In 1989, a graphic novel from Marvel — The Dreamwalker — came and went with little fanfare, which is too bad, because it’s pretty good. It has, for me, the pulp elements which I recognized at the time that made it a fun read.
The Dreamwalker was written by Bill Mumy (actor, writer, musician, probably best known as Will Robinson on Lost in Space) and Miguel Ferrer (actor, musician, probably best known today for his role on NCIS: LA) with artwork by the great Gray Morrow.
Set in the ’80s during the Cold War, the novel focuses on Joshua McGann, a talented CIA agent who is on shaky grounds with the agency. It’s almost to the point where they decide to get rid of him. Unsuccessfully. He then uses blackmail to get them to leave him alone, and he retires.
But he is contacted by his stepmom about his father, who is in ill health. His stepmom is a district attorney dealing with a Mafia case. But a hitman gets into their house and kills her. His father, distraught by this, has a heart attack and dies. But before he does, he points his son to a secret. Investigating, he discovers that he father was The Dreamwalker, a vigilante who was active in the late ’30 and early ’40s. His outfit was a tuxedo with opera cloak, mask, and fedora. He carried a gun and grappling hook as well.
Joshua decides to become the new Dreamwalker to take down the Mafia don who killed his stepmom and caused his father’s death. To the weapons his father had, he adds his skills and knowledge as a CIA agent.
While he does take down the don, he learns the connection to his mother’s death and his father retiring as The Dreamwalker. And his CIA boss decides to blackmail him about being the new Dreamwalker to get Joshua to work for them.
Overall I thought this an enjoyable story. It could have been a great setup for further works, but none ever appeared. A lost opportunity. You may be able to find copies, so check it out.
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