Organized crime runs the Argyle Hotel in Do not Disturb #2 by Jarod Hunter Roe, David Flores, Lorenzo Scaramella & Letter Squids from Invader Comics.
PREVIOUSLY
Private Investigator Randall Hasley was hired by worried parents to find Veronica, their missing daughter. Unfortunately, the leads pointed to the Argyle Hotel. The once prestigious city landmark had seen better days. The Argyle was now riddled with the homeless, the desperate and the illicit activities of the town. Eventually, Randall found Veronica in the worst conditions possible. But before he could even assess the crime scene, Randall was viciously attacked. Unfortunately, Randall was now dead staring at his own body.
THE MYSTERIOUS ARGYLE HOTEL
As a result of this revelation, Randall Hasley found himself in the middle of a supernatural murder mystery. It turns out, there’s a sort of limbo afterlife right there inside the premises of the hotel. Randall learns the ins and outs of the Argyle Hotel from a fellow dead detective named Oscar Moran. Or at least everything Oscar knows about this mysterious place. Evidently, everyone in the premises is also dead, different floors of the hotel are stuck in different eras and the most important thing: anyone who walks out the front door never comes back.
DEAD, BUT DETERMINED
Once upon a time, Randall was a formidable cop. But as the years passed, he became jaded, lazy and careless. He lost the motivation to care and because of that he left the police force to be a private investigator. Or at least that’s what he told himself. After dying, Randall had the realization that maybe he never was a good cop. So, determined to prove to himself that he could be a good detective, he decides to solve Veronica’s case. Even after death. Not for the credit, not for the recognition. But for the sake of Veronica. Whose life hangs in the balance.
*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #2*
THE MAFIA INSIDE THE ARGYLE
Finally, issue #2 brings about a detailed exposition on who is in charge inside the Argyle Hotel. Once again, Oscar is in charge of explaining things to Randall. The big reveal in this issue is the hierarchy structure that runs the Argyle. Mob bosses, goons, muscle and power. Ultimately, Randall will have to navigate these afterlife waters with a lot of caution.
HOW ABOUT THE ART?
If you liked the visual of issue #1, you will absolutely get more of it in issue #2. The Argyle contains many rooms and areas stuck in separate moments in time. As the characters walk from one room to the other David Flores and Lorenzo make sure to highlight the differences with the stylized decorations and motifs in each room. Bringing to life the Argyle Hotel as the huge part it plays into the story.
OVERALL GRADE: 9/10
FINAL THOUGHTS
The murder mystery takes a back seat to the supernatural elements in this installment. However, the inside structures and power dynamics of the Argyle Hotel are just, if not more, as interesting as the case of Veronica. Randall Hasley is a man on a mission to redeem himself by saving the life of a stranger and preventing her from joining the permanent population of the Argyle Hotel. Do not Disturb is a tale with many twists and turns that keeps you coming back for more.
