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“The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House” – Book Five
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Reviewed by Steve J. Ray
Summary
In this month’s The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5, we see several puzzle pieces finally falling into place.
Thessaly’s protecting Madison, in her Dream-given cat form, and Max. Both are on the run from the evil angel and corrupt millionaire behind the nightclub that doubles as a gateway to hell. Meanwhile, The Corinthian has infiltrated the club, in an effort to liberate Kells, Max’s undead girlfriend.
Positives
I’m wondering whether you’re reading this review without having enjoyed any issues of this remarkable series. Why? Because the last paragraph should have your head swimming and asking yourself, “OK… what?!?” I’m also asking myself, regularly, why more people aren’t reading this title, because it’s consistently fantastic.
All the breadcrumbs James Tynion’s been dropping since Nightmare Country #1 are starting to bear fruit, including the huge bombshell that closed issue #5. Dream has become embroiled in the events occurring in this series, so I can’t wait to witness the fireworks when he discovers that, once again, one of his younger siblings is neck-deep in the whole mess. In fact, it looks like they’re the one who’s behind the whole scenario.
I’ve been following Dream and his siblings since day one, and seeing them honored and homaged in great new comics makes me very happy indeed. Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche keep taking us into a world that feels like it’s come out of our darkest dreams. The art’s creepy, yet beautiful, and the colors are spooky and ethereal. All put together, these comics stand out from the crowd. This is intelligent, psychological horror at its finest.
Never in my wildest imaginings could I ever have believed that love between an undead girl and a mortal man could feel beautiful and real, but Max and Kells are so brilliantly written and drawn that I can’t help but root for them. Thessaly has always been infuriating, and now that she knows who’s been pulling the strings, even hers (from waaay back in the original Sandman series) I know that sparks are going to fly. Will she and Daniel cross paths?
Seeing Azazel, The King Of Pain, Dream, and his siblings in this book always makes me happy, so this issue ticked a lot of boxes.
Simon Bowland keeps up the class, too. His lettering is as elegant, essential, and perfect as the script and the art. I can feel the heat coming from those candles as I hear them light up.
Negatives
I WANT TO SEE DREAM AND THESSALY CONFRONT THE ENEMY! AAAARRRGGGHHH!
Of course, this is just me being selfish and impatient.
Verdict
I’m sure that it will come as no surprise that I loved Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5. Everything about this title just works for me, and I leave every issue wanting more. The only trouble is, I don’t want to wait.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
