The Sandman Presents: The Corinthian (2001-02)

The Corinthian: Death in Venice (2001-02)

Author: Darko Macan | Illustrator: Danijel Zezelj | Page Count: 74 (total)

"What a curse the self is."

Another three-issue 'limited series' released under The Sandman Presents banner, this time featuring 'the dark mirror to humanity' himself, The Corinthian, recognisable in the white suit and dark glasses ensemble that he so favours, making him reminiscent of Andrew Eldritch in a Floodland (1987) era Sisters of Mercy music video.

The walking nightmare is in Venice, city of canals, bridges, and honeymooners, among other things. He's not the only wicked thing walking the famous city's streets, but he has a singular goal that is unique to him, and he's no qualms about using others in pursuit of it.

Prior knowledge of the character's origins will be helpful; for that you'll need to have read The Sandman: Volume II: The Doll's House (1991), at the very least.

In addition to the Corinthian, the story, set in the year 1920, features a murderous couple and a troubled World War One veteran, each of whom have a role to play in the titular manipulator's grisly education.

I always strive to read a limited series in one sitting even though it can sometimes highlight the episodic nature of the format, but that wasn't much of an issue with The Corinthian because the story didn't really go anywhere interesting, in the traditional sense. There's a progression — and on reflection the psychological aspect was well-worked in — but I didn't feel like it left me with any weighty afterthoughts, even though the events definitely affected the characters.

I did like Zezelj's art, though. There was nothing radically striking about the line work, but it fit tonally with the narrative and the frames rarely held the conventional 'rectangles within a bigger rectangular comic page' shape. I liked Sherilyn van Valkenburgh's colouring, too, especially the deep blacks, which at times almost seemed like they'd been sponged onto the page.

NOTE: as far as I know, at time of writing the three issues haven't been collected into a TPB. If that's correct, your only way to get them will be as individual issues.