The Dreaming #1 (DC Comics 1996)

Establish your library at the foundational nexus of Neil Gaiman’s expanded Sandman mythos with The Dreaming #1, a 1996 Vertigo launch that pairs standalone accessibility with deep-rooted DC continuity. Written by Terry LaBan with interior artwork by Peter Snejbjerg and a cover design by Dave McKean, this thirty-two-page graphic volume opens "The Goldie Factor," the inaugural chapter of a tightly paced three-part arc. The narrative operates independently while enriching the broader Dreaming tapestry. Former hosts of the House of Mystery and House of Secrets, Cain and Abel engage in their traditional cycle of betrayal, prompting Goldie, an infant gargoyle, to escape the House of Secrets. He soon encounters Tempto, a mysterious limbless figure whose guidance draws him into uncharted mystical territories. Creator Neil Gaiman consults on the title, ensuring the tone aligns with his established supernatural framework while rotating writers and artists deliver fresh visual interpretations across subsequent issues. Issue Specifications Publisher: DC Comics / Vertigo Year: 1996 Length: 32 pages, full color Content Rating: Mature Readers Story Structure: Part 1 of a 3-part arc Crew: Writer Terry LaBan, Artist Peter Snejbjerg, Cover by Dave McKean