Preludes and Nocturnes
A king's capture, a realm in chaos, and the long road back to the throne.
Preludes and Nocturnes serves as the foundational arc for The Sandman series, introducing readers to Dream of the Endless, also known as Morpheus. This collection of stories recounts his capture by a human occultist in the 19th century, his subsequent imprisonment, and his eventual escape into a modern world that has moved on without him. It establishes the rules of the Dreaming, the nature of the Endless themselves, and sets the stage for Morpheus's long journey to restore order to his realm. As the opening chapter of Neil Gaiman's epic, this arc functions as both an origin story and a mythological primer. It transitions from Victorian gothic horror to contemporary urban fantasy, showcasing the vast scope of Dream's domain while highlighting the fragility of human perception when faced with the supernatural. The narrative is essential for understanding the character's motivations, his rigid adherence to duty, and the consequences of neglecting his responsibilities.
Quick Facts
- Protagonist
- Dream (Morpheus)
- Arc type
- Origin Story; First Collection
- Publication era
- Early 1989
- Setting
- The Dreaming and London, England
- Key antagonists
- Roderick Burgess
- The Corinthian
- Lucifer Morningstar
- Status
- Completed Arc
Lore & Background
The Dreaming is a vast, shifting dimension that exists parallel to reality, shaped by human imagination and the collective unconscious. It is here that Morpheus rules as the Lord of Dreams, maintaining the delicate balance between sleep and nightmare. However, his power is not absolute; he requires respect from humanity to function fully. When Roderick Burgess, a Victorian occultist obsessed with capturing the Endless, succeeds in trapping Dream using an ancient ruby, the Dreaming falls into disarray without its ruler. During Morpheus's absence, the realm suffers from neglect, and nightmares run rampant. The most significant of these is the Corinthian, a creation of Dream who escapes to feed on human flesh and terrorize London. This period highlights the symbiotic relationship between the Endless and humanity; when humans stop believing in or respecting certain aspects of their psyche, those entities weaken. Upon his release, Morpheus must navigate a world that no longer fears him, reclaim his stolen tools (the helmet, the ruby, and the pouch), and confront the consequences of his own hubris.
Reader's Guide
The arc begins with Dream being summoned and captured by Roderick Burgess using an ancient ruby, leading to decades of imprisonment. Upon escaping in the 20th century, Morpheus discovers his domain has been neglected, causing chaos among his subjects. He travels to London to retrieve his lost tools from a pawnshop owner who unknowingly holds them. During this journey, he encounters the Corinthian, a nightmare entity that has escaped and is terrorizing humans by feeding on their fear and flesh. Morpheus eventually confronts the Corinthian in a theater, reclaiming control over the nightmare but realizing the damage done to his reputation. The arc concludes with Dream visiting the sunken city of Atlantis and meeting Lucifer Morningstar, who offers him the keys to Hell, setting up future conflicts. Key themes include the nature of responsibility, the power of belief, and the consequences of ignoring one's duties. It introduces the core cast of the Endless and establishes the tone for the entire series.
Did You Know?
- The Corinthian was originally created by Dream as a gift to the Lord of Nightmares, but he became a rogue entity due to Dream's negligence.
- The story spans from the 19th century to the late 20th century, showing how human society changes while the Endless remain constant.
More in Issues & Arcs
Elsewhere in The Sandman
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced