Yesterday popular audiobook company Audible announced that they will be working with writer Neil Gaiman to make a multi-part audio-drama series based on the popular DC Comics’ character Sandman which is set for release on Audible Summer 2020.
Gaiman wrote the original series published by DC Comics and now will serve as Creative Director, Executive Producer, and Narrator for the project. Alongside Gaiman will be his longtime audio collaborator Dirk Maggs who will serve as Executive Producer, as well as Scriptwriter and Director.
Maggs is well-known for his adaptations of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, Stardust, Good Omens, Anansi Boys, and Audible Originals Alien: River Of Pain and X-Files, as well as some DC audio productions The Trial of Superman, Superman: To Doomsday & Beyond, and Batman: Knightfall.
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When Gaiman was asked about working on the project with Maggs he said the following:
“Almost 30 years ago, Dirk Maggs approached DC about adapting The Sandman into audio form. It didn’t happen (although it was how Dirk and I first crossed paths) and I’m glad it didn’t happen, because we are in a Golden Age of audio drama right now, and Dirk and I are much better at what we are doing. This is a rich audio adaptation of The Sandman Graphic Novels, brilliantly crafted by Dirk Maggs, with an all-star cast. I’ve loved being there to talk casting, there to read the scripts and offer occasional advice, and there in the studios, watching magic get made and recording the narration. I can’t wait until the world hears what we’ve done.”
Dave Blum, Editor-in-Chief of Audible Originals was also asked about the project and he said the following:
“Audible prides itself on creating and producing immersive and entertaining storytelling, and the exclusive audio production of Neil Gaiman’s legendary comic book series marks a thrilling addition to our original content offerings. We’re excited to join Neil and DC in bringing this extraordinary and beloved universe to Audible’s millions of listeners worldwide, for the very first time.”
While Dirk Maggs continues:
“This audio iteration of The Sandman is huge in scope and ambition and based exclusively on Neil’s original notes and scripts for his iconic DC series. Our production dives deep into Neil’s imagination, as if he is writing these tales beside us, lifting out details and story elements few have been privy to until now. Audio uniquely complements the comic book artists’ visual imagination and Neil’s creative brilliance, while our amazing cast and Jim Hannigan’s music add new emotional punch. This project’s three-decade incubation period has been worth every minute of the wait. It’s the very essence of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman.”
Netflix is also expected to make an adaption of The Sandman with Gaiman also being attached as Executive Producer alongside David S. Goyer. It’s expected that the first season will cover the first volume and some of the second volume. The first season is expected to be eleven episodes and will be released sometime in late 2021.
Official Audible Sandman Story Synopsis
“When an occultist attempts to capture the physical embodiment of Death in a bargain for eternal life, he instead mistakenly traps Death’s younger brother Morpheus, the King of Dreams. After his seventy-year imprisonment and eventual escape, Morpheus goes on a quest to reclaim his lost objects of power and rebuild his realm. From there, one of [the] greatest and most successful series of graphic novels ever written begins. Celebrated globally for its vibrant blend of modern myth and dark fantasy – which seamlessly interweaves contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend – The Sandman follows Morpheus, and the people and places he’s affected, as he tries to mend the cosmic and human mistakes he’s made during his Endless existence.”
The Sandman will be available to download exclusively on Audible, Summer 2020 in English and will subsequently be released in other languages at a later date. For more information on The Sandman and other DC Comics’ properties, make sure to keep up to date with us here at The Illuminerdi.
