Sanction #1: Murder and Vodka in Leningrad
Creative Team
writer: RAY FAWKES
artist: ANTONIO FUSO
colorist: EMILIO LECCE
letterer: DAVE SHARPE
publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Sanction #1 is a crime thriller set in 1987 Leningrad where murders and incompetent police intertwine often. This dark debut drops readers into a cold city that runs on apathy, vodka, and cigarettes.
When a body is found near a waterway on New Year’s Day, the case gets assigned to Detective Boris Dimitrovich—a young cop who notices a similarity to a cold case with deeper implications.
There’s a lot that shines in this issue as writer Ray Fawkes balances the overarching narratives of a detective story with small moments among the ensemble of characters in the Russian city. While none of the cast are particularly likable, the interactions Detective Dimitrovich has with other officers and locals add depth to the reading experience. Bad attitudes and struggles are on every block as a result of USSR control of the country. It's a nice subtle addition and assists in making Dimitrovich's world feel fleshed out.
The art from Antonio Fuso and colors from Emilio Lecce nail the tone of the story. This issue is dialogue centric (but not overly done), so a lot rides on exchanges between characters and the world naturally existing in the background.
Fuso’s panel designs lean on characters and non-verbal cues while small details in the background like debris or Orthodox religious art are prevalent. Lecce’s color palette, while a bit on the nose as it’s a blue hue in a cold city, works well as the blue tones throughout the panels allow other colors like reds and browns to pop off of the page.
How the multiple threads will connect remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say anyone checking out this story will appreciate the pacing that demands taking time to consume the story.
Final Verdict
This series premiere is a slow burn that lures readers into its deadly web. Combined with a unique setting, this story is nothing short of thrilling.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.0 |
| Story/Plot | 9.0 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.0 |
| Colors | 8.5 |
| Final Score | 8.9/10 |