Writer Jordan Thomas and artist Daniel Gete had me with the title of their latest comic, Skin Police. With a title such as that and a truly unique plot, I was drawn in from the beginning.

In the year 2142, fertility levels around the globe plummeted, and a black market for illegal clone babies emerged. Millions of parents used their own genetic material to welcome these new children, only realizing the horrific consequences far too late. At some point in their life cycle, three in four of these genetic duplicates transform into psychologically unstable killing machines known as “Dupes.” Fortunately, the United Nations of Europe has decided to take an active role in containing the growing threat. Their specialized task force has taken up the unenviable task of hunting Dupes before their violence can spread. To the government, they’re the Duplicate Identification and Capture Division. To everyone else, they’re the “Skin Police.”

The story of Skin Police immediately grabs your attention with its unique and intriguing premise. The idea of illegal clone babies turning into violent criminals adds a layer to science fiction comics like nothing else. While I felt the pacing felt rushed at times, it kept me on my toes and glad to dive headfirst into the action-packed debut issue. The concept reminds me of a great episode of one of my favorite television shows, The X-Files.

The unique premise of Skin Police brings something new to comics, which is something I am looking for each Wednesday at my local comic shop. With a thrilling storyline I found myself drawn into this dark and dangerous world where nothing is as it seems.

Daniel Gete’s gritty artwork complements the story perfectly, setting the tone for the series. The illustrations bring to life a futuristic world revolving around the Skin Police. Gete’s style captures the intensity of each scene with tension and drama unfolding in each panel. The pairing of Thomas’ writing and Gete’s artwork creates a visually intense reading experience.

Skin Police #1 is a great start to a series we are eager to dive more into. While the pacing felt a bit rushed in the first issue, I felt the artwork, overall plot and ability to dive right in were so much fun. Thomas’ writing and Gete’s artwork are the ingredients needed to create the unforgettable tale and I am eagerly awaiting more from these creators.

Skin Police #1 hits local comic shops on October 2, 2024 (FOC: September 9) from Oni Press.