| Year: 2008
Writer: David Lillie & Liz Thomas
Artist: David Lillie & Liz Thomas
Publisher: Vivid Publishing
Website: http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com
Genre: Fantasy
Description of book: The dreamworld is a mysterious reality that parallels our own. Humans cannot enter this reality - we can only catch fleeting glimpses of it through our dreaming, unconscious minds. Dark things lurk in this fantasy world, however - and we are vulnerable while we sleep. They thirst to cross from their world into our unconscious and defenseless minds - using our dreams as the bridge. The only thing blocking their path is the existence of the dreamkeepers. Every last person has a dreamkeeper, an embodiment in the dream world. So long as your dreamkeeper lives, the nightmare hordes cannot enter your mind through your dreams. Everyone's dreamkeeper is completely unique - your personality and subconscious influence your dreamkeeper's appearance and abilities. Just as we are ignorant of them, they have no knowledge of us and our world. Yet despite our separate realities, their lives are tied to ours. If a couple falls in love here, their dreamkeepers will share that love. One thing we do not share, however, is their peril. The nightmarish evils of the dreamworld know that the dreamkeeper's life protects us. Their dark minds scheme and strive to destroy the dreamkeepers, to spill their blood, and to utterly end their existence. This is why the dreamkeepers are gifted with supernatural abilities - each dreamkeeper has a unique power with which to defend themselves and their friends. However, There has been no conflict in the dreamworld for centuries. Peace has bred complacency and ignorance. The dreamkeepers have forgotten the darkness of the past, lowered their defenses, even outlawing the use of their powers. The nightmares remain, however, lurking in secrecy - and their dark designs are near to completion...
Price: $19.95
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Review: First, I've got to confess that I've been psyched to review Vol 2 of Dreamkeepers since I finished the first book. This title utterly rocks: the concept is beyond solid, the characters reach out and grab you, and it's just a hell of a lot of fun to read. That being the case, I realize my praise may be more glowing than most are accustomed to in my reviews, but take it for what it is. While you're at it, order a copy of this book and join the ranks of the converted. Volume 2 picks up where the first book left off - as usually happens. The danger has not passed and only half of our leading characters know what's going on, only hinting at the full plot unfolding for us, the readers. If handled poorly, this could have crippled even the best of comics. Fortunately, Lillie and Thomas manage to not only pull it off, but exceptionally so. It's a balancing act, no question - but one that is successful in its aims. As before, the art and vibrant color are an immediate draw. No question about it - the murky gray and brown so many other comics favor (for the gritty appeal) are nowhere to be seen here. When coupled with such visually imaginative character and creature design, it's a winner. I have to confess that I am curious as to what is to come. So far, this series has held its own almost because of the mystery included in the plot. True, we get bits and pieces of the unfolding conspiracy, but it largely remains in shadow to this point. It is an unenviable task these two authors are faced with in actually revealing the totality of their schemes. It could be an iceberg pulled forth from the ocean, imposing in its sheer bulk, or it could be a kid swimming around wearing a shark fin replica on his back. Still, that's my best attempt at playing devil's advocate. Dreamkeepers has been, to this point, one of the most engrossing and exciting comics I've been privileged to read as a reviewer for ICR. I see no sign of it letting up any time soon!
Overall: 5 stars. Alex Haas |