About twenty-five years ago, a dear friend at my local comic book shop handed me a graphic novel called The Sandman. That casual encounter would lead to a life-long love of the comic series, as well as the additional side series, audio dramatizations, and fandom. When American Gods was adapted, I initially was thrilled only to be horrifically disappointed as the show went on. Good Omens received a great adaptation, so I started to build hope. For decades, The Sandman has been described as the comic book that could not be adapted into film or television. Thankfully Netflix has proved them beautifully and remarkably wrong.
The Sandman is the story of Dream, Lord Morpheus, and how he was captured by a contemporary of Aleister Crowley for 100 years. Now back in the world of the Dreaming, he must set things to right in both the world of dreams and the realm of humans. Along the way, we meet his Endless siblings, including Death, Desire, and Despair. We see the worlds of mythology and literature as we travel along with Lord Morpheus and get to know those who share the Dreaming with him.
The Sandman was released into the world as a streaming television series on Friday and it does not disappoint. Fans across the world shared messages about turning off their phones, locking the doors, and just watching all ten perfectly crafted episodes while holding their breath. Having come out the other side, I (like many others) am here to tell you that you can take a deep breath and relax. Each episode is named for actual issue names, shots perfectly framed to comic book panels, and include small details that render watching each episode more than once a must for any Sandman superfan. Things are so well done, that I’m no longer afraid of Netflix trying to do a Death spinoff adaptation. Fans, keep an eye out for tiny details and casual mentions of things that could easily be major plot points later on.
For the uninitiated, be warned; The Sandman is not an easy watch and definitely not a feel-good story. There are murderers and victims. There are gruesome segments (don’t watch episode “24/7” right before bed), and some of the most likeable characters are truly villains. This is definitely not a show for children, though the fantastical elements are delightful. While for months some fans complained about casting choices, I’m here to say that the casting choices are utterly inspired. While the gender of some characters have been changed, the changes do not disrupt the impact of the story or cause problems. I’m also thrilled to see how many choices for cosplay fans of color have going forward. The casting has that brilliant diversity that doesn’t feel forced or like it is trying way too hard.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to go watch it for a third time.
