The Thief video game franchise is one of the most beloved and seminal video game lines in gaming history. Filled with stealthy gameplay and innovative storytelling, it’s no wonder why this dark fantasy epic has a definitive place in video game history. Bit Bot recently launched a BackerKit campaign to create a new original graphic novel, Thief: Pulse of Promise, set between the events of Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age video games. This OGN is adding to the excitement for and celebration of the upcoming The Dark Project Remastered release, giving fans the chance to snag collectibles along with the comic.
I caught up with Josh Viola, writer of Thief: Pulse of Promise and co-owner of Bit Bot, and talked about the conceit of Thief: Pulse of Promise, the BackerKit campaign itself, and his favorite part of working on the project.
FreakSugar: Before we get into the graphic novel, for those unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the video game Thief and the remastered edition?
Josh Viola: Thief is one of the most iconic and influential stealth games, which is all about shadow and light, sound and atmosphere, and outsmarting your enemies. You play as Garrett, a master thief navigating a sort of gothic, steampunk setting called The City. The remastered edition developed by Nightdive Studios brings the original game, The Dark Project, back for a new generation to experience. I’m really looking forward to diving back in.
FS: Where do we find the cast in the beginning of Pulse of Promise?
JV: The story picks up in the gap between the first two games (The Dark Project and The Metal Age), right after the Trickster’s death, when The City is in flux. The Hammerites are struggling to hold themselves together, and Father Karras is starting to gain real influence. Garrett, as always, has just taken another job, one that’s about to pull him a lot deeper than he expected…
FS: Thief is a fan-favorite franchise. How did this project come about?
JV: At one point we discussed with Eidos about collaborating on a graphic novel that could be both faithful and additive to their games. We quickly rallied around Thief, with its iconic main character and rich world, and with the remaster of the original game on the horizon, we felt we could tell an interesting story in the context of the established canon that was going to be brought back to modern audiences. From there it grew into Pulse of Promise, which we developed in collaboration with Eidos-Montréal to make sure it fit naturally into the existing games and lore.
FS: What can you tell us about the BackerKit itself and the rewards available?
JV: There’s a lot in the BackerKit campaign for fans at every level, from digital copies of the graphic novel up through signed hardcovers. Some of the fun stuff includes a replica of Garrett’s mechanical eye, a statue, plush, and a soundtrack by Celldweller. There’s something in there whether you just want to read the story or really want a piece of it on your shelf.
FS: What has been your favorite part of working on the project?
JV: Honestly, just getting to dive deeper into this world. There’s a real nostalgia to it, getting to spend time back in The City and with characters like Garrett and Artemus again.
FS: If you had a final pitch for the BackerKit campaign, what would it be?
JV: This is a chance to explore a piece of Garrett’s story that’s never been told, built with real care to fit right into the world you already love. If you grew up with Thief, this is for you, so come be part of bringing it to life. And if you’ve never played the games, don’t worry, this is a gothic, steampunk noir stealth story written to stand on its own, so you can jump in and get swept up in The City without any homework required.
As of press time, the BackerKit campaign for Thief: Pulse of Promise graphic novel and collectibles by Bit Bot has already more than doubled its initial goal, with 29 days left in the campaign. This campaign is one not to be missed, for fans old and new of the classic, beloved video games! Check out the BackerKit goodies here at the link!
From the official press release for the BackerKit campaign:
Bit Bot is expanding the universe of the legendary Thief video game franchise with Thief: Pulse of Promise. Hot on the heels of the recent announcement of Thief: The Dark Project Remastered from Nightdive Studios, Eidos-Montréal, and Atari – the brand-new officially licensed graphic novel and accompanying collectibles line will deliver an all-new self-contained story set between the events of Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age. Fans can support the graphic novel on BackerKit.
Written by Joshua Viola (Legacy of Kain, The Rocky Horror Show) and Sean Eads (Terror in the Corn, Lord Byron’s Prophecy), with interior art by Emanuele Ercolani (Masters of the Universe, ThunderCats) and Gianluca Papi (Mirka Andolfo’s Mercy, Unnatural) , and letters by Jeremiah Lambert (Transformers), Thief: Pulse of Promise follows master thief Garrett as a seemingly straightforward heist draws him into forgotten Keeper secrets, strange powers hidden beneath the City, and a mysterious young boy whose fate may shape the future. Featuring appearances by fan-favorites such as Artemus and Father Karras, this all-new adventure bridges a pivotal chapter in Garrett’s life leading to the Age of Metal.
“Thief remains one of the most influential and beloved stealth game franchises ever created,” said Joshua Viola, co-writer and co-owner of Bit Bot. “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.”
Originally released in 1998 by Looking Glass Studios, Thief: The Dark Project helped define the stealth genre through its groundbreaking blend of first-person infiltration, emergent gameplay, and immersive worldbuilding. The recently announced Thief: The Dark Project Remastered from Nightdive Studios, Eidos-Montréal and Atari marks a modern revival of the classic title, rebuilt using Nightdive Studios’ KEX Engine and scheduled for release this Winter on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
The Thief: Pulse of Promise graphic novel and collectibles BackerKit campaign will offer three editions of the graphic novel. The Standard Hardcover Edition features the complete 147-page story in full color with a cover by interior artist Emanuele Ercolani. The Limited Hardcover Edition includes an exclusive cover by Claudio Mastronardi (Diabolik, Navigavia). The Deluxe Hardcover Edition features a cover by Tyler Kirkham (The Amazing Spider-Man, Green Lantern Corps), a collectible slipcase, and bonus content including concept artwork and other behind-the-scenes materials.
Expanding the experience beyond the page, the campaign will also feature a brand-new original soundtrack composed by Celldweller, including all-new voice-over performances from legendary Garrett voice actor Stephen Russell. The campaign’s premium collectibles lineup includes a limited-edition Garrett statue, a Garrett plush, exclusive art prints, t-shirts, and a Limited-edition Garrett mechanical eye collector’s set, featuring an eye replica, display base, engraved wooden box, and Order of the Hammer scroll and wax seal.
Fans who reserve on the BackerKit pre-launch page prior to the campaign launch will receive a limited-edition, custom-minted Thief coin, an exclusive collectible available only to BackerKit supporters.
“Thief isn’t just a masterclass in stealth gameplay, it’s one of the most innovative and influential modern dark fantasy stories, period,” said Frank O’Connor, Bit Bot Creative Director and former Franchise Creative Director for Halo and Perfect Dark. “It’s an honor to witness to 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.”
Fans can support Thief: Pulse of Promise on BackerKit now. For more updates, sign up at bitbotmedia.com for the Bit Bot newsletter and follow the company’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
