Neil Gaiman's The Sandman Era (1988-1996) Prior to launching The Sandman, writer Neil Gaiman had done very litte comics work, including Violent Cases in Britain and Black Orchid for DC (both with Dave McKean). Few had any idea what a phenomenon The Sandman would become. Early issues featured John Constantine (from Hellblazer and Swamp Thing), Etrigan (the demon created by Jack Kirby), and the Justice League (particularly Mister Miracle and Martian Manhunter). Though the series is remembered as deliberately having many artists, this was not the original intention; indeed, Sam Kieth quitting effective of the completion of issue #5 seemed a potential devastating blow at the time. Inker Mike Dringenberg took over the pencils, while Malcolm Jones III took over the inks, and the series continued. The first real hit of the series was issue #8, which featured the first appearance of Death. An off-beat issue, DC promoted it and printed an introduction to the series within the issue to make it accessible to new readers. The series was breaking out of its roots in the horror genre. Issue #9 began a theme that would continue throughout the run, that of telling single-issue stories that occured outside of the major story arcs. In the case of the excellent issue #9, Gaiman told the story of Dream's relationship with Nada, a black girl who had been seen in Hell in issue #4. Issue #10 began the second storyline and introduced two more members of the Dream's family, Desire and Despair. Issue #13 told another single-issue story, this one of Dream's centuries-long friendship with Hob Gadling. Issue #14 rejoined the ongoing storyline and was, although the issue was not an anniversary issue, an extra-sized memorable tale of a serial killer convention. Issue #16 concluded the storyline. Around this time, as the series grew in readership issue by issue, Gaiman wanted assurances that his creations would not be manipulated the way others had at DC. Prime in his mind was probably the treatment of Alan Moore, who had left DC in the late 1990s after creating Watchmen and Swamp Thing over a number of tense issues with the company. Moore had been Gaiman's writerly hero and had gotten Gaiman into comics. Moreover, Rick Veith had in 1989 departed Swamp Thing, on which he had succeeded Moore, because his scripted story, in which Swamp Thing met Jesus Christ, was cancelled almost at the last minute by DC. Gaiman had scripted Swamp Thing Annual #5, published shortly after Veitch's departure, in which he began to establish the mythological themes that he intended to infuse into the series when, as was originally planned, Veitch completed his last few issues, in collaboration with Gaiman, opening the way for a new era on Swamp Thing that would have likely seen Gaiman and Jamie Delano (then the writer of Hellblazer) alternate as writer of the series. In response to all of this, as well as the growing success of The Sandman, Gaiman demanded assurances from DC and threatened to walk off the series. In return, DC gave Gaiman control of the characters he had created, assuring (as they had not done with Moore's Watchmen) that other writers would not be given those characters. Indeed, the deal was a recognition of DC's past errors as well as the fact that Gaiman had not so much revived the Sandman, an old DC property, as created a new mythos, albeit one not entirely out of whole cloth. Satisfied, Gaiman remained on the series. The following four issues told four individual stories. Issue #17 told the memorable story of the muse Calliope, captured and used by writers as inspiration. Issue #19 was a tale of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night's Dream, its original staging for Dream and other mythological figures, including the real fairies featured in the play. Issue #20 told a story of Death visiting an extrenuous character from the DC universe, a story that commented upon ancient Egyptian mythology. The Sandman received additional attention when issue #19 won the World Fantasy Award, stunning the audience used to prose works and leading to the rules of the award being rewritten to exclude comic books. The success of The Sandman was greatly aided by a trade paperback that collected issues #8-16, from the popular first Death issue through the second storyline, including the single-issue stories from #9 and #13. Simply titled The Sandman, this collection did not presume that any further collections would be forthcoming. An uneven collection because issues #8, 9, and 13 did not fit the storyline, it nonetheless collected the most crucial and trailbreaking issues at the time and provided a good introduction for many readers. Issue #21 began what stands as one of, if not the most, artistically successful The Sandman storylines: Season of Mists. The first issue featured a gathering of the entire Endless family, outside of the missing Destruction, in a beautifully-rendered tale of family dynamics. Following Death's reproaching of Dream at the end of this issue, Dream prepared, in issue #22, to return to Hell for the express purpose of rescuing Nada (from issues #4 and #9). (This recalled Alan Moore's popular use of Hell in Swamp Thing, in which the protagonist similarly attempted to rescue his girlfriend from Hell, albeit in that case not an ex-girlfriend whom that protagonist had himself condemned.) Issue #23 was an incredibly satisfying issue in which Dream arrived in Hell only to find it abandoned, Lucifer having abdicated; the