How Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’ Changed Comics Forever

If you’re a fan of the fantasy genre, comic books, and Netflix, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Neil Gaiman’s iconic series, The Sandman. Since its first publication in 1989, The Sandman has captivated generations of audiences and changed the course of graphic novels – and fantasy fiction – forever. 

The character known as the Sandman has been owned by DC Comics since the 1930s. In 1989, under DC’s Vertigo Imprint, Neil Gaiman published an original series that ran until 1996 with a total of 75 issues. More recently, in 2015, Gaiman published a miniseries called The Sandman: Overture which is a prequel to the original series. The Sandman centers around Morpheus, also known as Dream. He is the lord of dreams and stories, the master of the Dreaming, and one of the seven Endless along with Destiny, Death, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. 

Gaiman blends mythology, folklore, and literature to sculpt his narrative, drawing inspiration from sources that include the Bible, Shakespeare, and Greek philosophers. Much like his other works, which include Coraline, American Gods, and Good Omens (co-authored with the late great Sir Terry Pratchett), The Sandman pulls readers out of their comfort zones and down dark, twisted paths. Dream’s universe is rich and layered, pushing the boundaries between the known and unknown, the seen and unseen. Gaiman brings his characteristic humor, intelligence, and style to a series that, 35 years later, is still one of the best comic book series of all time.

The Sandman was ground-breaking from the very beginning. Instead of superheroes, Gaiman chose gods and demigods and stories with unhappy endings. The themes are adult and blur the line between fantasy and horror. It’s not always clear who is good or evil, right or wrong. Gaiman has challenged the constraints put on comics and opened the doors for other writers to explore a broader range of genres and themes through the medium. The stories that make up The Sandman are meandering and unhurried. We move back and forth through time and glimpse snapshots of life, death, dreams, wars, rivalries, ambitions, follies, and betrayals. Morpheus is the common thread, unaging and unconstrained by time or space. Throughout the series, Gaiman explores different countries, centuries, and realms of existence, from Earth to the Dreaming to Hell, giving voice to villains, heroes, gods, and ordinary people.

Gaiman has never been afraid to step from fantasy into horror and his Sandman series is no different. Far from shying away from the horrors natural and supernatural beings are capable of, The Sandman draws readers in and leads them through the darkest parts of life, death, and everything in between. Neil Gaiman’s humor is blacker than Morpheus’ hair and there are moments when you’ll regret reading it late into the night. It’s a testament to the quality and strength of Gaiman’s writing that his characters and stories linger far beyond the page. 

The artwork of The Sandman is as dynamic and varied as the plot arcs and characters. The series has been illustrated by many visionary artists, including Sam Keith, Charles Vess, Colleen Doran, and Chris Bachalo. Issue #19, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, illustrated by Charles Vess, became the first comic book to win the World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction in 1991. Each artist brings their own distinctive style and unique portrayal of the series’ many characters. Their surreal, vibrant, and confronting illustrations perfectly complement Gaiman’s dark and unpredictable narratives.

Over the years, the comic series has been compiled into trade paperbacks, omnibus volumes, and a variety of special editions. Amazon offers a complete box set of the series in paperback, including The Sandman: Overture miniseries and The Dream Hunters novella. There is also an audiobook of The Sandman (available on Audible) with a truly incredible cast, including James McAvoy as Morpheus, Michael Sheen as Lucifer Morningstar, Kat Dennings as Death, and Neil Gaiman himself as the narrator. In 2022, Netflix released The Sandman TV series to widespread acclaim by fans and critics. Season 2 is in production and its release is scheduled for 2025.

It’s been 35 years and The Sandman remains one of the most subversive comics of all time. Gaiman proves himself again and again to be a masterful storyteller. His villains and heroes are equally compelling and complex and he handles daily struggles and epic battles with the same skill and creativity. He reigns over life’s shades of gray in much the same way Morpheus rules the Dreaming. Seeing and hearing his work brought to life through different media is a worthy celebration of his talents, but it’s his graphic novels that truly demonstrate the depth and richness of his work.

Have you read, watched, or listened to The Sandman? What are your thoughts on the different adaptations? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, for all things comics, pop culture, online deals, and more.

Check out our Top Finds on the Capital City Selections page for great online deals!

This article contains links to external sellers and affiliate marketing. As Amazon associates, we earn from qualifying sales.