There is this specific feeling a good mystery gives off when done right and Seven Wives by writer Zoe Tunnell and artist V. Gagnon achieves just that. In this double-sized debut issue, Seven Wives gives off the feeling of a well thought-out mystery with real life horrors intertwined in a way that feels genuine. What a way for IDW Crime to launch!
Forty-nine witnesses, seven wives, one dead husband.
On Monday, April 17, at 9:04 a.m., two police detectives are dispatched to investigate a death on a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints compound in remote Arizona. Matthew Dunn, the patriarch of the Dunn family, has been found stabbed on the pulpit of his temple, basking in the blood-soaked gaze of his savior.
Detectives Aguilar and Halwell begin the arduous task of questioning each of Matthew’s seven wives and quickly encounter a brick wall of memorized Scripture, canned platitudes, and locked lips. It becomes clear that the women’s intricately braided hair, voices with sweet affectations, and modest clothing aren’t just signs of Matthew’s brainwashing but armor they use to protect their family. But with each interrogation, the cracks begin to show — the abuse, the truth of living and surviving in this cult — and the detectives uncover the unholy gospel of Matthew Dunn.
With the success of the IDW Dark imprint from IDW Publishing, I had no hesitation that IDW Crime would be a hit as well. This was proven with the first issue of Seven Wives. What I thought was going to be a pretty straightforward mystery, turned into something so much more. The first issue already has so many levels including some that are horrifying, heartfelt, and surprising. This is no simple mystery.
A murder has taken place in a religious community cult, one that more people must know about than are saying. This premise makes for a great murder mystery, but it’s the true horrors which take place in our world that really stood out for me. This is a fictional tale, but strikes a very close line to real life in the sense that each interview with the wives of this slain leader shows how some peoples minds can be warped by these groups.
The first issue of Seven Wives is dialogue heavy as you would expect from a story where the police are interviewing characters over and over. Something fans of series such as Law & Order or any other similar program would understand. This is an investigation after all. However, its the way the two detectives interact which really added another level to the story, one has more to say about the way these women are treated and they are not fully coming forward about it, as of yet.
The mystery of who killed Matthew Dunn is the main story here, but what happens at the end of this double-sized premiere issue is what took me for a loop the most. If the mystery is super intriguing on its own, but Tunnell makes it even more interesting with a twist ending that pushes me even more into wanting to dive into the next issue.
Getting the chance to read this issue well in advance you don’t get a full picture of the artwork, as it is still in the works. However, what V. Gagnon’s completed pages look like in this issue so far are fantastic. Looking forward to the final product, as I expect more amazingness.
Seven Wives is just the story you want launching IDW Publishing’s IDW Crime imprint. Zoe Tunnell and V. Gagnon craft a murder mystery with many different levels, twists, and utter surprises while also bringing the horrors of real life cults into the fray. Add this one to your pull list.
Seven Wives #1 hits local comic shops on May 20, 2026 (FOC: April 13) from IDW Publishing.
Seven Wives #1 Covers Preview
