Editing The Sandman (comic book) (section)

==Collected editions==
''The Sandman'' was initially published as a monthly serial, in 32-page comic books with some exceptions to this pattern. The stories within were usually 24 pages long, with eight exceptions within the main story arc: issue #1, "Sleep of the Just" (40 pages); issue #14, "Collectors" (38 pages); issue #32, "Slaughter on Fifth Avenue" (25 pages); issue #33, "Lullabies of Broadway" (23 pages); issue #36, "Over the Sea to Sky" (39 pages); issue #50, "Distant Mirrors—Ramadan" (32 pages); issue #52, "Cluracan's Tale" (25 pages); issue #75, "The Tempest" (38 pages).<ref>Bender "Appendixes" p. 264–270</ref> As the series increased in popularity, DC Comics began to reprint them in hardcover and trade paperback editions, each representing either a complete novel or a collection of related short stories.

DC first published "[[The Sandman: The Doll's House|The Doll's House]]" storyline in a collection called simply ''The Sandman''.<ref name="NeilG"/> Shortly thereafter, the first three volumes were published and named independently and collected in a boxed set. (Death's debut story, "The Sound of Her Wings" from issue #8, appeared both at the beginning of early editions of ''The Doll's House'' and at the end of ''Preludes and Nocturnes'', creating overlap between the first two volumes.<ref name="NeilG"/>) In 1998, the cover images from ''The Sandman'' were released as one compiled volume titled ''[[Dustcovers: The Collected Sandman Covers]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last1= Gaiman|first1= Neil|last2= McKean|first2= Dave|title= Dustcovers: The Collected Sandman Covers, 1989–1997|publisher= DC Comics|year= 1998|page= 206|isbn= 978-1-56389-388-9}}</ref> [[Dave McKean]]'s covers use techniques such as painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, and computer manipulation.

===Trade paperbacks===
A total of ten [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperbacks]] contain the full run of the series and have all been kept in print. In 2010, Vertigo began releasing a new edition of ''Sandman'' books, featuring the new coloring from the ''Absolute Editions''.<ref>{{Cite web | url= http://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/the-sandman-vol-1-preludes-and-nocturnes-new-edition| title= ''The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes – New Edition''|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140314174704/http://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/the-sandman-vol-1-preludes-and-nocturnes-new-edition|archive-date= March 14, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= November 1, 2011}}</ref>
* ''[[The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes|Preludes and Nocturnes]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #1–8, 1988–1989: Dream is imprisoned for decades by an occultist seeking immortality. Upon escaping, he must reclaim his objects of power while still in a weakened state, confronting an addict to his dream powder, the legions of [[Hell (DC Comics)|Hell]], and an all-powerful madman ([[Doctor Destiny]]) in the process. Guest starring several DC Comics characters including [[John Constantine]], [[Mister Miracle]], the [[Martian Manhunter]], the [[Scarecrow (DC Comics)|Scarecrow]], [[Etrigan the Demon]], and the [[Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|original Sandman]]. It features the introduction of [[Lucifer (DC comics)|Lucifer]], with cameos by [[Batman]] and [[Hal Jordan|Green Lantern]].
* ''[[The Sandman: The Doll's House|The Doll's House]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #9–16, 1989–1990: Morpheus tracks down rogue dreams that escaped the Dreaming during his absence. In the process, he must shatter the illusions of a family living in dreams, disband a convention of serial killers, and deal with a "dream vortex" that threatens the existence of the entire Dreaming. Features [[Hector Hall]] as the Bronze Age [[Sandman (DC Comics)|Sandman]]. Introduces the characters William Shakespeare and Hob Gadling.
* ''[[The Sandman: Dream Country|Dream Country]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #17–20, 1990: This volume contains four independent stories. The imprisoned muse [[Calliope]] is forced to provide story ideas, a cat seeks to change the world with dreams, [[William Shakespeare]] puts on a play for an unearthly audience, and a shape-shifting immortal (obscure DC Comics character [[Element Girl]]) longs for death.
* ''[[The Sandman: Season of Mists|Season of Mists]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #21–28, 1990–1991: Dream travels to Hell to free a former lover, Nada, whom he condemned to torment thousands of years ago. There, Dream learns that Lucifer has abandoned his domain. When Lucifer gives Hell's key (and therefore, the ownership of Hell) to the Sandman, Morpheus himself becomes trapped in a tangled network of threats, promises, and lies, as gods and demons from various pantheons seek ownership of Hell. Wesley Dodds and [[Hawkman (Carter Hall)]] appear in one panel.
* ''[[The Sandman: A Game of You|A Game of You]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #32–37, 1991–1992: Barbie, a New York divorcée (introduced in ''The Doll's House''), travels to the magical realm that she once inhabited in her dreams, only to find that it is being threatened by the forces of the Cuckoo. This series introduces the character of Thessaly, who will play a key role in Morpheus's eventual fate.
* ''[[The Sandman: Fables & Reflections|Fables and Reflections]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #29–31, 38–40, 50; ''The Sandman Special'' #1; and ''Vertigo Preview'' No. 1, 1991–1993: A collection of short stories set throughout Morpheus's history, most of them originally published directly before or directly after the "Game of You" story arc. Four issues, dealing with kings and rulers, were originally published under the label ''Distant Mirrors'', while three others, detailing the meetings of various characters, were published as the "Convergences" arc. ''Fables and Reflections'' includes ''The Sandman Special'' #1, originally published as a stand-alone issue, which assimilates the myth of [[Orpheus]] into the Sandman mythos, as well as a very short Sandman story from the ''Vertigo Preview'' promotional comic.
* ''[[The Sandman: Brief Lives|Brief Lives]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #41–49, 1992–1993: Dream's erratic younger sister Delirium convinces him to help her search for their missing brother, the former Endless Destruction, who left his place among the "family" three hundred years before. Their quest is marred by the death of all around them, and eventually, Morpheus must turn to his son Orpheus to find the truth and undo an ancient sin.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gaiman|first=Neil|title=Brief Lives|year=1994|publisher=DC Comics|isbn=1-56389-138-7}}</ref>
* ''[[The Sandman: Worlds' End|Worlds' End]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #51–56, 1993: A "reality storm" strands travelers from across the cosmos at the "Worlds' End Inn". To pass the time, they exchange stories. Guest-starring [[Prez (DC Comics)|Prez]] and [[Wildcat (DC Comics)|Wildcat]].
* ''[[The Sandman: The Kindly Ones|The Kindly Ones]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #57–69 and ''Vertigo Jam'' No. 1, 1993–1995: In the longest ''Sandman'' story, Morpheus becomes the prey of the [[Erinyes|Furies]], avenging spirits who torment those who spill family blood.
* ''[[The Sandman: The Wake|The Wake]]'' collecting ''The Sandman'' #70–75, 1995–1996: The conclusion of the series, wrapping up the remaining loose ends in a three-issue "[[wake (ceremony)|wake]]" sequence, followed by three self-contained stories. Features a guest appearance by Wesley Dodds, and cameos by Batman, the Martian Manhunter, [[Clark Kent]], [[Darkseid]], the [[Phantom Stranger]], [[Doctor Occult]], John Constantine, and the [[Black Spider]].

