THE WHISPER WAR #1 / Script by MARC GUGGENHEIM / Art by SEDAT OEZGEN / Colors by CARLOS CABRERA/ Letters by DAVE SHARPE / Design by TRAVIS ESCARFULLERY / Published by COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS

Years ago, a civil war threatened the galactic empire now known as The Shattered Realm. One third of the populace of the planet Imprimata was killed. The reasons for the war are now forgotten. Indeed, no one can remember who won the war… or anything from before the conflict ended.

Now, an impossible murder has occurred in the capital city of Apperax. The algorithm that runs their society has summoned retired police officer Axel Jindari to investigate the crime. This in spite of Jindari retiring to take a job as asteroid miner because he felt a need to get away from Apperax.

There are no suspects, no forensic and no theories. Just the puddle of viscera that is all that remains of the victim and a suspicion that they were pushed rather than falling off out of a high-rise construction site. The only thing driving Jindari forward is a vague sense of familiarity to the case and something about his assigned partner, Inspector Seeva Dessin, that leaves him wanting to impress her for reasons he can’t explain.

When I was given a chance to read The Whisper War ahead of its release, I was excited. Partly due to the pedigree of writer Marc Guggenheim, who is best known as a producer on the Arrowverse and for his Emmy Award-winning animated series Tales of Arcadia. And partly due to artist Sedat Oezgen, whose previous work on Savage Sword of Conan I enjoyed.

The Whisper War presents a unique science-fiction setting. If pressed, I would compare it to the original Blade Runner. There is a Noir aesthetic to both Guggenheim’s script and Oezegen’s art. Axel Jindar is the classic tough guy turned reluctant hero, whose narration offers some surprisingly smooth exposition about the setting.

The artwork is full of deep shadows that make what little light exists shine brighter. These lighting effects are expertly applied by colorist Carlos Cabrera. The letters by Dave Sharpe are the one sore point in the artistic symphony. Generally, the lettering and word balloons are fine. However, the opening narration is delivered with an Impact font that doesn’t seem to fit the story. This is a minor flaw, however, in an otherwise exemplary first issue.

The Whisper War is sure to please both fans of Noir fiction and sci-fi. The setting is unique and full of depths that draw the reader in, much like the artwork. It will also appeal to fans of other comics made by the creative team.

The Whisper War #1 debuts digitally on February 10, 2026.