POTTER’S FIELD #1

I’m mixing things up a bit with the Weekend Blog Extra, bringing you two new reviews, and on Friday to boot! Let’s tackle number one, shall we? From Boom Studios:

POTTER’S FIELD #1 is written by Mark Waid and Drawn by Paul Azaceta. This book has achieved near-legendary status before ever shipping, giving it a lot to live up to. Originally announced as JOHN DOE, it was supposed to be in stores over a year ago. Ads for the book kept running in the back of other Boom products, but the JOHN DOE remained an unknown. However, with Waid’s arrival as EIC of Boom, the perfect time has arrived to get the comic on stands.

FIELD follows the exploits of a man known only as John Doe, and Doe’s mission in life is a fascinating one: he investigates the identities of those buried anonymously in New York’s Potter’s Field, ultimately working to give the dead a name and a story, and hopefully allowing the living to mourn their losses. He is aided by a network of operatives throughout the city, using their connections and talents to supplement his own intuitive gifts. Issue one puts its primary focus on a young girl who seemingly committed suicide. But there was much more to it than that, which allows Waid to take a poke at one (disgustingly) popular member of today’s media, and Doe must dig through a case cold enough to be frozen solid in order to put the girl at rest. But what surprises is what occurs when he displays his own sense of justice in resolving the issue.

The book looks terrific; Paul Azaceta gets better and better with every book he draws. Waid’s poke at the aforementioned media member is the book’s biggest weak spot, as it’s an awfully easy target. But it works better in its setup, as the concept is very solid. In fact, it’d make for a perfect TV procedural drama, and considering Boom’s efforts in development, I’d be shocked if that weren’t where it was headed.

/Mason