Deviating from the usual long story arcs in the Sandman series, Dream Country is a collection of four short stories. It provides a "breather" and a fresh starting point for new fans to jump on board, despite Dream playing only a minor role in most of them. Death also makes a cameo in one of the stories. Dream Country reprints Sandman issues 17-20 which take place after the Doll's House storyline.The following stories are collected in Dream Country:
In "Calliope", a struggling writer discovers a way to relive his current state of "writer's block" by imprisoning the muse Calliope in his home. Calliope is actually passed on to him by another writer, who placed her in the same fate years before. Within time, Calliope provides the writer with ideas to the point where he is successful. She pleads to Morpheus for help and he in turn, gives him ideas beyond what his own mind and body can handle.
In "Dream of a Thousand Cats", a cat is told of a possibility of a different world where the humans are subservient to cats instead. In that world, cats are the dominant species while the humans are as tiny and helpless to their feline masters. To make this world a reality, all the cat has to do is dream it.
In the award-winning "A Midsummer Night's Dream", William Shakespeare, unbeknownst to him, performs his play in front of the actual spirits and fairies that are depicted (Oberon, Titania, puck, etc.). Morpheus is also in attendance during the performance.
With "Facade" closing out the collection. Death makes her cameo appearance helping out the former superhero Element Girl, who distraught by her appearance, has given up on life and wants to end her own. Unfortunately, her immortality powers kept preventing anything from killing her. Death hears her plea and offers a suggestion.
Original cover art for Calliope and Midsummer Night's Dream
Overall, readers will enjoy the depth of these short stories. They certainly provide a break and differ from the generally long story arcs written by Gaiman. We only wish there were more!
Covers courtesy DC Wikia
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