The power of social media lies in creating an artifice. Everyone you know is somewhere on social media. They have Facebook , Instagram or Twitter, or even Tiktok. The original premise was to connect online with family and friends and that has morphed into creating whole new realities.

One of the original platforms, Myspace, sought to connect with people across the World Wide Web. Now those platforms are used for commerce more so than connection. It makes you wonder if anything real. In David Gaffney and Dan Berry’s Rivers, through the power of technology three strangers connect through, dreams.

We’re taken to 1992, in the north of England, where two boys are enjoying their favorite comic, The Ghoulor Hunters, which is where we meet Gideon, fast forward to present day, and he is a game developer, whose work is primarily solitary but he has a work friend in Lisa, whom he confides in. Then there’s Heidi, who has not left her home in days or weeks, as she works from home and hadn’t found a reason to leave, as much of her trauma, is tied to her relationship with her father. Then there’s Peter, who delivers classic cars all throughout England, but despite that, his life is mostly mundane. Everything changes for these three strangers as they use the Dreamr app, and realize that they are dreaming about each other. As a chance meeting between Gideon and Heidi, leaves both befuddled, wondering is this all crazy coincidence or kismet, as Gideon reveals he has found Heidi’s father who disappeared from her life 20 something years ago. By the graphic novel’s end, Gideon confesses his love for Lisa and the reader finds out Peter is Heidi’s father, giving them the reunion they have both longed for.

Overall, Rivers is a story that melds science fiction and slice of life into a beautiful tale. The story by Gaffney is heartfelt and relatable. The art by Berry is gorgeous. Altogether, an excellent story that understands the need for human connection.

Story: David Gaffney Art: Dan Berry
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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