[Editor’s Note: This review DEFINITELY contains spoilers]

Writer: Robert Venditti
Art: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Tom Napolitano

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary 

The Sandman has his final showdown with Wheeler Vanderlyle.  It doesn’t look good for Wesley as he is stabbed, shot and gassed.

Positives

Venditti and Rossmo do a great job of building the tension in this issue as The Sandman battles Vanderlyle.  It’s not always easy to do this with a character the reader knows will survive.  However, they are certainly successful in Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4.  Venditti adds emotional and psychological elements that enhance the drama.  It’s been something Venditti’s addressing all along as it connects to Wesley’s characterization in Sandman Mystery Theater and that I’ve noted in previous reviews of this series.

(I don’t like to spoils things that are essential to endings, but…SPOILERS AHEAD, last chance to turn back)

The denouement of this story has a couple nice touches, first, the appearance of Sanderson Hawkins, the future Sandy the Golden Boy.  Also, the Justice Society of America shows up at Wesley’s back door.  It gives the series a feel good ending that connects this mini-series to a larger world that fans will appreciate.

The resolution of Wes’s fight with Vanderlyle can go either way.  From one perspective it is a perfect ending that echoes the development of the Wesley/ Dian relationship from Sandman Mystery Theater.  It’s great to have Dian in the proceedings and give her a role.  It’s great to see that aspect of the Wesley/ Dian dynamic, and it’s something that should be developed should this series be able to go forward in some capacity.

The cover by Rossmo is also a great homage to a Golden Age cover by Alex Schomburg featuring Captain America and Bucky. It’s from U.S.A. Comics #7, though some readers may be more familiar with an Alex Ross Invaders image that also homages this cover.

Negatives

The other side of this is that in this first solo series in decades, Wesley Dodds has to be saved by another character.  While it works on one level as it is emblematic of their partnership, it isn’t the strongest ending for Wesley.  Had Dian had a larger role earlier in the story, it would’ve given Dian some agency while not stealing the spotlight from Wesley.  Outright it’s not a full negative, it just isn’t the best ending, and unfortunately, the reader wants to see Wes be the hero here.

If this series is over, then it’s the biggest negative for Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6.  This series has been great and it’s a real shame if it doesn’t continue in some way.  There’s a lot more stories to tell with Wes and Dian.

The appearance of the JSA at the end IS a nice touch.  However, their desire to recruit him calls into question the very history of the JSA and their origin.  The Alan Scott: The Green Lantern mini-series has so far altered Alan Scott’s history as well as some JSA history. In the JSA origin story, the Sandman is one of the characters that goes to Germany to face Hitler.  The JSA forms after this adventure.  It doesn’t make sense that Wesley would be recruited by the JSA after they started to form a group.  Unfortunately, if the JSA shows up at Wesley’s door to recruit him, it means the origin of the JSA with Hitler gaining the Spear of Destiny is being altered/retconned or whatever. 

If this is what’s happening, then I suppose that we will have to accept that this is a whole new history for the JSA and DC’s Golden Age characters.   However, the third of the current Golden Age/JSA mini-series, Jay Garrick: The Flash specifically references Hitler and the Spear of Destiny.  So what’s happening here?  Editorial has been negligent at DC Comics of late and it’s not clear if this is just editorial error/ antipathy or a genuine attempt to rewrite a bit of history while not making it clear for the readers that this is what’s happening.

Verdict

Overall, Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6 is a really good comic.  there are some really fun moments as well as thrilling ones.  It’s clear that this series is deserving of an ongoing by this creative team.  There’s plenty more stories to tell and more to be done with Dian and Wesley, and eventually Sandy.  The hiccups mentioned don’t detract in a big way, but just distract for a bit.

The post Review: Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Robert Venditti
Art: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Ivan Plascensia
Letters: Tom Napolitano

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Wesley makes some headway in the mystery, but he hasn’t quite figured it all out.  Maybe you saw it coming…the men behind the Fog- REVEALED!

