The acclaimed stealth franchise Thief is broadening its horizons with a new graphic novel titled Thief: Pulse of Promise. This 147-page book is a joint venture between Bit Bot and Eidos-Montréal, set to bridge the narrative gap between the original 1998 title, Thief: The Dark Project, and its 2000 sequel, Thief II: The Metal Age. The project is currently being funded through a crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit.
Written by Joshua Viola and Sean Eads, with interior art contributions from Emanuele Ercolani and Gianluca Papi, Thief: Pulse of Promise promises to deliver an authentic continuation of the series' lore. The story follows master thief Garrett as a seemingly routine heist uncovers hidden Keeper secrets and mysterious powers within the City. The narrative will also feature familiar faces such as Artemus and Father Karras, adding depth for long-time fans.
Joshua Viola emphasized the close collaboration with Eidos-Montréal to ensure the graphic novel's alignment with the established Thief universe. "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," Viola stated. "We wanted this to feel like a genuine standalone chapter between The Dark Project and The Metal Age."
Bit Bot Creative Director Frank O'Connor echoed this sentiment, highlighting the series' influence beyond its gameplay. "Thief isn't just a masterclass in stealth gameplay, it's one of the most innovative and influential modern dark fantasy stories, period," O'Connor remarked. "It's an honor to witness the expansion of that storytelling and narrative evolution in graphic novel format."
The BackerKit campaign offers three distinct editions of Thief: Pulse of Promise. Alongside a standard hardcover featuring art by Ercolani, there will be a Limited Hardcover Edition with exclusive cover art by Claudio Mastronardi and a Deluxe Hardcover Edition that includes a slipcase cover and additional bonus content, with art by Tyler Kirkham. The campaign also provides opportunities to acquire collectibles such as a Garrett statue, a plush doll, art prints, and a mechanical eye collector's set. Early pre-registrations on BackerKit will also grant backers an exclusive, custom-minted Thief coin.
This graphic novel's announcement coincides with the upcoming release of Thief: The Dark Project Remastered for PC and consoles this winter, marking a significant resurgence for the beloved stealth gaming franchise.