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Neil Gaiman Clues Us Into What SANDMAN Mini Will Be About

The creator briefly discusses the upcoming project and his nervousness about his return to the character.

You might recall that back in July DC announced that heralded writer Neil Gaiman would be making his return to The SANDMAN in a 5-issue miniseries illustrated by J.H. Williams III (BATWOMAN) to commemorate The SANDMAN's 25 year anniversary. The news was huge. First off, Gaiman's return to comics is big enough news in itself, but his return to a classic character that once acted as a springboard for his career? That is definitely something worth writing about.

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Although we were told that the creator would return to tell Morpheus' story, we weren't given a whole lot else to go on. Aside from being a prequel to the original story, what would this Sandman series be about? Will we see characters from that first series in this one? How long would the story be? Now, we have a few more answers. In an interview with MTV, Gaiman revealed that he would be

I'm writing a five-issue mini series series set before issue #1. I'm loving it but it's really terrifying. This is the story of him going out and fighting in this very peculiar war in this distant galaxy far away where dreams are starting to melt down. The incarnation Dream…of that part of the galaxy has basically been destroyed and he is having to fill in.

Although that doesn't answer the question of whether the characters we saw in the first volume of SANDMAN will return in this 5-issue series, it does sort of give us a premise and some small clues to go on. In his return to SANDMAN, Gaiman is giving us an origin story for the character that will involve war, fighting and the beginning. If you have ever felt like the story of Morpheus was unfinished, then this may be exactly what you have been yearning for. What do you think of the premise? Are you looking forward to the release of Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN 5-issue series which is scheduled to be released sometime in 2013?

Source: MTV

37 Comments

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ultimatepunchrod

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Edited By ultimatepunchrod

@Jonny_Anonymous said:

@ultimatepunchrod said:

@Jonny_Anonymous said:

Before Sandman

The difference between this and Before Watchmen is that the creator is actually writing it and not just a bunch of random people in the industry.

Moore was asked to do it, he said no.

Oh I know. I wasn't criticizing BW; I was just pointing out the difference here. :)

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

@ultimatepunchrod said:

@Jonny_Anonymous said:

Before Sandman

The difference between this and Before Watchmen is that the creator is actually writing it and not just a bunch of random people in the industry.

Moore was asked to do it, he said no.

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fables87

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Edited By fables87

:D

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

Sounds intriguing!

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Zdaybreak

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Edited By Zdaybreak

Sandman looks a lot like Neil Gaiman.

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DonFelipe

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Edited By DonFelipe

@RayeGunn said:

It's all a bit complicated to just sum up. But basically, the Endless are a sort of family of god-like beings, they're a step above mere gods, actually. They're personifications of ideas, Dream, Death, Desire, Delerium, Despair, Destiny, and (sort of, it's complicated) Destruction. So Death is Dream's sister. Of all of them, these two share the closest bond,...

Thanks for the summary. Now, I really can't wait to check it out and get to know more about this family and of course her.

...and she's a really awesome character. She escorts souls to wherever they happen to be going after they die, because she does this for EVERYONE, yes, she is everywhere at once by necessity.

Good thing is we will all meet her eventually then. Hopefully she lets me keep my comic books and music player. Otherwise I'll be really mad at her. J

Thanks again!

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RayeGunn

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Edited By RayeGunn

@DonFelipe said:

JH Williams' art looks incredible as usual.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about the Sandman and I don't really get what you guys are talking about - The Endless, Dream, Morpheus,"Death stated that she exists everywhere simultaneously..." - but it surely sounds interesting and by the way who is she? I really need to know now!

What do I have to read to be ready for the mini-series?

Only the 1 volume that is linked in the article?

It's all a bit complicated to just sum up. But basically, the Endless are a sort of family of god-like beings, they're a step above mere gods, actually. They're personifications of ideas: Dream, Death, Desire, Delerium, Despair, Destiny, and (sort of, it's complicated) Destruction. So Death is Dream's sister. Of all of them, these two share the closest bond, and she's a really awesome character. She escorts souls to wherever they happen to be going after they die, because she does this for EVERYONE, yes, she is everywhere at once by necessity.

And from what I've heard, the first volume should probably give you the info you need, but the whole thing is worth a read (though I realize it may get a bit pricey to get all the trades) If Death intrigues you, they did 2 solo stories for her, High Cost of Living and Time of Your Life

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ShadowsofBirds

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Edited By ShadowsofBirds

Sandman was the first full story arc in a series of comics that I ever read. Totally influenced my view of what a creative project could be. (the glorious meta-ness of it!)

I started composing a (mostly) orchestral soundtrack to the original books a couple weeks before this was announced.

When I finished the ten minutes I did for Sleep of the Just I uploaded it, tagged Gaiman on twitter with the link - THEN found out about the announcement.

Sort of felt like a twat. >.<

Super excited for this though. This and he's got a second Doctor Who episode coming. (not to mention the American Gods HBO series in the works!) woo!

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DonFelipe

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Edited By DonFelipe

JH Williams' art looks incredible as usual.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about the Sandman and I don't really get what you guys are talking about - The Endless, Dream, Morpheus,"Death stated that she exists everywhere simultaneously..." - but it surely sounds interesting and by the way who is she? I really need to know now!

