The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Rose is a young woman who serves as the “everyman” within the Sandman world. Apart from her unusual lineage, she is normal in every respect; Foxglove refers to her as Judy’s “token straight friend” (962). Her age and personal style reflected that of many of the series’ core readers when it was released, giving a deeper feeling of connection and immersion with the story.

Rose becomes caught up in the dream world when she goes after her missing brother Jed. Her story has aspects in common with the classic “Hero’s Journey” archetype and traditional quest story archetypes. After retrieving her brother, Rose’s journey moves from the physical plane to the dreaming as she learns the truth about her abilities as the dream vortex. Here we see how deeply she has become enmeshed in worlds she doesn’t understand and has no control over, dealing with it in the way that many of us would if faced with a similar situation. In a story populated by larger-than-life supernatural beings as well as major historical figures and set across centuries, Rose’s relatable normalcy is a welcome relief for the reader. Her character makes the story feel more present and contemporary compared to the fairy-tale quality of other story arcs.

Paralleling her role as the dream vortex, Rose also serves as a unifying common thread across the story. She is directly or indirectly connected to many of the characters in the series, either through crossed paths, familial bonds, or influence. By using this character as an axis for other storylines, the writer gives the overall story arc an intimacy and connectedness that contrasts its sprawling mythology.

Sandman’s lucifer is inspired by the biblical figure and the character from John Milton’s Paradise Lost. His physical appearance is relatively androgenous, and the artwork depicting him was inspired by British rockstar David Bowie. Lucifer’s role and his journey have similarities with those of the Endless; he rules Hell and manages a world for the dead, similar to the roles played by Death and Dream. However, he also decides to abandon his post and live for himself, much like the choice made by Destruction. Lucifer expresses dissatisfaction at the role he is given by humans, who believe that the devil is responsible for their evil actions. He tries to distance himself from these allegations, claiming no responsibility for their fates. This is in contrast to Dream’s attitude of symbiotic dependence on and for humanity.

These choices make him an effective foil to Dream. When they first meet, they come together as relative equals. Although there is an underlying hostility, there is also a political respect for each of their stations. When Lucifer offers Dream the key to Hell, however, it sets Dream on a path to allocating the rulership in the way he thinks best. While Lucifer prioritized his own needs, Dream takes on the responsibility of treating it fairly and justly. This contrast is further illustrated in their coloring—while Dream is shown as a personification of darkness, Lucifer is pale and dressed in white, a personification of radiance.