Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Text Page Designer (Thessaly Special): AndWorld Design

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

The second volume of James Tynion IV’s take on The Sandman Universe, Nightmare Country: The Glass House is finally here!

This gorgeous hardcover edition includes all six chapters of The Glass House and the one-shot Thessaly special. The dust jacket art, featuring the Corinthian, and the main cover, with the King of Pain, are both by Reiko Murakami. Also collected are all the main and variant covers.

New York artist, Madison Flynn, has been murdered by the re-animated corpse of her best friend, Kelly (AKA “Kells”). Now, the reborn Corinthian, along with Madison’s spirit, are both on the trail of the deadly duo behind Kelly’s murder, Mr. Agony and Mr. Ecstasy.

The two rogue nightmares killed Madison, and others because they could see a new nightmare, The Smiling Man, during waking hours. More troubling still, this nightmare was seemingly not a creation of Dream. To add even more fuel to the fire, it seems that Agony and Ecstasy had been commissioned to commit these murders by Desire, Dream’s younger sibling and frequent adversary.

Madison has been granted new flesh by Death of The Endless, at her brother Dream’s behest. Neither one seems to know of Desire’s involvement at this moment in time.

Positives

Nightmare Country‘s back! Thankfully Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche, and Simon Bowland have returned, alongside James Tynion. This issue cleverly picks up exactly where volume one left off, adding new characters to the tale and, by the end of the book, bringing back yet another huge presence from Neil Gaiman’s original Sandman run. We also meet another old “friend” from the classic “The Doll’s House” saga, again.

There are still people out there who have also seen The Smiling Man, and we can only wonder how long it will be before Agony and Ecstasy will be on their trail. Add a whole ton of supernatural intrigue, clubs that no one should want to be a member of, and the return of Kells, and this is one super-loaded graphic novel!

It may be hard to believe, but the art and colors by Lisandro and Patricio have actually improved since volume one. This book looks amazing, and Madison’s new form made me very happy indeed. The nods to the first arc are wonderful, and the love for the entire Sandman Universe, as created by Neil Gaiman, is palpable.

Simon Bowland also continues to impress with his letters, particularly when they clearly differentiate humans from angels, demons, and Endless.

James Tynion is sick, twisted, and terrifying. Great work, sir… keep it up. The saga of Kels and Max is as dark a love story as I could ever dream of and features a set of circumstances beyond my wildest imaginings. How does he even think this stuff up? Kelly’s just the sweetest… entity/ghost/spirit and I’m sure the undead deserve love too, right? Of course, when her beau, Max, discovers who she was and what she did; cats, pigeons, cans, and worms will be all over the place.

Kelly’s one of the residents of “The King Of Pain”, a nightclub that links our plane to Hell itself. This is the place where the richest, and those in their employ, can cater to all their most twisted needs and desires… or should that be Desires? Of course, we now know that Agony and Ecstasy, the evil duo who killed Kelly and forced her to kill Madison, were working for Desire of The Endless, one of the younger siblings of Destiny, Death, and Dream.

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.

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’Dream cross paths?

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

The creeping horror continues to unnerve and disturb, in the most delicious and entertaining ways. Is the Corinthian going to revert to type? Is he really working with Madison and Dream, or with the demon Azazel? Knowing the mind of James Tynion, I think we’ll get an answer somewhere between those two extremes that will both surprise and delight us.

All the breadcrumbs James Tynion’s been dropping since Nightmare Country volume one are starting to bear fruit, including the huge bombshell that closed the story. 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, so seeing them honored and homaged in great new comics makes me very happy indeed.

The secret of the Smiling Man has haunted readers for close to two years now and the story of Madison Flynn has been a source of terror and delight the entire time. Seeing her, The Corinthian, Max, and Kells get swept upon by a wave of demons, serial killers and the whims of The Endless has made this series feel closer to Gaiman’s classic than any other spin-off/follow-up that’s come before.

The power that Dream displays in this collection is nothing short of awesome. The way he handles both his creations and his various enemies is unbelievable. Tynion’s take on Daniel is perfect; he’s got the will and determination of Morpheus, but an edge and confidence that the original Dream never possessed.