depiction of Lucifer was wily and the depiction of his demons and the tormented as unable to accept this change in the order was masterful. Following this, the storyline focused on the political machinations of representatives from various mythologies as they appealed to receive the key to Hell, which Lucifer had given to Dream. A single issue, #25, addressed the dead who had returned from Hell, in this case two British schoolboys. In the conclusion, Dream again met Nada and saw her reincarnated. Our protagonist's character was changing, his godly self-righteousness giving way to a more humanitarian perspective (although, as Dream and as sponsor of Shakespeare, he was already a humanist). Issue #28 not only marked the end of Season of Mists but the last issue pencilled by Mike Dringenberg, whose work had been seen more and more sporadically since issue #26. Writer Gaiman and cover artist Dave McKean were now the only remnants of the original creative team, and they would continue until the end of the series. Various artists illustrated issues #29-31, three single-issue stories labelled "Distant Mirrors," though Gaiman ambiguously promised that there was another story that would fall under this rubric. The Sandman really took off with DC's "Sandman month" promotional event. September 1991 saw the publication of The Sandman Special #1 as well as the standard issue, #32, which began a new storyline. Two collections were published during that month, Preludes and Nocturnes and Dream Country, bringing the first twenty issues back into print for the forseeable future. There was a good deal of pure merchandising as well: a slipcase for the trade paperbacks, a poster by Kelley Jones, a T-shirt (with Mike Dringenberg art and the classic tag line "How would you feel about life if Death was you older sister?"), a statue, and a watch. Though Gaiman has praised the storyline that began with #32 ("A Game of You") as one of his favorites, its memorable beginning and conclusion did not sustain the overall narrative. Nonetheless, sales on the title continues to increase. Issues #38-40 consisted of three more short stories, most notably #40, in which Eve, a character in Dream's realm, told the story of Adam and how she was his third wife rather than his first; a cartoony version of the Endless as children was also featured. Issue #40 also represented the premiere of Jill Thompson, who was previously working on Wonder Woman but who would entirely illustrate Brief Lives, the 9-part storyline that began with issue #41. Brief Lives would be the longest storyline to date and would remain the only storyline entirely illustrated by the same creative team; it also featured the first contemporary appearance of Destruction, the missing brother of the Endless. Early during this storyline, Season of Mists was first published in book form -- for the first time in hardcover before a paperback edition. Additionally, Brief Lives would be the storyline that saw the onset of DC's Vertigo imprint, a new line that consolidated DC's "mature readers" titles and began to launch new ones. Vertigo was good for The Sandman. Though the title was the only of the six existing "mature readers" DC titles that saw the onset of Vertigo amidst a storyline, seen as unlikely to attract new readers, the Vertigo umbrella provided an opportunity for additional Sandman-related projects. After all, The Sandman was now the head book for the imprint, which had its own identity; The Sandman was not a relatively small fish in the big pond of the DC Universe, but rather a relatively big fish in the small pond of the Vertigo line. The Sandman's relationship to Vertigo saw a short story by Gaiman provide the narrative content for Vertigo Preview, which promoted the new line, and a fairly undramatic and highly successful three-issue mini-series featuring Death, Death: The High Cost of Living, which saw high-profile publication during Vertigo's original three months. The extra-sized The Sandman #50 hit the following month, containing the final "Distant Mirrors" story -- a self-contained and accessable one that garnered sales as well as critical acclaim. News that Gaiman was planning to conclude The Sandman began to proliferate around this time. He had apparently always planned an ending to his work on the title, and DC, in accordance with their promises to Gaiman, pledged to end the series with Gaiman's departure. The Sandman #51-56 saw another run of short stories, but this one had a twist: a framing device that took over for the final issue of the storyline. In this way, it was intended, readers might get the best of both worlds. Issue #54 contained a story about the Prez, an old and forgotten DC character who had been a teenage U.S. President; Gaiman turned the story into a commentary on changing U.S. social and political attitudes since the 1960s. Few have pointed out, however, that the "reality storm" that provided the impetus for the storyline also had a connection to the DC universe -- in which, after all, The Sandman was set despite its publication by the Vertigo imprint. This storyline took place at the same time as DC's much-promoted crossover entitled Zero Hour, a story that saw time collapse and alternate timelines merge (much like DC's earlier Crisis on Infinite Earths). More importantly for the story of Dream, however, was that the final issue featured a vision of Dream's funeral, the apparent foretelling of his death undercut by the very "reality