Dreamover

Writer/Artist: Dani DiazDreamover cover: a boy and a girl stand in a room with a television, couch and no walls that has waves sweeping in.
Publisher: Top Shelf

I have a bias towards stories that intensify the experience of something real using fantasy. Dreamover, Dani Diaz’s debut graphic novel—out now from Top Shelf—skillfully does just that.

Dreamover is a funny, thoughtful young adult tale about a girl, Amber, and a boy, Nico, who have been best friends forever and confess that they have crushes on each other at the end of middle school, in the year 2008. A summer of bliss and then the chaos of high school ensues, culminating in their foray into a strange dream universe that they might not be able to leave.

The confident, somewhat impulsive character of Amber makes a great contrast to the shy, cautious character of Nico. It’s enjoyable to see them draw out new dimensions to each other. Their comfortable friendship rings true, as well as the complexities of their new love and how it affects their school life and other friendships.

In the story, Diaz skillfully captures the essence of kids on the verge of becoming young adults: their wacky games, quick laughter, awkwardness, and sudden, intense emotions. In this stage of life, everything can change in an instant, with one spontaneous decision, and Dreamover expresses that vibe perfectly.

Panel 1: Four kids, two girls and two boys, sit playing video games and laughing. One boy is highlighted in color. Caption from a narrator offscreen: I always want to be alone with him. One of the other boys says, "Stella, what did you do." Caption: I don't like it. Panel 2: Zoom in on the two boys. One says, "She destroyed you." The other says, "Hahaha, that's hurting my feelings." We see the narrator now, a girl named Amber, facing them. Caption: I just want things to go back to how they were before... and never change.

Drew, the third best friend in Amber and Nico’s childhood trio, and their other good friends Stella and Grace, have enough depth to be relatable without hogging the spotlight. I enjoyed Diaz’s subtle touches to indicate Nico’s and Drew’s diverse Asian backgrounds, and the queer representations of Drew, Stella, and Grace.

Although there is some minor bullying in the story, it seems more standard schoolyard bullying derived from machismo rather than from discrimination. This made the story a somewhat “cozier” read in that sense, which was just fine with me. The majority of the conflict comes from Amber and Nico’s struggle to find balance with each other and their other friends.

Other aspects of the 2008 setting were fun for me as a member of the Millennial generation. I enjoyed the old school instant messenger scenes, flip phones, CD players, arcades, and an overall less internet-centered environment.

Panel 1: A girl and a boy stand on a pier. The girl says, "Wanna... go check out the arcade?" The boy says, "Ya" Panel 2 and 3: A hand inserts an arcade token into a slot. Panel 4: We see the two kids' sets of legs in an arcade booth with the rest of their bodies hidden by a curtain, surrounded by other arcade games and two other people playing a game, with dinging sounds indicated.

Diaz shows strength at composition, pacing, and scene choice. Their style of drawing the characters’ facial features felt a little flat to me at first, but grew on me. I really enjoyed the zany humor and energy in the characters’ body language and expressions, some of which seem manga-inspired. The landscapes and surrounding scenery, both natural and urban, are realistic and often quite beautiful.

With the first part of the story set in a non-fantasy world, I wondered if stepping into a dream land would seem jarring, but need not have worried. When the time came, the transition felt natural. Diaz employs dream logic in humorous and memorable ways to further the characters’ journey.

Like all the best fantasies (in my opinion), the core of the characters’ dream experience was still very much grounded in their emotional worlds, from escapism to guilt, vulnerability to connection.

Overall, Dreamover is a fast, fun read, yet surprisingly observant and moving. I think it would be meaningful for both young adults and adults. The scenery, both real and surreal, is a visual treat, while the laughs (and laugh-sighs) are earned.

There’s real character growth here and important lessons about facing hard things, avoiding possessiveness, and appreciating your friendships, even if you’re in capital-L Love. Start your year off on a high note and check it out.


Dreamover is available now.

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