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The Dreaming #6 Review
DC Vertigo

Comic Books

The Dreaming #6 Review

A positively awesome comic book from DC Vertigo.

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When it comes to The Dreaming, things get real very fast. This world that has been abandoned by its creator is falling apart and those who live in it are having a real hard time keeping their minds and the literal fabric of the world together. The latest issue from DC Vertigo drops today and in it a major confrontation takes place, Dora learns something about herself, and a new god comes to town.

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So what’s it about?

The official summary reads:

Finally determined to solve the riddle of herself, Dora is out for blood. But Judge Gallows, the usurper, has taken precautions to protect himself. As the whole of the Dreaming trembles with the sick new power he wields, the oldest brotherly feud in existence takes a wretched turn…a blood sacrifice is made…the chrysalis cracks…and a new thing, an impossible thing, an indomitable thing, is born at last…

Why does this matter?

Dora has been the main character in this narrative who has had the opportunity to pop out for a bit here and there. Throughout, her identity and purpose have been a major sticking point for her. Answers about her identity drop here so if you’re even a smidge interested in the character get ready for shocking reveals.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

The Dreaming #6 Review

An interesting method of dialogue.
Credit: DC Vertigo

Simon Spurrier writes an issue that is captivating, interesting, and above all else inspiring. Using an interesting dialogue structure, the book opens with Dora speaking to herself. Panels drawn with the character are written in conventional bubbles and between those are in red brackets. This allows her to speak to her inner self in a way that is believable and compelling. As the story carries on, her self doubt eats away at her, but with the Dreaming potentially shattering into a million pieces Spurrier spurs her into action.

This is an excellent DC Vertigo book that harkens back to the imprint’s glory days. It had me thinking, it took a while to read, and I reread bits of dialogue simply to revel in them a bit longer. Lines like, “Broken ain’t the same as worthless” matter greatly to the characters, but also the reader. I think we can all see a little of ourselves in Dora, further making this story an inspirational one. It is, of course, a fantasy story too with some big ideas thrown into the mix. Spurrier does not let off the gas pedal either, driving home a robust read that satisfies old questions and asks brand new ones. The way this issue ends the creators could take a six month hiatus and we’d all be in line to get the next one. It’s that good.

Bilquis Evely is telling just as compelling of a story visually as Spurrier is laying out in the dialogue. Paired with Mat Lopes the art has a subdued nature that makes everything more real. Evely does not skimp on details, and mixed with Spurrier’s text-only panels seems to put even more effort into the panels surrounding them to keep the story flowing well. The full-page splash cliffhanger is frame-worthy and is yet another page from this series that has been awesome. Dora’s struggle is quite real and you feel her pain in her eyes, and the deep-rooted humanity in her fight in the end too.

The Dreaming #6 Review

Dora goes through a lot of emotional and physical changes in this issue.
Credit: DC Vertigo

It can’t be perfect, can it?

It’s funny how different this issue flows in comparison to previous issues. That’s not so much a negative as an observation. There are no double page layouts, for instance, and the narrative focuses more exclusively on Dora than other characters. By comparison, it doesn’t quite feel like the same series although it serves as a wicked climax.

Is it good?

The Dreaming is a visionary delight in comics storytelling. Issue #6 is not only proof of that, but it’s yet another example of it from a series that has been everything you’d expect from DC Vertigo. If this issue was the sirens song count me as one of those jumping overboard for more.

The Dreaming #6 Review
The Dreaming #6
Is it good?
The Dreaming is a visionary delight in comics storytelling. Issue #6 is not only proof of that, but it's yet another example of it from a series that has been everything you'd expect from DC Vertigo. If this issue was the sirens song count me as one of those jumping overboard for more.
Excellent art and color
Great dialogue that you'll read over more than once to take in
A fast paced issue with big reveals and changes
The issue flows so much differently from previous issues it almost seems too different
9.5
Great

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