storm" that offered the story's impetus. The final major storyline of The Sandman began with issue #56. It continued, with delays in publication that further expanded the already long storyline, for some thirteen issues, concluding in issue #69 -- the first issue to feature improved paper stock and a higher cover price. The storyline featured the Kindly Ones -- from Greek mythology (particularly Aeschylus's Eumenides) -- hunting Dream for his mercy killing of his son, Orpheus, in the conclusion of Brief Lives. The story also featured Lucifer, who had promised to destroy Dream at the end of issue #4, although he was now the owner and piano player at a nightclub. Moreover, Desire had contested with Dream before (see issue #31) and seemed bent on destroying Dream. Though all characters were featured, the storyline seemed anti-climactic as, in issue #69, Dream, his kingdom ravaged by the Kindly Ones, asks Death to take him rather than confronting the Kindly Ones. And so Dream died, his killers left ambiguous. What was really at issue, however, was that "you don't have to stay anwhere forever," as displayed by Lucifer's abdication. Defined by a sense of duty, Dream had not understood why Destruction could have abandoned his kingdom. Dream was, of course, an allegory -- albeit one given real character. Having learned through his friendship with Hob Gadling, through his change of mind about Nada, through his relationship with (the bitchy witch) Thessaly after A Game of You and before Brief Lives, and (perhaps ultimately) through his long imprisonment in issue #1, Dream could not bring himself to forsake his duties as Destruction or Lucifer had done. If his kingdom was under seige, it hardly mattered if he had chosen to follow Destruction's path. But Dream could not find it in himself to be a nightclub piano player, enjoying the subtle ironies his patrons could not perceive, or a painter as Destruction had been. And so Dream took the course of duty and had Death take him, leaving his kingdom to be restored by his successor. The last six issues featured the three-part storyline The Wake and an epilogue, followed by two single-issue stories. Published in early 1996, the final issue, #75, was extra-sized and acted as a sequel to #19's tale of Shakespeare. Entitled "The Tempest," the tale showed Shakespeare at home in Stratford after having achieved success as a playwright and poet in a thoughtful tale on the artistic compromises and human motivations present in both masterpieces and their creators. The Sandman was done. Except that it wasn't. All of the storylines had been collected, or soon would be, in trade paperback editions. All collections after Season of Mists had first been published in hardcover form, and DC went back and published hardcover editions of the first three trade paperbacks as well. But the series's real legacy, however, was the continuing high sales of the trade paperbacks, so high that McKean produced new covers for the volumes of The Sandman (though not the two Death mini-series) that featured a uniform trade dress, volumes printed in both hardcover and softcover editions that sold in Barnes and Noble and other major bookstores, allowing Gaiman's work to penetrate the academy. The Sandman would continue in narrative as well, mostly written by those other than Gaiman, although Gaiman's deal with DC would mean that it would do so, with rare exception, through tales of characters Gaiman hadn't created or that were ancilliary characters of Gaiman's. Indeed, spin-offs had begun considerably before the end of the series. In the first year of Vertigo (1993), a spin-off series of sorts had been launched: Sandman Mystery Theatre, which took place entirely in the late 1930s and featured the Golden Age Sandman. Gaiman co-wrote with Matt Wagner a special, entitled Sandman Midnight Theatre, that featured this Sandman in his continuity encountering Gaiman's Dream, then imprisoned during issue #1. Late 1993 saw Vertigo launch a story entitled The Children's Crusade that ran through their annuals for that year and that began and ended with an extra-sized special with the story's title, the first volume of which was written entirely by Gaiman and featured the dead boys from issue #25. The event was designed to launch an ongoing series entitled The Books of Magic that would continue Gaiman's mini-series of the same name, and that ongoing series would feature a few appearances by Death. 1994 saw the incredibly sexist though well-crafted three-part mini-series entitled Witchcraft, written by James Robinson and featuring the three witches seen in The Sandman. 1995 saw Vertigo Visions: Prez #1, an extra-sized special telling a disappointing story of the Prez, who Gaiman had reintroduced in issue #54. Upon The Sandman's conclusion, Gaiman immediately began a second Death mini-series, Death: The High Cost of Living, though this mini-series was plagued with problems, including delays, the departure of the artist, and the shortening of the series from four to three issues and the truncating of the final issue as a result (a problem fixed in the collected edition). But The Sandman's continuing narrative legacy was secured through a new series, The Dreaming, featuring various writers and artists. Moreover, Gaiman promised to return for various projects, a promise he would indeed fulfill. The spin-offs would continue, morphing along the way, eventually eclipsing Gaiman's output in volume but never in quality.

