The Sandman (1988) #4-7

The Sandman #4-7

Originally released in 1989

Written by Neil Gaiman

Art by Sam Keith (#4-5), Mike Dringenberg (#6-7)

As Morpheus, or Dream of the Endless, continues his search for the artifacts that will return him to his former levels of power, this series becomes more like what I was expecting. His next destination is the depths of Hell, as his mask was traded to a demon.

Morpheus is a being of great power and standing, so after being hassled by some lower rank demons who don't know who they're dealing with, he gets an audience with the Devil himself.

Many things have changed in Hell since Morpheus was here last, including its leadership. Lucifer is no longer the sole leader - rather, Hell is ruled by a trio of demons, split between Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Asmodeus.  As such, Lucifer can't force the mask to be returned - Morpheus has to win it in a contest of wits.

However, even when he has his mask back, Morpheus isn't out of the woods yet.  The assembled demons of Hell see no reason to let him go, and Lucifer agrees.

Morpheus manages to convince them to let him go pretty easily, and his reasoning makes sense.

Morpheus's third artifact, a ruby-like gem, is in the hands of Justice League villain Doctor Destiny, though it takes some searching for Morpheus to figure it out.  While turning to Mister Miracle and Martian Manhunter for help, Morpheus's surreal nature is emphasized, as much like Galactus, his appearance changes based on who is observing him, at least if they believe in a specific god of dreams.

Doctor Destiny has escaped Arkham Asylum upon hearing of his mother's passing.  I've read his first appearance in Justice League of America, where he was a normal-looking man who could pass for one of the Justice League members.  Now, he's horribly burned, looks like a rotting corpse, and is basically naked at all times. (I'm not sure what happened between then and now to leave him in that state)

Morpheus makes it to the ruby first, but Doctor Destiny had modified it while it was in his possession, so when Morpheus touches it, it drains his power, making the ruby far stronger than it's ever been by the time that Doctor Destiny gets his hands on it.

Issue 6 focuses on Doctor Destiny spending twenty-four hours tormenting, mutilating, and eventually murdering the patrons and workers of a diner as his increased powers wreak havoc across the world. The images of Doctor Destiny forcing people to succumb to despair, madness, or suicide is tough to watch.

Morpheus forces Doctor Destiny to take their battle to the world of dreams, and Destiny's mere presence there starts causing untold damage to the natural and unnatural world.

These issues were surreal and haunting, which is what I was hoping for. With Morpheus restored to his full power and his driving quest throughout these first seven issues complete, I'm curious about where the series will go from here.