Batman writer James Tynion IV is writing a Sandman Universe comic

Neil Gaiman’s epic comic The Sandman spans a variety of genres. At its core, The Sandman is a fantasy saga, but it also includes everything from historical fiction and fairy tales to superheroes.

Occasionally, Gaiman also weaved horror into the story, creating some of the most disturbing comics of all time in the process. And soon, The Sandman‘s most terrifying character, the Corinthian, will return to haunt readers once more in a new comic from acclaimed Batman writer James Tynion IV: Nightmare Country.

Last year, Tynion announced that he was moving on from DC to focus on creator-owned work, but he couldn’t pass on this opportunity. “To be perfectly honest, I thought I had said everything I wanted to say with other people’s characters,” Tynion told The Hollywood Reporter. “But the moment that [DC editor] Chris Conroy asked me if I was interested in crafting a new story in the Sandman Universe, I knew I couldn’t say no.”

His new comic, published under DC’s Black Label, reunites readers with the Corinthian. Given his imposing appearance, I don’t think you’ll need reminding who he is, but if you need to be refreshed, the Corinthian is the nightmare creature created by Dream of the Endless designed to be a dark mirror of humanity. He’s got sets of teeth in place of his eye sockets that he uses to…well, kill people. In the series, he’s best known for creating a “Cereal Convention,” which is actually a gathering of serial killers. The man has absolutely no redeeming qualities.

Nightmare Country features art from Lisandro Estherren (who previously worked with Tynion on Redneck), although multiple comic artists will be involved throughout the run.

DC revealed the project on Twitter, coupled with a beautiful (and also super scary) illustration. Take a peek, if you dare:

James Tynion IV discusses Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country

When the announcement was made, Tynion took some time to explain what it was that convinced him to take the reins of one of the most beloved comic properties of all time. “I spent my teenage years reading and rereading the volumes of The Sandman, trying to absorb all of their secrets,” he told THR. “The series taught me that anything and everything was possible in the comic book medium, and set me on the inexorable path of becoming a comic book writer.”

On his blog, Tynion set out some distinct goals that he wants this Sandman Universe comic to achieve. Firstly, he wants it to stand on its own, meaning it can be read without prior knowledge of the main series. “I want to write a comic book that works as an entry point to the world of THE SANDMAN, as much as it works as a continuation of the stories of the characters who live in that world. I want a comic you’ll enjoy if it’s your first time in this world,” he wrote.

Next, he wants to capture the same horror aspect that Gaiman achieve, rather than dive into the whimsical side of the series. “The arc that most directly influences my approach to this series is ‘THE DOLL’S HOUSE,'” he explained. “To me, the scariest comic book issues that Neil Gaiman ever wrote were the ones set at the Cereal Convention. That’s what I want to capture here.”

As a Sandman superfan and a horror veteran, Tynion is a perfect choice to pen a Corinthian comic. Between new comic runs, an Audible dramatization, and an upcoming Netflix series, there’s no better time than now to be a Sandman fan! Nightmare Country #1 debuts April 12.

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