Written by Simon Spurrier
Illustrated by Bilquis Evely
Published by DC Comics
Simon Spurrier and Bilquis Evely have done the seemingly impossible.
They have created a book set in the land of The Dreaming that is wonderful and does something totally different than Neil Gaiman’s landmark series.
Yet, it pays homage to it and respects it completely. It even continues it. And they make a damn good and unique book in the process.
That’s quite a feat the pair of creators have accomplished here.
The opening sequence of this book has Scary Mary giving a monologue. It’s beautifully laid out by Evely. She does a nice job of expanding upon what comic books are capable here and it’s nicely scripted by Spurrier.
From there things get downright exciting in this issue.
Dora is looking to stop the mad Judge Gallows. Gallows has taken control of the Dreaming and he’s changing things right up. As Dora tries to take him out, Gallows doesn’t even acknowledge her as a threat. He’s already taken precautions against any and all threats in fact and he won’t go down easily.
We get to see his cruelty and his downright sinister nature in a few moments in this issue.
Things are looking downright bleak for the side of good for the remainder of the issue. There are some brutal moments, especially between Cain and Abel. But by the end of the issue, something from the light side comes forth.
That’s right. And it gets completely weird as something new is created in the Dreaming. But what is it? I have no idea myself even as the issue ends. It’s a strange one folks. But I’m going to just go with it as it’s been a pretty decent read up until now.
Spurrier and Evely are putting their all into this and it shows. It’s imaginative in a way that I wasn’t expecting. This is a top quality book from the covers by Jae Lee, right up until the last page. It’s now a question of “Are they will be able to continue this book and maintain it like this?” I’m thinking so.
RATING: B+