What do I have to read to be ready for the mini-series?

Only the 1 volume that is linked in the article?

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MisterKetch

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Edited By MisterKetch

@SolthesunGod:\

I'm excited for this but I thought that there was only one incarnation of Dream at any time. I thought all the Endless could be in mutiple places at once and appear different based on the viewer but esssentially it was still the same person. Is that omnipresence? Not sure if I'm using the right term there....It's Gaiman though so it will be good.

Death stated that she exists everywhere simultaneously (aka how she is able to be with everyone who dies and when they are first born all around the universe) and Dream definitely was stated as having appeared differently to different people (energy creature to Martian Manhunter, more human to most of the characters he encountered) The endless are the "Physical" manifestations of there domain the driver behind the wheel so to speak (which is why they've on the rare occasion been able to be killed). I had the same thought as you because I thought it was clearly stated that the Endless are the Endless for all of creation, but since that info came straight from Gaiman himself I'm confident it will make sense.

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RayeGunn

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Edited By RayeGunn

Nice! Sandman was the first comic that I ever read, I got the first couple trades as a Christmas present, so Sandman will always have a special place in my heart. I can't wait to read this.

*edit - and you know, this helped me finally decide what to do for my background on my profile... Kinda tempted to go full on Sandman, but Apollo is awesome too :p

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CombatSpoon86

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Edited By CombatSpoon86

Can't wait. One of the very few minis I don't mind buying monthly.

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SandMan_

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Edited By SandMan_

Cool

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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Oh lets hope this brings Morphy out onto the fast track again. Really hoping and praying that there's big success behind this. I know I'm for sure getting this!

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ultimatepunchrod

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Edited By ultimatepunchrod

@Jonny_Anonymous said:

Before Sandman

The difference between this and Before Watchmen is that the creator is actually writing it and not just a bunch of random people in the industry.

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Sidestep

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Edited By Sidestep

Neil Gaiman stated a long time ago that it would be about how Dream got his helm and fought 3 different beings to get his gates to The Dreaming. I'm not 100% on this, but I hope it is this.

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TrueIlluminatus

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Edited By TrueIlluminatus

Interesting to see the Eye of Providence in the art. Hopefully this series will deliver.

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devourerofworlds

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Edited By devourerofworlds

soooooo hyped about this! the story sounds like it's going to be utterly insane too! Gaiman you old literary genius you

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Onemoreposter

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Edited By Onemoreposter

This is great news, but am I the only one who would have rather seen a story dealing with Daniel:?

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DDangelico

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Edited By DDangelico

@Yai_Inn: Yeah I was kinda kidding--but wouldnt be surprised if it was the truth.

Regardless, I'm pumped.

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judasnixon

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Edited By judasnixon

How many black shirts do you think Neil Gaiman owns?  

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Yai_Inn

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Edited By Yai_Inn
Can't wait.   
@DDangelico: Doubtful. Gaiman has said that he wanted to do this story 5 years ago for the 20th anniversary of Sandman..but was busy at the time. The fact that this story is something he's wanted to do for years has me pumped.  
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Cavemold

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Edited By Cavemold

Slow comic day

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BennyB

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Edited By BennyB

Any sandman is good news.

Anything Gaiman does is good news.

This is good news.

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Mucklefluga

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Edited By Mucklefluga

I should really go and read some of this Sandman stuff.

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Queso6p4

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@gonzotgreat23 said:

Sounds incredible! Can't wait.

So much this.

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DarthShap

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Edited By DarthShap

Those old comics are old I thought the New 52 was about new stories, not old stuff. I mean, what is happening to the New 52 revolution here? Can't I get a Dream in a Jim Lee designed body armor? You continuity fans are driving me crazy are ruining comic for everybody!

(For the record, this is a joke)

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EdwardWindsor

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Edited By EdwardWindsor

Pre booked my copies soon as it was mentioned. Can't wait for this

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Mercy_

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Edited By Mercy_

If this doesn't bring Morph outta the woodwork, I don't know what will.

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DDangelico

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Edited By DDangelico

I'm like 95% positive DC was like dude, either you do this or we'll Before Watchmen your ass...haha

Luckily it seems Gaiman had a story in mind all along. :-)

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SolthesunGod

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Edited By SolthesunGod

I'm excited for this but I thought that there was only one incarnation of Dream at any time. I thought all the Endless could be in mutiple places at once and appear different based on the viewer but esssentially it was still the same person. Is that omnipresence? Not sure if I'm using the right term there....It's Gaiman though so it will be good.

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Cavemold

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Edited By Cavemold

Pretty

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No_Name_

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Edited By No_Name_

@Jonny_Anonymous said:

Before Sandman

lol

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ValiantGoat

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Edited By ValiantGoat

I'm super pumped for this. Sandman was one of my first reads in comics and remains my favorite by a good margin. I'll be happy as all hell when the mini series starts, and sad to see it end.

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Delphic

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Edited By Delphic

My reaction...

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

Before Sandman

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gonzotgreat23

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Edited By gonzotgreat23

Sounds incredible! Can't wait.