Review: The Smart Division #1
From Dark Horse Comics
A new series from Dark Horse Comics, with AI, mystery and a generational gap in The Smart Division #1.
A dark and modern sci-fi detective series set five minutes in the future. When a mysterious new predictive artificial intelligence program appears responsible for assisting someone in the perfect murder, a pair of unlikely investigators, a chaotic Gen-Z savant and a veteran FBI agent, must hunt down the killer by starting the FBI’s first AI crimes division.
Author: Zack Kaplan
Artist: John J. Pearson
Set in the near future, The Smart Division gives us a Black Mirror-look at how AI can affect crime and the technology behind it.
We always think about AI taking over the world – or all our water systems and natural resources – but with generative AI writing and making art, what is the next step?
Crime.
What if the next criminal isn’t a person but a rogue AI which is attempting the perfect crime?
There are many questions in this initial issue of this new mini-series, and most of them are asked by the two detectives on the case, and they add a new dimension to the story being told. With the two of them we get a rejigged combination of an older trope, with the old agent being more cynical and set in his ways. He plays it more by the book, and his frustration shows through the story. On the other side is the younger, Gen Z agent, with a different mindset and more knowledge on the technology and people behind it.
It’s very clever, and the tension between the two is well worked and has its ups and downs as we progress through the story. There are a lot of introductions with the characters, and I enjoyed the introductions to them both as we build towards the initial murder as well as the explosive ending.
The artwork is incredible, with some brilliantly plotted scenes, and the painted style with the colours and shadows adds to the tone of the story well. This, along with the lettering, makes this a joy to read.
This is an excellent beginning with engaging characters and a great hook of a storyline. This, combined with the striking artwork, colours and lettering, makes this an engaging read, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
