View source for Sandman (DC Comics)

{{short description|Pseudonym of several DC Comics characters}}
{{For|the Marvel character of the same name|Sandman (Marvel Comics)}}
{{Infobox comics character
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Sandman
|image=Sandman1-1-.jpg
|caption=[[Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|Wesley Dodds]] as the Sandman.<br>Art by Gavin Wilson and Richard Bruning.
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = '''Dodds:'''<br>''[[New York World's Fair Comics]]'' #1 (April 1939) <br>'''Sanford:'''<br>''The Sandman'' #1 (December 1974)<br>'''Marshall:'''<br>''Sandman Mystery Theatre: Sleep of Reason'' #1 (February 2007)
| creators       = '''Dodds:'''<br>[[Gardner Fox]] (writer)<br />[[Allen Bert Christman|Bert Christman]] (artist)<br>'''Sanford:'''<br>[[Joe Simon]]<br>[[Jack Kirby]]<br>'''Marshall:'''<br>[[John Ney Rieber]]<br>Eric Nguyen
| alter_ego      = [[Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|Wesley Dodds]]<br>[[#Garrett Sandford|Garrett Sanford]]<br>[[Hector Hall]]<br>[[Dream (comics)|Morpheus]]<br>[[Daniel Hall (comics)|Daniel Hall]]<br>[[Sandy Hawkins]]<br>[[#Kieran Marshall|Kieran Marshall]]
| full_name      =
| species        = <!-- optional -->
| homeworld      = <!-- optional -->
| alliances      = [[Justice Society of America]]<br />[[Justice League]]
| partners       = <!-- optional -->
| supports       = <!-- optional -->
| aliases        = <!-- optional -->
| powers         ={{collapsible list
| titlestyle     = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
| title          = ''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}} 
| cat            = super
| subcat         = DC Comics
| hero           = y
| villain        = 
| sortkey        = Sandman
}}
'''The Sandman''' is the [[pseudonym]] of several fictional characters appearing in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]].  They have appeared in stories of various genres, including the pulp detective character [[Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|Wesley Dodds]], [[superhero]]es such as Garrett Sanford and [[Hector Hall]], and mythic [[fantasy]] characters more commonly called by the name [[Dream (comics)|Dream]]. Named after [[Sandman|the folklore character]] that is said to bring pleasant dreams to children, each has had some thematic connection to [[dream]]ing, and efforts have been made to tie them into a common continuity within the [[DC Universe]].

==Fictional character biographies==
===Wesley Dodds===
{{Main|Sandman (Wesley Dodds)}}
'''Wesley Dodds''' is the first DC Comics fictional character to bear the name of the Sandman.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |access-date=2 April 2020 |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/sandman1.htm |title=The Sandman}}</ref> Attired in a green business suit, [[Fedora (hat)|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).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Benton |first1=Mike |title=Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History |date=1992 |publisher=Taylor Publishing Company |location=Dallas |isbn=0-87833-808-X |url=https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent |url-access=registration |access-date=1 April 2020 |page=[https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent/page/146 146]}}</ref>

===Garrett Sanford===
{{Infobox comic book title|  <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
| title = Sandman
| image = Sandman 1974 issue1.jpg
| caption = ''The Sandman'' #1. Art by [[Jack Kirby]].
| schedule = Bi-monthly
| ongoing = y
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| date = 1974–1976
| issues = 6
| main_char_team = {{ubli|Sandman (later revealed as Garrett Sanford)|[[List of characters in The Sandman#Brute and Glob|Brute and Glob]]|[[Jed Walker]]|[[List of The Sandman characters#Ezra Paulsen|Ezra Paulsen]]|[[List of The Sandman characters#Clarice and Barnaby|Clarice]]|[[List of The Sandman characters#Clarice and Barnaby|Barnaby]]}}
| writers = [[Joe Simon]], [[Michael Fleisher]]
| pencillers = [[Jack Kirby]], [[Ernie Chua]]
| inkers = [[Jack Kirby]], [[Mike Royer (comics)|Mike Royer]], [[Wally Wood]]
| colorists = 
| creators = [[Jack Kirby]], [[Joe Simon]]
| subcat = DC Comics
| sort=Sanford, Garret
}}
The Sandman of the 1970s was created by [[Joe Simon]] and [[Jack Kirby]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 158 |quote = The legendary tandem of writer Joe Simon and artist/editor Jack Kirby reunited for a one-shot starring the Sandman&nbsp;... Despite the issue's popularity, it would be Simon and Kirby's last collaboration.}}</ref> Issue #1 was intended as a [[One-shot (comics)|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 (comics)|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 (folklore)|Sandman]] of popular [[mythology|myth]], "eternal and immortal", despite his superhero-like appearance and adventures. The Sandman is assisted by two living nightmares named [[List of characters in The Sandman#Brute and Glob|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 [[List of The Sandman characters#Ezra Paulsen|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 ([[List of comics solicited but never published|intended for ''The Sandman'' #7]] but published in ''[[The Best of DC]]'' #22)<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/36154/ ''The Best of DC'' #22 (March 1982)] at the Grand Comics Database</ref> 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 [[President of the United States|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 [[Fury (DC Comics)|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 (comics)|Daniel Hall]].<ref>''Wonder Woman'' #300. DC Comics.</ref>

