Editing The Sandman (comic book) (section)

===Annotated editions===
[[File:The Annotated Sandman Vol. 1, Special Sneak Preview Panel.jpg|thumbnail|The ''Annotated'' editions contain full size reproductions of the comic in black-and-white, with Klinger's annotations on wide margins next to each page.]]
While initially hesitant about releasing annotated editions, Gaiman eventually changed his mind when he forgot a reference when asked about it by a reader. The task of annotating the series was undertaken by Gaiman's friend [[Leslie S. Klinger]] of ''[[The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes]]'' who worked from the original scripts given to him by Gaiman.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/do-it-while-i-can-still-remember-things-the-annotated-sandman-volume-one|title= Do It While I Can Still Remember Things: ''The Annotated Sandman'', Volume One|first= Lee|last= Mandelo|date= January 9, 2012|publisher= [[Tor.com]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140518140322/http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/do-it-while-i-can-still-remember-things-the-annotated-sandman-volume-one|archive-date= May 18, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= August 6, 2012}}</ref>

The first volume of ''The Annotated Sandman'' was published by DC Comics in January 2012 as a large 12" by 12" black-and-white book with an introduction by Gaiman and included issues #1–20. The annotations are presented on a page-by-page, panel-by-panel basis, with quoted sections from Gaiman's scripts and insight into the various historical, mythological and [[DC Universe]] references included in the comic. The second volume annotating issues #21–39 was released in November 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/the-annotated-sandman-vol-2|title= ''The Annotated Sandman'', Vol. 2|publisher= Vertigo|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140518171634/http://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/the-annotated-sandman-vol-2|archive-date= May 18, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= August 6, 2012}}</ref> The third volume covering issues #40–56, ''The Sandman Special'' No. 1 and the story "How They Met Themselves" from ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #3 was released in October 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.vertigocomics.com/blog/2014/02/27/the-annotated-sandman-arrives-this-october|title= ''The Annotated Sandman'' arrives this October!|date= February 27, 2014|publisher =Vertigo|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140518173219/http://www.vertigocomics.com/blog/2014/02/27/the-annotated-sandman-arrives-this-october|archive-date= May 18, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= March 13, 2014}}</ref> The fourth volume including issues #57–75 and the story "The Castle" from ''Vertigo Jam'' #1 was released in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/the-annotated-sandman-vol-4|title= ''The Annotated Sandman'', Vol. 4|publisher= Vertigo|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151011034649/http://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/the-annotated-sandman-vol-4|archive-date= October 11, 2015|url-status= live}}</ref>

The first volume was nominated for the 2012 [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.vertigocomics.com/blog/2013/02/25/the-annotated-sandman-vol1-nominated-for-bram-stoker-award|title= ''The Annotated Sandman'' Vol. 1 Nominated for Bram Stoker Award|date= February 25, 2013|publisher= Vertigo|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090309/http://www.vertigocomics.com/blog/2013/02/25/the-annotated-sandman-vol1-nominated-for-bram-stoker-award|archive-date= March 14, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= March 14, 2014}}</ref>