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: 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: 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: James Tynion IV
Artists: Lisandro Estherren, Yanick Paquette, Andrea Sorrentino, Francesco Francavilla, Dani, Aaron Campbell, Maria Llovet
Color Artists: Patricio Delpeche, Nathan Fairbairn, Jordie Bellaire, Francesco Francavilla, Tamra Bonvillain, Maria Llovet
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

The stunning Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country hardcover collected edition contains the complete first arc of the series, a gallery of all the main and variant covers, a haunting, yet beautiful dust-jacket cover by Alex Eckman-Lawn, plus a stunning hi-res print of the extremely rare 1:100 Death of the Endless cover, by Jenny Frison.

Here’s a brief synopsis from Penguin Random House:

Acclaimed writer James Tynion IV has waited his whole career to pay tribute to the mythos of The Sandman, the work that made him the writer he is today – and that time has come!

 

Designed to welcome new readers into one of the greatest worlds in DC’s library, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country is a terrifying travelogue through a nation recognizable and obscene, which will show you things seen in no Sandman series ever before.

 

With spectacular art by Lisandro Estherren (Redneck, Strange Skies Over East Berlin) and “nightmare” sequences by comics art all-stars!

 

This volume collects The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #1-6.

Positives

This is a seriously good book and as strong a first volume as I could’ve wished for. James Tynion is one of the foremost horror writers in comics, and the incredible art teams who worked on this collection are as phenomenally talented as he is.

The main story, “Nightmare Country” is one of those tales that seem to bathe you in a slow, creeping, stream of horror that makes you feel like you’re drowning. Lisandro Estherren’s beautiful art then elevates that feeling because it’s the equivalent of sinking into sweet, delicious, but ultimately deadly honey.

The main protagonist is New York artist, Madison Flynn. She says she doesn’t dream anymore, but in waking hours she sees “The Smiling Man”, a golem-like lump of clay with three mouths, two of them where its eyes should be. When we meet her, Flynn isn’t the only person to see this creature, but she may well be the only one still alive. The duo behind the deaths of the other witnesses is hot on her trail, while the Corinthian, another nightmare with mouths for eyes, is even closer.

The reintroduction of the Corinthian sold me when Nightmare Country was first announced, as I’ve been enthralled by the character since their first appearance in Neil Gaiman’s original, legendary Sandman series. The way that this iteration of the nightmare has all the memories of the original, while they are separate entities and act and think differently, is masterfully handled.

The main antagonists, Mr. Agony and Mr. Ecstasy are ruthless, remorseless, savage assassins who thoroughly enjoy their work. It’s great that, at first, we wonder whether the two Misters are kin to The Corinthian or, even worse, just sick evil human beings (the real monsters). They’re also a loving tribute to Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere characters, Messrs Croup, and Vandemar. Oh, and I’d love to be able to see all your faces when you find out who’s behind their killing spree!

The way that Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country comes across as a natural extension of Neil Gaiman’s classic series is wonderful and the appearance of other inhabitants of the Dreaming is also very welcome. The best part is that James Tynion is rewarding fans who have loved these stories for the last 30+ years, without alienating or baffling new readers.

We’re also treated to interludes in the first five chapters. I usually hate it when a comic is handled by more than one art team, but it really works within the structure of this particular narrative. These secondary “The Dreaming” stories, with art produced by different creative teams, tell the characters’ back story in gorgeous, original ways that don’t feel like an info dump or annoyingly intrusive exposition.

Anyone who knows me, or who regularly reads my reviews, knows that I’m a child of the Alan Moore era Swamp Thing, Neil Gaiman’s original Sandman epic, and all the Vertigo/DC Black Label books that followed. It’s clear that James Tynion feels the same way, and he cites The Sandman as being the reason he became a writer (See the trailer advertising the series at the bottom of this review and check out my interview with him here, or on YouTube).

Seeing Moore’s Boogey Man referenced (Swamp Thing Vol. 2, #44) alongside the Corinthian’s debut story (Sandman issues #9-16) made my heart leap with joy. Those classics, for me, were when comics grew up, so seeing these tales honored and expanded on is a delight.

