DREAMLANDS #1: LIVES AND EPICS, from LoudMouse Crew Comics on Kickstarter, imagines the world of dreams after the reckless use of magic destroyed all life, except for a soul survivor tasked with recording the history of dreams for all time.
The Details
- Written by: Stelios Pliatskas
- Art by: Thanos Kyratzis
- Letters by: Thanos Kyratzis
- Cover art by: Thanos Kyratzis
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $4.75 (estimated)
- Release date: November 2020 (estimated)
Is It Good?
Fair warning. DREAMLANDS #1: LIVES AND EPICS is a challenging comic to read. Stelios Pliatskas and Thanos Kyratzis have crafted an incredibly high-concept fantasy story about a world of dreams on the brink of extinction and the last man left alive to stop it. Filled with imaginative ideas, an uncommon narrative, and stylistic art, DREAMLANDS #1: LIVES AND EPICS is best suited for comic readers who want something out of the ordinary.
Pliatskas’s script centers on a man who wanders the wastelands of Dreamland in the hopes of finding one survivor besides himself. When all he finds are ruins, bones, and silence, the man takes up the unenviable task of cataloging the different races, wars, celebrations, and events throughout Dreamland’s history. When his task eventually approaches its end, he finds his life’s work will take on new meaning.
Yep, this is high-concept by every definition of the phrase. Does that mean it’s “good” or “enjoyable”? Yes and no. Thanos Kyratzis’s art is generally good, but he makes visually creative choices with the layouts, so you don’t always know which direction to read or how the panels are supposed to fit together. Stelios Pliatskas’s writing style relies heavily on symbolic language and metaphor, so you could interpret what’s being said in multiple ways.
Is it good? For a comic of this type, that’s the wrong question. You get out what you put in, and the more comfortable you are with letting yourself create the story from what’s not shown or said, the better off you’ll be.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
With begin with a lonely traveling wandering the wastelands of Dreamland. He carries nothing with him except a large book. The man, Pernathoris, is looking for anyone left alive after the devastation of the Dreamlands from war and magic. His search ends in failure.
Soon, Pernathoris resolves to write down everything about the Dreamlands he remembers or can find in the ruins. Dragons, giants, wizards, and more receive an entry as the books begin to pile high over the years. As Pernathrois’s final pages draw closer, he recognizes the end is coming, but it may not be what he thinks.
We conclude the issue with words made manifest, doors, and a smile.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
DREAMLANDS #1: LIVES AND EPICS is a challenging, high-concept fantasy story about the last man left alive in the Dreamland after an Apocalypse wiped out all life but him. The concepts are exceptionally high, and the interpretive art is intriguing, but readers looking for a straightforward story may find this comic a struggle to get through.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.