Thief: Pulse of Promise – Joshua Viola Talks Bringing Garrett Back, Expanding the Lore, and the Future of the Franchise

By Nolan P Smith

Editor | Pastrami Nation

With the BackerKit campaign ending October 29, we speak with co-writer Joshua Viola about returning to the shadows of Thief, honoring its legacy, and bringing Garrett’s world to life in a new graphic novel.

For fans of classic stealth gaming, few franchises have left a lasting impression quite like Thief. From its atmospheric environments and immersive storytelling to its unforgettable protagonist, Garrett, the series helped redefine what stealth games could be.

Now, the legendary franchise is returning to the shadows with Thief: Pulse of Promise, a new graphic novel that expands the world of the original games while introducing Garrett to a new generation of fans.

Set between the events of Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age, the story explores an important period in Garrett’s life, bridging two beloved entries in the franchise without disrupting their established continuity.

But Pulse of Promise is more than just a graphic novel. The project also features an original soundtrack by Celldweller, new performances from Stephen Russell, the iconic voice of Garrett, and a collection of exclusive merchandise and collectibles.

With the project’s BackerKit campaign entering its final days, Pastrami Nation caught up with co-writer Joshua Viola to discuss the challenges of adapting such a beloved franchise, working within its established lore, and what the future might hold for the master thief.

Returning to the Shadows

Pastrami Nation: Thief has one of the most passionate fan communities in gaming, and one of my personal favorites. How did you approach creating a story that feels authentic to longtime fans while still being accessible to readers who may be discovering Garrett for the first time?

Joshua Viola: “The biggest challenge was respecting what makes Thief feel like Thief. Garrett’s personality, the atmosphere, the world, all of that needed to feel familiar to longtime fans. But we also wanted to tell a story that stands on its own, so someone who has never played the games can pick it up and understand who Garrett is and why this world is so special.”

Bridging Two Legendary Games

Pastrami Nation: Pulse of Promise fills the gap between Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age. What made that period in Garrett’s life the right place to tell a new story, and were there any lore challenges in fitting it seamlessly into the existing canon?

Joshua Viola: “That gap gave us a really interesting place to explore without rewriting anything fans already know. We could show more of Garrett’s life and the changing world around him while naturally leading toward Thief II. The biggest hurdle was making sure everything fit the established lore, but that was also part of the fun.”

Staying True to the World of Thief

Pastrami Nation: The project brings together an impressive creative team. What did that creative process look like to ensure everything felt true to the world of Thief?

Joshua Viola: “It was very collaborative. Everyone involved understands how important the tone and atmosphere of Thief are, so there was a lot of attention paid to the details. We also worked closely with Eidos-Montréal throughout the process to make sure what we were creating felt authentic to the franchise.”

More Than a Graphic Novel

Pastrami Nation: Beyond the graphic novel itself, the campaign includes an original soundtrack by Celldweller, new performances from Stephen Russell, and a range of collectibles. How important was it to create a multimedia experience that captures the atmosphere fans associate with Thief?

Joshua Viola: “That was really important to us. Thief has such a distinct atmosphere that we wanted this to feel like more than just reading a comic. Having Stephen Russell return as Garrett and Celldweller create an original soundtrack adds another layer to the experience, and the collectibles give fans something tangible from that world.”

Could More Thief Stories Be on the Horizon?

Pastrami Nation: With Thief: The Dark Project Remastered and Pulse of Promise arriving around the same time, it feels like there’s renewed excitement around the franchise. What do you hope fans take away from this new chapter, and could this graphic novel open the door for more stories set in the world of Thief?

Joshua Viola: “I hope it reminds people why they fell in love with Thief in the first place and maybe introduces some new fans to Garrett along the way. We’d absolutely love to tell more stories in this universe, but right now our focus is on making sure we stick the landing with this one.”

The Final Days of Thief: Pulse of Promise

For longtime fans, Thief: Pulse of Promise represents an opportunity to revisit the dark, atmospheric world that made the original games so memorable. For newcomers, it’s a chance to discover Garrett and the franchise’s unique blend of stealth, mystery, and storytelling.

With a creative team dedicated to honoring the source material, the return of Stephen Russell, and an expanded multimedia experience, Pulse of Promise aims to deliver something special for fans of the franchise.

And while Viola isn’t promising additional stories just yet, the enthusiasm surrounding the project suggests there’s still plenty of interest in exploring the shadows of Garrett’s world.

The BackerKit campaign for Thief: Pulse of Promise ends Thursday, October 29, 2026. Fans interested in supporting the project or exploring its available rewards can visit the campaign before it closes.

Support Thief: Pulse of Promise on BackerKit

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