You begin to see all of Gaiman’s influences from the numerous mythologies to philosophies to literature and, more importantly, to the DCU. It is almost as if this first “arc,” if it is appropriate to call it that, is a set of eight different one-shots. Every issue shifts tonally, mythologically, and narratively. The first thing I realized about these first eight issues is that there is A LOT that goes on here. This book also includes the story “The Sound of Her Wings,” which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman. After his seventy-year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision. NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling.

Inked by Mike Dringenberg (#1-4) and Malcolm Jones III (#5-8) Penciled by Sam Kieth (#1-5) and Mike Dringenberg (#6-8)

The sandman preludes & nocturnes