Positives

Wesley Dodds #5 like last issue demonstrate the balanced approach to story telling that Venditti, Rossmo and Plascencia are employing in this series.  Previous reviews have indicated the relationship of this series to the seminal Sandman Mystery Theater under the Vertigo imprint from the 1990’s, but with this issue, there’s a bit more of a connection to the Golden Age Sandman stories as there’s more focus on the physicality of Wesley Dodds.  It’s a lot easier to imagine this version of Dodds donning the yellow and purple swashbuckling costume introduced by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Adventure Comics #72.  It’s a wonder dichotomy between the two takes on the character, a perfect marriage if you will.  Plascencia’s colors contribute to this wonderfully as some of the bright choices recall the comics of the Golden Age while also maintaining darker ones the keep the mystery/ noir elements in play.

A lot of the details keep the reader firmly in the 1940’s setting, both in the art and the significance of World War II in the plot.  Additionally, Rossmo (and Venditti?) includes a brilliant old comic reference that fits thematically with Wesley Dodds dreams.  On a newspaper that just happens to be on the floor of a shack that Sandman confronts someone Rossmo draws a strip of Little Nemo in Slumberland by Windsor McCay.  This is an important strip in the history of comic strips.  In the strip, Nemo has adventures in his dreams which can be thematically connected to Dodds own prophetic dreams.  In Wesley Dodds #5, Rossmo draws Nemo as a kid in a Batman costume.  It’s an amazing connections as the Sandman would’ve been the premier street level/ creature of the night type of hero in the DC Universe during the Golden Age without Batman.

It should also be noted that Rossmo and Plascencia also combine to evoke different atmospheres and settings quite wonderfully.  The setting is a huge part of the Venditti’s story and the art and colors get this part right.

Negatives

Hard to find a real negative in this series.  Perhaps, the fact that the series is due to end after next issue is the obvious one.

Verdict

Wesley Dodds #5 sets up a finale that may hold further surprises or simply wrap up the story.  Either way, this series has maintained a consistent quality as it’s progressed.  It’s just plain good with some moments of brilliance.

The post Review: Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Robert Venditti
Art: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Tom Napolitano

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Wesley Dodds gets to work investigating the burglary and fire at his house and comes face to face with his adversary, making Wesley feel about three steps behind.

Positives

It should come as no surprise that this series has inspired a rereading of Sandman Mystery Theater.  Venditti, Rossmo and Plascencia are clearly taking their own inspiration from that series.  As Wesley is able to evaluate more and more of the clues, Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 feels more and more like a direct continuation of Sandman Mystery Theater.  Perhaps, it isn’t quite as gritty or adult, but it feels so close to the world of Sandman Mystery Theater, it’s hard not to think of them together.  It’s important to understand that Sandman Mystery Theater was one of the excellent Vertigo titles of the ’90’s and such comparison is high praise.

Wesley gets to follow up on some clues as he questions the coroner, and learns some interesting facts about the deceased man found in Wesley’s house which burned at the end of issue #1.  One of the more subtle aspects of this series that we see touched on in this issue is Dian Belmont assisting Wesley in his work as the Sandman.  She’s very much in the background, but in this issue she points out something in a file that not only helps Wesley, but what she says aloud helps maintain Wesley’s concealed motive for having police files strewn about his coffee table.  Dian has been at Wesley’s side and in on his secret identity since the ’40’s and gratifying to have this aspect still present.

Positives Cont’d

There’s a really well done action sequence at the end of Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 when Wesley faces off against the thief of his deadly gas formulas.  This antagonist is presenting himself as a darker version of the Sandman with seemingly no compunction against killing.  He dresses in a darker version of the Sandman costume as well which is effective.  The layouts by Rossmo are dynamic full of energy.  It’s a well executed action sequence that also adds some cerebral content to set this series stylistically apart.

Rossmo continues to reference the look and fashion of the era that assists with not only the world building, but also ensuring the authenticity of this as a period piece.  Drawing the appropriate modes of dress and fabric patterns is a detail that not everyone may notice, but when it is noticed, it adds a significant level visually.

