Sandman Universe #1
Publisher: Vertigo (DC)
Story: Neil Gaiman, Simon Spurrier, Kat Howard, Nalo Hopkinson, Dan Watters
Pencils: Bilquis Evely, Tom Fowler, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Max Fiumara
Inks: Bilquis Evely, Tom Fowler, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Sebastian Fiumara
Colors: Mat Lopes
Letters: Simon Bowland
An introductory anthology for four new “spin-off” series from Neil Gaiman’s Sandman stories, Sandman Universe #1 is, predictably, not an entirely cohesive story, featuring four different creative teams telling four different stories, but that’s not necessarily a criticism. All four stories, while being quite different in tone and style, fit squarely within the universe that Gaiman has created, and the creative teams are each suited to their tasks of expanding the cast of characters and realms of the Dreaming as well as respecting the history of the universe and incorporating fan favorite characters.
Oddly missing throughout most of these four anthology series is the titular “hero”, Dream (Daniel) himself. Whether that is something that will continue when the four stories are expanded into full series is difficult to tell; Daniel made a very brief appearance during the Dark Nights: Metal event, but other than that, hasn’t been seen much in DC or Vertigo for quite a while. In fact, Daniel’s absence is the catalyst for the story to begin, as Lucien dispatches Matthew the messenger raven to find him. Before setting out, Matthew and Lucien interact with many characters from prior Sandman stories, including Mervyn, Cain, and Abel.
Matthew’s first stop takes him to a world of the subconscious where he tries to find an exit from the Dreaming, only to encounter a new character named Dora, who seems poised to become an integral figure in the spin-off series called The Dreaming. These sequences are handled by writer Simon Spurrier and artist Bliquis Evely, and of all four stories contained in this issue, it most evokes the original Sandman stories from the 1990’s.
The next stop on Matthew’s quest include an observation of Timothy Hunter, the main character of the upcoming Books of Magic series (and star of the old Books of Magic series as well). Timothy was last seen in the Justice League Dark series of the New 52 era, but this is his first appearance since the company-wide reboot in 2016. Kat Howard and Tom Fowler are the creative team on this piece, and there’s a very noticeable shift in the art versus Evely’s more delicate, atmospheric linework in the previous story. Fowler’s pages are almost all character portraits of Tim, his classmates, and his new teacher, and the inking is much heavier and darker in this section. The last page of the story sets up the events for the new series and it’s quite intriguing.
Matthew then flies over to New Orleans, where the events for the spin-off series House of Whispers are set-up. This entire sequence seems to be all new characters, including two women in love with each other coming out to their kids, a female river deity named Erzulie, and the most intriguing character, Uncle Monday, also known as the Alligator King. There is very little to go on in the plot of this story by writer Nalo Hopkinson, and yet that adds to the mystery that begs to be explored in the main series. Dominike Stanton’s visuals are more cheerful and open, with brighter coloring by Mat Lopes, than the other segments in this issue, and that alone helps them to stand out. The designs for Erzulie and Uncle Monday are unique and suitably ominous, adding to the characters’ charm.
Lastly, Matthew visits the bar of Lucifer, the Lord of Hell, only to find it in a state of disorder with Lucifer missing. This story acts as a prequel of sorts to the upcoming Lucifer series by Dan Watters with art by Max and Sebastian Fiumara. Of the four tales included in this anthology, this sequence is the darkest, creepiest, and most unsettling. Lucifer isn’t the charming rogue character some readers may be familiar with, but instead calculating and cruel, with a secret agenda that’s only hinted at but that carries an air of unease.
As an introduction to the four new series to be debuted later this year, Sandman Universe #1 largely succeeds. As a stand-alone effort, it is less than perfect, but that does not detract from its concepts, characters, imagery, and atmosphere. With these creative teams on tasks, Gaiman’s ideas and universe are in good hands.
Martin Thomas
martin@comicattack.net
