Dream Thief #1
Written by Jai Nitz
Illustrated by Greg Smallwood
Colored by Greg Smallwood
Lettered by Greg Smallwood
Cover by Alex Ross
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: May 15, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

First issues for all comic books can be a huge indicator of whether or not the series will have a successful run. Dark Horse has just released Dream Thief #1, the story of a man who finds himself with a very interesting ability. Written by Jai Nitz with illustrations from Greg Smallwood, Dream Thief is a clever, well-crafted, and suspenseful read and I have a feeling that it will have a favorable level of readership.

John Lincoln is a deadbeat. He wastes away his days pretending to be an aspiring movie director and stage magician, and parties at night with booze, drugs, and women. Donning an aboriginal mask, John wakes up one morning unable to remember what happened the night before; however, he soon realizes that his memories are not his own, but of a man connected in some way to his girlfriend, Claire. Suddenly, the menacing acts that John committed the night before while wearing the very same mask all begin to flow freely through his mind. With the narrative in the form of a letter, it is also revealed to John that whatever is happening to him might in fact be hereditary.

I believe that Nitz took a risk with this story, but that it fully paid off. He presents a character whose personality and drive is very unattractive “” I couldn’t stand John Lincoln; yet when things began to go haywire, I wanted to know more. I eagerly immersed myself into John’s life and became enthralled by the happenings within him. Nitz also does an excellent job at eerily mirroring previous panels with new scenes showing aspects of mysterious memories of events.

Smallwood’s illustrations are spot on for the story. His drawings give you the sense of everyday life with characters that look like ordinary people and all the while, the images are layered with darkly ominous colors.

Dream Thief #1 is a solid work of fiction. I know enough of the story to remain content, while anxiously waiting for more. I urge you pick up this comic and to fill your mind with someone else’s memories.