Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.dc.universe
From: [l s mith] at [hecto] (Lance "Squiddie" Smith)
Subject: VERT: SANDMAN: FAQ PART 1: STORY
Date: Sun, 4 Jun 1995 23:15:54 GMT
The Nearly Compleat List of Sandman Frequently Asked Questions 2.07
(Now in four action packed parts, plus a rather dull table of contents)
Compiled and pushed around by Lance Smith ([l s mith] at [cs.umn.edu])
with a lot of help from the kind folx in rec.art.comics.misc
(Or is it rec.arts.comics.dc.universe now?)
[Originally posted to rec.arts.comics.misc on April 13, 1993.
Last revised June 1, 1995. Feel free to make copies and distribute this,
but try to leave it intact, OK? Please contact me if you plan to use any
or all of this information in a printed work.]
Disclaimer: The Sandman and its characters are owned by DC Comics. We are not
about to do anything to upset them. (They'd squash us like a peanut!)
Send questions, comments and condolences to: [l s mith] at [mail.cs.umn.edu]
Special hello to all the people who are reading this in Gopher holes, with
the help of faithful Fido, and on the Widespread WorldWideWeb. Wubba Wubba
Wubba.
Still NOT mentioned by the folx at Wired. Dang.
Probably some SPOILERS in here. So let's all be careful out there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.1] Question: In what issues do each of the Endless/Dreaming Staff appear?
Dream 1-19, 21-32, 34-40, 42-52, 54, 55, 57-61, 63-69, Special,
Vertigo Preview, Vertigo Jam, Death Gallery, Dream Gallery,
Endless Gallery
Death 8, (11), 13, 20, 21, 24, 25, 31, 37, 40, 43, 46-48, (50),
54-56, 68, 69, Special, Death 1-3, Death Gallery,
Dream Gallery, Endless Gallery
Destiny 7, 21, 28, 47, 55, 56, 59, 63, 67, Special, Endless Gallery
Desire 10, 16, 21, 31, 41, 42, 45, 47, 49, 55, 59, 65, Special,
Endless Gallery
Despair 10, 21, 31, 41, 47, 49, 56, 59, Special, Endless Gallery
Delirium 21, 31, 41-49, 55, 56, 59, 63, 64, 66, 68, 69, Special,
Endless Gallery
Destruction 41-44, 46-48, 55, Special, Endless Gallery
Orpheus 29, 41, 49, Special
Abel 2, 7, 9, 10, 26, 40, 42, 56, 60, 64, 66, Special, Vertigo Jam
Abudah 22, 60, 66
Cain 2, 7, 9, 22, 24, 26, 40, 56, 64, 65, 67, Special, Vertigo Jam
The Corinthian 10-12, 14, 27, 44, 47, 57, 59-61, 63-69
Eve 2, 7, 24, 40, 57, 65, Special
Fashion Thing 2, 22
Fiddler's Green 11, 12, 14-16, 39, 56, 63, 65
Guardians of
the Gate 9, 10, 18, 24, 26, 40, 42, 49, 57, 58, 63, 64, 67, Special
Goldie 2, 7, 10, 40, 42, 66, 67, Vertigo Jam
Gregory 2, 7, 26, 40, 56, Special
The Hecateae 2, 10, 17, 21, 34, 57, 58, 63, 64, 66, 67, 69, Special
Lucien 2, 10, 11, 22, 24, 35, 38, 42, 44, 46, 49, 57, 60, 61, 64,
66-69, Vertigo Jam
Matthew 7, 11, 15, 16, 22, 24, 26, 27, 32, 40, 42, 45-46, 56, 57,
60, 61, 63-65, 68, 69, Special, Vertigo Preview, Vertigo Jam,
Dream Gallery
Mervyn 5, 22, 42, 46, 49, 56, 57, 60, 64, 66, Vertigo Jam
Nightmares 3 11, 64
Nuala 26-28, 33, 35, 42, 46, 49, 52, 56-58, 61, 64, 66-69
Vertigo Jam
Ruthven 49, 58, 64, 66
Notes:
1. This list includes portraits in the Sandman Special and #50 as well as
very brief cameo appearances. Numbers in parentheses indicate portraits.
2. Death appears only in the portrait at the back of "Moving In" (Sandman
#11.) The original black and white version appears in the alternative
version of "The Sound of Her Wings" (Sandman #8.) A variation of this
portrait is printed before the envoi in _The Doll's House_ TPB.
3. Three of Matthew's predecessors appear in Sandman stories. Jessamy appears
in "Thermidor" (Sandman #29) and Aristeas of Marmora appears in "August"
(Sandman #30). An unnamed raven appears in "Imperfect Hosts" (Sandman #2).
Another unnamed raven, possibly a servant of Dream, appears in "The
Hunt" (Sandman #38).
In Sandman #45, Delirium counts the ravens who have worked for Dream.
She mentions Aristeas, but not by name. ("The one who came back again
after he was a man again.") Delirium's count, however, is not accurate.
In "The Kindly Ones: 1" (Sandman #57), Dream informs Matthew that there
have been quite a few more than Delirium reckoned. In "The Kindly Ones:
12" (Sandman #68) Dream reveals what happens to the former ravens and who
was his first raven.
When the Corinthian is recreated in "The Kindly Ones: 5" (Sandman #61)
he mistakes Matthew for Jessamy.
On the box of the original Sandman statue was a description of two
other statues depicting Dream with a raven. One of the ravens is
thought to be Aristeas of Marmora, but the other is not identified.
4. Destruction made his first appearance in The Sandman Special. He is
mentioned in earlier issues and this is discussed below. Most of the
Endless are mentioned before they appear. Death, Destiny, and Desire
are all first mentioned in "Sleep of the Just" (Sandman #1). Lucifer
includes Despair as part of Dream's family in "A Hope in Hell" (Sandman
#4). Delirium is the last to be mentioned, but not the last to be
named. Dream talks of her when speaking to Desire in "Lost Hearts"
(Sandman #16). We learn she used to be Delight in the the prologue
to "Season of Mists" (Sandman #21).
5. Cain, Abel, Matthew, Gregory and Eve's appearances in the Sandman Special
are limited to portraits in the gallery at the end of the book. They
do not take part in the story. Death's appearance in "Ramadan" (Sandman
#50) is also limited to the Facets of Dream gallery.
6. The Guardians of the Gate are the griffin, wyvern and hippogriff who
watch the door to Dream's castle. Their appearance in "The Doll's House"
(Sandman #10) is limited to a depiction of them about a door in the
Dreaming that Lucien passes through. The Guardians' roster seems to
change in "The Kindly Ones: 8" (Sandman #64).
7. Destiny, Death and Dream are mentioned in "In the beginning...", the
introduction that appeared in "The Sound of Her Wings" (Sandman #8).
("In the beginning..." is also reprinted _The Doll's House_ TPB.)
