Potter’s Magic
November brings falling leaves and a new issue of Mark Waid’s Potter’s Field.
Here is what I wrote about the first issue, for The Buzz:
Potter’s Field #1 (BOOM! Studios) -
Recently appointed editor-in-chief of BOOM! Studios, Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, 52), unleashed his next great series this week. This is a crime book that focuses on the New York’s graveyard for the unnamed, the transients and unidentified bodies that slip through the cracks. Luckily the mysterious John Doe is there to catch them … and to avenge them. Working to put the names of the forgotten onto their tombstones, Doe relies on a network of informants, stationed throughout the city, to help him with his task. It pains me to know this issue is only the first of three, but hopefully we’ll be seeing much more of John Doe down the road.
This issue starts where the last ended - Doe meets with a woman whose twin sister is missing.
Doe is troubled by the woman’s story, not just that her sister may have been killed, but that she found him in the first place.
But the Achilles’ heel of every detective is a weak spot for dames, and Doe sets out to find the killer, spelunking in the dangerous underground of New York City. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to ruin it with spoilers.
This issue is well written and populated with dynamic characters. The art of Paul Azaceta is gritty and simplistic, capturing the scene and each character with a sort of film noir feel.
Augie, one of Doe’s informants, theorizes that Doe is a “Raymond Chandler fan with the world’s worst OCD.” This sums up the feeling I get when reading this series - the Raymond Chandler part, not the OCD.
Potter’s Field is a 1950’s detective thriller that takes place in the modern day with a mystery for a detective, and my only complaint would have to be that there is so much set up for a great property, but this is only a three issue series. I really feel like this needs to be an ongoing series.
For me, whether or not John Doe will continue is the bigger mystery.
The comic book’s information can be viewed here.
Images courtesy www.boom-studios.com
Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.
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Matt Knicl
My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.
Capes & Cowls » Blog Archive » Mark Waid, an Interview (Capes & Cowls » Blog Archive » Mark Waid, an Interview) says:
(Posted January 17th, 2008 at 1:43 am)
[…] includes Brave and the Bold, a relaunch of DC’s team-up book as well as the limited series, Potter’s Field, which he wrote for BOOM! Studios, the comic publisher where he is now Editor. I spoke with him […]