Warning: contains spoilers for The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country
The first issue of The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country reintroduces DC Comics readers to one of the most gruesome inhabitants of the Dreaming: the eye-eating nightmare (and former serial killer) the Corinthian. Introduced by the original Sandman series, the Corinthian has undergone changes and two different incarnations after his death and resurrection at the hands of the original Dream of the Endless, Morpheus. Although it’s too soon to tell, Nightmare Country raises a question: has the living terror turned over a new leaf, or has he returned to his old ways?
One of the Dreaming’s most disturbing residents, The Corinthian was introduced in The Sandman #10 as one of four rogue dreams who had escaped during Morpheus’ imprisonment. The Corinthian was famously invited to speak at a serial killer convention in a disturbing Sandman/Hellblazer crossover. Disappointed by his creation’s petty self-satisfaction, Morpheus disintegrated the Corinthian, saving the nightmare’s skull. The current, second Corinthian is brutal but loyal, consistently acting on Morpheus’ orders. The Corinthian was last seen struggling with the nature of his second chance in the spin-off series The Dreaming (1996), trying to balance his hunger for eyes with his desire to do his duty following Morpheus’ death and replacement by Daniel in The Kindly Ones,
Now, the second Corinthian is returning in, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #1 from James Tynion IV and Lesandro Estherren. The new series starts focused on Madison Flynn, a young artist who has caught the attention of more than one supernatural entity. Seemingly being stalked by a grotesque creature with, her paintings of creatures with toothed eye sockets bring her to the Corinthian's attention. Whether he intends to help or hurt the young artist remains to be seen, but if this Corinthian is anything like his earlier incarnations, he could be flattered or feeling murderous.
At the start of Nightmare Country, the Corinthian’s status is unclear, but the details are disturbing. Acting on his own, he has left the Dreaming to confront Madison in the waking world. Further, the Corinthian is seen relishing the memories of his past crimes, recording their grisly details in a human skin notebook stolen from a bookbinder’s nightmare. In an apparent reference to the serial killers in The Doll's House, he thinks of the book as a collection and himself as "a collector". The Corinthian was always one of The Sandman's most interesting characters, so seeing Nightmare Country expand on him. The prospect of him acting as a sort of hero against the new nightmare stalking Madison is also fascinating as it is a complete reversal from what fans would expect from the character. Still, readers shouldn't get too comfortable with the Corinthian's adventures, as the cover for Nightmare Country #2 promises that absolute nightmare fuel is coming.
Whatever happens, the Corinthian is on a collision course with another nightmare somehow even more horrific than he is. The Sandman series has always made readers question their beliefs, and this new entry suggests that some nightmares keep dreamers safe. The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country seems ready to put the Corinthian’s claim as the ultimate nightmare to the test.