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Johnny Sorrow
File:JohnnySorrow.jpgJohnny Sorrow.
Art by Carlos Pacheco, from the graphic novel Virtue and Vice (Jan. 2002).
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSecret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant #1 (Dec. 1999)
Created byJames Robinson
David S. Goyer
Geoff Johns
Phil Winslade
In-story information
Alter egoJonathan "Johnny" Sorrow
Team affiliationsInjustice Society
AbilitiesFatal gaze;
Intangibility;
Teleportation;
Energy manipulation;
Psionic powers

Johnny Sorrow is a fictional character that appears in publications published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant #1 (Dec. 1999) and was created by writers Geoff Johns and David Goyer and artist Phil Winslade.

Debuting in the Modern Age of Comic Books, the character has appeared in both comic books and graphic novels, and other DC Comics-related products such as trading cards and toys.

Publication history

First mentioned in the storyline "A Knight in the Circus" in Starman #8 (June 1995), Johnny Sorrow debuted in Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant #1 (Dec. 1999), and was, according to writer Mike Conroy, "...a continuity implant. While purportedly a Golden Age villain...around since the 1940's, Sorrow didn't make his first appearance until more than 50 years later."

After an initial defeat, a greatly changed Sorrow reappeared with a new version of the Injustice Society in JSA #9 - 10 (April - May 2000), and makes a brief appearance in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E #13 (Aug. 2000). The character returned in a storyline that detailed the origin of his new powers in JSA #16 - 20 (Nov. 2000 - March 2001), and then the graphic novel Virtue and Vice (Jan. 2002), battling both the Justice Society and the JLA with ally Despero. Johnny Sorrow and another version of the Injustice Society appeared in JSA All-Stars #1 (Feb. 2010).

Fictional character biography

First mentioned by a demonic opponent of the maverick Starman, Sorrow appears as an unnamed intruder in the prison facility the "Slab", killing two prison guards simply by taking a mask off that reveals his true face. Sorrow then frees the supervillain the Icicle, telling the criminal that he once saved his father—the first Icicle—when he was forced to flee from the original Green Lantern.

Sorrow reappears as the leader of the new Injustice Society (consisting of the Icicle, Blackbriar Thorn, Count Vertigo, Geomancer, Killer Wasp, and the Tigress). Together they storm the headquarters of superhero team Justice Society of America, although JSA member Wildcat defeats them all (destroying Blackbriar Thorn) despite still recovering from a broken arm and the attack initially being launched while he was in the bath, with the exception of Sorrow, who uses the diversion to steal an unknown artifact.

Sorrow returns with a larger version of the Injustice Society (having also recruited Black Adam after removing a brain tumour, Shiv, Rival, and the Thinker) and finally reveals his origin:

Formerly a silent film actor, Sorrow was forced into retirement by the new "talkies," and turned to a life of crime. Sorrow stole a "Subspace Prototype" that enabled him to become intangible by warping through another dimension. During an encounter with the Justice Society of America, Sandy the Golden Boy destroyed the Subspace Prototype, which unexpectedly tore Sorrow apart and hurled his remains into what Sorrow another described as a "fractional dimension" and one of the "Subtle Realms". Sorrow's remains were found by a huge Lovecraftian entity called the "King of Tears", who revived him and bestowed on the villain a golden mask that will contain his new form and allow him to manifest in the material world. Sorrow's face, warped beyond description, was now instantly fatal to all who see it.

Sorrow was returned to Earth on the condition he find a way to allow the King of Tears to manifest. On his return to Earth, Sorrow killed his wife by accident in his haste to remove his mask so she could see that it was him, and kidnaps Sandy, blaming him for his disfigurement and taking him to a theatre. Newly formed superhero team the "Seven Shadows"—consisting of Dr. Nowhere, Jake Justice, the Shard, Man-At-Arms, Lodestar, the Scarab, and the Veil—attempted to stop Sorrow but with the exception of the Scarab they were all killed by Sorrow's gaze. The Scarab requested the aid of the Justice Society, who arrived as the King of Tears was materializing. The entity the Spectre reduced the monster to actual tears, which were contained and stored by the Green Lantern. Defeated, Sorrow fled. Later he helped remove a tumour from Black Adam's brain, causing him to join Sorrow to repay the debt. Sorrow somehow gained access to the Rock of Eternity and turns the wizard Shazam to stone with his gaze.

