Dream Thief from Dark Horse Comics is a series that is completely new to me. I have never had the chance to experience any of its previous stories, or learn about the larger world at hand. So, going into Dream Thief: Escape #1 was an exciting ride.
I always find it lucky to be able to jump into a new issue #1 (even if it’s a limited series) to see if the larger world of a book is something I’d like to invest time and money in. These limited series are great ways do draw in new readers while pleasing veterans and fans alike.
Dream Thief: Escape #1 opens with our protagonist and friend leaving a double feature of Rambo II and Commando, so already in panel one I am happy to be reading this book. They wax poetic about characters in the film and go about their business in a very normal manner, a manner that you seldom see from hero books. It’s little touches like these that let us in on what kind of book we are reading. You get the sense that Dream Thief: Escape plants itself in very human shoes and not the spandex and capes that are more prevalent in the comic industry.
Jai Nitz crafts a rich story that feels more akin to an 80’s action flick than anything else. With the world of Dream Thief taking place down in Florida, I can’t but help have visions of Miami Vice dancing through my head. The art of Greg Smallwood is both beautiful and gritty at the same time. Even at the books darkest points the soft glow of the Florida sun illuminates every panel giving off a very surreal atmosphere. The book has many layers and leaves you guessing at just what in the world is going on and does jump around in a way that may leave many new readers a bit confused.
I personally enjoyed how the narrative was framed, only giving us bits and pieces of our titular Dream Thief. For those that don’t know, John Lincoln is a man with a special mask that carries with it special abilities. These abilities aren’t quite what one would expect though. No super strength, no super speed or agility, no enhanced intelligence to help when trouble arises, nothing of the sort. But, what the mask lacks in a traditional power set, it makes up for in other ways.
This mask allows Lincoln to become possessed by the spirits of the dead, specifically those that were slain by evil. Whenever Lincoln sleep the a spirit will take over his living body and seek revenge of the person(s) that killed him. It’s a fantastic way to get revenge for the good people that are murdered, but leaves Lincoln in a very vulnerable state. He is still the body, thus making him a murder, as many of the people these spirits seek out have gotten away with the crime, or were never found out.
Even more interesting is that Lincoln has inherited this ability, as the mask calls only those of a certain bloodline. The story dives even deeper and introduces Lincoln’s father into the equation, even though he was brutally murdered. His spirit now inhabits the body of a prisoner locked up for murder, presumably being caught in the act while under possession of a spirit. Couple all this with a villain that understands what is going on and a shocking twist ending, Dream Thief: Escape #1 is one heck of a wild ride that is highly recommended.
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