IMAGE	TITLE	DESCRIPTION	STATUS
1. More than Rubies
A Death Gallery, Death: The High Cost of Living, Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3, Death: The Time of Your Life, Death: The Time of Your Life #1-3, The Endless Gallery, The Sandman (second series) #1-75, The Sandman: A Gallery of Dreams, The Sandman: A Game of You, The Sandman: Brief Lives, The Sandman: Dream Country, The Sandman: Fables and Reflections, The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes, The Sandman: Season of Mists, The Sandman Special #1, The Sandman: The Doll's House, The Sandman: The Kindly Ones, The Sandman: The Wake, The Sandman: Worlds' End: Dave McKean cover
The Children's Crusade #1, Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3, Death: The Time of Your Life #1-3, The Sandman (second series) #1-75, The Sandman Special #1, the 8-page Sandman short story from Vertigo Jam #1, Vertigo Preview: Neil Gaiman script
The Sandman (second series) #1-5: Sam Kieth pencils
The Sandman (second series) #1-5: Mike Dringenberg inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #1	"Sleep of the Just"; 40 pages; Wesley Dodds appears in cameo; cover-dated January 1989	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #1	reprints The Sandman (second series) #1; cover-dated August 1996, two months after The Dreaming #1	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #2	"Imperfect Hosts"; the escaped Dream meets Cain and Abel	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #2	reprints The Sandman (second series) #2	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #3	"Dream a Little Dream of Me"; features John Constantine (from Hellblazer)	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #3	reprints The Sandman (second series) #3	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #4	"A Hope in Hell"; Dream visits Hell; Lucifer is introduced; features Etrigan (the Demon), as well as Agony and Ecstasy	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #4	reprints The Sandman (second series) #4	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #5	"Passengers"; Doctor Destiny escapes; features Mister Miracle and Martian Manhunter (of the Justice League)	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #5	reprints The Sandman (second series) #5	0
The Sandman (second series) #6-11, 14-16, 21, 28: Mike Dringenberg pencils
The Sandman (second series) #6-12, 14-18, 20-23: Malcolm Jones III inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #6	the classic, very good "24 Hours" (in which Gaiman is still writing The Sandman as a horror title)	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #6	reprints The Sandman (second series) #6	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #7	"Sound and Fury"; Dream defeats Doctor Destiny	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #7	reprints The Sandman (second series) #7	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #8	the classic "The Sound of Her Wings"; Dream simply talks to Death, who first appears here; has an editorial by Jenette Kahn on the inside front cover	0
	The Sandman (second series) #8 [limited edition]	has an editorial by Karen Berger on the inside front cover	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #8	reprints The Sandman (second series) #8	0
Larger Version Available From the interior of Sandman #8
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes [original softcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #1-8; F. Paul Wilson introduction; Neil Gaiman afterword; softcover; does not feature the collected Sandman trade dress; the first printing was published during the month cover-dated November 1991	1
	The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes [original hardcover]	hardcover; does not feature the collected Sandman trade dress; published after the original softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
2. The Doll's House
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #9	the classic "Tales in the Sand", telling of Dream's relationship with Nada	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #9	reprints The Sandman (second series) #9	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #10	"The Doll's House"; Desire and Despair are introduced	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #10	reprints The Sandman (second series) #10	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #11	"Moving In"	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #11	reprints The Sandman (second series) #11	0
The Children's Crusade #1, Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3, Death: The Time of Your Life 1-2, The Sandman (second series) #12: Chris Bachalo pencils
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #12	"Playing House"	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #12	reprints The Sandman (second series) #12	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #13	"Men of Good Fortune", a story spanning centuries and introducing Hob Gadling; features Will Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe; Michael Zulli pencils; Steve Parkhouse inks	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #13	reprints The Sandman (second series) #13	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #14	the classic 38-page "Collectors", featuring a serial killer convention (referenced in Hellblazer #28)	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #14	reprints The Sandman (second series) #14	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #15	"Into the Night"	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #15	reprints The Sandman (second series) #15	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #16	"Lost Hearts"; Desire attempts to get Dream to kill Rose Walker and thus shed family blood, which Dream implies is dangerous	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #16	reprints The Sandman (second series) #16	0
	The Sandman: The Doll's House [original softcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #8-16; the first trade paperback, officially simply titled The Sandman; #8 was included despite it being the conclusion to the previous storyline because there was no promise of a subsequent trade paperback and because the much-loved #8 would help to push the series; features a summary by Neil Gaiman of the previous issues not included here; softcover; has as its cover the mosaac-style painting by Dave Mcean that was included as an insert to The Sandman (second series) #75	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Doll's House [revised softcover]	still collects The Sandman (second series) #8-16?; has a different McKean cover; softcover	0