In the present, the Justice Society defeat their evil counterparts in another rematch, but Sorrow then reveals that the artifact he stole was in fact the liquid form of the King of Tears, who materializes once freed. Although the Spectre is summoned to deal with the entity, the King of Tears on this occasion disables the Spectre. The Flash solicits the aid of Black Adam (who has had a change of heart) and uses their combined speed—the Flash borrowing Black Adam's speed by tapping into the Speed Force—to punch Sorrow just as Doctor Mid-Nite—his goggles having recorded Sorrow's face when Sorrow tried to attack the blind Mid-Nite earlier but only knocked him out briefly—shows Sorrow his own face, rendering Sorrow solid long enough for Garrick to strike him with such force that it apparently destroys both Sorrow and the King of Tears.

Reforming in an alternate dimension, Sorrow eventually encounters the consciousness of former Justice League of America villain Despero, and together the pair plan to take revenge on both the JLA and the Justice Society. The pair free the Seven Deadly Sins from the Rock of Eternity, and Sorrow turns the wizard Shazam to stone with his deadly stare. Despero takes control of Lex Luthor's form while seven members of the combined super teams are possessed by the Sins. The heroes are freed from the influence of the Sins by their team mates, and battle Sorrow and Despero, defeating them with teamwork. Banished once again, Sorrow is retrieved when a new version of the Injustice Society, led by the Wizard, forms. Sorrow immediately takes control of the group, intent on revenge.

Powers and abilities

Johnny Sorrow was a normal human until an accident with a teleportational device shredded his body and transported his remains to another dimension. An entity called the King of Tears restores Sorrow's consciousness, which now inhabits a floating suit and mask. The character can become solid (and vulnerable) if removing the mask, although this also reveals Sorrow's altered face. Seeing Sorrow's face is instantly fatal to almost all living creatures; the only depicted survivor is Dr. Mid-Nite, whose condition means that he does not perceive Sorrow's face the normal way. Sorrow himself is apparently also vulnerable to his own gaze, a recorded image of his face causing temporary paralysis. The character can also teleport; levitate and manipulate energy.

In other media

Toys

References

  1. Conroy, Mike. 500 Comicbook Villains, Collins & Brown, 2004.
  2. Starman (comics)|Starman #7-8 (May–June 1995)
  3. Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant #1 (Dec. 1999)
  4. JSA #9 - 10 (April - May 2000)
  5. JSA #16 - 20 (Nov. 2000 - March 2001)
  6. Virtue and Vice (Jan. 2002)
  7. JSA All-Stars #1 (Feb. 2010)

External links

Pseudonym of several DC Comics characters For the Marvel character of the same name, see Sandman (Marvel Comics). Comics character
Sandman
Wesley Dodds as the Sandman.
Art by Gavin Wilson and Richard Bruning.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDodds:
New York World's Fair Comics #1 (April 1939)
Sanford:
The Sandman #1 (December 1974)
Marshall:
Sandman Mystery Theatre: Sleep of Reason #1 (February 2007)
Created byDodds:
Gardner Fox (writer)
Bert Christman (artist)
Sanford:
Joe Simon
Jack Kirby
Marshall:
John Ney Rieber
Eric Nguyen
In-story information
Alter egoWesley Dodds
Garrett Sanford
Hector Hall
Morpheus
Daniel Hall
Sandy Hawkins
Kieran Marshall
Team affiliationsJustice Society of America
Justice League
Abilities See list
  • Wesley Dodds
    • Prophetic dreams
    • Expert hand-to-hand combatant and marksman
    • Decelerated aging
    • Use of gas gun
    Morpheus
    • Incarnation of dream and reality
    • Vast cosmic powers
    • Magic mastery
    • Reality manipulation
    • Nigh-omniscience
    • Omnipresence
    • Telepathy
    • Immortality
    Sandy Hawkins
    • Silicon-based body is elastic and resilient, morphs into sand and emits seismic disruptions
    • Prophetic dreams
    • Weapon proficiency
    • Use of gas gun

The Sandman is the pseudonym of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. They have appeared in stories of various genres, including the pulp detective character Wesley Dodds, superheroes such as Garrett Sanford and Hector Hall, and mythic fantasy characters more commonly called by the name Dream. Named after the folklore character that is said to bring pleasant dreams to children, each has had some thematic connection to dreaming, and efforts have been made to tie them into a common continuity within the DC Universe.

