A classic of children’s graphic novels (OK, it’s less than twenty years old, but it was a classic of my childhood), this first book in the series excellently sets up the compelling protagonist Dessa with her two interesting foils: fast-talking schemer Topper and straightforward muscle Fisk. Dessa’s quest to find out what happened to her twin brother is pitted against sympathetic antagonist Captain Drake and focused on mysterious antagonist Master Greyfalcon, as an attempted heist leads into a more complex and higher-stakes search.

Already in this first volume, Scott Chantler shows his flare for snappy dialog and his gifted touch with multi-panel gags, all accompanied by clear colors, skillfully linework, and lucid character designs. Most of all, Chantler displays masterful story pacing, alternating scenes cinematically between our protagonists and their enemies to constantly raise the stakes.

This book, as well as the rest of the series, were originally published by Kids Can Press and this new printing adds a short introduction pointing out that the eponymous three thieves are a found family, adding the first part of an interview with Chantler, in which he gives some interesting insights on the context and inspiration that made The Three Thieves what it is. In the interest of completeness, I must say that when I read the series before, I thought it kept consistently good art but spread too thin a mystery over too many a volume, though it wraps up fairly strong (Book Four was a standout in quality).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun graphic novel. Kids will love the adventure in this book.