Marcus Randal is a former drug addict who has been put into the Ravenwood Institute who uses his psychic powers to discover the sins and secrets of those around him, while seeking to rebel against the strictness of his dominating father. The blind Sophia Santos, or "Saint Sophie" as she is often dubbed by those around her, uses her psychic powers to perform miracles and find missing children in Bolivia, which naturally is hardly the most stable of settings. Nyla Deardon, meanwhile, is a "poor little rich girl" who can psychically command anyone to do her bidding, but has become incredibly bored with life since it now offers her no challenges or surprises. Aaron Pierce is the last of the four to be introduced, although he quickly meets with two of the aforementioned psychics; all of whom entered comas at the same time over vast differences. He has a connection to Marcus, which manifests in an extended dream sequence which is partly drawn by Bakshi which invokes an homage to Jack Kirby's over-the-top superhero style. Pierce becomes the reader's point of view character as the transition to the world of Astral begins. It's a realm in which the laws of physics and gravity don't apply, monsters lurk in the shadows, and in which what one can do and even how they appear to others depends on imagination and willpower. Pierce actually has a connection to one of these four in the "real world", which is the last page shocker.
Moran is wise to devote 90% of this issue to introducing his main characters over exposition about the realm of Astral, which will presumably start to be seen or observed by the characters in subsequent issues. The only hiccup is that it is a narration box and not any character which names Astral, which can seem a bit obligatory - but since promotions online and on the back cover have already named Astral, it isn't a big deal. The four characters provide an even split between the sexes and to a degree with archetypes. You have a helper (Sophie), a spoiled princess (Nyla), a trouble-maker (Marcus) and the lead (Aaron). They're not exactly characters as deep as the ocean yet, but for a first issue enough is known about them to start off. Aaron's introduction is the most bizarre of them since it begins in a dream sequence, which helps to break with the normalcy of the previous three; his issues and insecurities are also immediately laid bare. That could be a dilemma - knowing the neurotic tics of your hero before much else - but it at least prevents Aaron from being boring, as many "leaders" often are accused of being. While this is clearly part one of four, and 25% of the DREAM REAVERS saga, enough is set up to build anticipation for the second issue, which promises more action in Astral and thus more of a chance to learn more about it all. The artwork and colors by Bortel are exceptional, which a lot of attention to detail and color as well as a sense of flow. Astral as well as the dream sequences give him and Bakshi more chance to shine. While some elements of the premise may remind some of "A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET III - THE DREAM WARRIORS" only without a slasher villain (yet), this is at it's heart a psychic dream fantasy tale featuring a cast who to varying degrees are all manipulated, sheltered, and/or defined by the adults around them journeying to a realm where they have far more power and latitude. But as with the entire teenage experience, gaining more independence and power is wrought with challenges and threats.
