A theory about Merv
I have a theory about Mervyn Pumpkinhead. I’d say it’s a headcanon but it’s more a theory.
According to the tale of Stingy Jack (the origin of the jack-o-Lantern) we carve Jack-o-lanterns to drive away old Jack and other wandering ghosts. The Jack-o-lantern is a protection ward against supernatural threats from entering your home.
One superstition has it that if you blow out the Jack-o-lantern before midnight on Halloween you invite evil spirits to enter your home for the entire year. It’s only safe to blow it out after midnight.
Another superstition is if you let the Jack-o-lantern burn out naturally you invite good luck for the entire year and have warded your home against evil for the full year. It is especially good luck if it manages to burn until after sunrise.
In The House with a clock in its walls Pumpkin Jack-o-lanterns are used as protection wards all year long.
Jack-o-lanterns, at their heart, are symbols of protection. Now, because we see Mervyn as a Mervyn Turniphead in The Sandman story The Tempest, it’s very clear that his Jack-o-lantern head isn’t just for the aesthetic. In his Turnip form, that is an old school Irish Jack-o-lantern. That is a pre-Halloween decoration (use for any time of year) Protection symbol against supernatural threats.
So even in present day when Mervyn has a modern Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern head, Mervyn is a walking, talking, protection ward against supernatural threats. He’s not just the groundskeeper or janitor. He’s a line of defense.
This does explain why Mervyn stands up to The Furies (The Kindly Ones) the way he does.
And this is also one of the many reasons I, myself, love Jack-o-lanterns. They aren’t just symbols of Halloween. They are kind of comforting in their protective light.
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morpheus this.. the corinthian that.. we all know that the REAL sandman sexy man is merv pumpkinhead
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Merv Pumpkinhead in Sandman vol 2 #70
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Sandman Supporting Characters—Jeremy Haun
I can’t get over dumping Orpheus on the ground. Ouch 😩
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Merv pumpkinhead is the sort of character where I don't have complex or interesting thoughts about him, I don't have any emotional attachment, I don't even rotate him in my mind, but whenever he shows up I'm like it's my boy merv!! That's him!!
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Morpheus: I'm in charge here!!
Merv: ok in charge here, where's Lucienne?
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For people who thought Merv was CG, he’s actually mostly practical.
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Merv Pumpkinhead—Ryan Kelly
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Dave McKean: Merv Pumpkinhead and Delirium
Source Will Tervay (comicartfans)
Comic Art Gallery of Will Tervay at ComicArtFans.com
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The Dreaming (2018—2020)
art by Bilquis Evely
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