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The Sandman (Single Issues)
Master of Dreams, Part 2: Imperfect Hosts
Morpheus, King of Dreams, gets reacquainted with his home realm of The Dreaming and the colorful characters who populate it--including Cain, Abel and Lucien, the librarian. He also discovers how much his absence has affected the universe in the time since he was imprisoned.
Dream returns to his realm, The Dreaming, and finds it is in very bad shape after his seven decade long absence and worst of all, he doesn't have the power to restore it as he has lost his three power items: the ruby, the helm and the pouch of sand. He called upon the Furies to tell him their whereabouts and is given a clue to find each one, and so begins his journey to reassert himself as Dream of the Endless.
Dream returns to his realm, The Dreaming, and finds it is in very bad shape after his seven decade long absence and worst of all, he doesn't have the power to restore it as he has lost his three power items: the ruby, the helm and the pouch of sand. He called upon the Furies to tell him their whereabouts and is given a clue to find each one, and so begins his journey to reassert himself as Dream of the Endless.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 8, 2022
Morpheus finds himself back in the Dreaming after his seventy-year imprisonment, and this second issue of The Sandman introduces us to Cain and Abel and their gargoyle Gregory, the “Imperfect Hosts” of the title who live in the Houses of Mystery and Secrets. Gregory has found the weakened Morpheus in the shifting lands on the fringes of the Dreaming, and in his diminished state he seeks the aid of the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone to learn the fate of his three missing tools, his helm, his pouch of sand, and his ruby moonstone, after they were stolen by Roderick Burgess.
Cain and Abel have been excellently cast in the new Netflix series, and the treatment of the triple goddess was nicely done as well. I assume we will see more of this female trinity as the series develops, as by his three questions Morpheus’ doom has already been established here in the second issue. “We haven’t helped you,” the Mother laughs. And the Crone ominously warns, “Your troubles are only just beginning.” These are the Morrigan; call them the Fates, the Weird Sisters, or eventually, as we will see, the Kindly Ones. Their presence hangs over the entire arc of The Sandman storyline taking it to its fated conclusion.
Gaiman again weaves the DC universe into this second issue in ways both subtle and obvious, and this time the show includes many of those connections, although many of them will zoom right over the heads of most casual viewers. Most subtle is Cain’s dwelling, the House of Mystery, and the House of Secrets, where Abel lives. Both names are titles of DC horror/fantasy comics from back in the Golden Age, and interestingly over time the two Biblical brothers become Crypt Keeper style hosts of these two creepy story mags. Even more interesting, John Jonzz the Martian Manhunter makes his first appearance in House of Mystery, and the Swamp Thing makes his first appearance in House of Secrets, and both characters eventually cross paths with Morpheus many years later.
More obvious, however, is the twisted figure of John Dee, son of Ethel Cripps and Roderick Burgess, who has the ruby and has gone insane, now residing in Arkham asylum. Fans of DC may recognize Dee as Dr. Destiny, although this alias is never used here. The show leaves out reference to the League of Justice, but the comic has a panel of Batman and the Green Lantern subduing Dee. A demon in hell holds the helm, and John Constantine has the pouch of sand, although unfortunately the show has replaced his character with Johanna Constantine, who is a Gaiman creation from later in the series and an ancestor of John’s. I assume replacing John with her has occurred due to copyright problems as John Constantine had his own show about ten years ago on NBC, and more recently has appeared in the CW. I assume Netflix didn’t have permission to use his character, which is too bad, and he will be missed, especially once we get to the Cereal Convention. Morpheus’ journey to retrieve his stolen items will take us into the next several issues of the series.
Cain and Abel have been excellently cast in the new Netflix series, and the treatment of the triple goddess was nicely done as well. I assume we will see more of this female trinity as the series develops, as by his three questions Morpheus’ doom has already been established here in the second issue. “We haven’t helped you,” the Mother laughs. And the Crone ominously warns, “Your troubles are only just beginning.” These are the Morrigan; call them the Fates, the Weird Sisters, or eventually, as we will see, the Kindly Ones. Their presence hangs over the entire arc of The Sandman storyline taking it to its fated conclusion.
