Waking Up to a Nightmare: Zander Cannon's SLEEP #1 Review

Alright, comic fans, let's talk about a premise that’ll send shivers down your spine. What if drifting off to dreamland meant someone else—a monstrous, murderous someone else—took over your body? And what if you woke up to the gory aftermath, with zero memory of the carnage? That's the killer hook for Sleep, the fresh horror-mystery brewing over at Image Comics. Our unlucky protagonist is Jonathan Reason, a regular Joe barista whose nights are anything but ordinary. When he sleeps, he becomes a creature that terrorizes his quiet little town, leaving a trail of bodies. But here’s the kicker: we experience this horror as Jonathan does, waking up to bloody chaos and trying to piece it all together. Talk about a rude awakening! This setup, focusing on the "horrifying waking hours of an unwilling part-time killer" , cleverly keeps us in the dark about the nighttime rampages. Creator Zander Cannon has even said each issue will cover a single period of Jonathan being awake. So, we're right there with Jonathan, sifting through clues and battling the psychological terror, making him the ultimate unreliable witness to his own dark deeds.

This eight-issue miniseries is the brainchild of writer and artist Zander Cannon—you know him, the fan-fave cartoonist behind gems like Kaijumax, Heck, and Top 10. And it’s coming to us via Image Comics, a publisher that’s basically a horror powerhouse right now, known for giving creators the freedom to tell their stories and for a seriously successful horror lineup. With hits like W0rldTr33 making waves, Image is clearly a go-to for genre fans. Landing Sleep at Image? That screams confidence and shows they know a good horror yarn when they see one. So, let's dive into the art, the story, and the creepy vibes While we review Sleep issue #1!

The Art of the Nightmare: Visual Storytelling in Sleep # 1

First things first, the look of Sleep # 1 is gonna grab you. It’s rocking a black-and-white

aesthetic, but with these strategic, super-impactful splashes of red. It’s a bold choice, and as Cannon himself spilled that the red isn't just for show; it has "specific meaning related to the lore" and the grayscale makes that red more noticeable and meaningful. So, that crimson isn't just blood (though there's plenty of that, we bet!), it's a clue, a thematic punch. It’s a smart way to guide your eye and crank up the mood, maybe even giving a nod to how classic EC Comics used color to make the gruesome bits pop.   

Zander Cannon’s art often gets called "cartoony" or having a "simplified rendering," which can be pretty "disarming". Think Kaijumax – it pulls you in with a certain look, then BAM, hits you with "both the absurd and profound". Apply that to the grim world of Sleep, and you’ve got a recipe for some seriously effective horror. Instead of softening the terror, that contrast between a simpler line and the bloody mess Jonathan wakes up to could make it all the more unsettling. It’s got echoes of his work on Heck, which used a harshly lit cartoon style in black and white that balanced "seriousness" with "cartoonish-ness". In Sleep #1, those "simplistic elements" aren't about being basic; they're the foundation for building some potent horror. Cannon displays some real mastery of the page so you know every panel is working to build that creepy atmosphere.   

The story’s set in the 1990s, which is a great way to sidestep modern tech—like all those pesky cell phones and cameras—would mess with a good horror story. It’s not just for 90s nostalgia (though, hey, who doesn’t love a bit of that?); it’s a key ingredient for the grounded horror vibe. Taking away those easy outs forces Jonathan into more direct, isolated, and probably terrifying situations. While the 90s visuals are subtle in issue #1, you can feel how it ramps up the tension.   

A Story Dreamt in Shadows: Narrative, Pacing, and Themes

The heart of Sleep is Jonathan Reason's absolute nightmare: he’s a normal barista who, every time he nods off, turns into a killer. Then he wakes up to the bloody mess with no clue what he did. It’s a fresh spin on the classic Jekyll and Hyde tale , with a cool structural twist. Like Cannon said, each issue is one waking period, so Jonathan—and us along with him—has to play detective with his own life, using gruesome clues to figure out what went down. This automatically makes Jonathan an unreliable narrator for his own nighttime activities. We’re stuck in his head, feeling his confusion and growing terror, which makes the mystery super personal. It’s not just a "whodunit," it's a "what the heck did I do, and why?!"   

