Vèvè-Punk: Birth of the Dream: Illustrated Short Story Collection

by Dominick Rabrun

Genres: Short Stories

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2026

About the author

Dom’s work merges technology, storytelling, and music into a cohesive creative system. Guided by his first-generation Haitian-American heritage, conservative Christian upbringing, and 15 years of experience in I.T., Dominick has developed a philosophy called “Vèvè-Punk,” blending Haitian Vodou symbolism with futuristic Afro-Caribbean themes. His practice explores the fragmented parts of his worldview and invites audiences to investigate their own intersecting identities.

In 2020, Dominick’s video piece, Dr. LaSalle, The Spider Queen, and Me, earned first prize in a juried exhibition at the Phillips Collection. He was a 2022 fellow with Black Public Media, which is now executive producing his forthcoming video game, Vèvè-Punk: Mind Singer —inspired by the Haitian Revolution.

He lives and works in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Reviews

[Kemi Ashing-Giwa]

The culmination of years of writing and illustration, Vèvè-Punk is the author's genre-smashing attempt to "answer questions that don't have clean answers in this life." Complex, philosophical, and blisteringly creative. Check out the audiobook—Dominick does the reading himself, and his narration is phenomenal.

[Brionna Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I have both read and listened to the audiobook for this collection and all I have to say is WOW.

The stories this collection holds are truly special in the way it not only has you questioning what it means to be human, but what it means to be yourself.

The audiobook is breathtaking and gripping through narration. I found myself physically reacting during some moments and it's been a long time since a book has made me feel something both emotionally and physically.

All in all, I definitely recommend this read!

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hatian punk inspired collection of short stories. I liked it and would read a sequel.

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first foray into Afrofuturism, and I will say that this narrative took many unexpected turns while I explored these short stories. Fantastic, mysterious, eerie, creepy and heartwarming! A revolutionary set of adventures. The pictures have sharp lines and dark shades that evoke the emotional intensity of paintings by Jacob Lawrence and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The author also brings his expertise in multimedia into the technological system the characters use to exchange currency in souls and memories.

The author draws inspiration from his background as a former Jehovah's Witness and his experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. His stories incorporate many elements of Haitian history and mythology combined with modern technology. Dominick Rebrun brings his own creative spin on his characters and expresses some deep ideas about government corruption, the power of unspoken stories, the value of human souls, memories and cultural history. I will always remember the transformative power of Fabienne's song, Adam's steadfast dedication to his clients, Janet's ferocious loyalty to her sister, and the unwavering passion between Ednice and her lover.

All these stories have threads that weave together so that you will recognize certain characters in one story and trace them back to another story. The author has developed a complex mythology with vodoun, loas and veves. At the end of the book readers can get a little glimpse behind the scenes and learn more about the author's personal inspiration. I enjoyed every story.