The Sandman, by Neil Gaiman, is a tour de force in the graphic novel genre. Originally published as a series of comic books, the comics have been condensed into four bound volumes. This dark epic follows Morpheus, the personified Lord of Dreams, in his adventures (and misadventures) within his realm of dreams, as well as occasional glimpses into the “real world.” Each individual comic has its own story, which ties into a longer 20-comic per book arc. The writing and art of The Sandman is absolutely gorgeous and riveting, and the text offers wry and often pithy observations of the nature of dreaming and storytelling woven into the winding stories.