Bit Bot Media is expanding the universe of the Thief video game series with a new Thief: Pulse of Promise graphic novel.
Written by Joshua Viola and Sean Eads, with art by Emanuele Ercolani and Gianluca Papi, Pulse of Promise delivers an all-new self-contained story set between the events of the upcoming Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Ageon video games.
We spoke to co-writer and Bit Bot Media co-owner Josh Viola all about the new Thief: Pulse of Promise graphic novel, the BackerKit campaign, and what else is coming from Bit Bot in the future in this exclusive interview.
How did you become involved in a comic book adaptation of video game Thief: Pulse of Promise?
Joshua Viola: I previously worked with Crystal Dynamics on the Legacy of Kain franchise, and through that relationship the opportunity came to collaborate with Eidos-Montréal on an official Thief story. As a longtime fan of the series, it was an easy yes. At Bit Bot, we love working with iconic franchises that we’re genuinely passionate about. Thief is a world that deserves more stories and we saw an opportunity to expand it while staying true to everything that has made the games so beloved.
How does the graphic novel support the upcoming remastered edition of Thief: The Dark Project?
Viola: I see them as great companions rather than one supporting the other. The remaster lets players revisit where Garrett’s story began, while Pulse of Promise picks up afterward and explores a chapter we’ve never seen before. If someone plays the remaster and wants more Thief, the graphic novel is a natural next step.
What did Emanuele Ercolani and Gianluca Papi bring to the story in terms of their artwork?
Viola: They brought the atmosphere. Emanuele’s visual storytelling and environments make the City feel alive, while Gianluca’s colors add so much depth to the mood. Together they found a great balance between honoring the look of the games and giving the graphic novel its own visual identity.
What aspect of the game was most important to capture in the graphic novel?
Viola: The atmosphere, without question. Thief has always been about more than sneaking around. It’s about the feeling of being alone in a dangerous, mysterious world. If we could capture that sense of tension and creeping through the shadows, everything else would fall into place.
What can fans look forward to in the Backerkit campaign?
Viola: We’ve put together a campaign that celebrates the entire franchise. Along with multiple editions of the graphic novel, we’re offering a Garrett statue, a Mechanical Eye replica, an original soundtrack by Celldweller featuring Stephen Russell returning as Garrett, and a number of other collectibles that we think longtime fans are really going to appreciate.
What else can fans look forward to from BitBot in the future?
Viola: We’ve got a lot happening. On the publishing side, we’re continuing to work with some amazing licensed properties while also developing original stories. On the game side, we’re hard at work on Final Boss, based on Tyler Kirkham’s Image Comics series, as well as an original 3D fighter that we’ll be announcing soon. It’s an exciting time for us, and we’re looking forward to sharing more in the months ahead.