The surreal quality of Lisandro Estherren’s art adds so much to the feel of this book and I don’t believe any ultra-realistic or even fully painted work would do the story as much justice. Estherren’s dream-like, cartoony style, coupled with haunting colors by Patricio Delpeche, all give readers a world that seems to be just on the wrong side of a cracked, cursed mirror.

Simon Bowland’s creative lettering also helps the nightmares sound inhuman and adds to the tension and drama. His reworking of the old “Dream Country” logo (Sandman volume three, issues #17-20, 1990, collected in book one of the new omnibus editions) is an evocative and brilliantly thoughtful plus.

Another wonderful aspect of this story is that the human characters are every bit as interesting as the dreams and nightmares that are invading their world. They’re deep, flawed, realistic, and sympathetic, which has already made me feel for them, and want to continue following their stories.

“The Cereal Convention” and “Chaste” side stories are a love letter to Neil Gaiman’s original, timeless, seminal Sandman run. We get to see more than one classic character from the original series other than the Corinthian too. The witch, Thessaly, is the star of the final chapter of the book, which leads straight into the follow-up series, Dead Boy Detectives. While she’s not a nice person, she’s a brilliant character.

The art and colors by Maria Lovet in the closing tale are similar enough in style to Estherren’s that they won’t jar readers, yet different enough that the story clearly feels like a new chapter in the ongoing series. The way she colors outside the lines adds a level of oddness and nostalgia that puts you on edge, while also reminding you of a more innocent, Ben-Day Dots era of years gone by. It’s very effective indeed.

Negatives

You’re dreaming…

Verdict

Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country is about as good a graphic novel as anyone could ask for. It delivers shocks, horror, betrayal, violence, and dark fantasy at the highest level. This book will happily sit on the same shelf as my Sandman originals because it’s more than worthy.

Review copy courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment.

The post Book Review: Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – Collected Edition appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Maria Lovet
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed By Steve J. Ray

Summary

After five amazing issues featuring the Corinthian, it’s all-change this month, as Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #6 shifts the spotlight to focus on Dream’s former lover, and everyone’s favorite witch, Thessaly.

Positives

It’s no secret that, as a huge fan of this universe from day one, I’ve really been enjoying this series. Having five incredible issues featuring The Corinthian was one thing, particularly with the wonderful Sandman TV show hitting the airwaves in the midst of it, but seeing another character from Neil Gaiman’s magnificent mythos making an appearance makes this issue incredibly special too.

Nightmare Country #6 works brilliantly, both as an intro for new readers, as well as a teaser for the forthcoming new Sandman Universe series, Dead Boy Detectives. As someone who’s loved these stories for over thirty years, seeing favorite characters again has been wonderful. Although the sad demise of the new Vertigo imprint (from 2018-2019, before transitioning to DC Black Label after 14 months, then ending completely in September 2021), broke the hearts of fans all over the world; Nightmare Country, the TV show, and the new Dead Boy Detectives book have made all our dreams of a continuing “Gaimanverse” come true.

James Tynion’s writing is, as always, pitch-perfect for a dark fantasy/horror tale. He’s captured Thessaly’s sense of self-importance and aloofness, as well as all her power and charisma. The fact that he’s also cleverly turned the horrific events of the previous five issues into the focus of a Hollywood movie for this sixth chapter is inspired. Only Tinseltown could transform the tragic death of a talented artist into melodrama.

The art and colors by Maria Lovet in this issue are similar enough in style to what’s come before, so as not to jar existing readers, yet different enough that this issue clearly feels like a new chapter in the ongoing series. The way she colors outside the lines adds a level of oddness and nostalgia that puts you on edge, while also reminding you of a more innocent, Ben-Day Dots era of years gone by. It’s very effective indeed.

As always, Simon Bowland’s letters and title pages give the issue, and the series as a whole, an identity, and feel unlike those of any other comic on the shelves.

Negatives

The way the issue ends leads readers to believe that this story won’t be continuing in these pages. Personally, I will be buying the new Dead Boy Detectives book, but not every fan may follow suit. I know that Thessaly will be part of the new series, but I’m hoping that her story with this issue’s new character, screenwriter Jamie Tyler, continues next month.

