Skinbreaker #1
Colors by: Annalisa Leoni
Illustrated by: David Finch
Written by: Robert Kirkman
Image Comics
2025
Spoilers
SERIES PREMIERE
FOR FANS OF INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE: BATTLE BEAST COMES YOUR NEW FAVORITE SERIES!
The dream team of ROBERT KIRKMAN (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE) and superstar artist DAVID FINCH (Batman, New Avengers) present a visionary action epic unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Enor has led his tribe for many seasons, but his time as Chieftan is coming to an end. He wields the mighty SKINBREAKER, but at his age, he can barely lift it. Will Enor’s reluctant heir, Anok, take over before their world falls to ruin? As a bloody power struggle begins, an even bigger threat lurks in the darkness beyond their village.
SKINBREAKER tells the story of a people on the verge of collapse and their fight for survival as the many threats they face close in for the kill.
I’ll be honest with you – when I first heard that Robert Kirkman and David Finch were teaming up for a new series, I had pretty high expectations. What I didn’t expect was to be completely blown away by what might be one of the most ambitious comic projects I’ve seen in years.
Skinbreaker feels like something special from the moment you crack it open. This isn’t just another comic book launch; it’s clear that Kirkman has been sitting on this story for a long time, waiting for the right moment and the right collaborator to bring it to life. And boy, did he find the right guy in David Finch.
Let me start with the art because, frankly, it’s impossible to ignore. Finch has always been a powerhouse artist – his work on books like Moon Knight and New Avengers proved he could make even the quietest character moments visually compelling. But here, he’s operating on another level entirely. Kirkman mentions in his introduction that they decided to draw this book on massive art boards, with each page essentially being the size of a two-page spread. The result is absolutely stunning. The jungle environments are so lush and detailed that you can practically feel the humidity coming off the page.
What really impressed me is how this oversized approach serves the story rather than just showing off. This feels like a primitive, visceral world that demands that kind of scale and detail. The characters – Enor, Anok, Dula, and the rest – have such a unique design that balances the alien with the deeply human. Despite their unusual appearance, there’s something immediately relatable about their expressions and body language that draws you in.
Kirkman’s storytelling here feels more focused than some of his recent work. Don’t get me wrong, I love what he’s doing with the Energon Universe and the continued Invincible content, but there’s something refreshing about seeing him dive into completely new territory. The story has this emotional weight that catches you off guard. It’s described as simple, but there are layers here that I suspect will unfold beautifully over the eight-issue run.
Speaking of that run, here’s something that immediately won me over: the entire series is already drawn. After years of delays on various comics, knowing that Kirkman and Finch have spent eight years quietly crafting this complete story is incredibly reassuring. This isn’t a case of creators figuring things out as they go; this is a fully realized vision that’s been carefully planned and executed.
Annalisa Leoni’s color work deserves special mention too. She’s been doing fantastic work on Kirkman’s other books, but her palette here creates such a vivid, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The colors feel both earthy and fantastical, perfectly complementing Finch’s detailed linework without overwhelming it. And Rus Wooton’s lettering, with those distinctive oval balloons Kirkman requested, adds to the unique visual identity of the book.
What strikes me most about Skinbreaker is how it feels like a passion project that’s been given the time and resources it deserves. In an industry that often feels rushed, there’s something deeply satisfying about a creative team taking eight years to get something exactly right. The craftsmanship shows on every page.
If you’re a fan of Kirkman’s character work or Finch’s art, this is an absolute must-read. But even if you’re not familiar with either creator, this feels like the kind of comic that could become a real standout. It’s ambitious, beautifully crafted, and tells a story that feels both timeless and completely fresh.
The fact that they’re also releasing treasury-sized editions alongside the regular issues shows just how confident they are in the visual impact of this book. And honestly, after seeing what they’ve accomplished here, I can’t wait to experience it in that larger format.
Skinbreaker #1 is the kind of comic that reminds you why the medium can be so special when creators are firing on all cylinders. It’s been a long wait, but it was absolutely worth it.
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