Gaiman again weaves the DC universe into this second issue in ways both subtle and obvious, and this time the show includes many of those connections, although many of them will zoom right over the heads of most casual viewers. Most subtle is Cain’s dwelling, the House of Mystery, and the House of Secrets, where Abel lives. Both names are titles of DC horror/fantasy comics from back in the Golden Age, and interestingly over time the two Biblical brothers become Crypt Keeper style hosts of these two creepy story mags. Even more interesting, John Jonzz the Martian Manhunter makes his first appearance in House of Mystery, and the Swamp Thing makes his first appearance in House of Secrets, and both characters eventually cross paths with Morpheus many years later.
More obvious, however, is the twisted figure of John Dee, son of Ethel Cripps and Roderick Burgess, who has the ruby and has gone insane, now residing in Arkham asylum. Fans of DC may recognize Dee as Dr. Destiny, although this alias is never used here. The show leaves out reference to the League of Justice, but the comic has a panel of Batman and the Green Lantern subduing Dee. A demon in hell holds the helm, and John Constantine has the pouch of sand, although unfortunately the show has replaced his character with Johanna Constantine, who is a Gaiman creation from later in the series and an ancestor of John’s. I assume replacing John with her has occurred due to copyright problems as John Constantine had his own show about ten years ago on NBC, and more recently has appeared in the CW. I assume Netflix didn’t have permission to use his character, which is too bad, and he will be missed, especially once we get to the Cereal Convention. Morpheus’ journey to retrieve his stolen items will take us into the next several issues of the series.
March 5, 2020
Morpheus who is now free tries to set everything back but it isn't going to be easy, no not at all. This issue also firmly connects Sandman to the DC universe by mention of John Constantine and Justice League. So much fun ahead.
Sandman as a comic series has been monumental for so many years and I am glad that I am finally getting a chance to devour these tales of dream and mayhem. Sandman all the way then. You should read them too and then keep on reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
Sandman as a comic series has been monumental for so many years and I am glad that I am finally getting a chance to devour these tales of dream and mayhem. Sandman all the way then. You should read them too and then keep on reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
February 6, 2017
So weird, so good.
Poor Abel :'(
Poor Abel :'(
April 9, 2020
به شدت منتظر اینم که بدونم شخصیت اول جالب داستان چجوری قراره قدرتشو پس بگیره😱
واقعا دوست داشتنیه😍
واقعا دوست داشتنیه😍
September 17, 2022
محشر بود
حضور سه خواهر سرنوشت و قابیل و هابیل توی این چپتر جالب بود
حضور سه خواهر سرنوشت و قابیل و هابیل توی این چپتر جالب بود
March 18, 2019
Abel me da mucha pena...
January 15, 2017
In the second issue of Sandman, Morpheus returns to his kingdom, only to find it decayed and he pays a visit to the Fates to ask questions about his tools which were taken from him upon his imprisonment.
September 11, 2022
I was always into comics as a child I mean.
So far, I haven't reached a part that wasn't in the adaptation of this, but I can already see some changes between the comic and the adaptation.
The question is, should I go beyond the show, or not?
I probably will.
So far, I haven't reached a part that wasn't in the adaptation of this, but I can already see some changes between the comic and the adaptation.
The question is, should I go beyond the show, or not?
I probably will.
May 23, 2020
Já entrei no clima da história. Tem tanta coisa para se pensar dentro disso que deixa a gente bem loco!
September 15, 2022
fuck cain all my homies hate cain
June 8, 2022
Interesting continuation, you're definitely thrown into the more fantastical universe.
August 17, 2020
"Your Troubles are only just beginning"
This chapter introduces us to Morpheus's realm - The Dream, and it's varied cast of characters. It ends with the Sandman getting 3 answers to his questions. The writing is fantastic.
This chapter introduces us to Morpheus's realm - The Dream, and it's varied cast of characters. It ends with the Sandman getting 3 answers to his questions. The writing is fantastic.