Fictional character biographies

Wesley Dodds

Main article: Sandman (Wesley Dodds)

Wesley Dodds is the first DC Comics fictional character to bear the name of the Sandman. Attired in a green business suit, fedora, and gas mask, the Sandman uses a gun emitting a sleeping gas to sedate criminals. He starts out as a "mystery man", but eventually develops into a more standard superhero, becoming a founder of the Justice Society of America. He later uses sand and a blowtorch that he could use to quickly create walls, and wears a purple and gold costume. He would later pick up a sidekick, Sandy the Golden Boy. The Sandman appeared in Adventure Comics #40 (July 1939) through #102 (February 1946).

Garrett Sanford

Sandman
The Sandman #1. Art by Jack Kirby.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
ScheduleBi-monthly
FormatOngoing series
Publication date1974–1976
No. of issues6
Main character(s)
Creative team
Created byJack Kirby, Joe Simon
Written byJoe Simon, Michael Fleisher
Penciller(s)Jack Kirby, Ernie Chua
Inker(s)Jack Kirby, Mike Royer, Wally Wood

The Sandman of the 1970s was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Issue #1 was intended as a one-shot, but five more issues and an additional story followed. After the first issue, the stories were written by Michael Fleisher. The second and third issues were illustrated by Ernie Chua. Inks were by Kirby, Mike Royer and, in the sixth issue, Wally Wood. All covers were by Kirby, and the fourth issue noted his return to the interior artwork on the cover.

This Sandman was originally intended to be the Sandman of popular myth, "eternal and immortal", despite his superhero-like appearance and adventures. The Sandman is assisted by two living nightmares named Brute and Glob, whom he releases from domed cells with the help of a magic whistle. They are nuisances who beg for release, who are intent on hand-to-hand combat, but are implied to be relatively harmless and well-intentioned once freed. Using security monitoring devices, the Sandman can enter the "Dream Stream" or the "Reality Stream" (in which he acts like the superhero he looks like), and he carries a pouch of dream dust with which he can cause anyone to sleep and dream. The Sandman's main task is protecting children from nightmare monsters within their dreams, especially one young boy named Jed Walker, who lives with his grandfather Ezra Paulsen as well as to ensure that children have an appropriate level of nightmares rather than dealing with such anxieties in real life.

Implied to be a major foe of his is the Nightmare Wizard, who creates nightmares that are too extreme and sometimes kill children who dream them. In none of his three appearances does the Nightmare Wizard serve as an antagonist, but the two are clearly opposed to each other.

In the final Fleischer-Kirby-created adventure (intended for The Sandman #7 but published in The Best of DC #22) he even assists the legendary Santa Claus against a menacing band of Seal Men who are angry about being sent the wrong gifts during the previous Christmas.

This version of the Sandman only appeared for a handful of issues and was generally unused for years thereafter. In a retcon by Roy Thomas, appearing in Wonder Woman #300 (Feb. 1983), the Sandman is revealed to be Dr. Garrett Sanford, a UCLA psychology professor who became trapped in the Dream Dimension while saving the life of a great man (there are hints that it is a U.S. President), who was in a coma while being terrorized by a powerful nightmare monster. This issue, and the following appearance, note for the first time that his appearances outside the Dream Dimension were strictly limited to one hour, because physically entering the Dream Dimension was a one-way process, so others could send him equipment, but he could not be brought out. Despite this, Sanford nevertheless tries to romance Diana in spite of her acceptance of Steve Trevor's proposal of marriage. The issue also introduced Hippolyta Trevor (daughter of the Earth-Two counterparts of Diana and Steve Trevor), who would later be married to Sanford's successor, Hector Hall, and a major character in the Vertigo series as mother of Daniel Hall.

