Dream Country contains four short stories which explore the nature of the dream, and begin to give some insight into who Dream used to be and how his imprisonment has changed him. “Calliope” is about the muse Calliope, Dream’s former lover and mother of his child, Orpheus. She has been trapped by humans who want her to serve as their inspiration. Her quest for freedom, and her desire for revenge pulls Dream into the story. “A Dream of a Thousand Cats” is one of my favorite stories. It explores the power of dreams to shape reality. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” illustrated by Charles Vess is one of the more well known of the Sandman short stories, and many people’s favorite. The artwork is gorgeous, and the subject of the Faerie court being entertained one last time before they leave the human realm is ideally suited for Vess. “Façade” illustrates the consequences of getting what you wish for, and is one of the creepier stories in the Sandman universe.
The Sandman, vol. 3: Dream Country
ISBN: 9781563890161
By Neil Gaiman
Art by Kelly Jones, Charles Vess, Colleen Doran, Malcolm Jones III
DC Comics/Vertigo 1991
