We return to the world of The Endless this week with the release of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: Overture #1 from DC Comics imprint Vertigo. The first installment of the six-issue series hits ComiXology and the DC Comics app and marks Gaiman’s first Sandman story in 10 years – we could not be more excited if we tried!

Gaiman’s transcendent series, pairing him with some of comic’s most acclaimed artistic talents, is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale spotlighting the forces that exist beyond life and death, and wove ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales together to create his own distinct, narrative vision.

Joining Gaiman is artistic luminary J.H. Williams III (Batwoman, Promethea), whose lush, widescreen images provide an epic scope to Morpheus’ origin story.

“When I finished writing Sandman, there was one tale still untold,” said Gaiman. “The story of what had happened to Morpheus to allow him to be so easily captured in Sandman #1, and why he was returned from far away, exhausted beyond imagining, and dressed for war. It was a story that we discussed telling for Sandman’s 20th anniversary… but the time got away from us. And now, with Sandman’s 25th anniversary year coming up, I’m delighted, and nervous, that that story is finally going to be told.”

“Neil Gaiman is a legend – a preeminent force in graphic fiction, literature and more. We’re elated that he’s back with Vertigo to tell this very important Sandman tale – adding to an already amazing literary epic,” said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. “Vertigo continues to be a hub of creative, challenging and genre-defying content, and Neil’s role in the imprint’s past, present and future is a major part of that.”

With few series able to attain the level of craftsmanship and wonder displayed in every issue, The Sandman is surely something special. Even beyond the realm of comic books, Neil Gaiman’s World Fantasy Award-winning opus of self-discovery and otherworldly splendor is viewed as a triumph in contemporary fiction that belongs amongst such classics as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: Overture #1 features a stunning 4-page interior gatefold, spotlighting Williams III’s innovative page layouts and Gaiman’s extraordinary storytelling. In addition to covers by Williams, the series will also be wrapped in covers by original series cover artist Dave McKean.

Alternating with the main Overture series, Vertigo will publish The Sandman: Overture Special Editions. These issues will include rare artwork including a behind-the-scenes look at Williams’ art process, Q&A’s with members of the creative team, and more, starting in November.