Destiny is described at first, but not named until the end. The Hecateae
are also mentioned.
8. A large number of characters make cameos in "Worlds' End" (Sandman #56.)
There is some question about the identity of those who appeared. The
above list (and the one below for recurring characters) represents my
best guess. These two lists may change if the scene is clarified.
(See 1.27 below for my guess on the identity of the members of the
funeral party.)
9. Only the shadows of the Furies/Erinyes appear in "The Kindly Ones: 8" The
shadow are presumably cast by Lyta Hall. We only see Lyta's hand and
lips in the issue. In "The Kindly Ones: 9" their/her hand and spear appear.
Only their/her sword appears in "The Kindly Ones: 10". Lyta, The Hecateae,
and the menacing shadows turn up in the final issue of "The Kindly Ones."
10. Mervyn often appears with cigar-smoking, derby-wearing bats. In "The
Kindly Ones:10," (Sandman #66) he refers to them as "Wycziezbsky, O' Brien,
McTavish, Silverstein, Pucci, and the little Norwegian."
11. Ravens appear in "The Kindly Ones: 10 & 11," but it seems unlikely that
any shown are Matthew.
[1.2] Question: What characters have appeared in more than one Sandman story
line?
Azazel 4, 24, 26, 27, 60
Baghdad 27, 50, 60
Barbie 11, 15, 32-37
Barnabas 43, 46-49, 67, 69
Bast 24, 26, 27, 46, (50), 56
Alex Burgess 1, 62, 69
Calliope 17, Special
Carla 22, 57-61, 64
Hal Carter/Vixen LaBitch 11, 15, 60, 68, 69
Chantal and Zelda 11, 15, 61
Choronzon 1, 2, 4, 22, 24, 26-28
Cluracan 26-28, 51-53, 55, 56, 58, 66, 68, 69
Lady Johanna Constantine 13, 29, [41, 47]
Donna Cavanagh/Foxglove 32-34, 36, 37, 64, Death 2
Robert "Hob" Gadling 13, 22, (50), 53, 59
Mary Gentian 6, 37, 68
Robin Goodfellow
/Gordy Fellowes 19, 58, 59, 66, 69
Daniel Hall 22, 40, 57, 59, 61, 65-69
Hector Hall 11, 12, 61
Lyta Hall 11, 12, 22, 40, 57-61, 63-65, 67, 69
Unity Kinkaid 1, 10, 15, 16
Ken 11, 15, 33
Loki/Luke Pinkerton 24, 26-28, 58, 59, 61, 63-66, 69
Lucifer 4, 22-24, 28, 57, 60, 64, 68, 69
Paul McGuire 1, 62, 65
Hazel McNamara 32-34, 36, 37, Death 2
Mad Hettie 3, Death 1-3
Mazikeen 22, 23, 57, 60, 64, 67-69
Nada 4, 9, 22, 24, 26-28
Odin 24, 26, 27, 56, 63, 64, 66
Remiel and Duma 24, 26-28, 60, 67
William Shakespeare 13, 19, Dream Gallery
Sigyn 24, 66
Judy Talbot 6, 16, 33
Martin Tenbones 15, 32, 56
Thor 24, 26, 27, 56, 66
Thessaly/Larissa 32-34, 36, 37, 63-65, 67, 69
Titania/Queen of Faerie 19, 52, 56, 61, 66, 69
Rose Walker 10-12, 14-16, 60-69
Notes:
1. Lady Johanna's appearances in "Brief Lives" are limited to the tombstone
on her grave.
2. Judy calls Rose Walker about Donna/Foxglove in "24 Hours" (Sandman #6.)
Rose mentions both Donna and Judy in "Lost Hearts" (Sandman #16.) A small
newspaper picture is also seen tacked up on Rose's note board.
3. Dream, Barbie and Foxglove discuss Rose Walker in "I Woke Up and One of
Us Was Crying" (Sandman #37). Judy Talbot is mentioned in the same
conversation. Judy is also mentioned in "Over the Sea to Sky" (Sandman
#36).
4. Foxglove sings a song about Judy in "A Night to Remember" (Death #2.)
5. Ken appears only in Barbie's dream in "Lullabies of Broadway" (Sandman
#33.) Barbie also mentions him throughout the "A Game of You" story line.
6. In "The High Cost of Living" (Death #3) Sexton and Sylvia talk about
Hazel and Foxglove.
7. Barbara Wong appears in "Sound and Fury" (Sandman #7) and is also heard
broadcasting on WRAT in "Over the Sea to Sky" (Sandman #36).
8. The parentheses indicate that Robert Gadling and Bast appear only in the
Facet of Dream gallery in Ramadan (Sandman #50)
9. Robert Gadling also mentions Mad Hettie in "Men of Good Fortune"
(Sandman #13).
10. Lyta talks to Carla on the phone in "The Parliament of Rooks" (Sandman
#40).
11. Titania is also mentioned in Sandman #26 and #28.
12. The Mary on TV after the report of Harvey Ramsey's death in "The Kindly
Ones: 2" (Sandman #58) is presumably Mary Gentian who is moving up in the
news business.
13. Hector Hall appears only as a memory in "The Kindly Ones: 5" (Sandman
#61).
14. The Fashion Thing, who is unlikely to appear again before issue #222,
is mentioned by Nuala in "The Castle" (Vertigo Jam) and by Mervyn in "The
Kindly Ones: 4" (Sandman #60)
15. An angel appears in "Worlds' End" (Sandman #56). This might be either
Remiel or Duma.
16. Only a picture of Chantal appears in "The Kindly Ones: 5" (Sandman #61)
The Gorgons who talk with Lyta in "The Kindly Ones: 4 & 5" (Sandman
#60 and #61) also dress as Chantal and Zelda did in _The Doll's House_.
17. Dream appears to attend a performance by Foxglove in "The Kindly Ones: 8"
(Sandman #64) but it may not really be her.
[1.3] Question: What is/was the mystery concerning Destruction?
Destruction is first mentioned in Sandman #10, but not by name. Specifically,
Despair asks Desire if The Prodigal has returned. The rest of the Endless are
named by Sandman #16. (Delirium is the last one to be mentioned.) After #10,
#16 and again after the family gathering in Sandman #21, there was some
discussion of the identity and realm of the Missing Endless and why he
was out of contact with his family. (His gender was known by Desire's
comment in #10.) Given the naming scheme of the rest of the family, large
lists of "De" names were given as the possible identities of the Missing
Endless.
Destruction's first appearance was in the Sandman Special. At the time,
he was called Olethros. This can be translated into "devastation" or
"destruction." Destruction's name wasn't confirmed within the story line
until Desire refers to him by name in Sandman #41. (Slightly before this,
Despair refers to him as "my lord of destruction.")
In Sandman #26, Bast offers to tell Dream of his brother's whereabouts
in exchange for the key to Hell. (Later in "Brief Lives" we learn she
exaggerated the extent of her knowledge.)
