The Dreaming #17: Not Like This

The Dreaming #17 was a blast to read. It is beautifully written, illustrated, suspenseful, and perfectly paced. Three big things are happening with nothing being overshadowed by the other. The issue follows Abel confronting Wan, Matthew searching dreams, and Lucien seeking his death. His “death” is handled beautifully. Lucien finds a baku, a dream eater, and begs to be eaten (not the beautiful part). This is all interrupted by the rest of the Dreaming who all hold Lucien and lower him into the ground to the foundation. The panels are heartbreaking and powerful, especially with the use of black which gives the reader a true idea of Lucien transitioning to the comfort of the void. This is all happening right at the end of the issue so it is a big surprise and ending when Lucien has one last visitor before he is at peace: Death. So that is something very exciting to look forward to in issue #18.

Matthew has always been a favorite character of mine in The Dreaming. He comes in clutch many times especially this issue. Issues #16 and #17 work as the villain explaining his plan. The plan is really good and I still do not see a way out of it other than involving Daniel or the Endless. He looks absolutely ridiculous flying around with Abel’s eyes but the idea is brilliant. Matthew is really interesting because of his precision. I don’t even want to begin to figure out how many dreams are happening at any given moment. He flies through them looking for even an indication of Cain, who he eventually finds.

Abel has been a really interesting character since Cain disappeared. It is almost like he must be a murderer and victim in the absence of his brother. His takes a bold chance and stabs Wan. It does nothing but it shows just how far Abel is willing to go. Wan’s memory is slowly erasing which I will most likely be quite significant. As Wan is putting Abel in the chest, Abel triggers the cuckoo to burst out and attack Wan. This leads to Wan sending blanks after Abel. Matthew comes in clutch and saves the day just as Abel is cornered. Wan’s discussions of Abel just being a part of something and not a whole struck me. The same goes for a lot of the Dreaming: Lucien and the library. Everyone and thing as a place and purpose and Wan is changing all of that. It all leads to the question of what happens to the Dreaming when no one dreams?