The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country - The Glass House #3
Kevin Rossi
Recap
Demon club the King of Pain offers the Corinthian a chance to indulge his most murderous tendencies, and the walking nightmare finds himself ravenous after years of guarded restraint. And though the first taste is free, what starts as a snack quickly escalates to a feast, and there will no doubt be hell to pay. Are the club’s offerings enough to keep the Corinthian satisfied? Or will blood spill across the streets of San Francisco just as the immortal witch Thessaly enters the fray, seeking to satiate a hunger of her own?
Review
The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House continues with issue #3. Looking back, it does not feel like there have only been three issues. A lot has happened in a short amount of time. James Tynion IV has done an excellent job of giving readers a well-throughout story and avoiding filler. Issue #3 gives readers some breathing room with minimal action and excitement, but that does not mean the issue wasn’t engaging. This issue is paced masterfully with a climax that is a surprise but feels earned. Tynion’s writing is solid as always and trusts that readers are up to speed with everything. While some characters have been in The Sandman Universe since its beginnings in the late 80s, Tynion gives readers everything they need to know which gives readers a good sense of the characters, old and new.
As always, Tynion has done a good job connecting his Sandman stuff while avoiding things feeling secluded and on their own. Issue #3 strikes a nice balance of honing in on the story while still feeling organic to the world. Lisandro Estherren’s art and Patricio Delpeche’s colors are perfect for this book and world. Estherren does some fun and interesting things with shadows and perspectives. There is also an interesting use of grids and framing within the panels. The art continues to capture the blurry place between dreaming and waking. Delpeche’s coloring is gorgeous and drives home the ethereal and distorted environment of the story. Lucien, the head librarian of The Dreaming, makes an appearance to give the Corinthian some information. The inclusion is a lot of fun and a good example of how Estherren plays with perspective. There are also some great visuals of Madison speaking with Max at his apartment. Simon Bowland’s lettering works so well with the art. It seems like he is having fun with the lettering while still striking the balance between complimenting the aesthetic of the art. No matter what is happening in the story, the lettering keeps a firm foot down in both the dreaming and waking moments.
Final Thoughts
The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country - The Glass House #3 takes its time to collect itself and put all of the pieces in place for whatever comes next. With the appearance of Thessaly, issue #4 will certainly be exciting. While this issue sets everything up, it doesn’t feel like a filler issue to make sure the reader gets up to speed. Tynion’s character development of the Corinthian continues to be the highlight of the series. Tynion’s development still feels organic to the character and not just for the purposes of the series.
The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House #3: Pieces are in Place
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10