Negatives

It’s hard to find a negative for this issue, maybe it’s too short?  That seems to be about it.  I’d easily take five more pages an issue.

Verdict

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 is another great issue.  There’s a physical and emotional conflict for Wesley with the theft of his formulas and Venditti lays it our for the reader to suffer along with Wesley’s conscience.  Rossmo and Plascencia add the right details to make the story interesting visually and they add up to being the kind of book DC Comics needs more of.

The post Review: Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Robert Venditti
Art: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Tom Napolitano

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Wesley Dodds begins the search for who burnt his house down.  In the process, he discovers the plans for the deadly gasses he inadvertently created are missing from his lab….

Positives

The look of this book is dead on.  It’s an effective blend between the Sandman’s early Golden Age adventures and Sandman Mystery Theater.  It’s got some of the darker edge of the latter with the straightforward look of the former.  It’s clear Rossmo is looking at fashions from the early 40’s and late ’30’s with Wesley’s double breasted suit and Dian’s cloche hat.  Rossmo’s storytelling, like last issue is very effective.  He puts together sequences as well as more poster style pages for dramatic impact.  The title of the issue, “Smoke and Mirrors” is again presented like gas or smoke, a theme carried over from Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1.  This homage to Will Eisner’s splash pages on The Spirit helps set the tone and capture the flavor of the era.  There were a number of slouched hat and over-coated characters back then and the Sandman was DC’s character in that genre.  

The script for Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #2 by Robert Venditti features a number of compelling aspects.  Venditti continues to use the relationship between Wesley and Dian Belmont well.  It not only functions as character moments, but it’s part of the plot.  Dian has helped Wesley from the very beginning of the series back in the Golden Age and it’s a different dynamic from most comic book love interests of the time.  There’s a permanence to their relationship, much like Carter Hall and Shiera Sanders.  It’s very different from the Superman/ Lois dynamic in the Golden Age.  The Shadow had Margo Lane, but there was always a bit of distance in that pairing.  Wesley and Dian are closer, and with the perspective of history, we know that to be true.

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #2 ends with something of a surprise that Wesley’s nightmares predict.  Having kept the deadly gas formulas, he will blame himself for allowing them to be used by the thief.  It’s a compelling piece of the puzzle.  Venditti hasn’t tipped his hand on the identity of the villain, yet.  However, there are a few candidates that have been introduced in the first couple issues.  This leaves the reader with a good old fashioned mystery.

Negatives

The only negative here is that this is a mini-series.  It’s clear early on that this series could easily be expanded into an ongoing.  

Verdict

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #2 is even better than the premier issue.  The plot moves forward, the mystery deepens and the characterization is effective as Venditti and Rossmo recapitulate the world of the early days of the Sandman.  There’s nothing Earth shattering about this series, it’s just THIS type of story done really, really well.  It should come as no surprise with Venditti’s track record on Hawkman.  It’s a classic noir detective story in the 1940’s at the birth of the mystery men of the DC Universe.  Plus, it seamlessly incorporates a consistent characterization and tone.  Damn near perfect!

The post Review: Wesley Dodds: The Sandaman #2 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

In this month’s The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5, we see several puzzle pieces finally falling into place.

Thessaly’s protecting Madison, in her Dream-given cat form, and Max. Both are on the run from the evil angel and corrupt millionaire behind the nightclub that doubles as a gateway to hell. Meanwhile, The Corinthian has infiltrated the club, in an effort to liberate Kells, Max’s undead girlfriend.

Positives

I’m wondering whether you’re reading this review without having enjoyed any issues of this remarkable series. Why? Because the last paragraph should have your head swimming and asking yourself, “OK… what?!?” I’m also asking myself, regularly, why more people aren’t reading this title, because it’s consistently fantastic.