The reason for Destruction's abandonment of his realm is discussed in
detail in the "Brief Lives" story line and Sandman #44 and #48 in
particular.
[1.4] Question: Have the Endless appeared outside of The Sandman?
Appearances by the Endless outside of The Sandman.
Destiny The Books of Magic (mini-series) #4
Captain Atom #42
Death Ambush Bug Nothing Special
The Books of Magic (mini-series) #4
The Books of Magic (series) #3, #4
Captain Atom #42, #43
Cerebus #153
Doom Patrol #73
Ghost Rider 2099 #2
The Incredible Hulk #418
Legion of Super-Heroes #38
Lobo's Back #3
Oz Squad #5
Shade #50
Dream Ambush Bug Nothing Special
The Books of Magic (mini-series) #3
Hellblazer #19
Sandman Mystery Theatre #1, #22, #25
Swamp Thing #84
Notes:
1. The appearance of Death and Destiny in Captain Atom #42 (and briefly in
#43) should not be considered part of the Sandman canon.
2. Dream, Death and The Endless have entries in the 3rd Update of Who's Who
in the DC Universe. (1990-2) There are also entries for Cain and Abel,
Matthew, The Dreaming, and The Three Witches. Cain, Abel, and Destiny
have pre-Sandman entries in the initial run of Who's Who in the DC
Universe (1987).
3. Images of Dream and Death also appeared in several of the Amazing Heroes
Swimsuit Specials. Quality varies. Proceed with caution.
4. Kay Sarah Sarah, Swoon, Sulk, Sleaze and Snuff of the Clueless, something
like Bizarro Endless, have made frequent appearances in Cerebus #164-180.
One other Clueless, Space, has been named, but has yet to appear. (The
character who plays the part of Sulk was suggested to Sim by Gaiman.)
5. Destiny often appeared as a host in some of the DC horror titles of
the 70s and early 80s. He also appeared in more traditional pre-crisis DC
superhero comics. In pre-Sandman comics, his robe tended to be purple and
his book was called _The Cosmic Log_. More details below.
6. "Death Talks About Life"
Death appeared in this public service announcement about AIDS that was
included with three of DC's comics for a mature audience: Hellblazer #62,
Sandman #46, and Shade #32. John Constantine also appeared in the PSA.
DC will also be publishing this separately as a flier for distribution to
increase public awareness of AIDS. It is also included in the Death
hardcover and papberback collections.
7. Death and Dream both have their own cards in the Worlds of Magic "team"
of the DC Cosmic Teams trading card set. They also appear in the Worlds
of Magic triptych from the same set. The Death card (114) has original art
by Chris Bachalo and the Dream card (119) was done by Jill Thompson.
Destiny's book appears in the triptych, but Destiny is strangely absent.
The writing on the back of the card is somewhat below Sandman standards.
8. Dream almost appeared in issue #1 of the Stanley and His Monster mini-
series by Phil Foglio. He was replaced by the Golden Age Sandman, but his
distinctive word balloons remained.
9. Dream's word balloon also appears in Swamp Thing #118. Tefe' visits
the Dreaming and meets Matthew the Raven. Dream calling for Matthew
interrupts their conversation.
10. A spirit of death temporarily takes on the shape of a pale skinned young
woman dressed in black in Excalibur #25.
11. Cain, Abel and Goldie also appear with Dream in The Books of Magic #3
(mini-series).
12. In "Into the Mystery," an episode of the syndicated Superboy TV series,
Superboy meets Azrael, a young woman who turns out to be an embodiment
of death. Although not dressed in Death's basic black, some fans feel
that scriptwriter J. M. DeMatteis, a frequent writer of comics, may have
based much of the character on Death from Sandman.
13. On the cover of Magic, a supplement to the DC Heroes role-playing
game, is a painting of The Spectre, Deadman and Death. It doesn't
look much like Death, but she is wearing an ankh. (The painting is
by George Pratt, who has inked three issues of Sandman, including
a much criticized job on Sandman #34.) The quality of the information
inside is of an equally questionable nature as the cover. Who's Who #2,
another supplement to DC Heroes, features a portrait of Death and
Dream with two other DC characters on its cover. Mayfair also
threatened to release a Sandman supplement for DC Heroes, but lost
their license from DC before one was published.
14. In a letter to the CBG, Evan Dorkin says that Death did NOT appear in
the Bill and Ted comic book. It was just a young woman with dark hair
who was dressed in black. Whoo, that's a relief.
15. A poster of Death appears in The Maxx #4. The narrator comments that,
"They have tattoos and stuff saying how ROMANTIC death is. But Jimmy
knows the TRUTH--like me. Death is hard an' cold an' UGLY. Not some
cute chick!" She also mentions the "SAND-FREAKS" in the previous panel.
Sand-freaks? Hmph! (For some Sandman inspired graffiti, read Maxx #1
carefully.)
16. In "Season of Missed" (Soulsearchers and Company #3 by Peter David
and Company) Dweeb, Deaf and the Sleepwanker [tm] all make appearances.
17. In Children's Crusade #1, Rowland and Paine are hiding from Death and
use a disguise kit to avoid her. There are also pictures of a young
Dream and a young Death in the crowd at the top of Chapter 7.
18. After returning from the dead, Marlo mentions seeing an ankh in
the Incredible Hulk #408. Death (or at least a similar, but not
copyright-infringing young woman in black) shows up for Rick and
Marlo's wedding reception in Hulk #418. The reference to "The
Girl Who was Death" is very clever.
19. Along with an appearance by Death (or at least a similar, but not
copyright-infringing young woman with an eye squiggle) the cryptic
graffito "Hi Neil" appears in Ghost Rider 2099 #2.
20. Death (or at least a similar, but not copyright-infringing young woman
in black) shows up in a group shot in Oz Squad #5.
21. As Kathy dies, a mysterious woman in black appears in one panel behind
Shade and the hospital staff in Shade #50.
22. In Batman: Mitefall, Mite versions of Dream and Death appear. For
those who argue that there is only one version of the Endless who
take on different appearances, this might be considered appearances
by the real Death and Dream.
23. All of the Endless have their own card in the Vertigo Trading Card
set. The cards are Dream (card #50, art by Dave McKean), Death (#51,
Rick Berry), Desire (#52, Sue Coe), Delirium (#53, Greg Spalenka),
Destruction (#54, Marshall Arisman), Despair (#55, Barron Storey)
and Destiny (#56, Mike and Doug Starn). Cards #13-18 feature Dave
McKean Sandman cover art. A Sandman chase card features Teddy
Kristiansen art and "Fifty Words That Describe Dream" by Gaiman.
The set also features a Death hologram disk as it's rare chase
card.
24. John Constantine gets a ride from a member of The Church of Virtual
Reality who is called and looks very much like Dream in Hellblazer #86.