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 followed 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 in Nightmare Country: The Glass House. 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 chapter starring Thessaly is gorgeous; simple, clean, atmospheric, and, dare I say it, magical. This great story 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 book are (as always) first-rate, but I think I need to name guest creators AndWorld Design (AKA Deron Bennett) as the MVP of Thessaly’s tale.

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 chapter contains entire pages dedicated to text and art that are so seamlessly intertwined, that the reader’s left wondering whether the artist, colorist, or letterer was responsible for the final result. With this story, I finally have my answer.

The tale 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

How long until the final volume? Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House closes with style and power. James Tynion’s foray into Neil Gaiman’s world of dreams and nightmares has never disappointed, and with the final act of this incredible dark fantasy/horror coming in 2024, a clash between Dream and Desire (and possibly Despair too, if the cover for the final chapter’s anything to go by) is edging ever closer.

A war is coming, and I can’t wait. The final chapters of this tale are tantalizingly close, but still just beyond our reach. I will wait, however impatiently, as I know what’s coming will deliver a story for the ages. This book gives readers the perfect close to this arc while leaving us all begging for more. Like the winter season itself, the wait will be a long, cold one… but one I believe will ultimately be worth it.

I’ll see you all again in dreams.

Review Copy Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment.

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House Collected Edition is available now from all good book and comic retailers: ISBN 9781779520722

The post Book Review: Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House – Collected Edition 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

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 closes the latest volume of the title with style, and power. James Tynion’s foray into Neil Gaiman’s world of dreams and nightmares has never disappointed, and with the final act of this incredible dark fantasy/horror coming in 2024, a clash between Dream and Desire (and possibly Despair too, if the cover for the issue’s anything to go by) is edging ever closer.

Positives

The secret of the Smiling Man has haunted readers for close to two years now and the story of Madison Flynn has been a source of terror and delight the entire time. Seeing her, The Corinthian, Max, and Kells get swept upon by a wave of demons, serial killers and the whims of The Endless has made this series feel closer to Gaiman’s classic than any other spin-off/follow-up that’s come before.

The power that Dream displays in this issue is nothing short of awesome. The way he handles both his creations and his various enemies is unbelievable. Tynion’s take on Daniel is perfect; he’s got the will and determination of Morpheus, but an edge and confidence that the original Dream never possessed.

The art, colors, and letters by Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Depeche, and Simon Bowland are a delight. Estherren’s pencils, painted over with water-color style hues make this series look and feel ethereal, and dream-like. Just like the Sandman books of the 90s, this series doesn’t conform or fit in with what fans may feel comics should look like.

Bowland’s letters are stunning. Just like the legendary Todd Klein, Bowland creates voices for his characters, making them all feel individual and unique. Believe me, comparing any letterer’s work to Klein’s is about the highest praise I can give.

Negatives

A war is coming, and I don’t want to wait. The final chapters of this tale are tantalizingly close, but still just beyond our reach. I will wait, however impatiently, as I know what’s coming will deliver a story for the ages.

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 gives readers the perfect close to this arc while leaving us all begging for more. Like the winter season itself, the wait will be a long, cold one… but one I believe will ultimately be worth it.

I’ll see you all again in dreams.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 – Final Issue appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer, Javier Rodríguez
Color Artist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives -Collected Edition 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, Thessaly.

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 TV series Doom Patrol too.

Positives

If you’ve read The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country, you’ll know that it ended in a cliffhanger. This issue follows on directly, making the two stories almost feel like one. Another Sandman character, the witch Thessaly, made an appearance at the end of Nightmare Country, and she plays a part in this book, too.

Eisner Award-winning writer, Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian, Infidel), has woven 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.

In the story we meet three Thai ghosts; Melvin, a Snake Ghost, Jai, a Hollow-Backed Ghost, and Tanya, a Mother Ghost. Having died between the 1970s and the present the three were taken care of by the Thai “Ghost Doctor”, Dom. The main antagonist in the book is a fourth ghost, the deadly Krasue. This monster is a normal human woman by day, but at night her head and spine detach and fly around the city, hunting down helpless victims. I know… right?!?

Our heroes are also attacked by a horde of mutilated ghost babies (known as the Kumanthong), who are both stomach-churning and heartbreaking. Pornsak Pichetshote’s scripts are textured and his imagination is wonderful. Dead baby ghosts are terrifying, but the fact that they may also have feelings makes them all the more tragic.

