The shadows have long been home to Garrett, the iconic master thief of the Thief video game series. After a decade of silence, the franchise crept back into the light last year with a VR installment, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadows, which introduced a new protagonist. But for fans craving the original antihero's mechanical eye and cynical wit, a new chapter is unfolding—this time in ink and paper.
Bit Bot Media is launching a BackerKit campaign for an officially licensed graphic novel titled Thief: Pulse of Promise. This self-contained story takes place between the events of the groundbreaking original Thief: The Dark Project and its sequel, Thief II: The Metal Age. Collider has an exclusive first look at the cover art for the Deluxe Hardcover Edition, which features the work of Marvel and DC veteran Tyler Kirkham.
Kirkham, known for his detailed work on The Amazing Spider-Man, Venom, Batman, and Star Wars, brings a moody, fantastical touch to the cover. It shows Garrett in his trademark cloak, bow drawn, capturing the same atmospheric tension that defined the original game's illustrations. The standard hardcover features a steampunk-infused design by interior artist Emanuele Ercolani, while the limited edition cover comes from Diabolik's Claudio Mastronardi.
The graphic novel is penned by Joshua Viola and Sean Eads. Viola previously revisited classic games in graphic novel form with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - The Dead Shall Rise. Their story follows Garrett before the Age of Metal as he takes on a heist that seems routine but soon uncovers forgotten secrets of the keepers—the powerful organization that once ruled the old city. Along the way, he encounters mysterious powers and a boy who may shape the city's future. Viola emphasized that the team worked closely with Eidos-Montréal, the original publisher, to ensure the story honors the game's legacy, including familiar faces like Artemus and Father Karras.
“Thief remains one of the most influential and beloved stealth game franchises ever created,” Viola said in a statement. “Every aspect of Pulse of Promise was developed in close collaboration with Eidos-Montréal to help ensure the story, characters, factions, and world align with what longtime fans would expect from this era of Garrett's life. We wanted this to feel like a genuine standalone chapter between The Dark Project and The Metal Age.”
The BackerKit campaign offers a treasure trove of collectibles. The Deluxe Edition includes the hardcover with Kirkham's art, a collectible slipcase, concept artwork, and behind-the-scenes goodies. Additional rewards include an all-new soundtrack by Celldweller, voiceover by original Garrett actor Stephen Russell, a statue, plush, art prints, T-shirts, and even a limited edition replica of Garrett's mechanical eye in a premium collector's set. Early backers through the pre-launch page will receive an exclusive black and gold coin.
Frank O'Connor, Bit Bot's Creative Director and former Franchise Creative Director for Halo and Perfect Dark, expressed his excitement. “Thief isn't just a masterclass in stealth gameplay, it's one of the most innovative and influential modern dark fantasy stories, period,” he said. “It's an honor to witness the expansion of that storytelling and narrative evolution in graphic novel format, and I'm genuinely enthralled to see what the world thinks of Garrett's next cynical outlook on what it means to thrive, survive, and purloin interesting swag in Thief: Pulse of Promise.”
This graphic novel isn't the only reason for Thief fans to celebrate. Nightdive Studios, known for remasters like System Shock 2 and Star Wars: Dark Forces, is working on a remaster of the original Thief: The Dark Project. Using their KEX Engine, they're updating graphics, adding modern amenities, and fixing level issues. The remaster is slated for release this winter on all modern platforms.
For those who love the intersection of video games and other media, check out our list of Top 10 Video Games Based on TV Shows or explore why 5 Video Games Deserve Their Own Anime Series. And if you're a fan of heist stories, don't miss the trailer for John Travolta's 'The Gentleman Thief'.