25. Several Sandman appear on cards in the Vertigo Tarot Deck. They are
Mad Hettie (The High Priestess), Dream (The Hieorphant), Destiny (The
Wheel of Fortune), Death (Death), Delirium (Temperance), and Lucifer
(The Devil). All art is by Dave McKean.
26. In Sandman Mystery Theatre #28, Wesley Dodds recalls his father
describing Death as a "sinuous intoxicating woman" who appeared to
him "all in petticoats and curls, a black velvet bodice and with
the darkest eyes a man had ever seen."
[1.5] Question: Where did the staff of the Dreaming get their starts?
Many of Dream's staff in the Dreaming made appearances in comics before
appearing in The Sandman.
Cain and Abel: Cain and Abel both acted as hosts of horror anthology series.
Cain first appeared in The House of Mystery #175 (July-August 1968) and
Abel appeared a year later in The House of Secrets #81 (August-September
1969.) The Houses themselves may also be considered characters, with their
stories going back to their respective titles. The House in the House of
Secrets handled the lettercol duties for that title. (It seemed to be quite
disliked by the readers of the title.) Gregory the Gargoyle seems to be
introduced in HoM #176. (We see only the eyes of a baby gargoyle who Cain
refers to as Gregory.)
Cain and Abel also appeared as hosts of the much less serious Plop! along
with Eve and Gregory the Gargoyle. Cain, Abel, Eve and Destiny all hosted
the first nine issues of Secrets of Haunted House. Destiny hosted the book
alone from the teens to issue #39 and Abel was the host for the final issues.
They also made many non-horror comic appearances including Swamp Thing #33
and #50, and several issues of the Blue Devil. Both have their own entry,
complete with fighting ability, in the first Who's Who in the DC Universe and
a joint entry, without fighting ability, in the 3rd Update to the title.
Lucien: Lucien acted as the librarian and host of a very short-lived horror
series called Tales of Ghost Castle. It lasted for only three issues
in 1975. He served as a librarian in a castle in Transylvania. Initially
he also had a werewolf as a pet. Lucien does make one final appearance in
a late issue of Secrets of Haunted House. He appears at a Halloween party for
hosts and cohosts of DC horror comics.
Matthew: Matthew the Raven started out as Matthew Cable. As a man, Matthew
made his first appearance in Swamp Thing #1 (October-November #1972).
In Swamp Thing #84, he makes his tranformation into a raven in the Dreaming.
Matthew also has made some return visits to Swamp Thing. In Swamp Thing #118,
he visits with Tefe'. In Swamp Thing #140 he visits Abby and manages to
cast his old shadow.
The Hecateae: The three who are one also appeared in comic books prior
to their appearance in Sandman. The Three Witches, as they were referred
to, first appeared in The Witching Hour #1 (December 1970). Their
personalities are a bit different from those they displayed in the
Sandman stories. Cynthia, for example, used the popular slang of the period
and even managed to quote Bob Dylan. Unfortunately, they also had a tendency
to display "zany" behavior.
Eve: Billed as a 1000-year old woman, Eve first appeared in Secrets of
Sinister House #6. Appropriately enough, her appearance was witnessed
by Cain and Abel who ran away in terror as she arrived. Accompanied by
a raven named Edgar Allen, Eve hosted Sinister House for much of its
short run before being shifted over to Weird Mystery Tales where she
hosted the book with Destiny before taking over the comic completely.
As mentioned above, Eve regularly appeared in Plop and through the first
ten issues of Secrets of Haunted House. She also played an important
role in the transformation of Matt Cable into Matthew the Raven in Swamp
Thing #84.
[1.6] Question: Who were the previous Sandman characters to appear in DC comics?
There have been three characters (other than Morpheus) known as The Sandman
in DC Comics: Wesley Dodds, Dr Garrett Sanford and Hector Hall.
Wesley Dodds: Dodds was the Sandman of the Golden Age. He first appeared New
York World's Fair Comics in 1939 and became a regular character in Adventure
Comics beginning with issue #40. He appeared in All-Star Comics #1 (Summer
1940) and became a charter member of the JSA beginning in the third issue
of All-Star Comics. Unfortunately, the Sandman only lasted four years
in the JSA and was gone from DC comics by 1946. He would later be brought
back as part of Earth-Two and also made brief appearances in 1992's revival
of the JSA title. Dodds is now the center of Vertigo's Sandman Mystery
Theatre.
Initially, Dodds was a wealthy playboy who fought crime with a gas gun
that he used to put criminals to sleep. Despite a debut script that called
for an all black costume, the Sandman appeared wearing a green coat, purple
cape, orange hat and blue and yellow gas mask. This look only lasted until
the end of 1941, when the colorful costume was replaced by the standard
superhero's bodysuit. Dodds also went blonde, replaced the gas gun with a
"wirepoon gun" and picked up a young sidekick named Sandy. When the
character was revived, he had gone back to the original costume.
Dodds has made two appearances in Sandman. In Sandman #1, we learn
that Dodds is driven to crimefighting by nightmares. The nightmares
being caused by Morpheus's absence from the Dreaming. In Sandman #26, Odin
offers Dodds, who is trapped in a "notional dimension," as a trade for the
key to Hell, saying that Dodds contains a fraction of Dream's soul.
The relationship between Dodds and his nightmares caused by the absense
of Dream has been developed further, usually in passing, in some of the
issues of Sandman Mystery Theatre.
Dr Garrett Sanford: The second Sandman was created by Jack Kirby and Joe
Simon in 1973 and appeared in The Sandman comic book in Winter 1974. The
series only lasted six issues with only the first issue scripted by Simon
and only half drawn by Kirby. (A seventh story where The Sandman saves
Santa from the fiendish sealmen appeared in a superhero holiday special.)
The second Sandman originally was presented as an immortal who monitored
dreams (using the Universal Dream Monitor that displayed images on the
Dream Screen) and protected people within their dreams and in the "mortal
world." Dressed in a yellow and red costume, the Sandman was "aided" by
the nightmares Brute and Glob. (In the first book, the two encourage him
to allow a sleeping boy to continue to fall within his dreams.) Along with
his dream equipment in the Dream Dome, the Sandman also made use of a sonic
whistle, used for a variety of purposes, and sand cartridges that put
people to sleep.
This Sandman was later transformed from The Universal Master of Dreams into
Dr Garrett Sanford. Sanford had built all the equipment that was used in the
Dream Dome. The equipment was designed and built to save a VIP from his own
nightmares. Once inside the Dreaming, Sanford was successful, but couldn't
return to the waking world. Most of this retconning was done in Wonder Woman
#300 by Roy Thomas.
Apparently the stress of living within the Dream Stream (later The Dream
Dimension) proved too much for Sanford, and his "soul" departed while his
body remained in stasis. All of this is explained by the third Sandman,
Hector Hall.
