The Sandman is coming to Netflix. That’s a dream come true for fans of Neil Gaiman’s beloved graphic novel series. But the highly-anticipated adaptation is also bringing something terrifying with it – nightmares made flesh. They’re the focus of the show’s latest trailer, which debuted at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Because after a century away from his realm, the Lord of the Dreaming has much more than just his own realm to save.
If you are unfamiliar with Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel don’t worry. We have you covered with everything you need to know about the comic series. (Along with what you need to experience for yourself.) But this trailer introduces some of The Sandman‘s most dangerous characters. That includes The Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), Doctor Destiny (David Thewlis), and Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie). But this promo only hints at the the true terror that awaits humanity after the long absence of the Lord of Dreams, Morpheus.
The show’s official synopsis from Netflix explains why he was away for so long and why his return is so important:
There is another world that waits for all of us when we close our eyes and sleep — a place called the Dreaming, where The Sandman, Master of Dreams (Tom Sturridge), gives shape to all of our deepest fears and fantasies. But when Dream is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for a century, his absence sets off a series of events that will change both the dreaming and waking worlds forever. To restore order, Dream must journey across different worlds and timelines to mend the mistakes he’s made during his vast existence, revisiting old friends and foes, and meeting new entities — both cosmic and human — along the way.
This trailer isn’t all horrifying, though. (Just motsly horrifying.) It also features Morpheus’s talking raven, Matthew (voiced by Patton Oswalt), as well as his loyal librarian (Vivienne Acheampong). And we even get a brief glimpse at his servant Mervyn Pumpkinhead. (Mark Hamill will voice the constantly annoyed employee.)
This trailer for The Sandman also gives us a better glimpse at two members of Morpheus’s family, the Endless. Dream speaks to his sister Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) and his sister-brother Desire (Mason Alexander Park).
But Death and Desire don’t scare us like those others. Which is exactly why we can’t wait to see The Sandman. Unfortunately we still have a couple more of doing just that. The series brings its nightmares to Netflix on August 5.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.