Building Suspense

When Tardi changes scenes he repeatedly utilizes panoramas accompanied by a time and date. I found this to be an effective tool within the context of a detective/mystery genre. The panoramas are city-scapes that while appealing contain little action within them. However, rather than relaxing the reader I found that they increase the sense of tension. All seems quite and normal but as a reader you know that Tardi would not have positioned you at this specific time in this specific place unless action was imminent. Through these panoramas Tardi heightens the reader's attention from the outset rather than having to build suspense over a series of panels.