TV critic says new Netflix series is tipped to 'inspire a whole new generation of goths' in 2022

Three decades after it exploded onto the comic book scene, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman has finally made it to the small screen. And boy, was it worth the wait.

Consider this your warning: it's time to bust out the black kohl eyeliner and resuscitate your emo fringe because it's about to get gothic up in here, or so The Guardian predicts.

In the same way the Twilight film series helped make pale skin a popular trend, writer Joel Golby feels The Sandman could spark a new goth phase for the world.

Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman’s dark, fantasy-gothic epic has everyone abuzz - and with very good reason, too.

So, if you're unfamiliar with the comic books of the same name, strap yourself in.

This is the tale of - you guessed it - The Sandman.

Sandman - also known as Dream - is a cosmic being who controls all dreams, because of course.

Now this is a spoiler-free write-up, but what we can tell you is that Dream is captured and held prisoner for more than a century.

It's once he wrangles himself free that the fun begins, because he now has to journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos triggered by his absence.

So, yeah. It's big-budget fantasy. And before you click away (we know you're still nursing wounds following the final Game of Thrones' final season), this one will sweep you up in its magic and its mystery in a world that seems to be coming apart at the seams.

Plus, given the success of Gaiman’s previous adaptations to TV, such as Prime Video's Good Omens and American Gods and Netflix's Lucifer, you know you're in good hands.

This one is good. It's a fantasy series worth investing your time in, regardless of your predilection towards nerd-dom or not. 

And now for those OG fans: don't worry, the showrunners have plenty of surprises in store for you too.

But don't just take our word for it. Here's what a few critics thought, care of Rotten Tomatoes.

According to The Atlantic's TV critic David Sims, 'the show is strong fantasy entertainment that functions as a great introduction to Gaiman’s writing'.

Fat Guys at the Movies critic Kevin Carr labelled the show 'dark and dramatic'. Media commentator John Kirk called it 'Neil Gaiman's magnum opus', while SciFiNow's Abigail Chandler gave it an A+, writing that the adaptation 'works remarkably well for both fans and newbies alike'.

So, nerd or not, this is a show not to miss. And you'd better believe that Gaiman's dark, gloomy, yet captivating world will have you going goth in no time.

The Sandman season one is streaming now on Netflix.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix.

Topics: Netflix, TV and Film, DC Comics

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

@rlangjournalist