“Go out with a bang.”
– David Schulner

That’s exactly what our gang of clone brothers, et al., did…went out with a very big BANG! Clone #15 ends the third arc of this very dramatic series that seemed destined for TV or Film as soon as the first issue was released just over a year ago. Luckily for us we are getting the TV series, hopefully at NBC. Well, they have been told to create just a pilot for now; however, NBC would be crazy not to green-light this enticing story as a serialized show that has so many avenues of story-telling to go down.

The latest issue of Clone ended the strange and bizarre third arc. Luke was pushed to the wall again and in heroic fashion came through for everyone, including his brothers, in the end. Issue #15 tied up some loose ends and sets the stage for more over-the-top stories that we have come to love from these writers. According to writer David Schulner we have not seen the last of Laura Kelley, a.k.a. Mrs. K., which I am excited to see.

We start the issue with our heroes in their somewhat safe-house huddled around the phone and speaking to Ayato Hatanaka, the father of the Clone Sisters. This is the first time we meet Ayato and he seems to genuinely care for the well being of the Clones, both his daughters and Luke’s. For those new to the series here is a quick sum up of the last arc…

Vice President Davis has alerted America and the world to the existence of clones and the complications and dilemma the existence of brings. Rallying the citizens to his cause the clones are ostracized and Luke finds tasks himself with saving each and everyone of his brothers from being captured and subsequently killed. Also on the hunt for the clones (or more specifically Luke) is a group styling themselves as ‘The Coalition’, who try to rid the world of all clones, but not before attaining the “seed” of Luke, the alpha of the clones. The leader of this group is Laura Kelley, who tries very unconventional means (very painful to watch or even think of, ouch!) to extract Luke’s little swimmers. I don’t want to give too much away but you would not be disappointed in picking up the Trade and catching up on this series, which I think is in Images Top Five, right along with The Walking Dead, Saga and Revival.

This brings us to our current issue and the precarious situation our heroes have found themselves in. Ayato wants to bring everyone to his island sanctuary, which I, for one, am looking forward to very much. The Clone Sisters need to convince Beta, the tattooed clone, to come with them but he is extremely reluctant and I think the reason is two-fold. He wants to be the leader and he is deeply in love with Amelia and cannot have either. My guess is he will end up deciding to come but try to subvert the situation on the island to fit his needs and goals.

We learn in this issue that only clones are allowed on the island sanctuary for safety reasons which spells big problems for Amelia, and will most likely be a secondary story between her and the sisters when the fourth arc of Clone continues this spring. Vice President Davis finds out the location of the clones and a great battle ensues. Lives are lost, lives are saved and the issue definitely ends with a bang, not a whimper.

If you do not already read this series I highly recommend it. It has everything you could possibly want in a comic book and the stories are just so engaging. The writers really have created something very special here that I can see going well past the 50 issue mark and still keep its storytelling edge. One of the elements that initially drew me to this book was the art. Juan Jose Ryp illustrates the story so well and in such a unique fashion that you cannot help but stare at each page and somehow forget you’re reading a comic book. His style, along with coloring by Andy Troy, truly captivates the reader and it is honestly like nothing else I have seen. Clone is on the top of my Pull List and one of my favorites at Image Comics.

This is my first review of Clone and I plan on reviewing the series when each issue is released. In the future the reviews will be more structured and organized when I have more written to reference. I hope you plan on coming back for more and comment whenever you like so we can open a dialogue to talk about this fantastic book.

Story: David Schulner, Aaron Ginsberg, Wade Mcintyre Art: Juan Jose Ryp Colors: Andy Troy Cover: Juan Jose Ryp, Andy Troy
Story: 9 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review