Clone #2

After discovering the truth about who and what he is, Luke, along with his new clone associates, arranges a meeting with the government agency that’s holding his wife hostage.

The Team

Written by David Schulner, illustrated by Juan Jose Ryp (Alan Moore’s Magic Words Vol. 1, Jeux de Filles) & coloured by Felix Serrano. Published by Image Comics.

The Pros & Cons

The controversial subject of cloning in today’s pop culture has been done to death. Whether it’s in novels, movies (Star Wars, The 6^th Day) or even used as a tool for modern science. As far as I know there’s never been a monthly comic about cloning, although some uber comic nerd will probably prove me wrong. So embracing this comic with arms wide open, I was a bit defensive. But like so many of Image’s new titles, after reading Clone #1 & #2, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Luke, the protagonist of the story finds out that he is one of many clones, but rather than accepting his fate and lose his identity, he attempts to find & rescue his very pregnant wife. Some people believe that dabbling with cloning is to play god and in America, god is power. Often in these types of stories, behind that power is a shadow government and this one has a doozy.

According to this issue, this is writer David Schulner’s first comic. Having written plays and TV scripts, the folks of Skybound saw his work and offered him his first series. With issue #1, Schulner thrusts the protagonist into a sticky situation. Within 2 issues, Luke becomes a breach of national security with crazy chases, bullets flying and shares a bunker with two dozen clones. Some of the dialogue about stem cell research mirrors the U.S. current situation and adds a razor sharp script.

Illustrator Juan Jose Ryp’s drawings truly are a feast for the eyes, every line, cracks & bumps give the characters face painstaking details. The two-page spread (which is a double sided page, WTF?) revealing the bunker with all the clones is very impressive. The clones are identical, we as the reader know this, but Ryp gives them their own personalities with simple touches like different hair styles or different clothing. The cover is very cool, but a little too gangsta with the sideways gun pointing, but that’s a minor criticism.

The Outcome

Like other series like Revival, Saga & Great Pacific, Image knocks another one out of the park. If every issue of Clone is as interesting as this one, then I’ll be sticking around month after month.