Verdict

Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #6 is a great issue. We get new characters, a terrific script, quirky art, and the return of an old favorite. The fact that this imprint will be growing with a second title (and hopefully more in the months and years to come) is a source of real joy.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Lisandro Estherren and Dani
Color Artists: Patricio Delpeche and Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

Madison Flynn is being stalked. Not out of misplaced love, or obsession, but by supernatural beings who want her dead. Her apartment has been burned down, and her best friend has been murdered. What makes matters worse is that all of this was just the beginning, as we discover in Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #4.

Positives

Wow, I don’t even know where to begin, as this issue could actually be the strongest of the series, so far. James Tynion is writing an amazing tale and artists Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche are bringing his nightmares to life. The surreal quality of the art adds so much to the feel of this book and I don’t believe any ultra-realistic or even fully painted work would do the story as much justice. The dream-like, cartoony style of Estherren, coupled with the hues of Delpeche, give readers a world that seems to be just on the wrong side of a cracked, cursed mirror.

Simon Bowland is also absolutely killing it… not in the same way as Agony and Ecstacy, but you know what I mean. Subtle touches like the murderers’ white-on-black dialogue and the switch of fonts during the “Chaste” interlude all add even deeper layers to the final look of the book.

As for that interlude… wow! Anyone who knows me, or who regularly reads my reviews, knows that I’m a child of the Alan Moore era Swamp Thing, Neil Gaiman’s original Sandman epic, and all the Vertigo/DC Black Label books that followed them.

Seeing Moore’s Boogey Man referenced (Swamp Thing Vol. 2, #44) alongside the Corinthian’s debut story (Sandman issues #9-#16) made my heart leap with joy. Those classics, for me, were when comics grew up, so seeing them honored and expanded on is a delight.

Dani and Tamra Bonvillain also pulled the rug right out from under me. From the beginning, the backup strips in this series have been part of the ongoing narrative, rather than an extra story tacked on at the end of the book. This month, I didn’t even feel or notice the transition. Philip Sitz’s story revolted and fascinated me, just as it did back in the 90s, and flowed with the main tale so perfectly that I was blown away.

Negatives

Apart from maybe having had Simon Bowland do the lettering on the side of the helicopter, I’ve got nothing. Even that’s just nit-picking.

Verdict

Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #4 is about as good a comic as anyone could ask for. Shocks, horror, betrayal, violence, and dark fantasy at its very finest. This series will happily sit on the same shelf as my Sandman originals because it’s more than worthy.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #4 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Lisandro Estherren and Andrea Sorrentino
Color Artists: Patricio Delpeche and Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

In Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #2 murderers are on the move, while the Corinthian stands in a New York artist’s apartment.

Last month we met New York artist, Madison Flynn. Madison says she doesn’t dream anymore, but in waking hours she sees “The Smiling Man”. This is a golem-like lump of clay with three mouths, two of them where its eyes should be.

We also discovered that Flynn isn’t the only person to see this creature, but she may well be the only one still alive. Now the duo behind the deaths of the other witnesses is hot on her trail, while the Corinthian, another nightmare with mouths for eyes, has already found her.

Positives

I’m already in love with this series. The reintroduction of the Corinthian sold me when Nightmare Country was first announced, as I’ve been enthralled by the character since their first appearance in Neil Gaiman’s original, legendary Sandman series. The way that this iteration of the character has all the memories of the original, while they are separate entities, and act and feel differently, is masterfully handled.

The way this book already comes across as a natural extension of the Sandman Universe is wonderful. The appearance of another inhabitant of the Dreaming in this issue is also very welcome. The best part is that James Tynion is rewarding fans who have loved these stories for the last 30+ years, without alienating or baffling new readers. The secondary “The Dreaming” stories that appear slap-bang in the middle of the main narrative, with art produced by a different creative team, shouldn’t work, but do. These snippets tell the characters’ back story in a gorgeous, original way that doesn’t feel like an info dump or annoyingly intrusive exposition.

Negatives

Please read another review. I cannot find fault with this comic.

Verdict

As with the first issue, Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #2 contains stellar visuals in both stories, with Simon Bowland’s great lettering and James Tynion’s writing unifying the two tales. This is a fresh, original, and lovely way of telling a story.

We’re two issues in and this series is a dream of a read. I can’t wait to hold a printed copy of this comic in my hands.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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