	The Sandman: The Doll's House [original hardcover]	still collects The Sandman (second series) #8-16?; hardcover; published after publication of the original softcover edition	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Doll's House [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: The Doll's House [first uniform softcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #9-16; Clive Barker introduction; softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Doll's House [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: The Doll's House [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
3. Dream Country
The Sandman (second series) #17-20: "Dream Country" stories
The Sandman (second series) #17-18, 22-24, 26-27: Kelley Jones pencils
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #17	"Calliope"	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #17	reprints The Sandman (second series) #17	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #18	"A Dream of a Thousand Cats"	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #18	reprints The Sandman (second series) #18	0
The Sandman (second series) #19, 75: Charles Vess art
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #19	"A Midsummer Night's Dream"; won the World Fantasy Award	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #19	reprints The Sandman (second series) #19	0
The Sandman (second series) #20, 34: Colleen Doran pencils
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #20	"Facade"; a Death solo story featuring her talk with (and taking of) Element Girl	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #20	reprints The Sandman (second series) #20	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Dream Country [original softcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #17-20 with Neil Gaiman's script for #17, introduced by Gaiman; Steve Erickson introduction; softcover; the first printing was published during the month cover-dated November 1991	1
	The Sandman: Dream Country [original hardcover]	hardcover; published after the original softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Dream Country [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Dream Country [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: Dream Country [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Dream Country [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
4. Season of Mists
The Sandman (second series) #21-28: "Season of Mists" storyline
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #21	the Endless gather in this fantastic issue; cover-dated December 1990	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #21	reprints The Sandman (second series) #21	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #22	Dream prepares to travel to Hell, visiting, among others, Daniel, the future second Dream	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #22	reprints The Sandman (second series) #22	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #23	Lucifer abdicates in this fantastic issue	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #23	reprints The Sandman (second series) #23	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #24	P. Craig Russell inks	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #24	reprints The Sandman (second series) #24	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #25	introduces the Dead Boy Detectives; Matt Wagner pencils	0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #25	reprints The Sandman (second series) #25	0
The Sandman (second series) #26, 28: George Pratt inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #26		0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #26	reprints The Sandman (second series) #26	0
The Sandman (second series) #27, 29: Dick Giordano inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #27		0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #27	reprints The Sandman (second series) #27	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #28		0
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #28	reprints The Sandman (second series) #28	0
	The Sandman: Season of Mists [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #21-28; introduction by Harlan Ellison; has a great cover, simply the key to Hell inscribed on a black hardcover; hardcover; the first collection issued in hardcover prior to the softcover, with the softcover following within a month (unlike subsequent collections, which delayed the hardcover's release)	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Season of Mists [original softcover]	softcover; fairly striking (and evocative of Hell) cover that prominently displays a more intricate version of the key to Hell that is used in the story	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Season of Mists [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Season of Mists [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: Season of Mists [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Season of Mists [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
5. Distant Mirrors
The Sandman (second series) #29-31, 50: "Distant Mirrors" stories
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #29	"Thermidor", a tale of a Constantine and the head of Orpheus in the French Revolution; Stan Woch pencils; cover-dated August 1991	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #29	reprints The Sandman (second series) #29	0
The Sandman (second series) #30, some of 36, the framing sequence of 51-55; The Sandman Special #1: Bryan Talbot pencils
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #30	"August", a tale of Emporor Augustus; Stan Woch inks	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #30	reprints The Sandman (second series) #30	0
The Sandman (second series) #31-33, 35, some of 36, 37: Shawn McManus art
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #31	"Three Septembers and a January", a tale of the American emperor; has Desire vow to "make him [Dream] spill family blood ... [and] bring the Kindly Ones down on his blasted head"; cover-dated October 1991	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #31	reprints The Sandman (second series) #31	0
