THIS WEEK: The DC Round-Up group convenes for a roundtable dialogue of The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House #1.
Note: the evaluation beneath accommodates spoilers. If you need a fast, spoiler-free purchase/cross suggestion on the comedian in query, try the underside of the dialogue for our closing verdicts.
The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Cover Artist: Reiko Murakami
Joe Grunenwald: Welcome to your month-to-month DC Round-Up Roundtable! This week we’re specializing in a single ebook for our dialogue, as The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country returns for the start of its second arc, The Glass House. Team, what did you consider the sequence’ kickoff?
Cori McCreery: This arc appears much more related to the Sandman universe as an entire than the primary arc I believe. Certainly two characters on this ebook that I didn’t count on to see make their returns, and it was actually good to see what’s occurred with them within the time for the reason that authentic sequence.
Zack Quaintance: I agree with it being extra Sandman-y, or actually placing the Sandman Universe in Nightmare Country: Sandman Universe. Which is perhaps a part of why I preferred it a lot? I believed it was the strongest concern but for this group and this idea.
Grunenwald: I notoriously have a horrible reminiscence on the subject of remembering issues that I’ve learn, so I appreciated how the script from James Tynion IV integrated simply sufficient recap of what had gone on within the earlier points to refresh my addled thoughts. In that method I discovered this ebook actually accessible as a primary concern. As for the returning Sandman characters, I believe I acknowledged certainly one of them, although they’re not named by title so I may very well be mistaken, and the opposite, who is called, I’ve no reminiscence of from earlier than, so I’m excited to satisfy them once more for the primary time.
McCreery: They have been each named Joe.
Grunenwald: Wow, you’d assume I’d have remembered them.
Quaintance: That’s an excellent level in regards to the accessibility. I believe one other a part of that’s that whereas there are ties again to Sandman, this particular person concern is constructed with an idea that makes for a extremely compelling standalone comedian. An formidable tech man would do something to get forward, and that features following his CEO to literal hell.
Also, one storytelling trope I really like in virtually each context is the warehouse that’s one factor when somebody goes there, after which simply an empty warehouse when another person goes there, like that episode of Seinfeld the place George is relationship a mannequin, and will get entry to a nightclub stuffed with fashions that’s now not there when issues inevitably go unhealthy with mentioned mannequin.
McCreery: I did recognize that so much.
Grunenwald: “Nightmare Country: The Glass House #1: Just like an episode of Seinfeld.” – Zack Quaintance
Quaintance: There’s an ideal reference for the youngsters.
Grunenwald: I agree, although, it was rather well completed right here. I preferred the thriller of what the second location was going to be, after which the reveal of it was dealt with properly.
Quaintance: Yeah, precisely, it was actually well-paced, constructing the suspense to the reveal very effectively.
McCreery: I additionally actually preferred the artwork on this, it actually felt harking back to the unique Sandman sequence in tone and elegance, and experimentation.
Grunenwald: Yes, Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche‘s artwork is fantastic. I particularly loved the opening sequence in the first bar/nightclub. The visuals were so evocative. I felt like I could smell that place, and hear the loud music just based on the body language of the dancing characters in the background. That’s Hell for me, so the distinction to precise Hell was additionally fairly enjoyable.
Quaintance: The colours have been so good in that opening sequence. There’s such an ominous tone to the colours in all these opening scenes. It jogs my memory of this well-known portray, At The Moulin Rouge by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, particularly the coloring within the face within the backside proper nook. Unsure if that’s intentional, however that’s the place my thoughts went. It appears form of designed to ask you if that is actually enjoyable.
Grunenwald: I’ve by no means seen that earlier than however I can completely see the comparability. That’s stunning. As this sequence continues, now that extra Sandman parts appear to be being introduced in, do you all have anybody or something you hope makes an look?
McCreery: Honestly? Let me see Barbie once more. What’s she as much as?
Grunenwald: Was {that a} callback to one thing from the unique sequence?
McCreery: Do you not bear in mind Barbie and Ken, Joe? They have been characters in The Doll’s House the place we first encountered The Corinthian. Two of Rose Walker’s roommates. Then Barbie was a key participant in A Game of You.
Grunenwald: See above re: my poor reminiscence. That’s nice, although, and clearly didn’t impression my enjoyment of the problem that I didn’t acknowledge it as a callback.
Quaintance: I want to see Delirium and Barnabas once more. Or perhaps not? Sometimes with comics I believe I need to see outdated characters however then their new appearances make me understand that the way in which we final noticed them was excellent. I believe that’s true of a number of Sandman for me.
Grunenwald: That’s a extremely good level, Zack. Sometimes it’s a double-edged sword.
McCreery: I get that viewpoint Zack, however then we get one thing magical like The Dreaming: Waking Hours and I rethink that thought. And with the way in which this primary concern hit, it feels prefer it’s extra of that and fewer of the totally forgettable first run of Sandman Universe titles.
Quaintance: Yeah, and I like how they’ve dealt with The Corinthian for instance, the place it’s simply kind of new model of The Corinthian, which is one thing Sandman traded in with the way in which the primary run has Dream die and Daniel take over the function. I belief this inventive group to make use of restraint and do the characters justice, too.
Grunenwald: I don’t have a wishlist for returning characters or ideas myself. I’m blissful to go alongside for the trip on this one. Do you all have anything you need to point out about this ebook earlier than we render verdicts?
McCreery: Just that I’m actually glad that the Sandman Universe line isn’t truly useless. Gives me hope for extra tales from G. Willow Wilson and Nick Robles down the road.
Quaintance: I’m good. Ready to render my verdict as a robust BUY.
McCreery: I’m additionally a BUY on this one.
Grunenwald: It’s a BUY for me as effectively. Great for individuals who bear in mind issues and individuals who don’t alike.
And with that, this month’s roundtable is over! We’ll be again once more subsequent month for extra charming comics dialog!
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