Hector Sanders Hall: Hector Hall was originally know as Silver Scarab, a
member of Infinity, Inc. Hall had to be killed by the other members of
Infinity, Inc., when the Evil Silver Scarab inside of him took control of
his body. When Hall lost his body to the other Scarab, he was thrown into
the Dream Dimension where he learned of Dr Sanford, Sanford's equipment
and Brute and Glob. Since Sanford was more or less dead and Hall was without
a body, Hall took on the role of the Sandman.
The third Sandman wears a costume like the second Sandman's and also uses
sand cartridges. He also must remain in the Dream Dimension for all but
one hour everyday. At first, he uses this one hour to visit Lyta Trevor,
who is known as Fury II and is pregnant with Hall's child. When Hall is
discovered visiting Lyta as she sleeps, he explains his story and convinces
her to marry him and they return together to the Dream Dimension.
According to the Who's Who Update for 1988, they are said to "currently
inhabit the Dream Dimension and are expecting their child anytime."
The story of what happened to the Halls after this entry can be found in
Sandman #11 and #12.
[1.7] Question: To what extent is The Sandman based on the Golden or Kirby
Sandman characters?
In "The Origin of the Comic You Are Now Holding" (Sandman #4) Neil Gaiman
says his only early exposure to the Golden Age Sandman was a copy of Justice
League America #47 where the Sandman took part in defeating Anti-Matter Man.
The issue was part of a box of comics that mysteriously appeared (and later
disappeared) when he was almost seven.
The Kirby Sandman made a very brief appearance in the first draft of
the Black Orchid story, (He was suggested as a potential character for a
dream sequence.) While he had read the 70s Sandman, Gaiman says that he was
uncomfortable with the series. He did, however, mention a possible new
treatment of the character to Karen Berger in September 1987. Several
months later, Berger offered him a Sandman series under the condition that
it had to be a new Sandman. The name stayed the same but the rest changed.
(Incidentally, Cain and Abel also appeared in the first draft of Black Orchid
acting as waiters, a role Cain takes on in Sandman #2.)
[1.8] Question: Are the visual images of the Endless based upon anyone/anything?
Which character is based on Tori Amos?
Visually, each artist may use different models when pencilling the Endless.
(Dave McKean has said that he somewhat regrets that each artist who has
worked on the series hasn't drawn Dream as they wanted the character to look.)
However, there are some definite models that provided the inspiration for
the prototypes of the Endless.
Destiny is a stock character from the old DC/National horror comic books.
(Like Cain and Abel, he appeared in several DC horror titles.) The most
significant changes to Destiny's appearance are that his robe is no longer
purple and his book no longer has "Cosmic Log" prominently written on its
cover.
In the envoi to _The Doll's House_, Mike Dringenberg thanks Cinnamon, who
served as the model for Death. (A signed picture of Mike and Cinnamon can
be found in Funny Papers at Dobie Center in Austin, Texas.) By one account,
Cinnamon was as pale as Death is usually colored, but tended to have her hair
in shades other than black.
Originally, Gaiman had wanted to use Louise Brooks, a film star of the late
20s, as a model for Death. Dringenberg and a strange coincidence over a
pancake breakfast were able to convince him to go with the slightly less
reserved version.
Destruction in his first incarnation, looked very much like Brian Blessed in
one of his more hirsute roles.
Desire often has the appearance of a Patrick Nagel print.
Despair and the first Delirium, since she changes so often, come from
two different strange photographs.
The idea for Dream's look came more from his initial situation of
imprisonment. He was to be thin and pale. Gaiman then did rough sketches of
Dream as he expected him to look. Dream's clothes were partially based on
his creator's personal tastes and partially inspired by a print of a kimono
in a book of Japanese designs.
Despite common rumor, Death is not based on Siouxsie Sioux and Dream
isn't based on Robert Smith. However, an early drawing of Dream that
Dave McKean did was based on the appearance of Bono in the Clannad "In a
Lifetime" video. The drawing is included on the first page of the Afterwords
to _Preludes and Nocturnes_.
More recently people have been wondering which character Tori Amos was
based on (Ummm, reverse that) or if Delirium is based on Tori Amos. The
easy answers are none and no. While Neil Gaiman and Tori Amos are friends,
the character of Delirium was created before their friendship. However, Jill
Thompson does seem to have drawn at least one aspect of Delirium with some of
the feature of Amos. (Supposedly, Thompson may have included some of her own
traits, though she denies being anything like the character.) Also it has
been reported that occasionally Amos says things that Del winds up saying
later. Tori Amos (or at least a poster) of her does appear in "The Kindly
Ones" and a couple of her lyrics appear in Sandman. Rose Walker also makes
a reference to "Cornflake Girl."
[1.9] Question: Are the Endless known by other names?
Each culture may have its own names for the members of the Endless. In the
Sandman Special, the Endless are known as:
Potmos (Destiny)
Teleute (Death)
Oneiros (Dream/Morpheus)
Olethros (Destruction)
Epithumia (Desire)
Aponoia (Despair)
Mania (Delirium)
Dream was also known as L'Zoril to the Martians and Kai'ckul to Nada's
people. "In A Game of You," he is called Murphy within Barbie's skerry.
As stated in Sandman #21, Dream has collected many names and titles. An
incomplete list would include:
Kinge of Dremes
The Prince of Stories
Prince Morpheus
The Oneiromancer
The Sandman
Master of Dreams (Dream Master)
King of Dreams, of the Nightmare Realm
The Dreamlord (Lord of Dreams)
Dream King (Dream-King)
Lord of the Sleeping Marches
Lord of the Sleeping
Lord of Sleep
Master of the Realm of Sleep
Oneiros
The Shaper of Form
The Shaper of Forms
Cat of Dreams
King of the Riddle Realms
Shaper or Lord Shaper
Lord of the Dream World
Prince of Stories
Monarch of the Sleeping Marches
His Darkness, Dream of the Endless
The Dreamweaver
The Nightmare King
Dream-creature
The Shaper of Dreams
Sultan of Sleep
He is also called Mister Dreamy by Shivering Jemmy and Dreamsneak by John
Dee, but these aren't really titles. Matthew and Mervyn often refers to
Dream as Boss.
Caliph of Baghdad greets Dream as, "The lord of sleep, the prince of
stories, he to whom Allah has given dominion over that which is not and
was not, and shall never be."
Different cultures seem to use different titles for Dream. For example,
The Fay Folk use Shaper or Lord Shaper, but it's not clear whether this is
related to the Roman Shaper of Form. When Loki took the place of Lord
Susano-o-no-Mikoto, he may have given away his true identity by addressing
Dream as Dreamweaver, a name used by the Aesir. Lord Susano-o-no-Mikoto had
addressed Dream previously as The Shaper of Dreams. (The exchange between
Loki and Dream takes place in the epilogue to "Season of Mists," Sandman #28.)
