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The Sandman (Single Issues)
Series · 40
books · 1988-2012

Books in series

The Sandman #1 book cover
#1

The Sandman #1

Sleep of the Just

1989

The first issue of the first volume of Neil Gaiman's horror/fantasy epic. An occultist accidentally traps Morpheus, the embodiment of Dreams, and holds him for 70 years. Finally free, Morpheus seeks his lost objects of power and rediscovers his place in the universe.
The Sandman #2 book cover
#2

The Sandman #2

Imperfect Hosts

1988

Morpheus, King of Dreams, gets reacquainted with his home realm of The Dreaming and the colorful characters who populate it including Cain, Abel and Lucien, the librarian. He also discovers how much his absence has affected the universe in the time since he was imprisoned.
The Sandman #3 book cover
#3

The Sandman #3

... Dream a Little Dream of Me

1988

John Constantine (HELLBLAZER) guest-stars and helps Morpheus track a pouch of powerful sand that’s found its way into the possession of a drug addict. But what horrific metamorphosis has the sand caused the woman? First item on the list, his pouch of sand, Dream goes to London where a man named John Constantine resides, the Furies told him that he was the last one to purchase the pouch. So it is that John first encounters Dream of the Endless, and the two work together to locate the pouch, finding it in the possession of one of John's former lovers. She is but a pale shadow of her former self, withered and dying, and her house is overrun with beasts of the Dreaming, but Dream takes the pouch from her, and puts her into a final, peaceful sleep.
The Sandman #4 book cover
#4

The Sandman #4

Hope in Hell

1988

Still tracking his objects of power, Morpheus travels to Hell itself in search of his helmet. It seems it's fallen into the hands of a higher demon, and there's a realm of devils standing between Morpheus and his property...
The Sandman #5 book cover
#5

The Sandman #5

Passengers

1993

Still tracking his objects of power, Morpheus travels to Hell itself in search of his helmet. It seems it’s fallen into the hands of a higher demon, and there’s a realm of devils standing between Morpheus and his property… Doctor Destiny escapes from Arkham Asylum forcing a passing motorist to take him to his ruby - Morpheus' Dreamstone - in a storage locker in the nearby town of Mayhew. Meanwhile Morpheus enlists the help of Scott Free (currently with the Justice League International) in his own search for the gem. Who will get to it first? And after so long is the item too powerful for either of them to wield?
The Sandman #6 book cover
#6

The Sandman #6

24 Hours

1989

Over the course of 24 horrific hours, Dr. Destiny unleashes impossibly dark terror on six unsuspecting people in a small-town diner. Armed with Morpheus’ Dreamstone, Destiny can rearrange time and space and does so to dreadful ends in this eerie, nearly standalone issue. Doctor Destiny, now in possession of Morpheus' Dreamstone uses it to unleash his madness on the world. All thoughts of world conquest go out the window however when he becomes too absorbed with watching TV and playing with a handful of patrons at an all night diner. The story follows his madness hour-by-hour as it progresses over a 24 hour period.
The Sandman #7 book cover
#7

The Sandman #7

Sound and Fury

1989

Morpheus finally faces off with Dr. Destiny for the final piece of the Dream King’s objects of power—the Dreamstone! Warring across the landscape of The Dreaming, the two beings wage psychological war with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance!
The Sandman #8 book cover
#8

The Sandman #8

The Sound of Her Wings

1989

Spend a day with Dream as he catches up with his younger sister, Death, in search of inspiration. When the King of Dreams is depressed, can even a pep talk from Death set him on the right path?
Absolute Death book cover
#8, 20