All the breadcrumbs James Tynion’s been dropping since Nightmare Country #1 are starting to bear fruit, including the huge bombshell that closed issue #5. Dream has become embroiled in the events occurring in this series, so I can’t wait to witness the fireworks when he discovers that, once again, one of his younger siblings is neck-deep in the whole mess. In fact, it looks like they’re the one who’s behind the whole scenario.

I’ve been following Dream and his siblings since day one, and seeing them honored and homaged in great new comics makes me very happy indeed. Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche keep taking us into a world that feels like it’s come out of our darkest dreams. The art’s creepy, yet beautiful, and the colors are spooky and ethereal. All put together, these comics stand out from the crowd. This is intelligent, psychological horror at its finest.

Never in my wildest imaginings could I ever have believed that love between an undead girl and a mortal man could feel beautiful and real, but Max and Kells are so brilliantly written and drawn that I can’t help but root for them. Thessaly has always been infuriating, and now that she knows who’s been pulling the strings, even hers (from waaay back in the original Sandman series) I know that sparks are going to fly. Will she and Daniel cross paths?

Seeing Azazel, The King Of Pain, Dream, and his siblings in this book always makes me happy, so this issue ticked a lot of boxes.

Simon Bowland keeps up the class, too. His lettering is as elegant, essential, and perfect as the script and the art. I can feel the heat coming from those candles as I hear them light up.

Negatives

I WANT TO SEE DREAM AND THESSALY CONFRONT THE ENEMY! AAAARRRGGGHHH!

Of course, this is just me being selfish and impatient.

Verdict

I’m sure that it will come as no surprise that I loved Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5. Everything about this title just works for me, and I leave every issue wanting more. The only trouble is, I  don’t want to wait.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

After a brief (but brilliant) interlude last month with Thessaly, we return to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4, exactly where we left the previous issue.

While the Corinthian enters the King of Pain nightclub (the demon Azazel’s portal from Earth to Hell) Madison and Max are confronted by the witch Thessaly. We witness murder, and mayhem, and get a visit from a tall librarian plus a final page cameo that left me jumping for joy!

Positives

This issue has it all. There’s enough intrigue, subterfuge, and plotting that we’re making wild guesses at to what’s going on, while James Tynion slowly drops breadcrumbs, red herrings, and guest appearances to leave readers clamoring for more.

No, we still don’t know how or why Desire is involved, whether the Corinthian’s turning back to the dark side, nor what the Angel and the Hollywood producer are planning, but boy are we along for the ride!

The addition of Thessaly as a main character opens up a world of storytelling possibilities that this exceptional creative team is grasping with both hands and running with. The art by Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche continues to inspire and delight, particularly when we get to see the true power of the forces of darkness at play on page five of the book, as one of Max’s work colleagues is on the receiving end of a particularly sharp spell… The use of color on this page is truly phenomenal, contrasting the prelude and aftermath of the event beautifully.

As always, Simon Bowland’s use of design and innovative text fonts and balloons, for the supernatural characters of the book, are wonderful.

Negatives

I’m only calling this a negative because I’m selfish. Guys! You cannot close the issue with a cameo of that significance! I mean, seriously… this is (exquisite) torture!

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4 had me gripped from start to finish, and this entire series has consistently been great to read, and amazing to look at.

I honestly believe that issue #5 will be a Dream come true for some… myself included.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Maria Lovet
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Text Page Designer: AndWorld Design

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

Following and fitting in seamlessly from, through, and between Nightmare Country #6, Dead Boy Detectives, and Nightmare Country: The Glass House #3, The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 gives us a look at DC Comics’ mistress of witchcraft’s history and dark power. It also finally shines a light on her involvement – involuntary as it might be – in the ongoing investigation into the horrific death of Madison Flynn.

Positives

First, let me say straight off the bat, that Thessaly is a horrible person. However, she’s a fascinating, deep, and extremely complex character. I’ve been following her story since her first appearance in issue #32 of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman (1991). She’s gone from being a terrifying, bigoted, and ultra-powerful witch in “A Game Of You“, to Dream’s lover, magical avenger, and force of nature in her more recent appearances.