The Sandman also becomes an honorary member of the Justice League in Justice League of America Annual #1 (1983) (written by Paul Levitz and Len Wein), in which they fought Doctor Destiny, who had trapped Sanford in a tube like those used for Brute and Glob, and eventually the Justice League as well. Sanford declined a full membership because he cannot leave the Dream Dimension for more than an hour at a time.

The latter two appearances, and the subsequent uses of the costume, featured a red hourglass on the front of the suit that did not appear in the Kirby (or Chua) art.

Letters pages in the original series often complained of the series being too juvenile, while Wonder Woman #300 makes references to sexual dreams and has Sanford admit to observing Diana's dreams inappropriately.

Sandman, Jed, Brute, and Glob, observed by Metron, appeared in one panel of Swamp Thing #62, Rick Veitch's first writing on the series.

In Infinity Inc. #50 (May 1988), it is revealed that Sanford had since gone insane due to the loneliness of the Dream Dimension and committed suicide.

In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called "DC Rebirth" which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to "The New 52". Garrett Sanford has been operating in the Dreaming as Sandman for a long time while being served by Brute and Glob. Unlike the Pre-Crisis version, this version of Garrett Sanford wields an Orichalchum Whistle that enables him to leave the Dreaming. Sandman appeared to help Forager after falling into a trap by General Electric wielding a copy of the Orichalcum Whistle. General Electric's plot was thwarted when Forager traveled back in time and caused a paradox.

Hector Hall

Main article: Hector Hall

In Infinity Inc. #50 (May 1988), Hector Hall (formerly the Silver Scarab and son of Carter Hall) has now supplanted the deceased Sanford as the Sandman, and was, in fact, using Sanford's body after his own was taken by the second Silver Scarab. Hector becoming Sandman was caused by Brute and Glob.

In The Sandman vol. 2 #12 (1990), it is further revealed that the Dream Dimension was, in fact, a small universe in the mind of Jed Walker which was created by Brute and Glob (who were explained as being two former servants of Dream that had escaped his realm during the Lord of Dream's long absence). It turns out that Hall has actually died some years before, and that his incarnation as the Sandman is merely a shell that Dream sucks into another part of the Dreaming when he defeats the two creatures.

Hall goes on to be reincarnated as Doctor Fate. His only appearances as The Sandman are in Infinity Inc. #49–51, The Sandman vol. 2, #11–12 and The Sandman Presents: The Thessaliad #2.

Ambush Bug briefly wore the Sanford/Hall costume in Ambush Bug Nothing Special #1 in an attempt to become sidekick to Dream.

This Sandman likeness appeared, along with Brute and Glob, in JSA #63–64. This time, the costume was worn by Sandy Hawkins. Daniel Hall recaptured Brute and Glob and again retired the Kirby Sandman design.

Dream

Main articles: Dream of the Endless and The Sandman (comic book)

Dream, also known as Morpheus, is one of seven archetypal beings referred to as the Endless who embody various aspects of existence. He is the main character of the second Sandman series, written by Neil Gaiman. Dream is the personification of dreams, storytelling and—because the Endless also represent the opposite of that which they personify—reality. Gaiman's Dream more closely resembles the concept of the Sandman as he is portrayed in mythology than a traditional superhero genre character. In the course of Gaiman's story arcs, it is retconned that the other DC Sandman characters were in various ways derived from Morpheus or his activities. For instance, Wesley Dodds' prophetic dreams warning him of crimes and disasters are explained as an attempt by reality to fill the void left by Dream's absence from his realm during most of the 20th century, while the Kirby version of the Sandman is the result of two nightmares trying to manipulate a human being into fulfilling that same role in the hopes that they would be able to control the new incarnation of Dream.

Daniel Hall

Main article: Daniel Hall (comics)

Daniel Hall, the child of Hector Hall, eventually assumes the position of Dream when Morpheus dies. He, like Morpheus, is the embodiment of dreams, storytelling and reality. He refers to himself as simply "Dream of the Endless"; in The Wake he states that he has no right to the name of "Morpheus", and that the part of him which was the mortal boy Daniel Hall no longer exists.