September 26, 2021
Loooooooooved the Weird Sisters, and all the different names from the Norns to the Morai and other magical trios.
February 26, 2024
After 70 years in captivity, Morpheus has gone free and returns to the Dreaming, his abode outside of the physical plane of existence. A weakened Morpheus shows up at the House of Mystery, home to the brothers Cain and Abel. After regaining some of his vitality, Morpheus surveils the Dreaming only to see that his realm has gone into decay since his lengthy departure. We're introduced to Lucien, Morpheus' faithful servant who informs the Lord Dreamer of all the citizens who have left the Dreaming to plague the mortal world. Morpheus plans to bring them all back, but first he must reclaim his helm, pouch and ruby that went missing after Burgess stripped him of those items during his captivity. Lucien is able to track down each item, and informs Morpheus that they are held by the Lords of Hell, John Constantine, and the Justice League International, respectively. Morpheus decides to go to Earth to reclaim his pouch first from Constantine, and then figure the rest out.
It's a bit of an exposition heavy issue, but still a fun one for sure. Fan favorites Cain and Abel make their debut in Gaiman's iteration, though these are the iconic hosts of DC's twin horror titles House of Mystery and House of Secrets, respectively. The Doctor Destiny bits here were the most fun, and an introduction to one of the best antagonists in this series.
It's a bit of an exposition heavy issue, but still a fun one for sure. Fan favorites Cain and Abel make their debut in Gaiman's iteration, though these are the iconic hosts of DC's twin horror titles House of Mystery and House of Secrets, respectively. The Doctor Destiny bits here were the most fun, and an introduction to one of the best antagonists in this series.
October 7, 2024
There are things I like about it and I don't dislike it enough to give it less than three stars, but I can't say I really enjoy this. I'm going to read #3 almost solely because they finally grounded this story in something I care about: John Constantine. Otherwise, it's just too detached from reality for me to invest in. (Not that John Constantine is reality, but his stories start from a relatively grounded place and I've already spent more than a dozen issues of Hellblazer from the same time getting into him and his world. I have to say, though: the connection they've posited in this issue to other DC characters seems pretty tenuous. I don't remember a bag of sand being important or even present in Hellblazer to date.)
There are a lot of ways for art to answer the following question, but when I'm taking in some work of fiction, I need a faster and more compelling response than Sandman is giving to my default position of "this is fake; why should I care?"
There are a lot of ways for art to answer the following question, but when I'm taking in some work of fiction, I need a faster and more compelling response than Sandman is giving to my default position of "this is fake; why should I care?"
January 29, 2021
Neil Gaiman es excelente construyendo un mundo. Por ahora no tiene que aferrarse a nada real, así que puede volverse loco con su imaginación. Los paneles se ponen más experimentales y el libro en sí más extraño. Me gustó que el apresamiento del personaje principal es el incidente que comienza la historia, es la pérdida del poder de un ser tan poderoso.
La historia de los hermanos, aunque simple, me llamó mucho la atención y espero verlos de nuevo. Además de las tres hermanas que es algo que se ha tocado en muchos cuentos folclóricos, indicando que las historias trascienden ornamentos como colores y nombres.
La historia de los hermanos, aunque simple, me llamó mucho la atención y espero verlos de nuevo. Además de las tres hermanas que es algo que se ha tocado en muchos cuentos folclóricos, indicando que las historias trascienden ornamentos como colores y nombres.
November 5, 2024
Introduces some very important characters, and continues to plant more seeds for the reader to watch grow as they continue their journey.
The page that introduces the three graces, where their heads are constantly switching places from panel to panel might be one of my favorites in the entire series.
I remember being thrown off by the inclusion of more popular DC characters, but the more I thought about it the less I cared. Gaiman doesn’t concern himself with getting tied up in powerscaling bullshit, and after all, these characters were likely someone’s dream in the first place.
The page that introduces the three graces, where their heads are constantly switching places from panel to panel might be one of my favorites in the entire series.