James Tynion has a real grasp on the character and is finally showing us her past. By doing so, he lets us see some of the moments that made and forged her. The brilliant part is that all of this fits in with what we’ve already seen of her over the decades, honoring what her creator has already told us about her while adding more flesh to the bones of her history. I must also laud the way James creates new side characters that I immediately fall in love with. They’re all so flawed, human, and real!

Maria Lovet is a wonderful artist who gives readers a Thessaly as great as the one drawn by her co-creator, the inimitable Colleen Doran. The art in The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 is gorgeous; simple, clean, atmospheric, and, dare I say it, magical. This great issue works both as a follow-up to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #6 and as a chapter in the ongoing saga of Madison Flynn.

Yes, the writing, art, and Simon Bowland’s lettering in this special are (as always) first-rate, but I think I need to name guest creators AndWorld Design (AKA Deron Bennett) as the MVP of the issue.

I love experimental comics, and DC has been spoiling us recently with issues that tell a story as one continuous 20-page image, an entire story seen from one character’s POV, and the incomparable DC Black Label horror series, The Nice House On The Lake (also written by James Tynion). This saga contained entire pages dedicated to text and art that were so seamlessly intertwined, that the reader was left wondering whether the artist, colorist, or letterer was responsible for the final result. With this issue, I finally have my answer.

The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 also features several text pages, but they’re so lovely to look at that you’d be completely justified in calling them works of art. Some look like ancient scrolls, others like pages from a storybook, and yet others like a movie script (the scroll pages are featured below).

AndWorld didn’t just letter these pages. No. Just like the way they did in TNHOTL they imagined and executed the designs, created the textures, and provided the color. As usual, I’ve been left in awe. I cannot understand people who don’t see comics as true literature or art, because, for me, they’re the perfect marriage of both.

Negatives

I have nothing to say.

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 is virtually flawless. James Tyion has crafted a story that scares us by asking what it is that people really want, and the design, art, and lettering of the book are of outstanding quality.

Seeing Thessaly’s past, getting glimpses of Dream (and his other famous lover), plus a dark and ominous hint at one of his younger siblings’ deeper and continuous meddling in his affairs, all made this aging Sandman fan very happy indeed.

I cannot wait for The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4!

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Given the  critical and commercial success of Netflix’s Sandman series, it makes sense that they would want the two series to connect and maybe even crossover at some point. With the announcement that upcoming The Sandman episodes not being called season 2, this also gives the  studio and creative team options on introducing the detectives to the world. Hopefully this means that Neil Gaiman will be involved in this show as well. This is a smart move for Warner. There is already a built in audience of Sandman fans, so why not introduce related characters on the same platform? The Dead Boy Detectives aren’t household names yet, but if these cards are played right, they could be.   No release date has been set for the debut of Dead Boy Detectives on Netflix  yet.

The post Dead Boy Detectives Moving To Netflix appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writers: Neil Gaiman, Matt Wagner
Artists: Teddy Kristiansen, Yoshitaka Amano, Dave McKean, P. Craig Russell, Milo Manara, Miguelanxo Prado, Barron Storey, Bill Sienkiewicz, Glenn Fabry, Frank Quitely
Color Artists: Teddy Kristiansen, Yoshitaka Amano, Lovern Kindzierski, Christopher Chuckry
Letterer: Todd Klein

Reviewed by: Steve J. Ray

Review copy courtesy of Penguin Random House – ISBN: 9781779521514

Summary

The Sandman: Book Five is the penultimate omnibus collecting the complete Sandman saga, as written by the character’s creator, Neil Gaiman.

This volume collects Sandman: Midnight Theatre, co-written by Matt Wagner, Sandman: The Dream Hunters, a hauntingly illustrated novella that reads like a Japanese folk-tale, and the complete Sandman: Endless Nights, an anthology with seven beautifully illustrated stories, one for Dream and each of his siblings.

