the fact that the characters aren’t human.
After only four issues, Skinbreaker continues to make its case for why it’s one of the top series of the year. With Kirkman and Finch telling the tale, those gladiatorial battles should get even better in the coming months.
Skinbreaker #4 will be available in comic book stores and on digital platforms this Wedneday from Image Comics.