Edwin and Charles have an unorthodox relationship, and we’ve seen that. The fact that these are ghosts with feelings and emotions elevates the intensity of events and makes the characters so much more relatable.

I’m totally into this mythology. Thai culture and spiritual beliefs are brand new to me and I find them fascinating. The way the new ghosts only appear at night makes Charles and Edwin’s work harder, and the book that much more fun to read. This adds a whole extra layer of tension and drama to the proceedings.

Pichetshote’s tale is part whodunnit, part thriller, and 100% horror. The best bit is, that while every cast member is dead, they’ve all got more spark, humanity, and personality than some folks that are still alive. The script is great fun to read and every character has their own strengths and characteristics, making them fascinating to follow.

The art by Jeff Stokely and Miquel Muerto (what a great name for a color artist working on a horror book) is lovely. The characters and colors are quite bright and punchy, and even though the visuals are quite simple-looking (in a good way), this makes the grotesquery of the gore and horror that much more powerful. This story’s brand new, yet it looks and feels like it would fit in my 1990s Sandman library effortlessly. Muertos’s lovely colors make the art shine and don’t overshadow or smother the subtle line work.

From chapter two onward, the creative team is joined by inker Craig Taillefer, who does what any great inker should do; finish the penciller’s art in a way that highlights both artists’ skills, but doesn’t wash away the penciller’s style. Yes, the visuals in this book are fairly cartoony in style, but the skill is in the storytelling, the characters’ faces, and the deep, rich backgrounds.

Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou had 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! His ghost text, sound effects, and chapter headings are simply gorgeous. From little notepads showing us what the characters are thinking (nope I really don’t miss thought bubbles at all), to ghostly dream speak, and big loud, almost manga-style arguments between the characters. All of his work is stellar.

We have a guest artist drawing all but the final page of chapter four, the brilliant Javier Rodríguez. I’ve been following this artist’s work since the late 90s when he worked for the publisher Ediciones La Cúpula. He was one of many artists working on the wild and whacky title El Víbora, published in my native country of Spain between 1979 and 2005. American comics fans may primarily know him as a color artist, from titles such as Batgirl: Year One for DC, but this guy can draw! His work on this chapter is lovely, and I would dearly love to see even more of his art across DC in months and years to come.

This book raises so many fascinating questions. If ghosts are already dead, how can they be “killed”? Pornsak Pichetshote’s written one hell of a tale, not just because of the haunted goings on, but also because of all the wonderful semi-autobiographical touches he adds, due to being a Thai-American. Honestly, this book is great.

The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives isn’t just a horror story either, as we also get some amazing social commentary. Shootings in schools, bullying, racism; all these topics are handled in this book. The best thing is that Pichetshote’s not smacking us around the head with politics, he’s doing what all the best writers do and uses fiction to hold a cautionary mirror over fact. Why is it only children who seem to be capable of learning and wanting change? Have all adults truly just given up?

The fascinating glimpse into ghosts from across the globe, the re-introduction of three favorite characters from Neil Gaiman’s legendary Sandman series, and the horror and humor they all bring have been an absolute delight. I know that’s a weird thing to say about a horror comic, but it’s true.

Negatives

None. Whether you only know Charles and Edwin from this book, or if you’ve followed their adventures for decades, writer Pornsak Pichetshote has you covered. With every chapter, we learn more about our heroes.

Verdict

I’ve learned about new mythologies, felt scared, laughed, and had my heart broken. As a lifelong comics fan, this is the kind of series that proves the validity and power of the medium. It still upsets me when people put comics down, particularly when there are great stories like Dead Boy Detectives on the shelves.

The entire Sandman Universe has always been built on diversity and representation; both in its cast of characters and in the depth of stories it’s always told. The creative team behind Dead Boy Detectives is honoring that legacy and building on it beautifully.

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives delivers everything I love about comics. Great characters, next-level threats, humor, scares, and thrills. The fact that it also educates while it entertains is a huge bonus. While this is a brilliant horror story, it also sheds light on life, love, and the problems faced by the children of immigrants.

This terrific book collects all six issues. It also presents the main and standard variant covers before each chapter, and has a nine-page gallery with all the other variant covers at the back of the book. For anyone wanting to know or read more about The Sandman Universe, there’s also a four-page reading guide.

The post Book Review: The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives – Collected Edition 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.

