Neil Gaiman
English horror and fantasy author. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. Buzzfeed

The San Diego Comic-Con is a place where unexpected developments can come out of nowhere and set the convention -- and the Internet -- afire. DC Comics made the first such announcement Thursday night with the news that legendary comics writer Neil Gaiman would be returning to his fan-favorite comic Sandman in the coming months.

In November, 2013, it will have been 25 years since 'Sandman #1' was published, which means that 2013 seems like a particularly good year to tell that story; to get together with one of the finest artists in comics today to actually explain what Morpheus had been doing before 'Sandman #1' had began. And I'll be telling that story, Gaiman said in a promotional video screened to DC Comics' excited crowd.

Gaiman will be teaming up with veteran comic artist J.H. Williams III to continue the epic story of Sandman. Williams has worked on fan-favorite comics such as Batman and Promethea. Their new collaboration is currently untitled.

Sandman, which ran from 1988 to 1996, followed the chronicles of Morpheus, the lord of dreams, and helped redefine the popular conception of comic books.

Gaiman, who went on to write novels such as Stardust and American Gods after working in comics, has been hailed as a master writer who helped reinvent the form and bring comics from a juvenile medium to an increasingly well-respected form of literature.

A tweet from DC Comics confirmed the news.

Watch Neil Gaiman's video announcement on his return below.