In the late 1980s and early 1990s DC Comics through its Vertigo titles took the comic book world by storm. One comic in particular lead the pack. That comic was The Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman. At the time, and since, The Sandman has been a major influence upon other writers. Of all the parts of The Sandman, Season of Mists has always been my favorite.
This is an ongoing series looking at books that have influenced one fantasy author.
by Neil Gaiman
To try and explain The Sandman graphic novels to one not already in the know is nearly a possibility, at least in the limited space of a blog post.
But I’ll try. Briefly.
For those who only know comic books as a medium full of super heroes in spandex outfits … that’s not The Sandman. The Sandman was a comic book, and eventually graphic novels, about a powerful, immortal being named Morpheus, also known by some as the Sandman. Morpheus is a member of a family of immortals called the Endless. They are sort of like ancient gods of mythology, except they don’t see out worshipers.
The Endless do, however, have major influence (and some would argue out-and-out control) over certain portions of reality. Morpheus is in charge of dreams. His oldest sister is in charge of death. His oldest brother is in charge of destiny. The list goes on.
Morpheus himself has pale white skin and black hair. He also usually dresses in lots of black. He’s got a goth thing going on, in his wardrobe and his attitude. But he can pretty much look like whomever he wants, if it came down to it.
In Season of Mists, the fourth collection of stories from The Sandman, Morpheus travels to Hell. Yes, the Hell. He’s going to Hell to right a wrong he did thousands of years earlier. See, he sent a woman he loved to Hell. For ever. Because she spurned him. Yeah, Morpheus wasn’t always such a nice guy.
Upon arriving in Hell, Morpheus expects to have to do battle with Lucifer himself. Lucifer and the Sandman have some history, and Lucifer isn’t real crazy about or protagonist.
However, it turns out Lucifer doesn’t attack Morpheus. Lucifer is busy with other things. He’s shutting down Hell. Kicking out the demons, closing the doors and locking them. Lucifer apparently has had enough of being God’s whipping boy through all the eons, and has decided to retire.
That’s when Morpheus shows up. And Lucifer gives Morpheus the key to Hell.
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