- I assumed that you would wait for me to make an announcement before electing yourselves Lords of Hell. I see I was wrong.
- — Dream
Sandman (Volume 2) #27 is an issue of the series Sandman (Volume 2) with a cover date of June, 1991.
Synopsis for "Season of Mists: Chapter 6"
The delegates from Faerie wake in the Ghost Castle, preparing to hear Dream's decision as to what to do with the key to Hell. Cluracan believes that they will not be chosen, and so has taken to drink and sex. His sister Nuala wonders what use she will have if not to be exchanged for the dream lord's decision in their favour. The faeries gather in a great hall along with all of the other delegates, waiting for Dream's announcement.
Dream, meanwhile, remains in his quarters. He receives a visit from Matthew the Raven, who is surprised to find that Dream has not come to a decision overnight with regard to Hell's destiny. They are interrupted by the appearance of the angels Remiel and Duma. They bear a message from the Creator: there must be Hell. There must be a place for demons. Hell is Heaven's reflection and shadow. Hell provides Heaven with its meaning.
The Creator decides that Hell's custody should be remanded to Remiel and Dumas themselves, to do with as the Creator determines. Reluctantly, the angels accept their creator's decision, and Dream gladly gives over the key to their keeping.
Dream arrives at the hall to make his announcement. He explains that he will not be giving Hell to any of the assembled, as it is not his to give any longer. The angels appear, and they announce that Hell will again be the abode of the Demons and the damned, who will return and be punished. With this decision, the delegates are annoyed. Azazel warns that this decision means that he will not return Nada to Dream, and he will devour her soul happily. In response, Dream reveals that he offered hospitality to all of his visitors, including those who are prisoners of his visitors, such as Nada. Dream then enters Azazel's mind in search of both Choronzon and Nada.
With relative ease, Dream finds Choronzon first, and not long after, he finds Nada. He offers them both freedom, and they escape from Azazel's clutches. Unfortunately, Azazel refuses to let Dream himself leave. However, the Dreaming is Dream's world, and it conforms to his wishes. Dream traps the demon in a bottle, and drops him in a chest.
Afterwards, Dream says goodbye to each of the delegates. He regrets his inability to accept the offers made by each, and the benefits of the deals they would have struck. The Faeries and the Japanese god Susano-o-no-Mikoto stay behind for further audience, and Dream agrees to see them. Before that, though, he asks Matthew to invite Nada to have dinner with him.
Appearing in "Season of Mists: Chapter 6"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Aesir
- The Creator (Behind the scenes)
- Demons
- Choronzon
- Merkin
- Fairies
- Gods of Egypt
- Lords of Order
- Lord Kilderkin
- Mister Shouty
- Lord Kilderkin
- Mars (Cameo)
- Matthew the Raven
- Nada (As a spirit)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Bes
- Corinthian (Appears only as a corpse) (Cameo)
- Seneferu (First appearance) (As a spirit)
- Susano-o-no-Mikoto
- Unnamed Native American God (Cameo)
- Damned souls (Mentioned only)
- Destruction (Mentioned only)
- Dwarves (Mentioned only)
- Fashion Thing (Mentioned only)
- Gods of Japan (Mentioned only)
- Gods of Olympus (Mentioned only)
- Kvasir (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Lucifer Morningstar (Mentioned only)
- The Shallow Brigade (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Azazel's Empty Space (First appearance)
- The Dreaming
- Ghost Castle
- Eve's Cave (Mentioned only)
- Asgard (Mentioned only)
- Duat (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Faerie (Mentioned only)
- Floating Kindgom (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Heaven (Mentioned only)
- Hell (Mentioned only)
- Gates of Hell (Mentioned only)
- Timestream
- End of Time (Mentioned only)
- Waking World
Items:
- Azazel's Prison Jar (First appearance)
- Bottled City of Baghdad (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- Corinthian's Skull (Cameo)
- Key to Hell
- Mead of Odin (Mentioned only)
- Shivering Jemmy's Balloon
Concepts:
- Magic
- War in Heaven (Mentioned only)
Notes
- This issue was directly adapted into an episode of the Sandman audio drama.
- This issue is reprinted in:
- Essential Vertigo: Sandman #27
- Sandman: Season of Mists
- The Absolute Sandman Vol. 2
- The Sandman: Deluxe Edition, Book Two
- The Sandman, Book Two
See Also