We are always down for a murder mystery, especially one that comes from the outstanding publisher Mad Cave Studios and one with a cover by Dan Panosian is a no-brainer. Enter Sanction.

Set in Leningrad, 1987, Sanction follows Detective Boris Dimitrovich as he investigates a case, which was handed off to him by hungover Detective Pavel Smirnoff, uncovers a connection to an old, unsolved crime that puts his career and life at risk. Written by Eisner and Harvey nominated writer Ray Fawkes, this murder mystery promises twists, turns, and surprises.

The storytelling in Sanction is top-notch. Ray Fawkes does an excellent job of introducing the main characters while also setting up the central mystery and story. The dialogue draws us into the world of these detectives and making them invested in solving the case alongside them. The pacing is perfect, with just the right amount of tension building throughout the debut issue to keep us wanting to know more.

As a fan of murder mysteries, we found ourselves completely engrossed in Sanction. The story is just getting started, but we find that we are going to be kept guessing at every turn and will be constantly surprised with the twists and turns that Fawkes has planned for us. The dynamic between Smirnoff and Dimitrovich is both entertaining and believable, which makes the story all the more interesting.

Fawkes’ writing is not the only standout is this debut issue. The artwork by Antonio Fuso in Sanction is fantastic. His sharp corners with clean lines helps capture the essence of the story and entices us to follow along. Also worth mentioning, as we did off the top, the cover of issue one by Dan Panosian is dynamite. I

Sanction has so much potential moving forward for this fan of murder mysteries and detective stories. It has a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and stunning artwork, setting the bar high for what’s to come in future issues. Ray Fawkes and Antonio Fuso have crafted a gripping tale that had us hooked from the very first page. In the running for one of our comics of the year.

Sanction #1 hits local comic shops on May 15, 2024 from Mad Cave Studios.