Val and Bianca split up to investigate their separate communities!
HOA meets grassroots organizing as Val and Bianca work together to figure out who might have shot their friend.
Bianca doesn’t think anyone in her community could be responsible. However, an interaction with the police goes differently than she’s used to…
Meanwhile, Val discovers someone who might know more than she’s revealed—after living on the opposite side of the hill for years, what does Jill’s daughter know that these women don’t?
After the first issue I wasn't sure where this would go. The second issue unravels more of the mystery without answering many questions. It is quite engaging though. The dialogue and "double life" angle is fun and I will be eager to read more.
This is turning out to be a good year for murder mystery comics. This second issues dives into the murder and starts offering up suspects but the fun thing about this tale is that the murder victim is just as curious and suspicious as their murderer. There is definitely something larger at play here and while I no longer think it's Sci-Fi or time travel, there is still something very off about this world that makes me think it's not "ours" and more a weird test facility. Or it's just a very cutting commentary on the various closed off communities in America because they survivalists or middle class Americans hiding from their countries problems. I'm sure other nations do the same but this is directed at the USA.
There are some good revelations and a very nice cliffhanger that will leave me thinking until the next issue. I genuinely have no idea who the murderer is at this point and I'm actually more curious about the different communities and the effect the victim has had on them.
The art doesn't feel as polished this issue for some reason but it may actually allow for some different styles to appear. Some pages have a looser feel and reminded me of Eduardo Risso's "100 bullets". I don't know if it's intentional but the less polished feel actually highlights neither community is as nice and friendly as #1 suggested.
A great book for those who like mysteries where there's a darkness below an outwardly idealistic community.
Overall impression = 4/5 Writing = 4/5 Art = 3/5
Will I read the next issue? Yes
Wait for the trade collection? Depends on whether you like to binge your mysteries or have time to think/speculate. I prefer the latter so I am enjoying as a monthly.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? Absolutely need to read #1