Sandy Hawkins

Main article: Sandy Hawkins

Some time later in the pages of JSA 63–64, the chairman and heir to the Sandman legacy Sand has his soul stolen by Brute and Glob to briefly assume the role of the Dream Dimension's protector, again in the Kirby-designed costume. Eventually, Dr Fate (Hector Hall) and his wife Lyta lead a contingent of the JSA to Sand's rescue. Brute and Glob are abjured to parts known only as "The Darkness". This fragment of the Dream Dimension is currently not known to be inhabited.

Subsequently, Sand officially adopted the Sandman name and a costume patterned after Wesley Dodds in the third volume of Justice Society of America.

Kieran Marshall

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024)
Kieran Marshall as the Sandman on the cover of Sandman Mystery Theatre: Sleep of Reason #3. Art by Tim Bradstreet.

In the Sandman Mystery Theatre: Sleep of Reason mini-series, photojournalist Kieran Marshall briefly takes on the identity of the Sandman to battle insurgents in Afghanistan, inspired by a visit Wesley Dodds made to the region shortly before his death.

In other media

See also: Sandman (Wesley Dodds) § In other media, Hector Hall § In other media, Dream (comics) § In other media, and Sandy Hawkins § In other media

Television

Live-action

  • An unrelated Sandman appears in the Batman consecutive episodes "The Sandman Cometh" and "The Catwoman Goeth" portrayed by Michael Rennie. This version is an international criminal who uses special hypnotic sand to control sleepwalkers to do his bidding.
  • A character loosely inspired by the Sandman under the pseudonym of Nightshade appears in The Flash, portrayed by Jason Bernard. This version is Dr. Desmond Powell, a 1950s vigilante who captured criminals using a knockout gun and tranquilizer darts. After defeating "The Ghost" in 1955 and retiring from superheroics, he became a doctor and Chief of Staff at Central City Hospital. When the Ghost reappears in 1990, Powell becomes Nightshade once again and joins forces with the Flash to apprehend his old enemy. After unknowingly inspiring the Deadly Nightshade, Powell is framed for multiple counts of murder. Nonetheless, he eventually clears his name, captures the impostor, makes his secret identity public, and becomes a celebrity.
  • The Wesley Dodds incarnation of Sandman appears in the Smallville two-part episode "Absolute Justice", portrayed by Ken Lawson.
  • The Wesley Dodds incarnation of Sandman makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Stargirl pilot episode, portrayed by an uncredited actor.
  • Dream and Hector Hall appear in The Sandman, portrayed by Tom Sturridge and Lloyd Everitt respectively.

Animation

  • Sandy Hawkins / Sand makes non-speaking appearances in Justice League Unlimited.
  • The Wesley Dodds incarnation of Sandman makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!".
  • The Wesley Dodds incarnation of Sandman makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Young Justice episode "Humanity".

Film

Miscellaneous

An unidentified Sandman appears in the DC Super Hero Girls episode "Welcome to Super Hero High" as a graduate of the titular school.

See also

Notes

  1. Issue #2, issue #5—Orlando responded that The Sandman and Swamp Thing were intended for very different audiences. Sanford, Jed, Brute, and Glob eventually appeared in a one-panel cameo in Swamp Thing (vol. 2) #62.

References

  1. Markstein, Don. "The Sandman". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  2. Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 146. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  3. McAvennie, Michael (2010). "1970s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. The legendary tandem of writer Joe Simon and artist/editor Jack Kirby reunited for a one-shot starring the Sandman ... Despite the issue's popularity, it would be Simon and Kirby's last collaboration.
  4. The Best of DC #22 (March 1982) at the Grand Comics Database
  5. Wonder Woman #300. DC Comics.
  6. Justice League of America Annual #1. Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Infinity Inc. #50. DC Comics.
  8. Bug: The Adventurers of Forager #1. DC Comics.
  9. The Sandman Vol. 2 #12. DC Comics.

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