====30th Anniversary editions====
In 2018 DC republished the previous ten trade paperbacks in a new 30th anniversary edition,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2018/10/30/dc-vertigo-announces-30th-anniversary-editions-of-the-sandman|title= DC Vertigo announces 30th Anniversary editions of The Sandman|date= June 14, 2018}}</ref> along with [[The Sandman: Endless Nights|Endless Nights]], now numbered as Volume 11, both prose and comic versions of [[The Sandman: The Dream Hunters|The Dream Hunters]] as separate unnumbered volumes and [[The Sandman: Overture|Overture]] as Volume ∞.

===Absolute editions===
The [[DC Comics Absolute Edition]] series are large 8" by 12" prints of a considerably higher quality and price than the library edition, and include a leather-like cover and a [[slipcase]]. Many of the early stories have been extensively retouched or recolored with Gaiman's approval.<ref name="Absolute1">{{Cite web|url= http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Comics/The+Absolute+Sandman%2C+Vol.+1/|title= Neil's Work: ''The Absolute Sandman'', Vol. 1|publisher= NeilGaiman.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140713005911/http://neilgaiman.com/works/Comics/The+Absolute+Sandman%2C+Vol.+1/|archive-date= July 13, 2014|url-status= live| access-date=December 23, 2008}}</ref>
* '''''The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #1–20 (''Preludes and Nocturnes'', ''The Doll's House'', and ''Dream Country''). Extras include Gaiman's original series pitch, character designs charting the visual development of Dream, script and pencils for ''The Sandman'' #19 ("A Midsummer Night's Dream"), and Gaiman's prose summary of the first seven issues from ''The Sandman'' #8, which features story beats not in the original comics.<ref name="Absolute1"/> Published November 2006. To promote the volume, DC issued a refurbished edition of the first issue of the series.
* '''''The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 2''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #21–39. Extras include the Desire story "The Flowers of Romance" from ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #1, script and pencils for ''The Sandman'' #23 ("Season of Mists: Chapter Two"), humorous biographies of the contributors, a section on DC's official "Sandman Month", a prose story from the box of the first Sandman statue detailing the statue's (fictional) history, and a complete reproduction of ''A Gallery of Dreams'' (a one-shot of ''Sandman''-inspired art). Published October 2007.
* '''''The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #40–56, "Fear of Falling" from ''Vertigo Preview'' #1, and ''Sandman Special'' #1. Extras include the Desire story "How They Met Themselves" from ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #3, script and thumbnails from ''The Sandman'' #50 ("Ramadan"), art galleries from ''The Sandman'' #50 and ''Sandman Special'' #1, a gallery of works inspired by the Endless, a section on Jill Thompson's "Little Endless" series, and a gallery of statues inspired by ''The Sandman'' #50. Published June 2008.
* '''''The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 4''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #57–75 (including three "lost" pages from ''The Sandman'' #72, originally published in ''The Dreaming'' #8)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-dreaming-8-his-brothers-keeper/4000-116449/ | title=The Dreaming #8 - His Brother's Keeper (Issue)}}</ref> and "The Castle" from ''Vertigo Jam'' #1. Extras include script and developmental art for ''The Sandman'' #57 ("The Kindly Ones: Part One") and #75 ("The Tempest"), a timeline of ''The Sandman''{{'s}} production from Gaiman's initial pitch to the publication of the last issue, and sections on the merchandise inspired by ''The Sandman''. Published November 2008.