Absolute Death

2012

From the pages of Newbery Medal winner [Neil Gaiman](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.NeilGaiman"")'s [The Sandman](https://www.goodreads.com/series/40372-the-sandman) comes the young, pale, perky, fan-favorite character Death in a new Absolute Edition collecting her solo adventures! Featuring the miniseries Death: The High Cost of Living_ 1-3, in which Death befriends a teenager and helps a 250-year old homeless woman find her missing heart. The Absolute Death collects the miniseries Death: The High Cost of Living and Death: The Time of Your Life together with "The Sound of Her Wings" and "Façade" from The Sandman 8 and 20, the [P. Craig Russell](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38328.PCraigRussell)\-illustrated "Death and Venice" from [The Sandman: Endless Nights](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47720.TheSandman), and the never-before reprinted stories "A Winter's Tale" and "The Wheel." This deluxe volume also features an introduction by The Dresden Dolls' [Amanda Palmer](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1010543.AmandaPalmer) as well as extensive galleries of Death portraits and retail products, sketches by artist [Chris Bachalo](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12726.ChrisBachalo), and the complete original script by Gaiman for The Sandman_ 8.
The Sandman #9 book cover
#9

The Sandman #9

Tales in the Sand

1989

During Morpheus’s incarceration, three dreams escaped his realm and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker searches for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers…and the world itself.
The Sandman #10 book cover
#10

The Sandman #10

The Doll’s House

1989

The Doll's House, Part 1 of 7. Members of the Sandman's "family" are introduced as old ghosts re-enter the life of the Master of Dreams.
The Sandman #11 book cover
#11

The Sandman #11

Moving In

1989

The search for her brother leads Rose to Florida, where she moves into a house filled with odd residents. Meanwhile, two of the escaped dreams reveal a bizarre connection to Jed, Rose’s brother, while the third dream continues their murder spree—and collects disturbing mementos from their victims.
The Sandman #12 book cover
#12

The Sandman #12

Playing House

1988

The chilling secret behind two of the escaped dreams is revealed, and it’s connected to a pair of lost DCU Super Heroes! Meanwhile, Jed escapes imprisonment, but lands in the hands of the third, murderous escaped dream! Can Rose find him in time to save his life?
The Sandman #13 book cover
#13

The Sandman #13

Men of Good Fortune

1988

In a stand-alone story spanning centuries, Morpheus grants an ordinary man named Hob Gandling a gift allowing him to cheat death. Over the many years, Morpheus revisits Hob to see how a human would deal with unlimited life—for better or worse. But both Hob and Morpheus learn surprising lessons…
The Sandman #14 book cover
#14

The Sandman #14

Collectors

1990

You’re cordially invited to a convention unlike any other. Where murder and chaos are praised and the depraved urges of psychos are openly celebrated. At this convention of serial killers, the only admission is your life. Hopefully accidental attendee Rose Walker can make it out alive.
The Sandman #15 book cover
#15

The Sandman #15

Into the Night

1989

Explore the vibrant dreams of Rose Walker’s peculiar roommates in this mind-bending issue that explains exactly why Rose has been intertwined with the Dream King’s newest adventure.
The Sandman #16 book cover
#16

The Sandman #16

Lost Hearts

1988

Rose faces Morpheus and discovers her delicate place in the cosmos. If she wakes, she could destroy everything. But if she remains in the dream realm, she’ll cease to exist. Don’t miss this dramatic ending to “A Doll’s House.”
The Sandman #17 book cover
#17

The Sandman #17

Calliope

1988

A demented writer purchases a muse named Calliope and keeps her locked up to exploit her idea-generating abilities. Unfortunately for the writer, Calliope also happens to be a close friend of Morpheus. And the Dream King doesn't take kindly to kidnappers...
The Sandman #18 book cover
#18

The Sandman #18

A Dream of a Thousand Cats

1994

Literally visit the realm that cats transcend to when they dream—and learn why you should be worried—in this standalone issue titled “A Dream of a Thousand Cats”!
The Sandman #19 book cover
#19

The Sandman #19

A Midsummer Night's Dream

1990

In this World Fantasy Award-winning standalone story featuring art by Charles Vess, visit a traveling road show of dramatic actors led by William Shakespeare as they unveil a new production called A Midsummer's Night Dream for a very peculiar audience...
The Sandman #20 book cover
#20

The Sandman #20

Façade

1990

The Dream King relinquishes center stage to his sister Death for a standalone issue, as she visits a long-forgotten, cult-favorite DCU character called Element Girl. Check in with the former hero as she deals with the devastating reality of her tragic existence…
The Sandman #21 book cover
#21