Issue #1 takes its time, with a "slow burn" pace. Cannon uses this to really build the mood for the murder mystery and let us get inside Jonathan's head. This isn't just about dragging things out; it’s about making us feel Jonathan's torment and making the world around him feel real. The supporting characters feel genuine, and their disbelief about a killer in their sleepy town makes sense. This slow build lets Jonathan's internal struggle be just as important as the external mystery, fitting perfectly with the "grounded horror" feel Cannon is going for.   

A few themes are already bubbling up. The big one is dual identity – the monster hiding inside the ordinary guy. This ties right into the psychological dread Jonathan’s dealing with. It’s also a straight-up mystery. The "quiet town" setting  really punches up the grounded horror – terror exploding from everyday life, where every little detail could be important. Jonathan is an unwilling part-time killer(?) , which brings in themes of consequences and helplessness.   

You might even catch some vibes similar to classic EC Comics. Those old EC stories often threw ordinary folks into twisted, ironic horror situations, sometimes with a dark sense of justice or a bit of social commentary. Knowing Zander Cannon’s history of weaving social critique into his stuff, like in Kaijumax , Sleep could go beyond just personal horror. The "indiscriminate" killings mentioned early on  might eventually show patterns or targets that open the door for those kinds of ironic twists or deeper messages.   

First Impressions: Is Sleep a Dream Come True for Horror Fans?

So, what’s the verdict on Sleep #1? It’s a seriously compelling and unsettling start. The core idea is instantly gripping, and Zander Cannon’s unique art style cooks up a potent atmosphere of dread. The mystery of Jonathan's nighttime self is super intriguing, and you can really feel the psychological horror of his situation, even in this first issue. The "slow burn" pacing works well to build tension and give the characters some depth, though if you’re looking for non-stop, jump-out-of-your-seat scares right from page one, you might need a little patience.

Who’s gonna dig this? Fans of Zander Cannon’s other work, for sure. If you’re into psychological horror, character-driven mysteries, and unique art, this should be on your radar. If you liked The Deviant or I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer, you’ll probably find a lot to like here too. And it’s definitely for anyone intrigued by stories about dual natures, the dark side of the human mind, and the horror that can hide in plain sight.

The big question for a first issue, especially a slow burn, is: does it hook you for the rest of the ride? Sleep #1 absolutely does, by setting up a deeply personal and terrifying mystery. As First Comics News put it, those final pages really get you ready "for the forthcoming unraveling of this mystery," hinting that the "horror elements will soon be unleashed". You’ll definitely want to follow Jonathan down his horrifying rabbit hole, making this eight-issue nightmare one that horror junkies will be itching to continue.

If You enjoyed Sleep Try:

Heck by Zander Cannon: This one's a no-brainer since it's from the same creator, Zander Cannon. Heck is a graphic novel that tells a story of memory, friendship, and regret, all set in a version of Hell. Much like the black-and-white with strategic red in Sleep , Heck features a "harshly lit cartoon" style in black and white. It’s praised for its storytelling and how it balances serious, mature themes like guilt and mortality with a "cartoony" art style, which is a similar dynamic to what Sleep seems to be aiming for. If you appreciate Cannon's artistic approach and his way of tackling dark subjects, Heck is essential.

The Deviant by James Tynion IV & Joshua Hixson: This series was actually mentioned in some of the promotional material as a good comparison point for Sleep. The Deviant is a psychological crime thriller and horror story that delves into queer identities and cultural transgression. It’s noted for its slow-moving, suspenseful, and gritty noir atmosphere, which aligns with the "slow burn" pacing and mystery elements of Sleep. If the psychological dread and unfolding mystery of Jonathan's condition in Sleep appeal to you, The Deviant offers a similarly intense and thought-provoking experience.

Kaijumax also by Zander Cannon: Another one from Zander Cannon, Kaijumax is a fantastic example of his ability to use a "cartoony art style" to explore surprisingly deep and often dark themes. While the premise is different (it’s about a prison for giant monsters), it shares that characteristic Cannon approach of a disarming visual style that draws you into a world dealing with "uncomfortable truths" about society, corruption, and violence. If the contrast between Sleep's art style and its horrific content is something you find effective, Kaijumax masterfully plays with similar juxtapositions, offering social commentary wrapped in a unique, genre-bending package.