Positives

From cover to cover, this book contains nothing but positives.

Here’s the breakdown, from Penguin Random House:

Neil Gaiman’s award-winning masterpiece
The Sandman continues here,
filled with the art from the medium’s most gifted talent.

Sandman: Book Five collects Sandman Midnight Theatre, Sandman: The Dream Hunters, and Sandman: Endless Nights!

 

Midnight Theatre takes place in the late 1930’s. A mysterious suicide leads the Golden Age Sandman (Wesley Dodds) to a dark circle of mystics known as the Order of Ancient Mysteries. The Order holds a number of disturbing secrets… and the greatest of these is Morpheus, the imprisoned Dream King!

 

Sandman: The Dream Hunters is a love story, set in ancient Japan. Telling the story of a humble young monk and a magical, shape-changing fox who find themselves romantically drawn together.

 

As their love blooms, the fox learns of a devilish plot by a group of demons to steal the monk’s life. With the aid of Morpheus, the King of All Night’s Dreamings, the fox must use all of her cunning and creative thinking to foil this evil scheme and save the man that she loves.

 

In Sandman: Endless Nights, Neil Gaiman explores all seven of The Endless siblings: Destiny, Death, Dream, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction.

Doesn’t that already leave you hungry for more?

Sandman: Midnight Theatre

What some people may not know is that Neil Gaiman’s Sandman was not the first character to go by that name. The original comic book Sandman, Wesley Dodds, first appeared in New York World’s Fair Comics #1 (April 1939) and was created by writer, Gardner Fox and artist, Bert Christman.

He was followed by Garret Sandford, first appearing in The Sandman #1 (December 1974), and created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby (although he was never named as Sanford until a story written by Roy Thomas, from Wonder Woman #300 – February 1983).

The third Sandman was Hector Hall, who was also known as the Silver Scarab. Hector was the son of Carter (Hawkman) Hall and first appeared in Infinity Inc. #50 (May 1988).

Neil Gaiman masterfully made his Sandman, Morpheus of The Endless, the original, and brilliantly wove his predecessors’ histories in with those of his own. Sandman: Midnight Theatre is set during the time when Morpheus was held captive on Earth by Roderick Burgess and shows the first and only physical meeting between the Golden Age Sandman and Gaiman’s creation.

This is a dark detective story, magnificently written by Neil and Matt Wagner (the writer of Wesley Dodds’ own title, Sandman: Mystery Theatre). It contains stunning art by Teddy Kristiansen that marries the worlds of the two Sandmen beautifully.

Sandman: The Dream Hunters

Wow. Where do I even begin? This story evokes Japanese folk tales so perfectly, that when Gaiman said it was based on an tale from ancient Japanese myth, fans all over the world scoured the archives, in vain, searching for it. In later years the writer had to admit that the story was a brand new creation of his own to stop fans going crazy.

This tale is simply beautiful. In fact, it’s so great that it was adapted into comic book form form by long time Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, a few years later.

This gorgeous tale is hauntingly illustrated by legendary Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano. The fully painted artwork is ethereal and dream-like, which blends perfectly with the high fantasy romance tapestry that Gaiman has weaved. It’s no wonder that so many people were fooled into believing that this was a Japanese fairytale.

The Sandman: Endless Nights

As someone who owns all the individual Sandman issues, and the tales gathered here in their first edition forms, having this collection in an easy to carry and read paperback edition is wonderful. It’s no secret that I love the Sandman Universe, and have done so for over thirty years. These short stories, each one focusing on an individual member of Dream’s family, are simply stunning.

We get horror, insanity, misery, love, and everything in-between in these stories. All are illustrated by masters of the craft, like Dave McKean, Bill Sienkiewicz, Milo Manara, Frank Quitely, Glenn Fabry, Miguelanxo Prado, P. Craig Russell, and Barron Storey. These are tales that will blow your mind and are a feast for the eyes.

We also get to meet the original incarnation of Despair, wonder about what really happened to Krypton, and learn where the sibling rivalry/enmity between Dream and Desire truly began.