The Sandman #21

Season of Mists - A Prologue

1990

In this prologue issue to the acclaimed “Season of Mists” storyline, Destiny learns of drastic changes on the horizon within existence and calls a meeting of his family, the Endless. But the gathering turns ugly, setting the stage for a tumultuous road ahead for the eternal family.
The Sandman #22 book cover
#22

The Sandman #22

Season of Mists Chapter 1

1991

Two years ago, Morpheus embarrassed Lucifer in front of the Morningstar's subjects and he swore vengeance on the Dream King. Now, in chapter 1 of the acclaimed "Season of Mists," Morpheus prepares for his return to Hell... on a mission to free a former lover he vanquished there thousands of years ago.
The Sandman #23 book cover
#23

The Sandman #23

Season of Mists Chapter 2

1991

The last thing Morpheus expects upon his return to Hell is an open gate and a vacant kingdom. And yet, that's exactly what he finds as Lucifer explains he's decided to give up the kingdom of the damned and hands over the keys to the Dream King. But is this a gift—or a curse?
The Sandman #24 book cover
#24

The Sandman #24

Season of Mists Chapter 3

1991

Returning home to his realm of The Dreaming with the Key to Hell in his possession, Morpheus finds himself approached by gods, deities and entities from across the whole of existence, all of whom hope to lay their hands on the former realm of the damned for one purpose or another...
The Sandman #25 book cover
#25

The Sandman #25

Season of Mists Chapter 4

1991

With Hell now closed for business, the dead are rising all over the world, and this stand-alone issue focuses on one boy's lone fight against a boarding school full of evil spirits. Features art by fan-favorite illustrator Matt Wagner (Grendel)!
The Sandman #26 book cover
#26

The Sandman #26

Season of Mists Chapter 5

1988

Morpheus meets with the visitors who have come to claim the key to Hell. Some threaten his existence, some offer trade, and others hope to bribe the Dream King with items and info he's been chasing for untold time. But who can bear the responsibility?
The Sandman #27 book cover
#27

The Sandman #27

Season of Mists Chapter 6

1988

In this penultimate issue of the ''Season of Mist'' storyline, the decision concerning Hell's new ownership falls to an unlikely heir while Morpheus attends to an unruly guest in his realm.
The Sandman #28 book cover
#28

The Sandman #28

Season of Mists Epilogue

1988

The ''Season of Mist'' finale circles back around to what kick-started the acclaimed story in the first place: Morpheus' lost love, whom he vanquished to Hell long ago. As the rest of the players slink back to their roles in the universe, all remain changed—but none more so than Hell's new rulers.
The Sandman #29 book cover
#29

The Sandman #29

Thermidor

1991

Venture back to the French Revolution as Lady Johanna Constantine finds herself embroiled in a plot to smuggle a very odd and valuable item of specific interest to Morpheus—a human head!
The Sandman #30 book cover
#30

The Sandman #30

August

1991

Bryan Talbot provides guest art on this stand-alone story starring a Roman Emperor who heavily disguises himself in order to spend a day, unnoticed, among his people. Through discussion with a servant, the Emperor reveals a stirring connection he shared with Morpheus, the Dream King.
The Sandman #31 book cover
#31

The Sandman #31

Three Septembers and a January

1991

Morpheus, the Dream King, joins his sisters in this stand-alone tale revolving around the quirky life of America's first—and only—emperor.
The Sandman #42 book cover
#42

The Sandman #42

Brief Lives Part 2

1992

"Brief Lives" continues as Delirium of The Endless enlists her brother, The Sandman, in her quest to find their long-lost brother, Destruction. And much to the surprise of Morpheus' servants, their master agrees to walk the waking world in search of their prodigal sibling. "Two: It Always Rains on the Unloved-Wet Dreams-A Fishing Expedition-She Kisses Wyverns (The Disneyland Analogy)-Dinner Etiquette and Chocolate Lovers-Desire Swears by the First Circle-"Things are Changing"-What Can Possibly Go Wrong?" Dream (The Sandman, Morpheus) has been dumped. His girl (unnamed in the story) has left him and he is depressed. He allows his mood to cause a rainstorm in The Dreaming and disturb all his subjects, though he acknowledges to himself he hardly knew the woman. Delirium seeks out Dream and asks him to accompany her on her quest to find Destruction, their lost brother. He agrees because he believes they will be unable to find him and he needs the distraction.
The Sandman #43 book cover
#43