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

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

Angels and demons, dreams and nightmares, the living, the dead, and a nightclub that’s run by denizens of Hell. Welcome to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #3.

Positives

As always, with a James Tynion script, we get some great dialogue, really messed up situations, and more colorful characters than Mardi-Gras. The plot thickens between poor, dead Kelly and her all-too-alive boyfriend, as he’s approached by the also dead Madison (now in the shape of a talking cat). Yes, you did read that last sentence correctly.

Long standing fans of the Sandman Universe will also jump for joy, as two characters from Neil Gaiman’s opus return this issue. One of them’s been hanging around for a while but will shine on her own in the next issue (see the end of this review for more details). The second is an old friend who can be seen in the attached artwork.

The creeping horror continues to unnerve and disturb, in the most delicious and entertaining ways. Is the Corinthian going to revert to type? Is he really working with Madison and Dream, or with the demon Azazel? Knowing the mind of James Tynion, I think we’ll get an answer somewhere between those two extremes that will both surprise and delight us.

Lisandro’s back! After last month’s Estherren-less issue, which was wonderfully covered by his partner in crime, Patricio Delpeche, the dark duo of dreamland art is reunited, and this issue looks wonderful. Once again, look at the gorgeous art attached above for proof.

All three covers for this issue are fabulous, and Simon Bowland’s letters continue to impress.

Negatives

This time the negative is also a positive. There won’t be an issue of The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House in July. Yes, this is definitely a negative. However, there will be a Thessaly one-shot special next month, to give us nightmares until issue #4 comes out, in August.

Verdict

The Glass House #3 is another in a long line of superb horror comics. As someone who’s loved this universe it’s denizens, monsters, dreams, and nightmares for decades, picking up a new issue is always a highlight of my week. This series remains highly recommended.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #3 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote

Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer

Color Artist: Miquel Muerto

Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 brings the series to a surprising, but hugely satisfying close.

The immortal witch, Thessaly, has discovered the cause of the Thai ghost invasion and knows a way to end it. While that sounds like good news, one of the friendly spirits has already been destroyed and it seems like getting rid of the evil ones will also destroy Charles and Edwin’s friends, Melvin and Tanya.

Positives

This finale had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Ever since Charles started rotting away and Jai was “killed” I’ve been expecting the worst. Even when Thessaly finally appeared I knew that, even though she’s a capable and extremely powerful witch, her methods tend to suit her own needs and “the greater good”, with little thought about anyone else, living or (un)dead, that doesn’t fit in with her methods or ideals.

I’ve learned about new mythologies, felt scares, laughed, and had my heart broken. As a huge comics fan, this is the kind of series that proves the validity and power of the medium. It still upsets me when people put comics down, particularly when there are great stories like Dead Boy Detectives on the shelves.

What I really liked was the fact the “villain” of the piece wasn’t a foul demon, dark wizard, or megalomaniac bent on world domination, but a distraught and grieving father. On the opposite side of the coin, the “savior” of the piece was Thessaly, a character who’s frequently as bad as everything she tries to fight.

The writing’s great, the art is quirky, horrific and fun, the colors add to the texture and atmosphere of the line art, and the letters help evoke and underline all the emotions from the writing and artwork. This is a collaborative medium and this creative team show how brilliantly teamwork can produce a brilliant final product from a diverse and talented group of creators.

Oh… and look out for a fabulous little cameo from one of the Endless, near the end of the issue.

Negatives

As final chapters go, The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 is about as good as it gets. I didn’t expect it to end the way it did, have no issues with the conclusion; and, best of all, as all great stories tend to do, what was the conclusion to one tale is just the beginning of another. The Dead Boy Detectives will be back (although they may need to change their name), and Thessaly’s role and connection to he larger, overall arc will continue, over in the pages of Nightmare Country.

This entire team has created a memorable, fun, scary romp that has never ceased to delight. I have bought the individual issues, and would happily own a collected version too.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Patricio Delpeche

Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

The Glass House #2 – Summary

Welcome to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #2.

Kelly has met the man of her dreams. They talk all night, he’s gentle understanding, and loves her, despite her scars. The trouble is, Kelly’s dead. Her scars were created by the hundreds of bullets that riddled her body, during the horrific chain of events where her corpse was animated, and she was forced to murder her best friend, Madison Flynn.