the framing sequence of The Sandman (second series) 51-55, Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3, Death: The Time of Your Life 1-2, The Sandman Special #1: Mark Buckingham inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman Special #1	contains the 48-page "The Song of Orpheus"; contains a gallery of pin-ups by Tom Canty, Dave McKean, Barry Windsor-Smith, Craig Russell, Duncan Fegredo, Simon Bisley, Kent Williams, Sergio Aragones; published as part of "Sandman month"; has a glow-in-the-dark cover; cover-dated November 1991	1
	Essential Vertigo: The Sandman #32	reprints The Sandman Special #1; final issue; cover-dated March 1999	0
6. A Game of You
The Sandman (second series) #32-37: "A Game of You" storyline
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #32	cover-dated November 1991	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #33		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #34	inks by George Pratt and Dick Giordano	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #35	cover-dated February 1992	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #36	the 39-page fifth chapter; some art by Shawn McManus, other pages by Bryan Talbot and Stan Woch; cover-dated April 1992	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #37	a nice conclusion to a disappointing storyline; cover-dated May 1992	1
	The Sandman: A Game of You [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #32-37; introduction by Samuel R. Delany; hardcover; published prior to the original softcover	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: A Game of You [original softcover]	softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: A Game of You [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: A Game of You [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: A Game of You [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: A Game of You [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
7. Convergence
The Sandman (second series) #38-40: "Convergence" stories
The Sandman (second series) #38, 40-49: Vince Locke inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #38	"The Hunt", a tale from Russia; Duncan Eagleson pencils; cover-dated June 1992	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #39	"Soft Places"; John Watkiss art	1
The Sandman (second series) #40-49: Jill Thompson pencils
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #40	"The Parliament of Rooks"; cover-dated August 1992	1
8. Brief Lives
The Sandman (second series) #41-49: "Brief Lives" storyline
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #41	cover-dated September 1992	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #42		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #43		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #44		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #45	has a particularly beautiful cover	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #46	includes "Death Talks about Life" (written by Neil Gaiman with art by Dave McKean) as a special added section	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #47	the first Vertigo issue; cover-dated March 1993	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #48		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #49	cover-dated May 1993	1
	The Sandman: Brief Lives [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #41-49; introduction by Peter Straub; hardcover; published prior to the original softcover edition	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Brief Lives [original softcover]	softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Brief Lives [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Brief Lives [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: Brief Lives [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Brief Lives [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
9. Getting Vertigo
Larger Version Available	Vertigo Preview	includes the 7-page "Fear of Falling" with Kent Williams art; published in 1992, just prior to the launch of the Vertigo imprint	1
Larger Version Available	Death: The High Cost of Living #1	cover-dated March 1993	3
Larger Version Available From the interior of Death: The High Cost of Living #1
Larger Version Available	Death: The High Cost of Living #2		1
Larger Version Available	Death: The High Cost of Living #3	cover-dated May 1993	2
	Death: The High Cost of Living [hardcover]	collects Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3 plus "Death Talks About Life" (from The Sandman [second series] #46 and Hellblazer #62); genuinely poor Tori Amos introduction; hardcover; published in 1994 prior to the original softcover edition	0
Larger Version Available	Death: The High Cost of Living [softcover]	softcover; cover-dated June 1994 [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	1
wraparound not shown Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #50	"Ramadan", a 32-page story with P. Craig Russell art; contains a gallery of pin-ups by Dave McKean, John Totleben, Jim Karla Schwarz, Scott McCloud, Todd McFarlane (ironicly, given his later disputes with Gaiman over Angela, Medieval Spawn, and Miracleman), Michael Zulli, Michael Kaluta, and the team of Craig Hamilton and Tony Harris; wraparound cover; sold over 250,000 copies, more than any issue in the series; cover-dated June 1993	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #50 [platinum edition]	rare alternate edition	1
	The Sandman: Fables and Reflections [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #29-31, 38-40, 50, plus The Sandman Special #1 (without the pin-ups) and an expanded version of the story from Vertigo Preview, in a different order; Gene Wolfe introduction; hardcover; published prior to the original softcover	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Fables and Reflections [original softcover]	softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Fables and Reflections [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Fables and Reflections [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Fables and Reflections [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Fables and Reflections [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
10. Worlds' End
the 8-page short The Sandman story, with Kevin Nowlan art, from Vertigo Jam #1 (which most prominently featured a Hellblazer story), which carried an August 1993 cover date, occurs (or probably should be read) here
The Sandman (second series) #51-56: "Worlds' End" storyline
