I read the first issue of this collection a year ago when it initially came out, and quickly dismissed it as just another of author Ellis’ latter-day ramblings. In the late 1990s he was on the fast track to becoming a new legend in the comics industry, pumping out an endless stream of titles like “Stormwatch,” “The Authority,” “Planetary,” and “Transmetroploitan”, books that snagged him ravenous fans and endless imitators. But at some point in there he did the worst thing an author could do: he became convinced by his own hype.
 
Much like Kevin Smith and Chuck Palahniuk (You heard me.), Ellis just kept trotting out the same thing over and over, appealing shamelessly to the already converted. And originality and invention went right out the window.
 
The first issue of “Doktor Sleepless” seemed like the same thing, at first. Parts of the first issue read like the worst story you could ever imagine having to workshop in a creative writing class. But as the story continues, something weird happens. It becomes fascinating. The Doktor is a mad scientist who’s only pretending to be crazy, a savior who’s only pretending to be on your side. While it’s hard to tell where the story will go, it looks like Ellis is out to raise some questions about the ways that rebellion is commoditized and apathy can be twisted into destructive carnage in the name of revolution.
 
Can Ellis pull this off without growing bored and wandering off? Only time will tell. Until then, though, I’m actually pretty into finding out where this is going.