Wild Cards Book #1: Heart Of The Matter 1990 VF/NM

Wild Cards Book #1: Heart Of The Matter (Epic Comics, September 1990) is the first issue in a four-part comic series adapting the original Wild Cards mosaic novel, edited by George R.R. Martin. The story is written by Lewis Shiner, Stephen Leigh, and Howard Waldrop, with art by Barry Kitson, Mickey Ritter, and others. 

The story takes place in an alternate post-World War II New York City, decades after an alien "Wild Card" virus was unleashed in the sky in 1946. This virus has three random outcomes for those infected: 90% die (drawing the "black queen"), 9% are hideously mutated into "jokers," and a lucky 1% become "aces" with superhuman powers. 

The plot of this first issue centers on a private investigator, Jay Ackroyd, who is hired to investigate the bombing of the tomb of "Jetboy," the legendary first hero of the Wild Card era who died trying to stop the virus's release. 

• Plot Progression: Ackroyd's investigation takes him from the impoverished Jokertown ghetto to the exclusive restaurant atop the Empire State Building, as he seeks information from various aces and jokers, including Edward Shiloh and Chrysalis.
• Flashbacks and Lore: The issue interweaves Ackroyd's current-day investigation with flashbacks, including the alien Dr. Tachyon recounting his history with the virus and Croyd Crenson ("the Sleeper") recalling the fateful day the virus was released.
• Central Conflict: The search for the bomber uncovers a conspiracy that sets up the major political and social conflicts of the subsequent issues in the miniseries, pitting different factions of aces and jokers against each other. 
• Writers: Lewis Shiner, Stephen Leigh, Howard Waldrop
• Artists: Barry Kitson, Mickey Ritter, Gray Morrow, Marshall Rogers, John Tartaglione, Fred Fredericks
• Cover Artist: Jackson Guice 

The miniseries as a whole ties together multiple storylines from the original books, creating a continuous narrative focused on the mystery of the bomber and the societal struggles within the Wild Cards universe.