No Man’s Land #1 Review
By Daniel Schwartz
Staff Reviewer | Pastrami Nation
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer/Artist: Szymon Kudranski
What would you do if you had to solve a puzzling murder mystery while dodging frostbite, Russian spies, and World War 3? Those are the challenges faced by aging FBI veteran agent Collins as he is tasked with solving a grisly murder in the temporary ice bridge between America and the Soviet Union.
Set during the peak of the Cold War, No Man’s Land tells the story of FBI Agent Collins. Just as he is preparing for retirement, he is called to investigate a murder off the coast of Little Diomede Island, Alaska. The shocking details of the murder have the potential to heat up the Cold War very quickly.
Every Winter, the Bering Sea freezes over between Big Diomede (Soviet Union) and Little Diomede (America) Islands. That temporary ice bridge is where this startling murder takes place (hence the name No Man’s Land). This terrible location forces Agent Collins to make the frigid trek to the ice bridge and attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery quickly. Unfortunately for him, the FBI is not the only agency investigating the gruesome killing. The KGB has also dispatched its own agent to the ice bridge. With international stakes and a puzzle that could tie back to both countries, the agents will need to work quickly before the body count grows and leads to all-out war.
I have to say, I am a really big fan of the premise of this story. An international murder mystery in a geographic grey area during the height of tensions between the world’s two superpowers. What is there not to love? Throw in the fact that the up-and-coming writer (Syzmon Kudranski) is also the artist, and that just adds another level of cool.
The art is also incredible. Kudranski’s gritty, realistic style paints a haunting tone that fits the story perfectly. Issue #1 uses the mix of extraordinary artwork and entertaining premise to draw readers into the shadowy world of spies and murder while also fleshing out the flawed, but likable main character.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Pastrami Nations. Great premise, great art, and a mystery that has me counting the days until issue #2 is released.
