Almost three decades after Thief: The Dark Project first drew players into its shadowy, stealth-driven fantasy world, master thief Garrett is returning to the shadows — this time on the page. Bit Bot has unveiled Thief: Pulse of Promise, a new officially licensed graphic novel, and Polygon has secured an exclusive first look at several pages from the book just as the project goes live for backers on BackerKit.
The new story leads Garrett into forgotten Keeper secrets, strange powers lurking beneath the City, and the mysterious fate of a young boy who may be destined for a role far larger than the thief initially realizes. Longtime fans will also encounter familiar faces, including Artemus and Father Karras, as Garrett navigates a tale that expands the world he has inhabited since 1998.
A New Medium for a Beloved Thief
Steering the story are artists Emanuele Ercolani, known for his work on Masters of the Universe and ThunderCats, and Gianluca Papi, who brought Mercy and Unnatural to life, with Jeremiah Lambert of Transformers handling lettering. The creative team has worked to capture the atmospheric tone that defined the original game, translating its signature blend of shadow and intrigue into a sequential-art format.
According to Bit Bot, the narrative was developed in collaboration with Eidos-Montréal to ensure the characters, factions, and world remain consistent with this particular era of Garrett’s life. The partnership provides an official anchor for the project, keeping it faithful to the established lore rather than straying into fan-fiction territory.
The graphic novel arrives at a moment of renewed interest in the franchise. Nightdive Studios, Eidos-Montréal, and Atari recently announced Thief: The Dark Project Remastered, giving the 1998 classic a fresh lease on life for modern systems. Yet Pulse of Promise carves out a distinct path, offering fans a new way back into the world without requiring a remake or sequel to fill in the blanks.
What Backers Can Expect
The graphic novel will be available in three hardcover editions through the upcoming campaign, including a deluxe version complete with a slipcase and bonus behind-the-scenes material. Beyond the book itself, the campaign is packing a substantial roster of collectibles and bonuses for devoted fans.
Backers can also look forward to an original soundtrack by Celldweller, featuring new voice-over performances from Garrett himself, voiced by actor Stephen Russell. Additional rewards include a Garrett statue, a plush toy, art prints, branded shirts, and a replica of Garrett’s signature mechanical eye — a fitting tribute to the eye patch that defines the franchise’s protagonist.
The combination of a new story, a remaster, and a wave of merchandise underscores the enduring appeal of a series that helped define the stealth genre nearly thirty years ago. For a generation of players, Garrett’s world of creeping through darkness and avoiding confrontation remains a benchmark for the genre, and these new offerings aim to rekindle that affection across multiple mediums.
Looking Ahead
The Thief: Pulse of Promise BackerKit campaign is live now, opening the door for fans to back the project and secure their chosen editions and collectibles. As the campaign progresses, more details about shipping timelines and reward tiers are expected to emerge.
With the remaster also on the horizon, the coming months promise to be a busy and exciting period for the franchise. Whether players prefer to slip through the shadows in a fully realized game or follow Garrett’s exploits page by page, the master thief is once again ready for his next heist.
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