The Sandman #43

Brief Lives Part 3

1988

Dream and his sister, Delirium, are walking the waking world in search of their long-lost brother, Destruction. They've made contacts and arranged transportation—and, thanks to Delirium, they have frogs to spare—but their presence in the waking world is beginning to cause some strange behavior in those they meet. "The People Who Remember Atlantis-Concerning Mammoths, and Falling Walls-Who Controls Transportation?-Bored, She Makes Little Frogs-Truth or Consequences, and Other Places-Ancestral Voices Prophesying-The Dogs of Art-"When I Dream, Sometimes I Remember How" One very old person dies, another narrowly avoids death. Dream and Delirium acquire transportation. They are traveling in the physical world to find their long-departed brother, Destruction, who does not wish to be found. An old friend of Dream's arranges their travel plans.
The Sandman #44 book cover
#44

The Sandman #44

Brief Lives Part 4

1992

"Four: The Other Side of the Sky-A Bear and His Shadow-Departed Secrets-"Twinkle's A Nice Word. So's Viridian."-Three Keys-A Treatise On Optics-The Perils of Smoking In Bed?"" A man becomes a bear to cheat death. Dream and Delirium are tracking down people on Delirium's list of Destruction's friends. The first person on their list is no longer alive, but his son has some very interesting things to show them. They stop off in a motel, where Delirium psychically tracks the next person on the list and Dream thinks back to a meeting with Destruction, while their driver is caught in a fire.
The Sandman #45 book cover
#45

The Sandman #45

Brief Lives Part 5

1988

"Brief Lives" Part 5! Dream and Delirium retrace their brother Destruction's footsteps, taking them to a dance club for a meeting with the Goddess of Love, Ishtar. Plus, readers get to see a different side of Delirium, and Matthew the raven joins the crew in their search. "Five: The Things We Do To Be Loved-Her Hands Do Not Do To the Moon-The Driving Instructor-Tiffany Watches I-White Knights and/or Pond-Scum-Are Dalmations Flowers?-Nancy Displays Her Erudition-Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am-Tiffany Watches II" Ishtar and Tiffany are dancers. Delirium has taken over driving duties after the untimely death of the driver, Ruby. Dream calls in his raven, Matthew, to give driving advice. When they find Ishtar, Dream learns she does not know where his brother is and warns her she may be in danger. Ishtar gives her final performance.
The Sandman #46 book cover
#46

The Sandman #46

Brief Lives Part 6

1988

Dream begs out of Delirium's quest to find their missing brother—which leads to Delirium locking herself up in solitude. However, big sister Death is none to pleased with her brother's actions and confronts him in "Brief Lives" Part 6! "Six: Life Isn't Pleasant, Petrified-The Parting of the Ways-The Trouble with Mortals-Dreamings of Meeting or Meetings of Dreaming?-The Trouble with Gods-Mervyn Sets Him Straight-"Have You Got Anything with A Happy Ending?"-Tempus Frangit" Destruction writes poetry. He still has not been found by his family. Dream leaves Delirium and they both go back to their realms. Dream seeks out Bast, the Egyptian cat goddess, who once claimed to know where to find Destruction; she was lying. Delirium closes off her realm, so Death has Dream go to her. They make-up, and decide to go after Destruction again.
The Sandman #50 book cover
#50

The Sandman #50

Ramadan

1993

P. Craig Russell lushly illustrates this stand-alone issue starring the king of a dazzling version of Baghdad as he encounters Morpheus and makes a deal to preserve his city's regality. But at what cost?
Sandman Midnight Theatre book cover
#77

Sandman Midnight Theatre

1995

A one-shot comic book in which two DC comics characters called the Sandman—Dream and Wesley Dodds—encounter each other.
Sandman Special, Bd.2, Der Gesang Des Orpheus book cover
#Special

Sandman Special, Bd.2, Der Gesang Des Orpheus

1991

Morpheus has done a lot of regrettable things in his existence, but this issue features one of his most remorseful as his son, Orpheus, comes to terms with his place in the Endless family—and his own limits—in a gruesome, standalone parable.