* '''''The Absolute Death''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #8 and #20, ''Death: The High Cost of Living'' #1–3, ''Death: The Time of Your Life'' #1–3, "A Winter's Tale" from ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #2, "The Wheel" from ''9–11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember'', and "Death and Venice" from ''The Sandman: Endless Nights''. Extras include the "Death Talks About Life" AIDS pamphlet, script and pencils for ''The Sandman'' #8 ("The Sound of Her Wings"), a complete reproduction of ''A Death Gallery'' (a one-shot of ''Death''-inspired art), a section on the collectibles inspired by Death, and sketches by Chris Bachalo. Published November 2009.
* '''''The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 5''''', collecting "The Last Sandman Story" from ''Dust Covers: The Collected Sandman Covers'', ''The Sandman: The Dream Hunters'' (both the prose version, written by Gaiman and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, and the four-issue comics adaptation by P. Craig Russell), ''The Sandman: Endless Nights'', and ''Sandman Midnight Theatre'' #1. Extras include script, designs, and layouts for "The Heart of a Star" from ''Endless Nights'', covers and sketches from the comics adaptation of ''The Dream Hunters'', a gallery of ''Sandman''-inspired posters, and a section on the figures and statues inspired by ''The Sandman''. Published November 2011.
* '''''The Absolute Sandman: Overture''''', collecting ''The Sandman: Overture'' #1–6. Extras include the script for ''The Sandman: Overture'' #1 ("Chapter 1: A flower burns"), sections on Dave Stewart's coloring process, Todd Klein's lettering process, and Dave McKean's cover art process, interviews with the creative team, and art by J.H. Williams. Published July 2018.

===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>

===Omnibus editions===
''The Sandman Omnibus'', a massive two-volume hardcover edition, was released in 2013 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ''The Sandman''. ''Volume 1'' collects issues #1–37 and ''The Sandman Special'' No. 1 with ''Volume 2'' collecting issues #38–75 with stories from ''Vertigo Jam'' No. 1 and ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge''. Both volumes are printed with the ''Absolute edition'' recoloring, feature a leather-like cover in black and red, and have over 1000 pages.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.vertigocomics.com/blog/2013/03/07/the-sandman-omnibus-vol-1-arrives-this-august|title= ''The Sandman Omnibus'' Vol. 1 Arrives This August|date= March 7, 2013|publisher= Vertigo|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090359/http://www.vertigocomics.com/blog/2013/03/07/the-sandman-omnibus-vol-1-arrives-this-august|archive-date= March 14, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= March 14, 2014}}</ref>

A special Silver version of ''The Sandman Omnibus'' was released as well. Limited to 500 copies and autographed by Gaiman, the ''Silver edition'' includes both volumes with a slipcase, silver-like finish and a numbered page with Gaiman's signature.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/11/08/the-sandman-omnibus-silver-edition|title= ''The Sandman Omnibus Silver Edition'' Autographed by Neil Gaiman|date= November 8, 2013|publisher= Vertigo|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131111052619/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/11/08/the-sandman-omnibus-silver-edition|archive-date= November 11, 2013|url-status= live|access-date= March 14, 2014}}</ref>

In 2019, a third [[Omnibus edition|omnibus]] volume was released which includes the acclaimed miniseries ''Death: The High Cost of Living'' and ''Death: The Time of Your Life'', the graphic novels ''Sandman Midnight Theatre'' and ''The Sandman: Endless Nights'', the prose and comics versions of ''The Sandman: The Dream Hunters'' and the award-winning miniseries ''The Sandman: Overture'', together with the artistic showcases of ''A Death Gallery'', ''The Sandman: A Gallery of Dreams'' and ''The Endless Gallery''<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 978-1401287733|title = The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 3|last1 = Gaiman|first1 = Neil|year = 2019| publisher=National Geographic Books }}</ref>

===Deluxe hardcover editions===
In 2020 DC started publishing ''The Sandman'' in five Deluxe hardcover editions.

