The Smart Division #2: Mystery is Where the Soul Lives

Let’s start with the cover art because it is fire. I love the intrigue, the mystery, and the coloring that is provided. This is the only time I like this style of artwork. Now let’s get the negative out of the way. The artwork is not for me; I have never liked this style of artwork for sequential pages. It reminds me of the cutscenes from the first Max Payne game. It just takes me out of the story, and I just don’t like it. To each their own, obviously, and this is just something that is not for me.

I will say the paneling and page structure is so good; I love the story they are telling. It reminds me of Watchmen where every page was nine panels. That is not the case here, but they make every inch of the page matter. The dynamic between the two detectives is what makes this issue. So, if you don’t like that, then you won’t like this issue. But the writing here is superb, so you should enjoy this issue if this genre is your type of thing.

You feel skepticism and passion; you get one detective that is too into the case and another that seems like they don’t care enough. This may be a trope, but this still works for a reason. I will also say even though I have never liked this style of artwork, it does have its virtues. There is a page at the end of the issue where it’s the chef’s kiss of the issue, and I got amped up to know what will be next in November.

I always like it when the writers give us three questions, but before we leave the episode or issue, they answer two of them. It makes you want to know what the answer to the last question is, but you are also taking in the answers you just got, so you are catching your breath but on the edge of your seat.