Burning Fields
When American oil technicians vanish in Iraq, a dishonorably discharged investigator and an Iraqi detective uncover an ancient evil that threatens the entire region.
đź“– BOOM! Studios • Started 2015
Burning Fields is an eight-issue military horror series from BOOM! Studios that blends geopolitical thriller with supernatural terror. Written by Michael Moreci and Tim Daniel, with art by Colin Lorimer, the series explores the horrors that lurk when greed drives humanity to dig too deep into the unknown.
The story centers on Dana Atkinson, a dishonorably discharged U.S. Army investigator who’s pulled back to Kirkuk, Iraq when a group of American oil technicians disappears under bizarre circumstances. Partnering with Detective Aban Fasad, an Iraqi police officer with his own ghosts, Dana discovers a series of ritualistic murders at the drill site that lead to something unimaginable: the awakening of an ancient mythical evil rooted in Mesopotamian mythology.
The series stands out for its ambitious blend of genres. As the publishers described it, “A geopolitical drama with monster mythos, Burning Fields is a story for both fans of Zero Dark Thirty and The Thing.” The investigation narrative grounds the horror in real-world stakes—the fragile peace in post-war Iraq, the presence of private military contractors, and the complex cultural dynamics between American and Iraqi forces.
Moreci and Daniel conducted extensive research into the region, drawing on Mesopotamian mythology—particularly the legend of Asag, a demon from Sumerian texts—to create an ancient evil that feels genuinely unsettling rather than a generic monster. The horror emerges not from the creature itself, but from what its awakening represents about the consequences of human greed and exploitation.
Critics praised the first half of the series for its taut, economic storytelling and sharp insight into the tragic situation in the Middle East, with Lorimer’s dark, atmospheric art capturing the tension of every situation. The slow-burn approach to the supernatural elements created genuine dread that built toward a climax that—while some reviewers felt it rushed—delivered striking imagery.
Perfect for fans of The Wake, The Fade Out, and horror that uses genre conventions to explore real-world conflicts.
