REVIEW: ‘The Dreaming Waking Hours,’ Issue #2

The Dreaming Waking Hours #2 is published by DC Comics under the Black Label imprint, written by G. Willow Wilson, with art by Nick Robles and colors by Mat Lopes. With Lindy still trapped in a Shakespearean themed dream, Ruin and Jopheil seek out a mortal that might be able to help them. Provided Ruin doesn’t drive Jopheil mad first. Meanwhile, Dream begins his investigation into how exactly Ruin got loose in the first place.

The fantasy genre allows for the creation of limitless situations to challenge a protagonist with. But, as The Dreaming Waking Hours #2 illustrates, perhaps none would be more frustrating then being trapped in your own dream. I mean, think about it. A dream is something wholly created by your own mind. You crafted the dream, surely you should be able to get out. Even if the dream was pleasant, the concept of being trapped in an imaginary gilded cage would be enough to make a head explode. I know Lindy would agree.

While Lindy struggles with her magical captivity, this only presents a portion of The Dreaming Waking Hours #2 story. The bulk of the remainder belongs to Ruin and Jopheil. As they travel to the home of one that might help them get Lindy back, writer Wilson gifts the duo with some truly superlative interactions. A wonderfully odd couple vibe resonates between them as Ruin bounces between terrified and confused, all the while driving Jopheil to exhaustion.

Once they manage to reach their destination, the reader is provided with some background for several of the major characters in the story. This segment goes a long way to helping the reader understand Ruin’s plight, and why he seems so lost all the time.

Rounding out The Dreaming Waking Hours #2 is Dream entering the home of the nightmares to determine how one as clueless as Ruin could not only escape his place with the other nightmares, but leave the dreaming world all together. This story provides a strong narrative as it continues to follow it’s characters. It provides more clarity, and sets up the coming challenges for each of the three groups the book follows.

My only real complaint with this narrative is it feels like it lacks a purpose. The issue helps us understand the characters better, and there are a couple good moments with them, but it doesn’t feel like the book exists beyond helping you get to the next issue. That classic middle chapter of a series syndrome that happens all too often. But while it feels a bit adrift narratively, it was none the less enjoyable.

The art in The Dreaming Waking Hours #2 presents the many creatures and places the book visits well. Its clear presentation allows the reader to easily understand the various magical things being shown to them.

All in all, I enjoyed my time with The Dreaming Waking Hours #2, it sets up the next chapter well, and gives the reader some nice character moments along the way.

The Dreaming Waking Hours #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.