Death is called Grandmother Death in Sandman #9. This may be the only
other time when another member of the Endless is given an alternative
name.
[1.10] Question: What are the "ages" of the Endless?
The list of the Endless from oldest to youngest is usually given as:
Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, Delirium
Desire and Despair are described as twins. Since the Endless are not born,
it is possible that both Desire and Despair came into existence at the same
time and are therefore the same age. The relationship between the two
suggests that Desire is the "older" of the twins, even if they are the same
age. This may also be because the current Despair is not the original holder
of her position. Desire may continue to treat her as a new sibling. (Or
perhaps it's because you first desire something and then despair that you
can't get it.)
There is a definite distinction between the older three Endless and the
younger three. (Destruction, due to his absence, has been excluded from
the family squabbles detailed in the series.) The most obvious difference
is the taunting and scheming the younger three, especially Desire, aim
at the older three. Perhaps this is nothing more than Endless sibling
rivalry.
All the Endless are extremely old by human standards. Even Delirium, who is
the youngest of the family and who looks like a twelve year old, is very
ancient indeed.
Note: There was some confusion about ages when Death refers to Dream as
"Big Brother" in Sandman #24. This should be read only as a term of affection.
[1.11] Question: Can the Endless die or be destroyed?
The Endless as entities can die or be destroyed. The Endless as positions
will eventually cease to exist, but only as the end of the universe
approaches.
When Dream prepares to go to Hell in Sandman #22, he tells his servants that
he may not return and if so a new aspect will take his place. In Sandman
#48, Dream, Destruction and Delirium talk about the one time an aspect of
one of their siblings was destroyed. While it's rare, only one instance
since time began, it is possible for an aspect of the Endless to die.
In "Cerements" (Sandman #55) there is additional evidence that aspects
of the Endless can die.
In Books of Magic #4 (miniseries), we learn that the Endless and their realms
and positions eventually end. At the very end of the Universe, Death will
come for her last sibling. In Sandman #48, Destruction says that the
existence of the Endless are bounded and none of them will last longer
than the Universe.
An exception to this may be Death herself. In Sandman #20, she says that
when the last living thing in the Universe dies, she'll close up shop and
leave. Delirium mentions this point in response to Destruction's comments
in #48, but Dream conditions it with, "So we suppose." We have seen a
possible end of the Universe where this happens, but not all futures
will come to pass.
Within "The Kindly Ones," mention has been made that no real harm can
come to Dream while he remains in the Dreaming. (Sandman #66) The
conditions of this are not yet quite clear, though the implications
of his leaving seem to be developed further in later issues.
[1.12] Question: What are the sigils and galleries?
The true significance of the sigils remains uncertain. So far we've only
seen them used as a means of communication between the Endless and a
means of travel between the realms.
The sigils for the Endless are:
Destiny Book
Death Ankh
Dream Helmet
Destruction Sword
Desire Heart
Despair Ring with a hook
Delirium Chaotic pattern
(An exception to this pattern is Destiny's gallery. Instead of sigils, Each
Endless is represented by a large portrait.)
The sigils are housed in the galleries of the Endless. Each gallery
contains a copy of the sigils of the other six Endless. The owner's sigil
appears blank or acts like a mirror. (See Sandman #24, #46 and #48 for
examples.) The order of the sigils seems to vary, though most seem to
be in a Destiny-to-Delirium order with a few translocations.
Destruction's sigil has been blank in the galleries of the other Endless,
probably due to him leaving his position. (In Destiny's gallery it is
hidden by curtains.) In his own gallery his sigil appears as a sword.
His own sigil being visible in Destruction's gallery may be related to
it not appearing in the galleries of the rest of the family.
In Sandman #46, when Delirium closes off her realm, her sigil in Dream's
gallery (and probably Death's since Death mentions the change) turns black.
Desire does the same thing in Sandman #59. The story explicitly states that
when Desire closes off its realm (s/he is shown removing its sigil from the
frame) the silver heart disappears from all of the Endless galleries and is
replaced by a dark void. The Threshold, Desire's self-shaped home, also
closes its eyes when the sigil is removed.
The galleries of Destiny, Dream, Destruction (in temporary residence outside
his realm), and Desire have been seen in issues of Sandman. (Death's may
have appeared in the Sandman Special if the Endless family photo in her
house is really her gallery.) According to Delirium, she has lost her own
gallery somewhere within her realm. (Sandman #41). However, she must redis-
covered it later as she uses it properly in Sandman #64. Despair appears to
see into the realms of her sibling using the backs of mirrors. In Sandman #41
Desire appears to be calling Despair and we see his/her face in one of the
mirrors.
[1.13] Question: What are the realms of the Endless like?
We have had glimpses of almost all of the realms of the Endless.
The Dreaming has been a common setting for the series. We first see it
in disrepair in Sandman #2. The main feature of the Dreaming is Dream's
castle, whose gate is guarded by a wyvern, a hippogriff and a griffin.
The size and location of the palace can change. In Sandman #24, Dream
moves it to the top of a mountain before the "guests" arrive. No matter
where the castle moves, it remains at the heart of the Dreaming.
Other notable features of the Dreaming are the House of Mystery and
the House of Secrets where Cain and Abel live, Eve's cave, Fiddler's
Green, Lucien's library (within the castle) and the gates of horn and
ivory.
Destiny's Garden appears in Sandman #21, #28, #47, #59, #63, #67. The garden
includes many paths and mazes. In #47, large statues of the Endless are also
shown. These large statues reappear in #63. In this issue it becomes more
apparent that they somewhat reflect the current lives of the Endless.
Within the garden is a building where Destiny keeps his gallery and
where the family has met twice in the last three hundred years. Within
Destiny's realm, the Endless are served by what Delirium refers to as
"little flappy things."
In the Sandman Special, Orpheus travels to Death's house. This may or may
not be a portion of her realm. In the Special, Death demonstrates the house's
appearance isn't fixed, changing it to something she thinks will be more
acceptable for Orpheus. Her house appears again in Books of Magic #4
(regular series) where we get a good look at her closet and some of her
possessions.
In "Tales in the Sand" (Sandman #9), Nada is seen on the borders of the
realm of Death, but nothing is shown of the realm. In Sandman #8 both
Death and Dream mention the Sunless Land. This may be a description of
her realms or just a euphemism for death.
It should be noted that Death keeps two goldfish. Slim is the big orange
one and Wandsworth is the little yellow one. They appear in the special and
the Death miniseries.
Desire's realm is empty except for The Threshold, the fortress where Desire
resides. The Threshold first appeared in Sandman #10. It later appears
in Sandman #16, #41, #49 and #59. The Threshold is shaped like a very large
statue of Desire. Desire lives in the heart of The Threshold. In Sandman #49,
Desire floats in one of the Threshold's eyeballs. (The eye is described as
being bigger than a cathedral.) When Desire closes off its realm in Sandman
#59, the eyes of the Threshold close.
