Author: Franck Thillez
Publisher: Papercutz

According to Professor Angus, Estaban was found one day outside of the Sleep Lab: a young boy lost and abandoned. Angus and his son Tristan quickly welcome him into their family and their field of work, which is exploring nightmares and allowing patients a good and safe night’s sleep. But in Esteban’s nightmares of late, he wakes up in his old house, reunited with his parents as if they were never separated. To wake up and actually return to his real life, Esteban must travel into the woods and face his own fears. Can The Nightmare Brigade help one of their own awaken from his own nightmares?

This graphic novel is intriguing with a mind-bending plot. I did not expect this kind of twisty storytelling and horror in a graphic novel even after reading the summary.

High praise for an amazing plot well-executed. Twists and turns are literally mind-blowing. I was also impressed with a deliberate vagueness in some sections that makes readers work their own imaginations.

Some of the graphics seem mediocre by today’s standards; it’s possible that’s intentional. And some text looks forced onto the image. On the other hand, the illustrations, especially in the intense scenes, are so detailed that there’s no room for confusion.

Overall, the novel brings to mind Inception and The Nightmare on Elm Street, not just because it involves nightmares, but for its thrilling, hair-raising sequences. It is good to know it’s part of a series; personally, I cannot wait for the next volume to come out!

- Kevin Velayo