By Neil Gaiman

Illustrators: Kelley Jones, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, Matt Wagner, Dick Giordano, George Pratt, P. Craig Russell, illustrators; Todd Klein, letterer; Steve Oliff, Daniel Vozzo, colorists; Dave McKean, covers

Place: Publisher & Year: New York: DC Comics, 1992, 1994

Genres: Fantasy, dark fantasy, contemporary fantasy, urban fantasy, mythic fiction, adventure, horror

Format: Graphic novel

Series: The Sandman series; 4

ISBN: 9781563890413

Intended audience: Adult

Number of pages: 224

Settings: The Heart of Dreaming, Hell, and other various locations

Time period: contemporary to when written (1990)

Plot summary: The story begins when Dream’s brother, Destiny, receives a visit from the Grey Ladies, which prompts him to call a family meeting.  Once the family has gathered, events occur which cause Dream to reconsider his treatment to his former love, Nada.  He realizes that he has done her wrong and must travel to Hell to try and make things right.  He is not anxious to make the trip based upon his last visit there, but resigns himself to go.  Instead of  meeting conflict upon his entrance to Hell, however, Morpheus finds something entirely unexpected.

Appeal factors:

Pacing: Fast paced; filled with surprises which keeps the pages turning.

Characterization: Told in both first and third person with Morpheus’ dialog and thoughts shown in black.  The reader learns more of Dream’s family through this story and is introduced to various immortal figures which may reappear in further stories.

Frame: Dark and disturbing environments are intensified by both vibrant and sickly color schemes.

Story Line: A serious story about responsibility and the turmoils of love and devotion.

Subject headings:

From PCPL:
Horror comic books, strips, etc.
Graphic novels.
Fantasy comic books, strips, etc.
Dreams — Comic books, strips, etc.
Hell — Fiction
Devil — Fiction

Similar authors:

From NoveList:
Robin Mckinley; Terry Pratchett; Christopher Moore; Stephen King; Kurt Vonnegut; Charles De Lint; Alan Moore

I would also add: Clive Barker

Personal notes: [Annotated 1/15/2009]

Other notes: introduced by Harlan Ellison

Originally published in single magazine form as The Sandman 21-28 in 1990, 1991.