Abstract
This article examines Caitlín R. Kiernan’s writing for the DC/Vertigo comic series The Dreaming, a spin-off of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. It places Kiernan’s writing for the series in the wider context of both her prose fictional writings and representations of LGBTQI+ characters in American comics. It uses Moira Weigel’s concept of “sadomodernism” to characterize Kiernan’s writings, demonstrating how Kiernan’s use of this mode in The Dreaming anticipated signature characteristics of her later fictions. Close reading of selected excerpts from the published comics, as well as Kiernan’s scripts, emails, and editorial remarks alongside the work of queer and trans theorists, including Judith Butler and Jack Halberstam, reveal how groundbreaking Kiernan’s unsettling work with the series was and remains.
Highlights
Sadomodernism, The Drowning Girl, and The DreamingCaitlín R
Kiernan described her 2012 novel The Drowning Girl as “fictionalized autobiography”, a designation reinforced by its subtitle, “A Memoir” (Kiernan 2012a)
Recognizing Kiernan’s provocative interplay between autobiography and fantasy, Brooke Wonders suggested The Drowning Girl can be understood as a sadomodernist memoir (Wonders 2013, p. 19)
Summary
Where Dream (a role filled by Morpheus through most of The Sandman’s original run, and by his replacement, Daniel, by the time the storyline of The Dreaming begins) is the focal point for much of the original series, he is more peripheral through many of The Dreaming’s storylines It focuses on one story arc from the series, in which Kiernan transfigured The Corinthian, one of Sandman’s most troubling characters, through his interactions with Echo, a gender-fluid human serial killer first introduced in the three-part storyline “Souvenirs” (Kiernan and Artists 1998–2003, issues #17–#19). The Drowning Girl as fictionalized autobiography, yet in an interview for Wonderbook, she recognised that “the autobiographical element has always been there in my fiction, usually consciously, starting with Silk” (Kiernan 2012c, np) It is just as apparent, and just as important, in her script work for.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