Positives

James Tynion is sick, twisted, and terrifying. Great work, sir… keep it up. This is as dark a love story as I could ever dream of and a set of circumstances beyond my wildest imaginings. How does he even think this stuff up? Kelly’s just the sweetest… entity/ghost/spirit and I’m sure the undead deserve love too, right? Of course, when her beau, Max, discovers who she was and what she did; cats, pigeons, cans, and worms will be all over the place.

Kelly’s one of the residents of “The King Of Pain”, a nightclub that links our plane to Hell itself. This is the place where the richest, and those in their employ, can cater to all their most twisted needs and desires… or should that be Desires? Of course, we now know that Agony and Ecstasy, the evil duo who killed Kelly and forced her to kill Madison, were working for Desire of The Endless, one of the younger siblings of Destiny, Death, and Dream.

The other huge twist from the last issue is that the club is seemingly run by the demon Azazel. This blew my mind, as this creature was imprisoned by Dream way back in chapter six of Neil Gaiman’s legendary “Season of Mists” story arc (The Sandman #27, June 1991). How did it escape and regain such a prominent seat of power on Earth? I feel that links to Desire, and the obvious one to The Corinthian mentioned in this issue, will answer at least part of that question.

Again, Simon Bowland’s lettering is exemplary. The conversation between Kelly and Max is a prime example of this, as is the wonderful new style of speech employed by Madison in her new feline form. I love this book!

Negatives

Now, this isn’t really a criticism, just an observation. You may have noticed that there’s one less name listed in the creator credits. That’s right, this issue is both drawn and colored by Patricio Delpeche. It looks great! Yes, the art style’s different from what we’ve become used to from Lisandro Estherren, but the fact that Patricio’s been coloring this series since day one means that the switch is far less jarring than it could’ve been. If anyone should be drawing this story, other than Lisandro, it’s Patricio.

Of course, I’m the kind of person who prefers the one tale/one artist formula, as a change in art styles can sometimes take a reader out of the story. Thankfully, while Patricio’s art is different from Lisandro’s, it works and flows, thanks to the fact that he knows what this series has, does, and should look like. Great work.

Verdict

Nightmare Country: The Glass House #2 is scary, deep, emotional, and an amazing work of horror fiction. I highly recommend this series and its companion titles, Nightmare Country Vol. One, and Dead Boy Detectives, to all fans of the genre.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #2 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote

Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer

Color Artist: Miquel Muerto

Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #5 brings us more thrills, scares, and deeply philosophical viewpoints on the deaths and “lives” of ghosts.

While on a case in L.A., ghost detectives Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland befriended three Thai spirits, Melvin, Tanya, and Jai.

 

While investigating the impossibility of these Thai ghosts even existing in America, their human mentor, Dom, was killed. Now malevolent Thai spirits have infected Charles, leaving his ghost-form slowly deteriorating.

 

Believing their only hope of undoing both horrors to be finding out who’d summoned the many Thai ghosts, the gang finally stumbled upon he person responsible, only for another ghost to bite and “kill” Jai.

Positives

There are so many. Whether you only know Charles and Edwin from this issue and the four preceding ones, or if you’ve followed their adventures for decades, writer Pornsak Pichetshote has you covered. With every chapter, we learn more about our heroes. In this issue alone, another element from Charles’ past is revealed.

The visuals by Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer, Miquel Muerto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continue to impress as much as the script does. The Krasue are terrifying, just as the more heroic protagonists are far more sympathetic and lovable, both in the way they act and speak, as well as in how they’re portrayed by the artists. Hassan’s lettering and Miquel’s colors deserve extra special mentions this month, particularly on the pages where Melvin and Charles encounter these monsters.

Oh, and our friends finally come face-to-face with Thessaly!

Charles’ condition is definitely cause for concern and, knowing Thessaly, I still believe that any fixes she may have for it, and for solving the problem of impossible Thai ghosts existing in America, may be worse than the problems themselves.

Negatives

This superb series only has one issue left.

Verdict

Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #5 delivers everything I love about comics. Great characters, next-level threats, humor, scares, and thrills. The fact that it also educates while it entertains is a huge bonus. While this is a brilliant horror series, it also sheds light on life, love, and the problems faced by the children of immigrants.

If you’ve been sleeping on this series, I highly recommend picking up the collected edition (out in November 2023).

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.