Authors

Mark Buckingham
Mark Buckingham
Author · 5 books

Born as Mark John Buckingham May 23, 1966 in Clevedon, United Kingdom. He initially started working professionally on strips and illustrations for a British satire magazine called The Truth in 1987 where he first worked with Neil Gaiman illustrating some of his articles. His American debut came the following year as inker on DC Comics Hellblazer, taking over as penciller from issue 18. Some of Mark's earliest (non-professional) work appeared in early issues of the Clevedon Youth CND newsletter in the early 1980s (c.1982/83) in which he saterised members of the group in a fun and amusing manner. Copies of these are now very hard to find, although there a few still known to be in exsistance. He is most famous for his work on Marvelman (Miracleman, in the USA), Hellblazer, and Fables, including a story in the original graphic novel 1001 Nights of Snowfall. His Marvel work includes inking Chris Bachalo's pencils on Generation X, Ghost Rider 2099, and penciling Paul Jenkins' run on Peter Parker: Spider-Man. For DC Comics, Buckingham has inked the two Death miniseries and was the original penciller on the Titans series. In the 1990s Mark shared a studio with Beano and Marvel artist Kev F Sutherland, working together on Marvel's Star Trek and Dr Strange. During the Vert-igo Voices: Fables Forum panel at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con, Fables creator and writer Willingham-Bill announced that he and Buckingham will switch roles in an up-coming one-off, for Fables issue #100. Buckingham will write and Willingham-Bill will illustrate.[4] He was married in Gijón, Spain in August 2006 to journalist and TV newscaster Irma Page. His best man was Neil Gaiman.[5] Buckingham currently resides in Spain.

Dave McKean
Dave McKean
Author · 15 books
Dave McKean is a world-renowned artist, designer, and film director who has illustrated several books for children, including The Savage by David Almond, and Coraline, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, and The Wolves in the Wall, all by Neil Gaiman. Dave McKean lives in England.
Sam Kieth
Sam Kieth
Author · 11 books

Kieth first came to prominence in 1984 as the inker of Matt Wagner's Mage, his brushwork adding fluidity and texture to the broad strokes of Wagner's early work at Comico Comics. In 1989, he drew the first five issues of writer Neil Gaiman's celebrated series The Sandman, but felt his style was unsuited to the book (specifically saying that he "felt like Jimi Hendrix in The Beatles") and left, handing over to his former inker Mike Dringenberg. He acted as illustrator on two volumes of writer William Messner-Loebs' Epicurus the Sage and drew an Aliens miniseries for Dark Horse Comics, among other things, before creating The Maxx in 1993 for Image Comics, with, initially, writing help from Messner-Loebs. It ran for 35 issues and was adapted, with Kieth's assistance, into an animated series for MTV. Since then, as a writer-artist, he has gone on to create Friends of Maxx, Zero Girl, Four Women and Ojo. Ojo comprises the first and My Inner Bimbo the second, in a cycle of original comic book limited series published by Oni Press. Loosely connected, the cycle will concern the intertwined lives of people with each other and sometimes with a supernatural entity known as the Mysterious Trout. Kieth has stated that other characters from The Maxx series will appear in this cycle of stories. My Inner Bimbo #1 was published in April 2006. Issue #2 was delayed past its original release date; It was finally resolicited in "Previews" in 2007 and hit the store shelves in November 2007. DC Comics' Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious, a two-issue prestige format mini-series that started in August 2007, was written and drawn by Kieth. This was followed by 2009's two-issue prestige format mini-series Lobo: Highway to Hell, written by Scott Ian and featuring art by Kieth.

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