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #51	contains an inset 14-page story illustrated by Alec Stevens; cover-dated July 1993	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #52	contains an inset 22-page story illustrated by John Watkiss	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #53	contains an inset 22-page story about Hob Gadling and other immortals, illustrated with Michael Zulli pencils and Dick Giordano inks	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #54	contains an inset 21.5-page story about the Prez, illustrated by Michael Allred	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #55	contains an inset 21-page story, illustrated with Shea Anton Pensa pencils and Vince Locke inks	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #56	contains an inset 10-page visionary sequence, with Gary Amaro pencils and Tony Harris inks, within the main story, which features pencils by Bryan Talbot and inks by Dick Giordano (8 pages), Mark Buckingham (3 pages), Steve Leialoha (2 pages), and Bryan Talbot (1 page); cover-dated December 1993	1
	The Sandman: Worlds' End [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #51-56; introduction by Stephen King; hardcover; published prior to the original softcover	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Worlds' End [original softcover]	softcover	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Worlds' End [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Worlds' End [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: Worlds' End [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: Worlds' End [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
11. The Children's Crusade
	The Children's Crusade #1	begins Vertigo's The Children's Crusade crossover, running through Black Orchid Annual #1, Animal Man Annual #1, Swamp Thing Annual #7, Doom Patrol Annual #2, and Arcana Annual #1 before concluding in The Children's Crusade #2; follows Rowland and Pain, the Dead Boy Detectives (from The Sandman [second series] #25); introduces Free Country; no inks known; 56 pages; cover-dated December 1993	0
12. Witchcraft
Witchcraft #1-3: James Robinson script; Teddy Kristiansen framing art; interlocking Michael Kaluta covers
	Witchcraft #1	"Maiden"; 42 pages of story, including 35 pages of Peter Snejbjerg art; cover-dated June 1994	1
	Witchcraft #2	"Mother"; 41 pages of story, including 37 pages of Michael Zulli art	1
	Witchcraft #3	"Crone"; 42 pages of story, including 36.5 pages of Steve Yeowell art; cover-dated August 1994	1
Larger Version Available	Witchcraft	collects Witchcraft #1-3; published in 1996 [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
13. The Kindly Ones
The Sandman (second series) #57-69: "The Kindly Ones" storyline, with many beautiful panels and points in the story
The Sandman (second series) #57-61, 63, 65-69: Marc Hempel pencils
The Sandman (second series) #57, 63, 69: Marc Hempel inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #57	cover-dated February 1994	1
The Sandman (second series) #58-60: D'Israeli inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #58		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #59	cover-dated April 1994	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #60	cover-dated June 1994	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #61	inks by Marc Hempel and D'Israeli	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #62	art by Glyn Dillon, Charles Vess, Dean Ormston, and D'Israeli	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #63	cover-dated September 1994	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #64	Teddy Kristiansen art; has the word "fuck" in it for the first time in the series ("fuck" had been in previous scripts and had been cut); cover-dated November 1994	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #65	features Richard Case inks except for one page entirely by Marc Hempel	1
The Sandman (second series) #66-68: Richard Case inks
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #66		1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #67	cover-dated February 1995	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #68	cover-dated May 1995	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #69	Sandman commits suicide by having Death take him; the first issue to feature much glossier paper and a 27% price hike; cover-dated July 1995	1
	The Sandman: The Kindly Ones [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #57-69 as well as the short Sandman story from Vertigo Jam #1; introduction by Frank McConnell; hardcover; published in the month cover-dated March 1996, prior to the original softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Kindly Ones [original softcover]	softcover	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Kindly Ones [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: The Kindly Ones [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: The Kindly Ones [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: The Kindly Ones [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
14. The Wake and Other Stories
The Sandman (second series) #70-73: "The Wake" storyline; beautiful Michael Zulli art
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #70	cover-dated August 1995	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #71	cover-dated September 1995	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #72	cover-dated November 1995	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #73	focuses on Hob Gadling; cover-dated December 1995	1
	Vertigo Visions: Prez #1	a disappointing 56-page story of Prez (from The Sandman #54), written by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Eric Shanower; cover-dated September 1995	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #74	"Exiles", a sequel to "Soft Places" (from #39); Jon J. Muth art with minimal color; cover-dated January 1996	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman (second series) #75	"The Tempest", a sequel to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (The Sandman [second series] #19) and a clever "final" statement on Gaiman's experience writing The Sandman; contains an inserted poster of Dave McKean's cover to the original Sandman collection, with a timeline of the series on the opposite side, and and an afterword by Gaiman; cover-dated March 1996	1