The realm of Despair appears only in Sandman #41, #49 and #59. It is a gray
and silent place. Its sole contents, other than Despair and Despair's pet
rats, are the backside of mirrors through which Despair may watch her
handiwork.
Delirium's realm appeared in #46. It is a jumble of bright colors, strange
shapes and bodiless voices. The centerpiece is a sun dial with the caption
Tempus Frangit. Delirium explains to Dream that the sun dial is broken.
As Delirium tells Barnabas, her new guardian, "We're going to my place.
It's very interesting. You'll like it, unless maybe you don't."
The realm of Destruction has not been seen yet.
In Sandman #47, it is said that the Endless do not like visiting the realms
of their siblings and only Death travels freely without misgiving.
[1.14] Question: Do the Endless appear differently to different people?
Dream has shown this ability in several issues. The most dramatic instances
may be his appearance as a large cat in Sandman #18 ("Dream of a Thousand
Cats") or his transformation into the Martian god, Lord L'Zoril in Sandman
#5. In Sandman #26, his features, clothes and throne change as he speaks
with different agents seeking the key to Hell.
The other Endless have not demonstrated the same characteristic. Death
and Destruction have dressed for the time period, but their physical
appearances have changed little. Despair and Destiny have not changed
their appearance at all. In Sandman #21 it is said Destiny doesn't cast
a shadow or leave footprints.
Delirium's appearance changes often, but not to suit her surroundings
or audience. The one notable exception to this is in Sandman #48 where her
physical appearance, but not her clothes, change as she recounts her search
for Destruction. Note that Del's appearance matches how she looked during
the part of the story she is describing. Also, there are times when Delirium
at least cares about how others might perceive her. In "The Kindly Ones: 12"
(Sandman #68) she turns Borghal Rantipole into a fish so she won't be as
conspicuous when she visits The Lux.
Desire doesn't need to change its appearance. No matter how it looks,
it remains "everything you have wanted." (Desire often does change its
attire, perhaps not satisfied with just one style of dress.)
Whether Dream's change in appearance is his viewer's perception or
a conscious act on Dream's part is not clear. Perhaps a combination of
both. In Sandman #21, we are told that we see only an aspect of the Endless
and that Dream casts a shadow only when he remembers to. In Sandman #46,
Dream appears with cat-like eye while talking to Bast, but only takes on
a greater resemblance to a cat as he leaves her.
In "Soft Places" (Sandman #39), Marco Polo asks if Dream is always so
pale. Dream responds it depends on who is looking. This response may be
interpreted in a number of ways, but it does suggest that the aspect of
Dream that is seen depends somewhat on the viewer.
[1.15] Question: When and how long was Dream imprisoned? Why was he able to
be captured so easily?
Dream was captured by Roderick Burgess and his followers on June 11th, 1916.
In a timeline recently published by DC for their Zero Hour mini-series, Dream
is listed as having been captured in 1919. This can be considered to be an
erroneous entry and safely ignored.
On the day Dream escapes, the Sun newspaper being read by the guard has
a date of September 14, 1988. Assuming it's a current paper, 72 years and
about four months. (The date has recently been confirmed in "The Kindly: 6"
when Paul McGuire indicates that was the date that Alex Burgess fell asleep.)
The question of the ease of Dream's capture has been a source of much spec-
ulation. The fact that Dream is wearing his helmet and carrying both the
pouch and the ruby is definitely significant. In Sandman #47, there's the
additional clue that Dream was returning from a far away galaxy and "tired
beyond reckoning" just before he was captured.
[1.16] Question: When did Delight become Delirium? Why?
We have never seen Delight. All of Del's appearances, including at Orpheus'
wedding have been as Delirium. Destiny's portrait for Del suggests it
was made when she was Delight and an image of Delight appears to Dream
and Delirium in Destiny's garden, but the character of Delight has not
appeared in the book. It is possible that the Del standing with the
Endless in the unnamed necropolis ("Cerements", Sandman #55, page 16,
panel 1) is Delight and not Delirium. However, there is no conclusive
evidence that such is the case.
In Sandman #42, we see Delirium after her transformation. (She realizes
she is no longer Delight.) This is set in the Dawn Days, a hazy period set
before Earth's recorded history. From the description of the changes
in Delirium's realm ("the blossoms had already begun to fall in her domain")
it's possible that this is shortly, in the terms of the Endless, after
her transformation.
Why Delight became Delirium has not been revealed. Delirium knows the
reason, but she may be the only one. In Sandman #47, she tells Destiny
"There are things not in your book. There are paths outside this garden."
Destiny does not or cannot answer when Delirium asks if he know why she
stopped being Delight. In an interview for Musing magazine, Jill Thompson
says that Neil Gaiman knows that reason for the change, but he's not
telling, yet.
[1.17] Question: Who was Delirium going to marry?
In the Sandman Special, Delirium comments, "Well...you know...I nearly got
married. But that was a long time ago. It never happened." Who Del was
going to marry and why the marriage never happened have never explained.
Occasionally, someone will suggest that the cancelled marriage may have
had something to do with the transformation of Delight into Delirium.
[1.18] Question: What is that thing under Death's eye?
The eye squiggle or curlicue first appeared with Death's more formal
attire in Sandman #21. It is usually under her left eye, but Dringenberg
(#21) and Bachalo (Death #1-3) have also drawn her with it under the right
eye. In the Sandman Special, curlicues appear under both eyes when Death
takes on the appearance she thinks Orpheus expects. With no further details,
the eye squiggle might be considered merely a cosmetic addition.
Several people have commented that Death's eye make-up (with the squiggle)
recalls the Egyptian "Eye of Horus" design. However, it is usually somewhat
different and no conclusion can be drawn whether that was the intent of
Mike Dringenberg, the artist who first drew Death with the eye squiggle, or
not.
[1.19] Question: What is the women's version of the story of Nada and Kai'ckul?
Sorry. They told me once, but I didn't understand a word of it. It's like
they speak an entirely different language.
[1.20] Question: What is the second play that William Shakespeare wrote for
Dream?
The Tempest. It will most likely be the subject of the final issue of The
Sandman. (Sandman #75 is the tentative issue.)
[1.21] Question: What books have we seen in Lucien's Library?
In Sandman #21, Lucien is busy shelving "novels their authors never wrote
or never finished, except in dreams." The titles we can see are:
_Psmith and Jeeves_ by P.G. Wodehouse
_Love Can Be Murder_ by Raymond Chandler
_The Hand of Glory_ by Erasmus Fry
_The Return of Edwin Drood_ by Charles Dickens
_The Conscience of Sherlock Holmes_ by Arthur Conan Doyle
_Poictesme Babylon_ by James Branch Cabell
_The Man Who was October_ by G. K. Chesterton
_The Lost Road_ by J.R.R. Tolkien
_Alice's Journey Behind the Moon_ by Lewis Carroll
In "The Hunt" (Sandman #38), Lucien retrieves the library's copy of _The
Merrie Comedie of the Redemption of Doctor Faustus_ by Christopher Marlowe.