* '''''The Sandman Deluxe Edition Book One''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #1–16. Extras include and ''Sandman Midnight Theatre'', Gaiman's original series pitch, character designs charting the visual development of Dream. Published November 2020.
* '''''The Sandman Deluxe Edition Book Two''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #17–31, The Sandman Special #1. Extras include Fear of Falling" from ''Vertigo Preview'' #1, and the ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' stories "Flowers of Romance" "A Winter's Tale", and "How They Met Themselves". Published March 2021.
* '''''The Sandman Deluxe Edition Book Three''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #32–50. Published August 2021.
* '''''The Sandman Deluxe Edition Book Four''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #51–69 and ''Vertigo Jam'' #1. Published November 2021.
* '''''The Sandman Deluxe Edition Book Five''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #70-75, ''The Sandman: The Dream Hunters'' #1–4, ''Sandman: Endless Nights'' (New Edition), ''Sandman: Dream Hunters'' 30th Anniversary Edition (Prose Version), and ''Dust Covers: The Collected Sandman Covers''. Published February 2022.

They also published a new hardcover version of ''The Absolute Death'' in April 2022'','' now titled '''''Death: The Deluxe Edition'''''. Like its predecessor, it collects ''The Sandman'' #8 and 20, "A Winter's Tale" from ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #2, ''Death: The High Cost of Living'' #1–3, "The Wheel" from ''9–11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember'', ''Death: The Time of Your Life'' #1–3, and "Death and Venice" from ''The Sandman: Endless Nights''. Extras include "Death Talks About Life", ''A Death Gallery'', and a new introduction by Tori Amos.

===2022/3 paperback reprints===
In 2022, DC Black Label began to reprint the core Sandman series as a series of paperback collections. These collect the 30th anniversary editions of the original series into four paperback volumes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-18 |title=Sandman: DC Reprinting Neil Gaiman's Entire Series Ahead of Netflix Series' Premiere |url=https://www.cbr.com/dc-reprinting-entire-sandman-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> These were followed in 2023 by two more books, collecting the remainder of the 30th anniversary editions, as well as ''Sandman Midnight Theatre'' #1 and ''The Sandman Universe'' #1.

* '''''The Sandman: Book One''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #1–20 (''Preludes and Nocturnes'', ''The Doll's House'', and ''Dream Country''). Published April 2022
* '''''The Sandman: Book Two''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #21–37 (''Season of Mists'', the first part of ''Fables and Reflections'', and ''A Game of You''), ''Sandman Special'' #1, and segments from ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #1–3 ("The Flowers of Romance", "A Winter's Tale", and "How They Met Themselves"). Published April 2022.
* '''''The Sandman: Book Three''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #38–56 (the remainder of ''Fables and Reflections'', ''Brief Lives''' and ''World's End'') and "Fear of Falling" from ''Vertigo Preview'' #1. Published May 2022.
* '''''The Sandman: Book Four''''', collecting ''The Sandman'' #57–75 (''The Kindly Ones'' and ''The Wake''), "The Castle" from ''Vertigo Jam'' #1, and "The Last Sandman Story" from ''Dust Covers: The Collected Sandman Covers''. Published May 2022.
* '''''The Sandman: Book Five''''', collecting ''Sandman Midnight Theatre'' #1, ''The Sandman: The Dream Hunters'' (prose edition), and ''The Sandman: Endless Nights''. Published February 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Sandman |at=Book Five |first=Neil |last=Gaiman |date=February 7, 2023 |isbn=9781779521514 |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725745/the-sandman-book-five-by-neil-gaiman/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |publisher=Penguin Random House |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''''The Sandman: Book Six''''', collecting ''The Sandman Universe'' #1, ''The Sandman: Overture'' #1–6, and ''The Sandman: The Dream Hunters'' (comic edition) #1–4. Published August 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Sandman |at=Book Six |first=Neil |last=Gaiman |date=August 2023 |isbn=9781779524010 |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737453/the-sandman-book-six-by-neil-gaiman/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |publisher=Penguin Random House |language=en-US}}</ref>