BOOM! Studios; $4.99  

Willow Haven is a charming, safe upper middle class neighborhood that hosts community gatherings, book clubs, and everyone obeys the rules handed down by the homeowner’s association. Open Arms Intentional Collective is a self-sustaining community where everyone pitches in to grow food, build things, and make decisions as a group.  

The two micro societies adhere to very different philosophies, but something does connect them – literally. There’s a hidden tunnel from one location to the other. But what’s more surprising is that a community leader from Willow Haven has been found shot dead inside that tunnel. The vice president of the HOA and the kitchen steward of the Collective find the body at the same time, instantly pointing the finger at the other.  

This new book created by writer Sarah Gailey and artist Haining is instantly intriguing. It’s painting the stereotypical picture of a vanilla, cookie cutter neighborhood and an emotionally expressive, free-spirited collective. But it’s nuanced enough to avoid mocking either group of people, and the creators have introduced likeable characters in each location. What’s also interesting is the layout of the book, which clearly illustrates the differences in the neighborhoods, but also shows their similarities. 

Then there’s the mystery. Who killed the woman from Willow Haven, why was she murdered, and was it done in the tunnels or elsewhere. An investigation behind the beige closed doors and through the vegetable filled gardens will make for an interesting comic from Gailey and Haining. 

–Amanda Sheriff