REPLICA ISSUES # 1 – 3

REPLICA

ISSUES # 1 – 3

Writer: Paul Jenkins

Artist: Andy Clarke

Publisher: After-Shock Comics

I love Replica. This is the best book on the market right now. PERIOD. 

Trevor Churchill is a human detective on an intergalactic hub called The Transfer. Here many different alien races co-exist, each controlling their own section.

Trevor is a good detective, but is hindered by his well-meaning but inept Shadarr partner Vargas. So, Trevor does the ‘logical’ thing, he clones himself. Nothing can go wrong with that, right?

One clone, fine. Fifty plus, might be a problem.

Not for Trevor, he turns them into a police forced that answers to him. Sweet. Just one problem, they fail to prevent the assassination of a diplomat during peace accords. (End Issue One).

The first issue sets everything up, the second and third issue delve deep into Trevor doing his foot work, while relying on his Clones to do many aspects of the investigating. Especially #2 (or Roger) who does all the paperwork, but is very capable himself. He believes the assassination was an inside job.

As issue two and three go on, the world and motivations for the assassination begin to revel themselves. It also seems like Trevor is ignoring Roger’s inside job theory, but is he?

This book is awesome, and beautiful.

Andy Clarke’s artwork is stunning. His layout tell the story excellently. The best part is each alien character looks distinct and alien and can be told apart. The inks and colors make things pop even more. 

Then there is Paul Jenkins. This book truly shines with his writing. Flawless story, plot and dialog. The dialog is great, smooth, gives us a sense of who each character is, with the right about of banter and witty comments.

Yes, there are some hilarious comments by characters in this book, but this isn’t a comedy. The fact that Trevor often means what he says and does it straight, makes it even more humorous.

The gem of this book is the characterization, from both the art and writing stand point. A book about clones . . . boring right? Nope. Even though each clone is based on Trevor, and his calls them by number, every clone we come into contact with is unique, with their own personality, yet still Trevor. He has a hard time with this at moments.

There are at least a dozen clone versions of Trevor in the first three issues who get dialog, showing each one as unique is a major feet.

Great Art: Check.

Great Writing: Check

Great Book: Double Check

Replica is the first title in a long time I have read in which the term ‘near-perfect’ comes to mind.

The only thing I don’t like about Replica is that I have to wait another f#$%^&*g month for issue four!

FINAL THOUGHT:

If you are not reading Replica, do so under extreme punishment. THIS IS REQUIRED READING.

RATING: 9