Identical

by Leah Hayes

Identical is the story of two twin girls born in the not-so-distant future, where fertility treatments have begun to use new, AI “technology.” Their mother, desperate to have a baby, has sought out this new technology to get pregnant. After they are born, she slowly begins to suspect that one twin is human... while the other is not. Narrated by one of the twins themselves, Identical takes the reader down an uncanny odyssey of self-discovery... one where you are never sure which “self” you really are.Hayes uses her own experience as an identical twin to explore the realms of sameness and difference, separation and unity. After many years of illustrating books about others (Not Funny A Handbook for Something Hard), Identical marks Hayes’s first time turning the pen inward — bravely exploring the powerful bond that has defined her entire life. Hayes’s engaging and aesthetically avant garde contemporary storytelling, combining elements of science fiction and magic realism, make for one of the most unique graphic novels of 2026.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Leah Hayes' Identical (2026) is set in the near future about a woman who wants to have a baby so begins the IVF process. But a technician implants an AI embryo in addition to a conventional one inside her uterus. He informs her of this and apologizes and even suggests maybe an abortion is indicated, but she takes the twins to term. They are identical. But get this: Leah Hayes is herself an identical twin so in some ways she takes her unique experience to reflect on how AI might be different for identical twins. Twin studies material. An opportunity for personal reflection for Hayes about twins/identical twins, what all that means too.

I love Hayes'a delicate, somewhat somber, deeply reflective artwork, with its finely drawn images, somewhat odd story and its oddly-shaped dialogue balloons. The effect of the whole is more poem than technical manual, or science fiction exploration. There is a kind of evil scientist (or technician, really) angle to this that I don't care so much about. It all seems improbable to me, not consistent with the main tone of the story, which is reflective about thinness and identity. This isn't Stranger Things (or ET, and so on) here, Hayes! But call it speculative fiction, more raising questions than answering them. But the twins are deeply connected, AI or not. That's how Hayes makes the exploration affecting and real, that they care for each other and protect each other. think many readers will want it to be more developed, and I kind of agree, but I like what's here, for the most part.

I also read and liked Hayes's graphic story of abortion, Not Funny Ha Ha.

[Hannah Garden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good. Spooky and inventive and strange and sincere.

[Kaycee McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel had an interesting concept. The idea of somehow combining IVF and AI to create children was intriguing, and I liked that neither the characters or the reader initially knows which twin is which. I also really enjoyed the artwork. It has a unique style, and the predominantly blue color palette gives the whole book a distinct look that complements the story well.

[Chris Brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new 2026 Fantagraphics release. Quick read; 144 pages. Quite dystopian - two identical twins, one natural, one created by AI, are born and coexist. Actually didn't read the summary so thought this was legitimate for the first few pages. Nice color, the blue ink reminded me of This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki.

[Sam (world’s gassiest) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayes’ illustration and premise are well thought out and intriguing. I wish the book had gone more in depth with the sisters’ relationship; it felt in many ways like a first draft with unfulfilled potential.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my love goes to the minimal illustrations, as the story is too sad and thoughtful to think about. Artistic, straightforward, with many twists and turns. It is an emotional read; you take away from it what you put into it. No two readers read the same piece of literature.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting idea, but it failed to deliver. I was not a fan of the artwork, and the identity of the AI sister was very obvious to me so even the "twist" at the end was a let down.

[Daniel Roque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se Black Mirror fizesse um episódio baseado na novela Oooolhooooos de Águaaaaaaa.

[Emily Pencil · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

Meh.

[Karianne Giard · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, and the concept, but I feel like we could have gone more in depth. It kinda felt like we glossed over the whole story.
But a very enjoyable read nonetheless!

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)

-- 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 where necessary --

The unnamed narrator of IDENTICAL is one half of a set of identical twins. Set in the near future, the twins' mom - an un-coupled artist - conceived them via IVF. Because this is a dystopia, her OB/GYN wasn't a doctor, per se, but a bioengineer, and the IVF was at least partially assisted with artificial intelligence. The procedure wasn't meant to produce multiples, but when the doctor suggests terminating the pregnancy, mom refuses and more or less cuts him out. Her daughters have no knowledge about their unusual origin - that is, until the doctor approaches the narrator shortly after the untimely death of her mother. It seems that one of the girls is "normal"; the other, AI - but the narrator is left to figure out which is which. Under the threat of existential consequences, naturally.

IDENTICAL is a very odd duck. The concept is a bit of a mind fuck, but the story itself is rather understated ... which maybe makes it all a wee bit creepier? IDENTICAL invites us to explore issues of identity and intimacy, and challenges the very idea of "normalcy." As the narrator reflects on her childhood, looking for signs that her twin isn't quite human, red flags abound - but for whom? (Insert "Ryan used me as an object" gif here.)

Which is all to say that I enjoyed the story, even though it ultimately left me unsatisfied, with an itch I just can't scratch.