Negatives

We have months to wait until the release of Book Six.

This final volume will collect the four-issue comic book version of Sandman: The Dream Hunters, the complete six-issue series Sandman: Overture, and 2018’s Sandman Universe #1, which led to all the current comics series, still in publication.

Verdict

With these six books, and the collected Death by Neil Gaiman (ISBN: 9781401247164), readers will be able to own the complete, official Sandman library, as written by its creator, Neil Gaiman, in the most cost effective way. Books one to four contain the original 76 issue run (Numbers #1-#75, and the 1991 Sandman Special: “The Song Of Orpheus”) plus several short stories from other publications.

The Sandman: Book Five collects the first wave of tales that were released after the original series ended. This book is simply beautiful and remains essential reading, even three decades after the stories contained within its pages were originally released. These dreams and nightmares will stay in your mind and heart long after you finish reading them, and every page of art is sublime.

The book comes out on February 14th, so will make the perfect Valentine’s day gift for the Sandman or Neil Gaiman fan in your life.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Book Review: The Sandman: Book Five *Gift Idea* appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
Artist: Jeff Stokely
Color Artist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1 is finally here, and Charles and Edwin are back! Who? you may ask. Worry not, dear reader, I’ll have you caught up before you can say, “Sandman Universe”.

Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine first appeared in the now-classic The Sandman #25 (April 1991). They were created by Neil Gaiman, Matt Wagner, and Malcolm Jones III during the brilliant “Season of Mists” story arc (Volume 4 of the Sandman graphic novels series, which is reprinted in Book Two of the lovely new set of collected editions).

This vintage tale saw Lucifer give up his throne and relinquish the key to the gates of hell. The underworld was then emptied and the dead once again roamed the Earth. Death of the Endless had a tough time rounding up the denizens of hell and both Charles and Edwin, rather than move on, decided to stay on Earth and solve supernatural crimes.

A lot more has happened in one-shots, crossovers, a mini-series, as well as in an ongoing Dead Boy Detectives series, over the years, but that’s all everyone needs to know, in a nutshell. Oh, and the characters have appeared in the  HBO Max series Doom Patrol too.

Positives

Well, issue #1 has left me very happy indeed. If you’ve been reading this title’s companion series, Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country, you’ll know that it ended in a cliffhanger. This issue follows on directly, making the two titles feel almost like one. Another Sandman character, the witch Thessaly, starred in Nightmare Country #6, and it seems like she’ll have a part to play in this series, too.

Writer, Pornsak Pichetshote, is weaving a tale of horror and dark magic that gripped me from page one. His use of Thai folklore and legend is fascinating and engaging. His resumé speaks for itself, as he’s written Swamp Thing stories for DC, TV’s Cloak & Dagger for Marvel, and many other horror comics and books. As a writer of Thai-American heritage, his insight into Asian supernatural lore is refreshing and intriguing.

The art by Jeff Stokely and Miquel Muerto is lovely. The characters and colors are quite bright and punchy, and even though the visuals are quite cartoony this makes the grotesquery of the gore and horror that much more powerful. This story’s brand new, yet looks and feels like it would fit in my 1990s Sandman library effortlessly.

Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou has already impressed me with his excellent work on Sword Of Azrael, so I knew the lettering on this book would be great too. Yay, me… I was right!

Negatives

I don’t have any real gripes other than anyone who’s not familiar with Thessaly, Edwin, or Charles may come into this series feeling a little lost. Pichetshote does clear up some details as the issue progresses, and I’m sure more questions will be answered as the series continues. I do believe this to be a better method of storytelling than using tons of exposition or alienating readers with a massive info dump.

Verdict

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1 is a solid opening issue. Seeing favorite characters return is always fun, but when they’re well-written and drawn, and the work honors what came before, I’m automatically left feeling a lot happier.

I’m looking forward to #2, and feel very sorry for Thessaly’s captors, when, not if, she finally gets out.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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