Dynamite; $19.99

Nancy Drew helped Joe and Frank Hardy discover that their father was murdered by a dirty cop and a criminal organization known as the Syndicate. In the process, Nancy’s dad was nearly killed and though she solved the case and brought the criminals to justice, she became convinced that the Syndicate was still out there. While distancing herself from friends, Nancy was in a car accident and died. Though everyone else believes it was an accident, Joe Hardy is sure that it was murder.

Written by Anthony Del Col, it plays like a classic gumshoe story with Joe hitting the streets to find clues, ignoring the people who don’t believe him, persistent in his search for the truth. It’s a more serious, noir take on Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but the aesthetic works. They are still teenagers, but more world weary and jaded, though still inherently likeable. The mystery at hand is twisting all around town and at this point just about anyone could be pulling the strings.

The art by Joe Eisma further cements the tone of this series giving off a great noir vibe with contrasting shadows and overhead lamps, rainy nights, and shifty characters.

-Amanda Sheriff