Return of the Sandman
For a comic book series that started back in 1988, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman captured the imagination of readers and never quite let go. It has inspired a NetFlix Television series (which FINALLY was given its 2nd season go-ahead), much to the relief of Sandman fans. Not to mention some exquisite audio adaptations from Audible. Acts I, II, and III with Neil Gaiman narrating and an all-star cast.
Now, with the Sandman back on everyone’s lips, DC has decided to take some steps to welcome NEW readers to the Sandman universe. Starting on December 27th with The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives by Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian) and Jeff Stokely. Then on April 4th of 2023, DC releases The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country, Vol. 1 as well the much anticipated follow up, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House. All these Sandman goodies were revealed in the following press release from DC:
DC Press Release
‘The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country’ Vol. 1 to Simultaneously Publish as a Collectible Hardcover and a New-Reader-Friendly Softcover, Built to Welcome Fans to ‘The Sandman Universe’
Acclaimed horror writer James Tynion IV (Something Is Killing The Children, The Nice House On The Lake) 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 now that time has come! With lush, gorgeous art from Redneck’s Lisandro Estherren and a who’s-who of superstar guest artists, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country is designed to welcome new readers into one of the greatest worlds in DC’s library, The Sandman Universe.
To make welcoming new readers easier, the collected edition of The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country arrives in two different formats. The collectible hardcover release with cover art by Alex Eckman-Lawn will be available wherever books are sold and is packaged with a mini-print of the iconic Death, as illustrated by artist Jenny Frison. A softcover edition with cover art by Reiko Murakami, priced as an easy jump-on point, will be available exclusively at direct market comic bookstores. Both are out April 4, the same day as the launch issue of Nightmare Country’s spectacular follow-up miniseries, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House!
James Tynion IV
“I’m thrilled to announce that Nightmare Country’s follow-up miniseries, The Glass House, is coming early in 2023,” said Tynion. “The Corinthian is going to be making his way to Silicon Valley, where he will go head-to-head with Angels, Demons, and a breed of creature far more terrifying that anything he’s faced before—Venture Capitalists. Lisandro and I are excited to continue this nightmare tour through modern America and can’t wait for you all to see what we’ve got in store for you.”
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The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House, launching on April 4, 2023, brings Tynion and Estherren back into DC’s The Sandman Universe with a new story and new setting for the second act of their DC Black Label epic. The series will continue featuring covers by Reiko Murakami, as seen above.
New DC Comic Book Series ‘The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives’ Launches December 2
Launching between the first two Nightmare Country narratives is The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives by Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian) and Jeff Stokely, featuring Thessaly the witch along with series regular ghost detectives Edwin and Charles. Their investigation into a Thai American girl’s disappearance from her Los Angeles home puts them on a collision course with new and terrifying ghosts straight from Thai folklore that could give even a dead boy nightmares!
Pornsak Pichetshote
“The brilliance of The Sandman is how seamlessly it fits different genres, histories, and folklores together,” said Pichetshote. “Despite Thessaly the witch being a big player in James and Lisandro’s Nightmare Country, Dead Boy Detectives can still progress her story while telling this very personal horror tale about Thai ghosts in Los Angeles—in events that will go on and feed directly back into Nightmare Country. Doing that—the best parts of shared universe storytelling while telling boundary-pushing, yet still intimate, stories—it’s such a testament to the genius of The Sandman Universe.”
Artist Yoshitaka Amano will visualize the connection between Nightmare Country and Dead Boy Detectives with variant cover artwork for both The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1, publishing 12/27, and The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House #1, publishing 4/4. The connecting 1:50 incentive covers, with foil treatment, will be available at your local comic shop timed to publication of each launch issue.
For those who are unfamiliar with Neil Gaiman’s Sandman Universe, DC has also supplied this guide to know which to read in what order:
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For the latest news on the World’s Greatest Superheroes, The Sandman, and The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country, visit the all-new DC website, www.dc.com, and follow @DCComics and @thedcnation on social media. The DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription service includes an impressive collection of classic and recently released comics featuring DC super heroes, including The Sandman, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country, and more. For more information and a free trial (where applicable), visit the website at www.dcuniverseinfinite.com. DC UNIVERSE INFINITE is not intended for children and is not available in all countries.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.