Preludes & Nocturnes

Published in 1989-1990, Preludes & Nocturnes is the first story arc of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint. The arc features art by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcolm Jones III across issues #1-8. The story begins with the capture of Dream (Morpheus) by occultist Roderick Burgess. After 70 years of imprisonment, Dream escapes and embarks on a quest to reclaim his lost symbols of power: a pouch of sand, a helm, and a ruby. Key characters include Dream, John Constantine, and Lucifer Morningstar. The arc introduces the Endless, a family of powerful beings, and blends horror, fantasy, and mythology.