Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #3

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“The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House” – Book Three

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.