Comments on: The Dreamer

By: Ed Catto

Ed Catto — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:35:19 +0000

Really impressed with this book and impressed with Lora too.
Also like the Jenny Frisson covers.

By: Dee

Dee — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:08:20 +0000

You know after being burned by the big two it’s nice to find something so nice.

Thank you for the wonderful recommendation
Johanna I’m sure going to spread the word
about it.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:53:51 +0000

Hey, that’s great! Yes, it’s generalizing, but … that other person started it!

Invalidname, that’s a very nice analysis, thank you for posting that.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:02:46 +0000

“I would think guys would be more interested in the history than gals..”

Isn’t that stereotyping? How do you know I’m not in it for the romance? ;)

By: invalidname

invalidname — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:04:37 +0000

One thing I found myself thinking “The Dreamer” is how much it reminds me of shoujo, specifically the sub-genre of “ordinary girl whisked away to another world, where she becomes pivotal to a great war”, such as Inu Yasha, The Vision of Escaflowne, and (especially) Fushigi Yugi. And I mean this in a good way: I’ve long hoped to see manga’s influence on American comics be realized in terms of storytelling, not just artwork (does Wolverine with speed lines really do anybody any good?)

The trick is going be be seeing how Ms. Innes gets herself out of the corner she’s painted herself into. Bea may be a terrible student, but it’s remarkable that she could look up the details of her dream (the Continental Army’s 1776 defeat in the Battle of Long Island), but overlook that the Captain who’s been looking after her, Nathan Hale, will be famously remembered for his last words prior to his hanging by the British (spoiler tags need not apply, methinks!). Or maybe Bea *does* know this and is keeping it to herself. Now that would be a hell of a twist.

It could be that Bea will ultimately use her knowledge of the future in 1776. She’s already proven willing to do so, when she saw (but misinterpreted) the “Death of Warren” painting. Establishing whether or not she can do this is going to be a key point going forward. If she’s just a spectator in her dreams (as she has been so far), then the story is a pleasant diversion. If, on the other hand, she discovers she can, say, carve her name in a stone in 1776 and find it still there in 2011, then *everything* is in play. Again, I’m hoping to see Ms. Innes show her hand on this someday.

And finally, am I the only one who thinks this would make a great movie? The premise is rich, the mix of action and romance is intoxicating, and it’s an easy (if cynical) pitch to Hollywood: “it’s Twilight meets history class”.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:20:16 +0000

“Even as a man”? I would think guys would be more interested in the history than gals at first glance. It’s a good book for everyone!

By: Christina Hicks

Christina Hicks — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:09:55 +0000

Hi, I’m a librarian in Texas and a member of the Maverick committee (a graphic novel reading list compiled by the Texas Library Associations’ Young Adult Round Table) and I loved this so much I nominated for our list. Happily, it made it!

By: RadioFlyer

RadioFlyer — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:45:32 +0000

Even as a man, I must admit, I love the Dreamer. It has a little bit of everything. Innes does exceptionally well with facial expressions and backgrounds. Many webcomics skimp on a lot of this stuff, but you can tell she takes the time to do it right. Great stuff overall!

By: Grant

Grant — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:39:34 +0000

I read some of this a while back and enjoyed it. The art is pretty good too. I’m glad the collection is out. It kind of reminds me of Brian Lumley’s “Dreamland” series, only with a different historical setting.

By: Lora

Lora — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:09:13 +0000

Thanks for the great review! And for taking the time to read through our archives!