''Skin'' is a 48-page

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

written by Peter Milligan, created and drawn by

Brendan McCarthy Brendan McCarthy is a British artist and designer who has worked for comic books, film and television. He co-wrote the film '' Mad Max: Fury Road''. He is the brother of Jim McCarthy. Life and career Early life and work Brendan McCarthy was ...

and colored by Carol Swain. It tells the story of a young skinhead, Martin Atchitson, who grew up in 1970s

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

with thalidomide-related birth defects. Milligan has said the story partially addresses "universal themes of major companies shafting people, and corruption in terms of drugs and mass marketing."

Publication history

''Skin'' was planned to be published in the '' 2000 AD'' spin-off magazine '' Crisis'' in 1989, but the story's controversial subject matter and explicit language made the publisher, Fleetway, uncomfortable. Printers refused to print it, citing similar reasons. The story remained in limbo until it was published as a

by Kevin Eastman's Tundra Publishing in 1992 with little controversy.

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops known ...

reprinted ''Skin'' in 2013, as part of the trade-paperback collection ''The Best of Milligan and McCarthy''.

Reception

Tom Palmer, Jr. included ''Skin'' in "Palmer's Picks", calling it "a powerful, disturbing book".

Awards

*1993: nominated for the "Best Graphic Album: New"

Eisner Award The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books, sometimes referred to as the comics industry's equivalent of the Academy Awards. They are named in ...

Influence

Hardcore band

Modern Life Is War Modern Life Is War is an American hardcore punk band formed in Marshalltown, Iowa in 2002. During Modern Life Is War's six-year original run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7" EP. Despite a growing profile on the u ...

based their song "Martin Atchet" on the comic.

Notes

References

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External links

Review
at Comics Nexus Comics by Peter Milligan Tundra Publishing titles Crisis (Fleetway) comic strips Skinhead 1992 graphic novels Diseases and disorders in comics {{1990s-graphic-novel-stub