The 2012 Bram Stoker Award Nominees have been announced, and we are pleased to report that Vertigo’s THE ANNOTATED SANDMAN VOL.1, the first of an incredible four volume series, has been nominated in the category of “Best Non-Fiction.”

THE ANNOTATED SANDMAN, is a fascinating look at the New York Times best-selling series, written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Chris Bachalo and many more.

This gorgeous volume provides commentary, historical and contemporary references, and hidden meanings, presented side-by-side with the series’ art and text. Using scripts and hours of conversation with Gaiman, writer/editor Leslie S. Klinger reveals fascinating details of THE SANDMAN’s hundreds of unforgettable characters and its place in literary history.

The Bram Stoker Awards, named in honor of Bram Stoker, author of the seminal horror work, Dracula, recognize superior achievement in the horror genre.

Congratulations to all of the nominees! For the full list click here.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 15th, 2013, during the Bram Stoker Awards Weekend in New Orleans.

Just in time for Halloween, Vertigo has compiled a slew of dark and dangerous stories that are primed to get you in the spirit! GHOSTS is an anthology of short stories showcasing both major talents and newcomers in the industry. Arriving in stores on October 31, this collection features a space heist on a ghost ship, a spirit who wants to play synthesizer in a techno band, a ghost-for-hire haunting agency and other dark and twisted tales best read under the sheets with a flashlight.

This week we’re spotlighting a piece of art from several of the stories included in the collection. First up, Neil Gaiman’s DeadBoy Detectives return in “The DeadBoy Detectives in Run Ragged,” a story written by noted British novelist Toby Litt.

“Working on "Run Ragged" has been exceptionally good fun!  I am once again getting to play in Neil Gaiman's wonderful world of the Sandman, and draw Charles and Edwin for the first time in nearly twenty years (last time was briefly in the Swamp Thing Annual during the Children's Crusade), says artist Mark Buckingham. “It is also always a treat to work with a new writer and I am loving Toby Litt's story, with its equal measures of humour and horror. Best of all I am drawing layouts for my good friend and Spanish superstar artist Victor Santos. It has been really inspiring swapping sketches and ideas with him as we have worked. This has been a genuine artistic collaboration and the whole thing has been very liberating. I would love to do more things like this in the future!”

Now, check out the inked page drawn by Mark Buckingham (FABLES) and inked by Victor Santos (FILTHY RICH) below.

Surprise Announcement at San Diego Comic-Con Pairs Legendary, Award Winning Author with Artist JH Williams III Under DC Entertainment’s Vertigo Imprint

Twenty-five years after one of the most celebrated graphic novels of all-time hit shelves, award winning and critically acclaimed author and screenwriter, Neil Gaiman, announces his return to THE SANDMAN. Gaiman made the surprise announcement, via video, at DC Entertainment’s Vertigo panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.  Karen Berger, Executive Editor of Vertigo, then revealed that Gaiman is paired with artist, JH Williams III (BATWOMAN) for the series, who appeared on stage to an already stunned and elated crowd. THE SANDMAN mini-series will be published by Vertigo in 2013.
 
One of the few graphic novels ever to be on the New York Times Best Seller list and lauded by critics the world over, THE SANDMAN is credited with changing the path of storytelling in the comic book industry. Gaiman will pick up his pen for the first time in more than 10 years since ending the series to continue a story that he feels still has yet to be told.
 
"When I finished writing THE SANDMAN, there was one tale still untold. The story of what had happened to Morpheus to allow him to be so easily captured in THE SANDMAN #1, and why he was returned from far away, exhausted beyond imagining, and dressed for war. It was a story that we discussed telling for Sandman's 20th anniversary... but the time got away from us. And now, with Sandman's 25th anniversary year coming up, I'm delighted, and nervous, that that story is finally going to be told,” said Gaiman.
 
"There's nothing like a Neil Gaiman story," said Berger, "and there's nothing like having Neil back home on THE SANDMAN, his dark, soulful, literary epic that transformed comics and continues to captivate countless new readers year after year. Working with him again, and with JH Williams, the extraordinary and groundbreaking artist, is truly the stuff dreams are made of."
 
DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio added, “As accomplished as Neil Gaiman is in other media—whether it be novels, film and even music—he still has an incredible passion and love for comics. It’s exciting to have him back. J.H. Williams will be the perfect complement to Neil’s writing. He has a history of creating art that pushes the boundaries of the medium.”
 
Each issue of THE SANDMAN mini-series will be published day-and-date digitally.  The title will be announced at a later date.

(Promotional art by J.H. Williams III)