Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Comic

The Sandman (comic)

The Sandman is a dark fantasy comic book series written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics from 1988 to 1996.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Sandman is a dark fantasy comic series by Neil Gaiman, published by DC Comics from 1988 to 1996. It follows Dream (Morpheus), one of the Endless, through stories blending mythology, folklore, and the human condition.

What it is

The series centers on Dream, also called Morpheus, an immortal being imprisoned at the start of the story. Over 75 issues, he pursues a long arc of restoration, responsibility, and change, blending horror, fantasy, mythology, and historical fiction.

Publication and legacy

Published from 1988 to 1996, The Sandman was written by Neil Gaiman with multiple artists. It is widely credited with influencing both comics and fantasy fiction, regarded as a major work in modern storytelling.

Adaptations

A Netflix television adaptation premiered in 2022, drawing directly from Gaiman’s comic. It introduced the property to a wider mainstream audience, including Canadian viewers through the platform's global reach.

In short

  • Written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics.
  • Main character is Dream (Morpheus), one of the Endless.
  • Original run of 75 issues from 1988 to 1996.
  • Adapted into a Netflix series in 2022.
Canadian angle

The Sandman has been widely read in Canada through DC Comics publishing and became more familiar to Canadian audiences through the Netflix adaptation.

Quick questions

What is The Sandman?
The Sandman is a DC Comics dark fantasy comic series written by Neil Gaiman, centered on Dream, also known as Morpheus.
Who created The Sandman?
Neil Gaiman created and wrote The Sandman, with artwork by a rotating group of illustrators.
What is the Sandman Netflix series?
The Netflix series is a television adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s comic The Sandman, focusing on Dream and related characters from the source material.

Sources

  1. Den of Geek — https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-sandman-explained/
    Supports: Identifies The Sandman as a Neil Gaiman comic series, names Dream/Morpheus, lists the Endless, and notes the Netflix adaptation.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Sandman-comic
    Supports: Gives publication dates, credits Neil Gaiman, describes the original 75-issue run, and summarizes the premise.
  3. EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/sandman
    Supports: Summarizes the series as a DC comic by Neil Gaiman, identifies Dream and the Endless, and discusses themes and influence.
  4. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/series/40372-the-sandman
    Supports: States the series was collected from The Sandman #1-75 and The Sandman: Overture #1-6.