Pan, the deposed ruler of Neverland, is seeking a way back to his seat of power. Will he be able to make it? Does anyone want him to? And, what does this have to do with the Dream Eater anyhow? Find out after the jump.
DREAM EATER SAGA: NEVERLAND ONE-SHOT
Story: Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco, and Joe Brusha
Writer: Raven Gregory
Artist: Jean Paul DeShong
Colorist: Jason Embury
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Cover A: Khary Rhandolph
Cover B: Ale Garza and Ivan Nunes
Editor: Ralph Tedesco
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Price: $2.99
Previously in The Dream Eater Saga: The Dream Eater has been released to stop the Dark One from taking over, gaining ultimate power, essentially doing something bad. Of course, it does this by eating anyone that is not an Earth native. Few have survived, though it has brought others back. Next up, well I don’t know yet.
THE PATH TO POWER IS STREWN WITH CORPSES
Pan was the ruler of Neverland, feeding on the life force of children to maintain an eternal youth. That was until a boy, Cross, escaped and came back, organizing much of the rest of Neverland against Pan. We now catch up to him as he sits on his new throne in the sewers of New York, taking the life force of the homeless.
As Pan expositions about his fate, he comes upon a water nymph that has been trapped on Earth as well. She tells the story of her fate, having been trapped when the Council sealed Earth off from the other Four Realms and is now waiting for the Dream Eater (maybe this is where he comes in) to come and kill her. Pan asks why she didn’t try to get back she explains she did but did not have the proper currency, a soul (apparently nymphs and faeries do not have any). A gypsy woman is said to have the ability to open the gates and Pan forces the nymph to take him to her. Once there, Pan’s gratitude results in the nymph’s death, which is what she wanted so. . .
From here out, the story actually keeps getting better. Pan is made into a believer as the gypsy tells him of his past and nothing more before asking for a payment (actual money this time, even accepts credit cards). When Pan attempts to attack her and steal her life force, the tables are turned and she reveals even more power. She calls him by his true name and reveals his current desires, the power of the Dream Eater (nope, not just yet) so as to regain his realm and get his vengeance. A bargain is made, and after taking all of his youth she sends him to find the one person that may be able to make his dream a reality, though she doesn’t tell us who. And then the twist, the “dead” nymph walks in revealing that her deal isn’t a soul but to bring the witch falsebloods, it is still to go home though.
NIGH ON ABSURDITY
Actually, the absurdity is only one panel as Pan tries to eat the gypsy. The absurdity of it actually adds to the story though, as it really shows just how crazy and evil Pan can truly be. Everything else is quite good. The sewers are dark and dingy, especially Pan’s throne. In fact most of the book has that dirty, dingy feel to it, which really adds to Pan’s disparity and desperateness. The figures are all interesting and unique without being over the top, especially the gypsy’s true form.
BOTTOM LINE: QUITE GOOD
So far, I haven’t been all that impressed with the Dream Eater Saga. This book actually turned that around a bit. I don’t know if it’s the interesting interpretation of Pan or what, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even without having the titular character of the saga, it still managed to be relevant by setting up someone who should be a major player going forward. All in all, Neverland is getting 3.5 out of 5 stars.
