Neil Gaiman: Why Netflix’s Sandman Doesn’t Take Place in the DC Universe

After years of waiting, Sandman has finally premiered on Netflix and has been receiving glowing reviews. Since the comics were pretty much connected to the DC Universe when it started out, fans are wondering if we’re going to be seeing other heroes besides Constantine, but Neil Gaiman himself says it’s not likely.

Talking to Variety, Gaiman did confirm that the Sandman did start out in the DC Universe, but, “it just sort of wound up wandering off into its own place.” Gaiman continues:

“Its world joined up more and more with our world and became less and less a world in which costumed crime fighters fly around and so on, which meant that by the time ‘The Sandman’ finished, it had its own aesthetic which really wasn’t the DC Universe anymore.”

When it comes to the direction of taking out the DC element of The Sandman, Gaiman says that it had something to do with him not wanting audiences to feel like they had to do any prior reading before they could jump in on Sandman. That being said, we shouldn’t hold our breath for any future appearance of the Justice League either.

Who knows, maybe Netflix and WB could change their mind. I mean, if Riverdale could cross over with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, I don’t see why Sandman couldn’t find some kind of guest star from any established DC property. Heck, they can just come up with their own version of classic heroes if they want. I mean, WB is already doing it.

Catch The Sandman now streaming on Netflix.