Red City #1 – 2014 launches a gritty, noir-inspired sci-fi saga that blends the hardboiled detective genre with interplanetary intrigue. Written by Daniel Corey with art by Mark Dos Santos, this debut issue from Image Comics introduces readers to a futuristic setting where corruption, crime, and politics collide across the solar system — and one cynical investigator stands at the centre of it all.

Set in a post-Earth future where Mars has become a melting pot of alien races, displaced cultures, and uneasy alliances, Red City follows Cal Talmage, a disgraced former police officer turned private investigator. Cal is assigned to locate a missing diplomat's daughter — a seemingly straightforward case that quickly spirals into a web of political tensions, dangerous secrets, and personal vendettas. With the Martian landscape as its backdrop and a cast of morally grey players, the story immediately establishes a moody and compelling tone reminiscent of classic noir thrillers.

Daniel Corey’s writing captures the genre’s best elements: razor-sharp narration, terse dialogue, and an ever-present undercurrent of paranoia. Cal Talmage is a classic noir protagonist — world-weary, rough around the edges, and clearly nursing a deeper pain. The issue hints at past mistakes and current pressures, layering intrigue without slowing the pace. The mystery at the centre is tightly plotted and leaves just enough unanswered to draw readers into the next instalment.

Mark Dos Santos’ art strikes a balance between retro noir and clean sci-fi. His character designs are expressive and distinct, while the Martian environments — from neon-soaked back alleys to sterile bureaucratic halls — add atmosphere and depth to the world-building. The visuals support the mood perfectly, with a muted colour palette that underscores the story’s tone of moral ambiguity and constant tension.

Red City #1 is a strong opening to a series that promises espionage, betrayal, and old-fashioned gumshoe grit — all set in a visually rich sci-fi world. It’s ideal for fans of Blade Runner, The Big Sleep, or The Expanse who crave morally complex storytelling with a stylish twist.

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