Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix show The Sandman and the comics it’s based on.
Netflix’s The Sandman recently premiered to critical acclaim, in large part thanks to how faithful it is to the iconic comic book series by Neil Gaiman. The show brings legendary characters like Dream and Death to life, while also depicting scenes in the exact way they’re drawn in the comics.
From the moment Roderick Burgess captures Dream to Nimrod’s disturbing speech at the Cereal Convention, there’s no shortage of scenes from the show that match panels from the comic book series. While some of these onscreen moments have minor differences from the source material, they’re undeniably instantly recognizable for fans of the comics.
Capturing Dream
Fans who have read the Overture comics know that there’s more to the story of Dream being captured by the amateur magician, Roderick Burgess. What the Netflix series does show is accurate to the moment’s depiction in the comics, with Dream helplessly unconscious in the center of the circle crafter by Burgess and his followers.
The overhead shot of the member of the Endless is the first time he’s shown in both the comics and the show, which is why it’s pleasantly surprising that it’s done so accurately. Included in the scene are Dream’s tools – his pouch of sand, helm, and ruby – which are soon taken by his captor.
Dream Escapes
After spending decades under Roderick and then Alex’s watchful eye, Dream’s patience finally pays off, and he finds an opening in the form of a daydream. The sequence leading up to his escape is quite accurate, including the way he uses sand from the guard’s imaginary beach.
The legendary panel showing him being lifted through a circular portal is straight out of the comics – even the way his body is posed is the same. While he wakes up in a different place compared to the source material, the change is understandable considering the show manages to display Dream’s realm before the first episode is over.
Helping Rachel
Dream isn’t immediately a likable character in The Sandman, which is further emphasized by his interactions with Johanna Constantine (John in the comics) and her ex-girlfriend, Rachel. After Dream recovers his sand, he doesn’t think twice about leaving the obviously hurt character behind, which understandably enrages Johanna.
Her words manage to get through to him, and he stays behind to help Rachel die a peaceful death. He does this by sprinkling sand on her face, which is a scene portrayed in the same way in the comics and the show. What follows is Rachel’s journey to the afterlife, as she pictures herself happy and healthy in another world with Johanna/John.
Nada’s Prison
The heartbreaking conversation Dream has with his former lover, Nada, is taken straight out of the comics, including the scene where she sheds a few tears as she speaks with “Kai’ckul.” Comic book readers know the significance of this moment, as Nada is one of Dream’s many exes.
Lucifer Morningstar purposely commands the demon guiding Dream to show him Nada’s prison, as the Lightbringer knows this will get under his skin. Dream is responsible for Nada’s fate in Hell, after all, as he wrongly believes that she rejected him. It’s a storyline that will hopefully be portrayed in future episodes.
The Path To Hell
Although it was noticeably darker in the show compared to the comics, eagle-eyed viewers may be able to identify some key details about the path to Hell. The precarious bridge towards Lucifer’s palace is the same, not to mention the glaring pentagram that marks the gates.
What’s more, the blood that flows when the gates open is a detail that’s straight out of the comics as well. All of these work together to create a dark and brooding atmosphere that’s fitting, considering Dream is about to meet the ruler of Hell.
Desire’s Realm
Every member of the Endless has their own realm and, so far, the show has depicted Dream’s vast and gorgeous one and Desire’s fascinating realm. The design of Desire’s realm is similar to what it looks like in the comics, as it’s a towering statue of themselves amongst the clouds.
Desire lives in the heart, of course, which is more clearly shown in the Netflix series. Dream and Desire have a confrontation in their gallery after the climactic situation with Rose and Unity. Desire will likely play a bigger role in a potential second season, especially considering how faithful to the comics their arc has been.
John Dee In Dream’s Hand
After the gruesome events in the diner, Dream brings John’s (also known as Doctor Desiny in the comics) harmful use of the ruby to an end. Just when John believes he has the upper hand and has somehow defeated the Lord of Dreams, a dramatic pan out of the camera reveals that he’s standing on Dream’s palm.
The very same scene is shown in the comics, with Dream thanking John for releasing the power from the ruby, which automatically returned to him. It’s a memorable display of the extent of Morpheus’ abilities, which he is slowly recovering at that point.
Death Takes A Baby
When she’s first introduced in both the show and the comics, Death immediately proves she’s the best character in the series through her optimism, maturity, and knowledge. The story arc on the show where she takes Dream along while she does her duties shows many details from the comics, including the way she catches the ball from a man who will die later on.
An unforgettable part of this sequence happens when Death talks about how difficult her job can be at times, which happens to coincide with her having to take a baby and telling the child that’s all the time they get. The scene where she’s comforting the child as Dream watches from behind is depicted in the exact same way in the comics.
Meeting Hob Gadling
Hob Gadling’s story arc in the Sandman comics and the show begins by pure chance or luck, as Death and Dream overhear him bragging about how death is something he can avoid if he simply chooses to keep on living. This moment is recreated on the show, complete with the mug of mead he’s holding up.
Every other meeting is portrayed in a single episode, with Hob and Dream slowly becoming friends. While the time period extends to more recent years, the story remains the same – no matter what life throws at Hob, he’ll always say yes to another hundred years.
Nimrod’s Speech
One of the most exciting story arcs adapted from the comics is the Cereal Convention, which Nimrod and his fellow serial killers hold annually. Several details from the comics are depicted in the Netflix series, which include Fun Land’s role behind the registration desk, Gilbert’s moment of realization, and the Corinthian’s confrontation with Dream.
A scene that’s straight out of a comic book panel takes place when Nimrod gives his opening speech, in which he starts by telling a nasty joke. The character’s nervousness during that moment is perfectly captured by the show where he soon introduces the guest of honor, the Corinthian, to the adoring crowd of serial killers.
