Sanction #1

I am not a huge fan of murder mysteries, but I really enjoyed this one. Ray Fawkes begins a story that is sure to have twists, turns, and surprises along the way. He does a great job of fleshing out the story's main characters as well. You get a good sense of who Pavel and Boris are and their motivations. Read Full Review

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. Read Full Review

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. Read Full Review

SANCTION #1 is a blustery murder mystery set in the 1980s Soviet Union, led by a young detective willing to find justice during the frigid haze of Winter and pressure from his superiors. Fawkes's tale expertly echoes shades of Gorky Park (1983) and Insomnia (2002) with a fresh perspective, but the art is serviceable, at best. Read Full Review

'Sanction' is a quirky character crime thriller that offers genuine intrigue and mystery.  Read Full Review

As I mentioned, the final pages seem to confirm Dimitrovich's initial suspicions that something more sinister is afoot, and it's difficult to imagine a reader not becoming well and truly drawn into this tangled web by the end of the issue. A triumph of scene setting featuring a pair of intriguing lead characters, Sanction is the Soviet-era crime comic we've all been waiting for. Read Full Review

As a change of pace from your usual comics, this is a nice issue to pick up. You might not enjoy how slow it can be at times, but if the last two pages don't intrigue you enjoy to pick up the next chapter then maybe this series isn't for you. If they do though, then join the ride, because I'm excited to see who this mass murderer is and why he's out here killing red dressed ladies in the middle of winter. Read Full Review