Editing The Sandman (comic book) (section)

==Themes and genre==
''The Sandman'' comic book series falls within the [[dark fantasy]] genre, albeit in a more contemporary and modern setting. Critic Marc Buxton described the book as a "masterful tale that created a movement of mature dark fantasy" which was largely unseen in previous [[fantasy]] works before it.<ref name="Marc">{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50526|title= By Crom! The 10 Greatest Fantasy Comics of All-Time|first= Marc|last= Buxton|date= January 26, 2014|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140409194641/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50526|archive-date= April 9, 2014|url-status= live}} Archive requires scrolldown</ref> The comic book also falls into the genres of [[urban fantasy]], [[epic fantasy]], historical drama, and [[Superhero comics|superhero]]. It is written as a metaphysical examination of the elements of fiction,<ref name="Geek">{{cite web |url= http://www.denofgeek.us/books-comics/the-sandman/218867/the-sandman-the-essential-horror-comic-of-the-nineties|title= ''The Sandman'': The Essential Horror Comic of the Nineties|first=  Marc|last= Buxton|date= October 30, 2013|publisher= Den of Geek|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131103220936/http://www.denofgeek.us/books-comics/the-sandman/218867/the-sandman-the-essential-horror-comic-of-the-nineties|archive-date= November 3, 2013|url-status= live}}</ref> which Neil Gaiman accomplished through the artistic use of unique [[anthropomorphic]] personifications, mythology, legends, historical figures and [[Occultism|occult]] culture, making up most of the major and minor characters as well as the plot device and even the settings of the story.<ref name="Geek"/> In its earliest story arcs, the ''Sandman'' mythos existed primarily in the [[DC Universe]], and as such numerous DC characters made some appearances or were mentioned. Later, the series would reference the DCU less often, while continuing to exist in the same universe.<ref name="IGN"/>

Critic Hilary Goldstein described the comic book as "about the concept of dreams more so than the act of dreaming".<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/13/the-absolute-sandman-vol-1-review|title= ''The Absolute Sandman'' Vol. 1 Review|first= Hilary|last= Goldstein, Hilary|date= October 13, 2006|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141019044203/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/13/the-absolute-sandman-vol-1-review|archive-date= October 19, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> In the early issues, responsibility and rebirth were the primary themes of the story.<ref>Rauch (2003) p.76</ref> As Dream finally liberates himself from his occultist captors, he returns to his kingdom which had fallen on hard times due to his absence, while also facing his other siblings, who each have their own reaction to his return. The story is structured not as a series of unconnected events nor as an incoherent dream, but by having each panel have a specific purpose in the flow of the story.<ref name="IGN"/> Dreams became the core of every story arc written in the series, and the protagonist's journey became more distinct and deliberate. Many Vertigo books since, such as ''[[Transmetropolitan]]'' and ''[[Y: The Last Man]]'', have adopted this kind of format in their writing, creating a traditional prose only seen in the imprint.<ref name="IGN"/>