The Sandman also becomes an honorary member of the [[Justice League of America|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.<ref>''Justice League of America Annual'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

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,{{efn|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.}} 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 (comics)|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.<ref name="Infinity Inc. #50">''Infinity Inc.'' #50. DC Comics.</ref>

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 (character)|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.<ref>''Bug: The Adventurers of Forager'' #1. DC Comics.</ref>

===Hector Hall===
{{Main|Hector Hall}}
In ''[[Infinity Inc.]]'' #50 (May 1988), '''[[Hector Hall]]''' (formerly the [[Silver Scarab]] and son of [[Hawkman (Carter Hall)|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.<ref name="Infinity Inc. #50"/>

In ''[[The Sandman (Vertigo)|The Sandman]]'' vol. 2 #12 (1990), it is further revealed that the Dream Dimension was, in fact, a small universe in the mind of [[List of The Sandman characters#Jed Walker|Jed Walker]] which was created by Brute and Glob (who were explained as being two former servants of [[Dream (character)|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.<ref>''The Sandman'' Vol. 2 #12. DC Comics.</ref>

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 ''[[Justice Society of America|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|Dream of the Endless|The Sandman (comic book)}}
'''Dream''', also known as '''Morpheus''', is one of seven archetypal beings referred to as [[The Endless (comics)|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 [[dream]]s, [[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 [[Retroactive continuity|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|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 Sandman: The Wake|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|Sandy Hawkins}}
Some time later in the pages of ''[[Justice Society of America|JSA]]'' 63–64, the chairman and heir to the Sandman legacy '''[[Sandy Hawkins|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===
{{expand section|date=October 2024}}
[[Image:SMTVSR Cv3.jpg|thumb|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.
{{Clear}}

==In other media==
{{See also|Sandman (Wesley Dodds)#In other media|Hector Hall#In other media|Dream (comics)#In other media|Sandy Hawkins#In other media}}

===Television===
====Live-action====
* An unrelated Sandman appears in the ''[[Batman (TV series)|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'''<!--PLEASE DO NOT LINK NIGHTSHADE (DC COMICS) AS IT LEADS TO AN UNRELATED CHARACTER--> appears in ''[[The Flash (1990 TV series)|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 (DC Comics)|Central City]] Hospital. When the Ghost reappears in 1990, Powell becomes Nightshade once again and joins forces with the [[Barry Allen|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 (TV series)|Stargirl]]'' pilot episode, portrayed by an uncredited actor.
* Dream and Hector Hall appear in ''[[The Sandman (TV series)|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 (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' episode "Humanity".

===Film===
* An unidentified, alternate universe variant of Sandman appears in ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths]]'' as a minor member of the [[Crime Syndicate of America|Crime Syndicate]].
* An unidentified, alternate universe variant of Sandman appears in ''[[Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox]]''.

===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==
* [[Jack Kirby bibliography]]
* [[Sandman (comics)]] lists other comic book characters with the same name

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=sandman DCU Guide: Sandman Wesley Dodds]
* [http://toonopedia.com/sandman2.htm Sandman (1974)] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240528024747/https://www.webcitation.org/6oJ41rsRQ?url=http://toonopedia.com/sandman2.htm Archived] from the original on February 15, 2017.

{{Jack Kirby}}
{{Sandman navbox}}
{{Gardner Fox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sandman (DC Comics)}}
[[Category:The Sandman (comic book)]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1939]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Characters created by Gardner Fox]]
[[Category:Characters created by Joe Simon]]
[[Category:DC Comics fantasy characters]]
[[Category:Gothic comics]]