The Absolute Sandman, Volume One Summary & Key Insights

"The Absolute Sandman, Volume One" collects the first twenty-five issues of Neil Gaiman's seminal comic book series, The Sandman. It introduces Dream, the anthropomorphic personification of dreams, also known as Morpheus, one of the seven Endless – immortal beings representing fundamental aspects of existence. The volume lays the groundwork for the entire series, establishing Dream's character and the vast scope of his influence.

The overarching theme revolves around Dream's captivity and his subsequent journey to reclaim his power and artifacts – his helm, ruby, and pouch of sand – stolen by a rogue magician named Roderick Burgess seventy years prior. This imprisonment throws the dream world into chaos, leading to numerous consequences throughout the series. The volume follows Dream's efforts to recover these items, each a symbolic representation of aspects of his power and authority. His quest involves confronting various characters and dealing with the repercussions of his long absence.

Key characters besides Dream include his siblings, the other Endless – Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction – each playing a significant, albeit often subtle, role. We also encounter several key mortals, including Cain and Abel, the eternally warring brothers who dwell in Dream's realm, and the Corinthian, a nightmare escaped from Dream's control and wreaking havoc on the waking world. Other significant characters introduced are the magician Thessaly, and the character of Rose Walker, whose dreams are pivotal in later story arcs.

The individual stories within the volume explore diverse themes such as the nature of dreams, stories, and reality; the power and responsibility of creation; the exploration of mortality and immortality; and the complex relationships between humanity and the divine, or in this case, the Endless. Gaiman masterfully weaves myth, folklore, and modern fantasy elements, creating a rich tapestry of stories. Each story acts as a self-contained narrative while simultaneously contributing to the overall arc of Dream’s restoration and the evolving impact of his absence and eventual return to his rightful place. The volume ends with Dream finally retrieving his artifacts but leaving several lingering threads that will be explored further in subsequent volumes, foreshadowing the larger, complex narrative to come. The stylistic diversity of the numerous artists involved contributes to the varied and captivating visual aspect of the collection.