	The Sandman: The Wake [original hardcover]	collects The Sandman (second series) #70-75; introduction by Mikal Gilmore; hardcover; published before the original softcover	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Wake [original softcover]	softcover; published in the month cover-dated August 1997	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: The Wake [first uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the first collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as first uniform hardcover	The Sandman: The Wake [first uniform softcover]	softcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
	The Sandman: The Wake [second uniform hardcover]	hardcover; features the second collected Sandman trade dress	0
same as second uniform hardcover	The Sandman: The Wake [second uniform softcover]	softcover	0
15. The Time of Your Life
Larger Version Available	Death: The Time of Your Life #1	cover-dated April 1996	0
Larger Version Available	Death: The Time of Your Life #2	cover-dated May 1996	0
Larger Version Available	Death: The Time of Your Life #3	originally solicited as a four issues, this mini-series was shortened during its production, resulting in a somewhat truncated story, combined with the change of artists; cover-dated July 1996	0
	Death: The Time of Your Life [hardcover]	collects Death: The Time of Your Life #1-3 in slightly expanded form (3 pages), plus a few pin-ups from A Death Gallery; trite Claire Danes introduction; hardcover; cover-dated May 1997	1
preview copy Larger Version Available	Death: The Time of Your Life [softcover]	softcover; cover-dated November 1997 [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
Galleries
Larger Version Available	A Death Gallery	contains a letter and a note with an early cover sketch from Neil Gaiman; features pin-ups by Arthur Adams, Michael Allred, Chris Bachalo, Clive Barker, Brian Bolland, Mark Buckingham, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Colleen Doran, Dave Gibbons, Marc Hempel, Adam Hughes, Michael Kaluta, Vince Locke, Dave McKean, Jon J. Muth, Kevin Nowlan, George Pratt, Brandon Peterson, Joe Phillips, Joe Quesada & P. Craig Russell, Jill Karla Schawarz, Alison Seiffer, Jeff Smith, Bryan Talbot, Jill Thompson, Charles Vess, Reed Waller, Kent Williams, Gahan Wilson, and Michael Zulli; wraparound cover; cover-dated 1994	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: A Gallery of Dreams	contains a letter and early sketches by Neil Gaiman; features pin-ups by Matt Wagner, Barron Storey, George Prayy, Terry Moore & Teri S. Wood, Brian Bolland, Shane Oakley, Paul Lee, Craig Hamilton, Eddie Campbell, Rick Berry, Michael Zulli, Geof Darrow, Simon Bisley, Jamie Hewlett, Mark Chiarello, Alex Ross (who actually illustrates the Golden Age Sandman spying the modern one in his glass prison), Bill Koeb, Mike Mignola, Malcolm Jones III, Kelley Jones, Jon J. Muth, Jeff Smith, Tony Harris, Colleen Doran, Gahan Wilson, Alison Seiffer, Tom Taggart, Jill Karla Schwarz, Greg Spalenka, Moebius, and Charles Vess; wraparound cover; cover-dated 1994	1
Larger Version Available	The Endless Gallery	contains an introduction on the invention of the Endless by Neil Gaiman; features Endless family pin-ups by Michael Allred, Christian Alamy, Al Davison (two pages wide), Michael T. Gilbert, Shary Flenniken, Linda Medley, and Jill Thompson; features Death pin-ups by Greg Capullo and Peter Kuper; features Delirium pin-ups by Richard Case, Terry Moore, and Sherilyn Van Valkenburgh; features Desire pin-ups by Thom Ang, Howard Chaykin, Rick Berry, and Greg Spalenka; features Despair pin-ups by Bonnie To, Jill Karla Schwarz, and Kent Williams; features Destiny pin-ups by John Totleben and George Pratt; features a Destruction pin-up by Linda Medley; features a pin-up of Death, Delirium, Despair, and Dream by Alison Seiffer; features pin-ups of Death and Dream by Mark Chiarello and Rebecca Guay; features a pin-up of Delirium and Dream by Tom Taggart; features a pin-up of Delirium and Desire by Gavin Wilson; features a pin-up of Desire and Despair by Ted McKeever; features a pin-up of Death and Destiny by Paul Lee; features a pin-up of Destiny and Desire by Bill Sienkiewicz; wraparound cover; cover-dated 1995	1
About Gaiman's The Sandman
	The Sandman: Dust Covers -- The Collected Sandman Covers [hardcover]	collects, sometimes in altered form, the covers for The Sandman (second series) #1-75, along with commentary by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean; slightly larger than comic book format; hardcover; published prior to the softcover edition	0
Larger Version Available	The Sandman: Dust Covers -- The Collected Sandman Covers [softcover]	softcover; corresponds to the first collected Sandman trade dress [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	1
Larger Version Available	The Sandman Companion [hardcover]	a non-fiction guide to the series, written by Hy Bender; hardcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	1
same as hardcover	The Sandman Companion [softcover]	softcover; published after the hardcover [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0
Larger Version Available	The Quotable Sandman	subtitled "Memorable Lines from the Acclaimed Series"; small-sized hardcover; 96 pages; cover-dated June 2001 [REVIEW AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK]	0

On The Continuity Pages: The Sandman Click here to return to the main Sandman page. Vertigo Chronology This large, hyperlinked table covers the publications of DC's Vertigo imprint, organized by cover-date and by type. The Continuity Pages: Swamp Thing The continuity page for Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, and Black Orchid. Not only did Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing revision Cain and Abel, in turn providing the material for Gaiman's revisioning of the Sandman, but Gaiman's Swamp Thing Annual, his Hellblazer issue, and his groundbreaking Black Orchid series (illustrated by The Sandman cover artist Dave McKean) -- as well as the original story in Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days -- fall under the greater Swamp Thing umbrella. In fact, as discussed on the Swamp Thing Continuity Page, Gaiman was slated to co-write Swamp Thing before the politics of that title caused him to withdraw. The Continuity Pages: Neil Gaiman Miscellany The continuity page for Neil Gaiman's miscellaneous projects, including links relevant to Gaiman. Neil Gaiman Chronology An annotated, hyperlinked chronology of Neil Gaiman's work.	Off-Site Please be aware that the continued quality, and even existence, of these sites cannot be guaranteed. None at present.
PersianCaesar The website of author Julian Darius, creator of The Continuity Pages.
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