It’s time for the second act of the story of Morpheus and his journeys throughout the earthly plane – – though this time he is leaving Earth to right a previous wrong.
Cover by Dave McKeanWritten by Neil Gaiman
Penciled by Mike Dringenberg
Inked by Malcolm Jones III
Colored by Steve Oliff
Lettered by Todd KleinIn this prologue issue to the acclaimed “Season of Mists” storyline, Destiny learns of drastic changes on the horizon within existence and calls a meeting of his family, the Endless. But the gathering turns ugly, setting the stage for a tumultuous road ahead for the eternal family.
Cover by Dave McKeanWritten by Neil Gaiman
Penciled by Kelley Jones
Inked by Malcolm Jones III
Colored by Steve Oliff
Lettered by Todd KleinTwo years ago, Morpheus embarrassed Lucifer in front of the Morningstar’s subjects and he swore vengeance on the Dream King. Now, in chapter 1 of the acclaimed “Season of Mists,” Morpheus prepares for his return to Hell… on a mission to free a former lover he vanquished there thousands of years ago.
Cover by Dave McKeanWritten by Neil Gaiman
Penciled by Colleen Doran
Inked by Malcolm Jones III
Colored by Steve Oliff
Lettered by Todd KleinThe last thing Morpheus expects upon his return to Hell is an open gate and a vacant kingdom. And yet, that’s exactly what he finds as Lucifer explains he’s decided to give up the kingdom of the damned and hands over the keys to the Dream King. But is this a gift–or a curse?
I hope those of you reading these recaps have also taken time to check out the long-awaited Netflix adaptation of this series. As I’m watching it weekly to savor it, I’m only to the first episode, but I am certainly pleased with what I have seen thus far. We will, of course, be reviewing the series in full (also on a weekly) basis, and my colleague august and I will be having a roundtable when I conclude my read through of this omnibus. With both of us reading (or in her case, re-reading) this series, it will be fascinating for us to talk through our impressions on a television adaptation that has been a long time coming.
I’m also rather excited to dig into this arc of the series, one that took the top spot in our recent Reader Poll that asked about your favorite Sandman story. When you consider that it won the Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize for Scenario in 2004, winning our Reader Poll should also come as no surprise.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
Although some of the Endless have made cameo appearances in previous issues, Death and Desire in particular, issue #21 is the first time we receive the true and proper introduction. There is of course, Morpheus (Dream) who has been our narrator in this realm, and his sister Death, a petulant teenager of sorts. And there is the androgynous Desire, forever in control, always the possessor but never the possessed. Joining them in the family reunion is the mysterious Delirium, older than gods but youngest of the Endless, a being of contradictions that human mind cannot comprehend. And there’s also Despair, whose name speaks all you need to know. Holding this family together is the eldest, Destiny, the seer, the knower of all that is to pass and all that is to come.
Recognizing the significance of this gathering, Gaiman pauses to give us detailed introductions for each character that back themselves up in their visuals. There’s personality in each face through the use of shading to create shape and depth. But in particular, lettering does a fine job of setting personality. The lettering in Desire’s dialogue, in word balloons that change color almost on whim, drips of opulence that draws you in immediately. And the choice of letters that vary in size and rise and fall like the tides show that Delirium is of a mind that is perhaps out of even her control.
What brings this family meeting to order? A prophecy Destiny receives from the fates of a cataclysmic, momentous event, much like the Weird Sisters of Shakespeare’s Macbeth who predict the titular Scottish king’s rise and eventual downfall. It moves Destiny enough for him to break his own code of guarding the future close to him. But he does not break that code completely, only revealing that his book – – his source of power and knowledge – – foretold this meeting, where this event will take place. The rest of the Endless need to work together to decipher the prophecy – – and with a family that hasn’t been together in quite some time, that’s no easy task.
Continued belowIn fact, it’s the most human that these Endless appear to be in this moment amongst their bickering with Destiny and each other. These may be gods (or something close to gods) but in this moment, they are most relatable to the human consciousness. Certainly not “the world outside your window” as Marvel claims in their stories, but a moment for empathy for the reader.
And another one of those moments of empathy comes with Morpheus (Dream), the source of Desire’s taunts for his treatment of Nada. Remember her from issue #9? This was the woman that fell in love with Morpheus, the one he sent to Hell for no good reason other than his own Pride. Thus begins Morpheus’s journey back to Hell to right this wrong by pleading with Lucifer for Nada’s release.
And that brings us to the remaining two issues for today, which see Morpheus’s preparation for his journey and grand return to Lucifer’s underworld. If it’s been some time since you read issues #4 and #9 that introduced Lucifer and Nada, issue #22 (along with the first third of issue #23) is a good primer. It recaps that story told to Lucien and Matthew the raven and gives us another glimpse into Lucifer’s kingdome. Traditional and popular depictions of Hell show it as a place of fire and brimstone, and there’s an element of that in Steve Oliff’s choice of warm colors, pinks and reds. But there isn’t a landscape bathed in flame, but rather a desert: endless nothing where the horrors of Lucifer’s kingdom (and there’s some truly grotesque horrors from the pencils and inks of both Joneses) have no place to hide – – and the visitor has no place to hide from them.
It’s clear Morpheus knows this, as he wanders his way through the realms to see friends and let him know of his absence, almost a final goodbye. He knows what he is up against when he heads to Hell, and this is his time to set his affairs in order. A toast with Hob with the finest of wines. A moment with Hippolyta and her son (who he names Daniel, an allusion to the biblical Daniel who interprets visions and dreams). Visiting each dreamer to find strength he needs for his journey. And while he prepares, Lucifer does the same, wanting to make this a memorable stay for his guest . . .
. . . and it’s certainly memorable, for from the moment Morpheus enters Lucifer’s plane he can sense something is wrong. No one is present in hell, and Lucifer’s decided he’s done. He’s closing up shop, tired of being supreme ruler of the underworld and wanting to enjoy retirement. The two lock up Hell together, and Lucifer hands over the literal key to Morpheus.
I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking. So say it with me, everyone:
Morpheus is certainly right to feel odd. Let’s see what fresh hell he encounters – – of the literal and figurative sense – – next week.
Next week we continue in ‘Season of Mists’ with issues #24-26
If you want to read along with me this summer, single issues and trades are available through comiXology. As of this writing, the first eight issues of the comic are also available on DC Universe Infinite. You can also check your local library for trade and collected editions of the series.