I remember being thrown off by the inclusion of more popular DC characters, but the more I thought about it the less I cared. Gaiman doesn’t concern himself with getting tied up in powerscaling bullshit, and after all, these characters were likely someone’s dream in the first place.
January 6, 2023
It’s been a long time since literature has given me that obsessive, anxiously hooked feeling like the climb for the rollercoaster’s big drop.
I watched the Netflix adaptation and was so hooked on the Sandman universe, I knew I had to start from real scratch.
As much as some people feel you miss the visual aspect by listening to the official Audible recreation, I personally feel they did an EXCELLENT job at the sound effects and production to replace the visual with a full audio experience.
I watched the Netflix adaptation and was so hooked on the Sandman universe, I knew I had to start from real scratch.
As much as some people feel you miss the visual aspect by listening to the official Audible recreation, I personally feel they did an EXCELLENT job at the sound effects and production to replace the visual with a full audio experience.
February 15, 2020
Und schon geht es los. Zwischen Cain & Abel, der Traumwelt und "the three graces" mit sehr sehr elegantem Namensspiel, das viele Mythologien abholt und subtile Witze erlaubt, überstrahlt Sandman schon früh viele andere Serien, die irgendwie "anders" sein wollten. Selbst die Verortung im DC Universum gelingt über Arkham, Batman, Constantine und Green Lantern stilvoll und sinnig. Einfach stark.
June 8, 2025
There’s a lot that I don’t understand yet. But there’s something compelling here that’s forcing me to keep that rating high.
I love the artwork and the atmosphere of this comic book. The Macbeth-esque witches are interesting
Batman shows up in a panel here as well which was cool…
Of course this is only the 2nd of 75 issues so I assume things will be cleared up as we go on.
I love the artwork and the atmosphere of this comic book. The Macbeth-esque witches are interesting
Batman shows up in a panel here as well which was cool…
Of course this is only the 2nd of 75 issues so I assume things will be cleared up as we go on.
July 26, 2019
In the Master of Dreams absence, a lot of dreams have started falling apart. The disappearance of the tools he´s invested a lot of his powers in just add to the eerie atmosphere of the unknown. Brilliant, just brilliant! On to the next issue :D
August 4, 2022
SANDMAN°2/MASTER OF DREAMS-NEIL GAIMAN
✒"O MUNDO DOS SONHOS e infinito, embora seja demarcado de todos os lados."
🎭Likovi:Kain,Avelj,Lucijen the librarian,tri Hekate i još mnogi drugi. Naaajs 😁
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #knjige #readingaddict #literature
✒"O MUNDO DOS SONHOS e infinito, embora seja demarcado de todos os lados."
🎭Likovi:Kain,Avelj,Lucijen the librarian,tri Hekate i još mnogi drugi. Naaajs 😁
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #knjige #readingaddict #literature
October 7, 2025
Para além de uma boa continuação, deixa claro como é que o universo Sandman encaixa no universo da DC Comics.
A escrita e a arte são sublimes, e muito se pode dizer das emoções que ficam ao ler cada página.
A escrita e a arte são sublimes, e muito se pode dizer das emoções que ficam ao ler cada página.
May 14, 2017
Ho fatto un po' di fatica a capire l'inizio, ma poi si è ripreso molto bene e non mi sono accorto di essere arrivato alla fine che per la mancanza di ulteriori pagine da leggere!
January 19, 2018
I like how this is going. Great artwork en the dark mind of Gaiman is shining through.
January 25, 2018
É uma edição meio lenta, não acontece muita coisa. Mas estabelece o que vão ser os próximos arcos: a busca pelo artefatos. Dá uma leve apresentada em alguns elementos da mitologia da série...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2018
That ending! It’s leading to an exciting character introduction into the series!
November 6, 2018
I've read it hungrily, I admit, and I just can't stop, I'm on the next one already.
I can see it - not sleeping 'till I read it all!
I can see it - not sleeping 'till I read it all!
July 5, 2019
The one was a little less entertaining than the preceding; however, it is still interesting enough.
September 11, 2019
eu to lendo isso rápido até demais, mas é REALMENTE MUITOOO BOM
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews