In Your Skin

Issues 1-4
written by aditya bidikar - art by som

It might behoove me to spend time discussing each issue here. I think as I approach the end of this series I leave it feeling disapointed. It deals with doubling and queerness which are themes I like studying and thinking about, but it's pacing is pretty bad.^[1]

Summary provided by ComicGeeks:

"Priyanka is a Bollywood uber-fan who has been obsessed with film star Ayesha Sen since she was a kid — she's watched her movies over and over, and knows her dances beat for beat. But after a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet her idol goes awry, and Ayesha announces her impending retirement from movies, Priyanka decides that if Ayesha isn't going to live the life she's supposed to, Priyanka would be more than happy to take over for her...

Bollywood body horror meets erotic fiction in writer Aditya Bidikar's debut series with rising star artist SOM (Crocodile Black), a twisted exploration of celebrity culture, identity, and image that's perfect for fans of The Substance (2024) and David Cronenberg."

Issue 4
The art! Is beautiful, and ends on a beautiful note wherein there's a lot of gore, but the core is very symbolic of being able to live "in your skin." The concept of trading skin with another person exists twofold for the main character: to want to be another person out of jealousy, but to also experience queerness and closeness.
I often recently have discussed the idea that my skin itches, and I would like to tear it off. This is not literal, so much so metaphysical. I have an "itch" that is manifesting itself mentally and I feel unable to "scratch" it and it frustrates me. This is over explanation for... ?

status - 4. evergreen