I really liked the Sandman comic book series and most of the related stories and books that it spawned; especially the 'Death' one shots and mini-series attempts (Death is Gaiman's version of the Grim Reaper). The Sandman comic book series followed the adventures of 'The Sandman', also called 'Dream' or 'Morpheus'. He is a member of a group called 'The Endless', who rules over the world of dreams. His 75 issues ran from the late 80's to the mid 90's.
To me, Gaiman's work was modern mythology and completely different from the superhero books I was enjoying at the time. Though against the writer/creator Neil Gaiman's better judgement and much to the behest of DC Comics, Sandman made a special appearance in a 'JLA" story line, Gaiman's Vertigo stories didn't really match with anything else going on with DC Comics at the time. Though many characters (Swamp Thing, Jonah Hex, Deadman, et al) could have easily been absorbed into the titles. I believe 'Swamp Thing' actually was a Vertigo title. There IS a story arc coming up in one of the 'Superman' titles where Sandman's sister, Death, talks to Lex Luthor. Another character calling himself 'The Sandman' was a comic book printed by DC Comics in the mid 70s. This Sandman lives in the 'Dream Dimension' and protects children from their nightmares and occasionally from real-life menaces. He was created as a children's character by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
Anyway, here's the story.... If it happens, much will have to be cleaned up for TV, TRUST me. A movei has been in the planning stages for 10 years over at HBO..
Click HERE for the website for the below story:
Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' being adapted ... as a TV show
By Borys Kit and James Hibberd
“The Sandman,” the Neil Gaiman-penned comic book series considered a seminal work in the medium, is in the early stages of being developed into a TV series.
Warner Bros. TV is in the midst of acquiring television rights from sister company DC Entertainment and in talks with several writer-producers about adapting the 1990s comic. At the top of the list is Eric Kripke, creator of the CW’s horror-tinged “Supernatural.”
“Sandman” told the tale of Morpheus, the Lord of the Dreaming, a deity who personifies dreams. The book began in the horror realm but quickly made its mark in fantasy and mythology as Gaiman introduced the Endless, a group of powerful brothers and sisters named Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire and Delirium (as well as Dream).
The book helped establish DC’s Vertigo imprint and won several awards. It also was one of the few comics that segued from the comics crowd, entering the intellectual and art worlds, winning over a large non-comics-reading audience, particularly a devoted female following.
A movie version of “Sandman” has been in development since the mid-’90s, with an early version involving Roger Avery. The movie version cooled earlier in the decade, with the thinking moving to the best way to tackle an adaptation is the TV route. Up until a few months ago, DC was in talks with HBO and James Mangold to develop a show minus WBTV’s involvement, but that never coalesced.
Gaiman was not officially involved with the HBO attempt, though he and Mangold held several rounds of talks surrounding characters and story. The author is not involved in the new developments, though since it is early in the process, that may change. In fact, securing Gaiman will prove key for the project to go forward.
Kripke has been described as interested in tackling an adaptation but cautious because the comic book has such a passionate following and is held in such high regard. It’s the kind of series where each production decision, from casting to script to design, would be scrutinized by devotees.
Still, Kripke has managed to create and sustain “Supernatural,” which week in and week out deals with fantasy, mythological and horror elements. He also displayed a certain amount of creative integrity when he stuck to his guns by not returning as showrunner when the network renewed the series for a sixth season after he completed his planned five-season story line.
WBTV and WME, which reps Kripke, declined to comment.
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