At long last, Morpheus makes his decision on who shall receive the coveted key to Hell. Or does he? Hell will exist once more, but in a form much different than when we first saw it. Or will it?
Cover by Dave McKeanWritten by Neil Gaiman
Penciled by Kelley Jones
Inked by Dick Giordano
Colored by Daniel Vozzo
Lettered by Todd KleinIn this penultimate issue of the ”Season of Mists” storyline, the decision concerning Hell’s new ownership falls to an unlikely heir while Morpheus attends to an unruly guest in his realm.
Cover by Dave McKeanWritten by Neil Gaiman
Penciled by Mike Dringenberg
Inked by George Pratt
Colored by Daniel Vozzo
Lettered by Todd KleinThe ”Season of Mists’ finale circles back around to what kick-started the acclaimed story in the first place: Morpheus’s lost love, whom he vanquished to Hell long ago. As the rest of the players slink back to their roles in the universe, all remain changed–but none more so than Hell’s new rulers.
And now, the end is near. And so Morpheus faces the final curtain. For as much as he does not want to appoint a new ruler to the underworld, it must be done. If there is a Heaven, there needs to be its shadow, and that shadow is Hell. The Creator instructs this to be so.
. . . and then The Creator instructs Remiel and Duma, the angels, to be the custodians of Hell.
So much for Morpheus having to make that decision. And no doubt he must breathe a sigh of relief that in the end, he did not have agency over it. The abrupt change reminds the reader of predestination. All this is ordered to happen, and within its time. To everything there is season, to everything there is a purpose under heaven, as that other song goes.
In these final two issues, as throughout this arc, there has been well done characterization for all the various gods that come to Morpheus’s home. And it isn’t just in script either – – the visual language that our various artists put together over the course of ‘Season of Mists’ enhances Gaiman’s script. Small touches such as color and font choices in lettering bring wonderful senses of nuance and multiple dimensions to two-dimensional beings on the page. A wonderful example of this is Klein’s lettering for the angels Remiel and Duma: precise, perfect cursive that gives them a majestic voice (even if it was a bit hard on my eyes. This arc introduced us to a wide cast of minor players that still feel very integral and major to the story.
It’s a testament to the love and care Gaiman puts in this world, that even those who do not share his stage long have their moments to shine. And it provides roots and branches for this universe to grow, whether it’s direct spinoffs or concepts and characters introduced that get their own explorations but do not have a direct connection to the Sandman world. (The recent “Norse Mythology” series is an example of this that comes to mind.)
While the scope and depth of this characterization is wonderful, it does mean that our protagonist, Morpheus, does get a short end of the stick. He expresses torment at this decision in his hands, and we can certainly understand why he would feel such torment, but we don’t get to see it on the page. While we get time to experience the hopes, dreams, fears, and misgivings of all the delegates in the Dreaming, we don’t get to experience, at least in this moment, Morpheus’s hopes, dreams, fears, and misgivings about appointing a new overseer of Hell. Perhaps we shall later on, for there is still much story to tell – – if not in the few weeks that remain in our exploration of this omnibus, but in many more to come. (Indeed, we will be returning to this next summer with a look at the second omnibus volume.)
With the issue of Hell settled, there still remains the matter of the imprisoned Nada. That itself gets resolved quite quick when Morpheus takes on the angry Azazel to rescue Nada as well as the imprisoned Choronzon. It’s a classic case of tricking the trickster, and handled beautifully. What will take longer is the emotional rescue, as Morpheus still holds ill will for the rejection for thousands of years ago. (If anything is his weakness, it is perhaps love.) As well, this also gets wrapped up fairly fast. On one hand, it’s relieving not to watch this dragged out over several pages or even issues. And then on the other hand, the quick resolution dilutes any emotional punch the reunion – – and even its previous love story – – held. It’s symbolic of the impasse the two find themselves at, neither willing to leave their world for the other’s. But Morpheus is wise, and finds a way, and Nada is reborn as a child in Hong Kong.
Continued belowRebirth comes as well for others in the Dreaming’s world. Lucifer, enjoying retirement on the Australian beach, finds time to enjoy the beauty of creation (sunsets in particular). Our angels now at the leadership of Hell, Remiel and Duma, transform it into a place of redemption for the damned. There will be torture but torture with a purpose. Is this worse than the senseless violence of Lucifer’s rule? That is a question left for the reader to ponder, and ponder we shall.
And with all this, Destiny closes his book on this story, the role of Hell and Morpheus within it complete. And so shall we.
Next week we take a look at some short stories in issues #29-31.
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.