In Sandman #46, Lucien carries a stack of books including:
_The Death of Kai Lung_ by Ernest Bramah
_Chanticleer's Dance_ by Hope Mirrlees
_The Last Voyage of Lemuel Gulliver_ by [Jonathan] Swift
_The Emperor Over the Sea_ by C.S. Lewis
_Ian and Ann's Book of Days_ [author unknown]
[obscured] Phoenix_ by [E. Nes?]bit
In Sandman #49, Lucien and Mervyn take a load of cryptogeographia over to
the southwestern annex. The load includes:
_Ousland City from Top to Bottom_
_Poictesme_
_Kadath_
_Puddleby_
_Sardathrion_
_Saffron Park_
_Hobbiton_
_The Night Land_
_One Night in Baghdad_
_The Land_
_Flora of Neverland_
_[Frommer's Guide to H]ell_
_[N]arnia_
_[Hitchhiker]'s Guide [to the] Galaxy_
_Road Trips To [the E]merald City_
_Great Hote[ls] on the Moon_
_Camp Cusack Gu[ide]_
_Ampersand_ ?
_Mu A to Z_
_Cloud Cu[ckoo-Land]_
_Noumaria on 7 Livres a Day_
_Hy-Brasil By Night_
_Los Angeles Underground Railway Map 1932_
In Vertigo Jam, Lucien finds the library's copy of _The Bestselling Romantic
Spy Thriller I used to think about on the bus that would sell a billion
copies and mean I'd never have to work again_ for the unidentified dreamer
who is touring the Dreaming.
In "Kindly Ones: 1", Lucien is reading _A Banquet for the Wormes_, an
unwritten play by John Webster.
One way or another, _When Real Things Happen to Imaginary People_ is
in Lucien's library. (Sandman #69)
[1.22] How tall is Dream? How old should Death appear to be?
This varies of course, but according to the script for Sandman #17, he
usually appears to be about 6' 4". He is supposed to appear quite thin
as well. Chris Bachalo has commented that Death should appear to be between
15 and 17 years old. (For his work on Death: The High Cost of Living,
Bachalo used his teenage cousin as a model for some of the panels.) At
a book signing, Gaiman commented 17 might be the ideal age for his mental
image of Death.
[1.23] What is the identity of Dream's "mystery lover"? (The one he's moping
about at the start of "Brief Lives".)
It's Thessaly, dammit.
[1.24] Who are "The Kindly Ones"?
The last major Sandman story arc is called "The Kindly Ones." The
title comes from one translation of the Greek "Eumenides", a name
applied to the Furies after they came to be worshipped in Athens. Within
the series, The Kindy Ones are one side of the Hecateae. (When Rose Walker
meets the three in Sandman #10, Cynthia tells her "you wouldn't want to meet
us as the Kindly Ones.") Within Greek mythology, the Furies (Or Erinyes) were
the avengers of those wronged and the punishers of those who broke the
laws, especially those who committed crimes against other members of their
clan or family. Since Desire promised to bring the Kindly Ones down on Dream's
head by getting him to spill family blood ("Three Septembers and a January,"
Sandman #31), the common assumption was that the upcoming story would
involve the Furies' reaction to Dream killing his son, Orpheus. The final
page of Sandman #63 and page 21 of Sandman #67 seem to confirm this
assumption.
[1.25] What is Lyta Hall's connection to the Furies? What are her super
powers?
The most obvious connection is that Lyta Trevor was called Fury when she
was a member of Infinity, Inc. In the pre-Crisis DC continuity, that may
have been her only connection. In post-Crisis DC continuity, however, there
is a more definite link. Post-crisis has her as the daughter of Helena
Kosmatos, who was the "original" Fury. (The identity of Lyta's father hasn't
been revealed.) Helena received her powers from the Fury Tisiphone the Blood
Avenger so that Helena could avenge her mother's death. Presumably, Lyta
inherited some of her mother's powers.
According to the DC's Who's Who Update of 1987, Lyta's abilities include
superhuman strength, speed and endurance. She also is well-trained in
hand-to-hand combat. She does not seem to possess her mother's ability to
transform herself into a "Blood Avenger."
[1.26] How did Desire originally attempt to get Dream to spill family blood?
When Desire cannot get Emperor Norton to enter its domain, s/he promises
to get Dream to spill family blood and by doing so, bring the Kindly Ones
(see above) down on his head. ("Three Septembers and a January," Sandman #31).
This plan comes to fruition in the events of the _Doll's House_. Specifically,
in "Sleep of the Just" (Sandman #1), Unity Kincaid is raped in 1932 by
Desire. Unity was meant to be a dream vortex. With Dream imprisoned and away
from the Dreaming, the vortex is passed down to Miranda Walker, Unity's
daughter, and then to Rose Walker, Unity's granddaughter. (From Dream's
comments in "Lost Hearts", Sandman #16, there is some reason to believe
Desire might have been responsible for the transmission of the vortex
from mother to daughter to granddaughter.) Had Dream killed Rose to
destroy the vortex, he would have spilt family blood as Rose is Desire's
granddaughter.
[1.27] In the funeral witnessed in the final issue of "Worlds' End," Sandman
#56, who was in the casket? Who attended the funeral?
The first question can't be answered yet. (Although it appears obvious
after "The Kindly Ones."
The second one can be answered to some degree. In the funeral procession
were:
Destiny (page 13)
Flag Bearer and 6 Pallbearers (page 14-15)
Nuala, Abel, Mervyn, Cain, Luz, Wilkinson, Titania, Despair, Bast, A raven,
An angel, Odin, Thor, Emperor Norton, Fiddler's Green, Gregory the Gargoyle,
and Martin Tenbones. (Left to right on pages 16-17)
Delirium and Death (page 18)
It is not apparent who all of the members of the funeral party are. It has
been suggested that Lucien is the man carrying the flag, Loki is the second
pallbearer on the right, and that Desire may be the first pallbearer. All or
some of these suggestions might be correct.
Also the Raven on page 17 might be Matthew. The angel on the same page
may be either Remiel or Duma, last seen looking after things in Hell.
[1.28] Is that supposed to be an identifiable character behind Dream as he
returns to the Dreaming in "Season of Mists: Episode 3"?
No. Despite what was said in a later lettercol, the creature behind Dream
on page 6 of Sandman #24 was not intended to be a specific character or
creature. It's described in the script as "some kind of grotesque thingie."
[End of Part 1]
=============================
Lance "Cr2O3.2H2O" Smith | "Mr Peanut never wore khakis.
([l s mith] at [cs.umn.edu]) | Look what happened to him"
We were no match for |
their untamed wit. | Rejected ad campaign for The Gap