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The Sandman (Single Issues) #Special
The Sandman Special: The Song of Orpheus
Morpheus has done a lot of regrettable things in his existence, but this issue features one of his most remorseful as his son, Orpheus, comes to terms with his place in the Endless family--and his own limits--in a gruesome, standalone parable.
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 15, 2025
Neil Gaiman's version of the legend of Orpheus - chilling and thought provoking - wonderful. I really would like to see more of NG work get to the movies; so much of what he has written has a very cinematic element to it already. Stand alone books like this are a great way to 'sneak' into the NG universe!
August 16, 2019
An excellent tale. Gaiman blended this tale with dark ending! It’s a must read for the fans of Sandman series.
February 23, 2021
"Dreams are composed of many things, my son. Of images and hopes, of fears and memories. Memories of the past, and memories of the future..."
I began this issue a little reluctantly because it is the last one in my omnibus, and finishing it meant the beginning of the wait for the next volumes to arrive. I'd considered leaving it for a while, but I couldn't resist knowing what happens, especially since the title made it clear that it centres around Orpheus, a mythological favourite of mine, whose presence in The Sandman was an unexpected thrill. I think this was the best take on his story that I have ever read. I'm not sure why I've always been so enthralled by this extremely tragic tale, but there is something about it that pulls me in every time.
The other highlight of this issue was Death. She's always the highlight really, but this one was especially great. There were several outfits, all of which I adored (especially the third one), and a glimpse of her house. Also, I got my first introduction to the missing sibling. He was not at all what I had expected!
I began this issue a little reluctantly because it is the last one in my omnibus, and finishing it meant the beginning of the wait for the next volumes to arrive. I'd considered leaving it for a while, but I couldn't resist knowing what happens, especially since the title made it clear that it centres around Orpheus, a mythological favourite of mine, whose presence in The Sandman was an unexpected thrill. I think this was the best take on his story that I have ever read. I'm not sure why I've always been so enthralled by this extremely tragic tale, but there is something about it that pulls me in every time.
The other highlight of this issue was Death. She's always the highlight really, but this one was especially great. There were several outfits, all of which I adored (especially the third one), and a glimpse of her house. Also, I got my first introduction to the missing sibling. He was not at all what I had expected!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2017
Also read on the WondrousBooks blog.
This was pretty cool.
I know that I should have probably stated with the original Sandman, and then gone to the specials, but I found this, and saw no reason not to go ahead. Considering that it's not tightly related to Morpheus, I don't think that I missed out on anything.
Note: Even though I hadn't read the Sandman comic books, a couple of years ago, while binge-reading Neil Gaiman's works, I did read a script for a Sandman movie. Keeping that in mind, I might not be explicitly familiar with the story, but I am more or less familiar with some of the characters from the script, and of course, with the rest from mythology.
I really liked this short story about Orpheus and Eurydice. It seemed kind of a random starting point for my adventures into the Sandman world, but then again, it was a pretty cool read.
What really bothered me, and this is actually pretty hilarious, was the style. Everything was good, except that... even in mythology, they were devastatingly 90's, or even 80's. The hair of all of the characters seemed so out of place that I, as a reader 20+ years later cringed at basically every illustration. It might seem mean to judge, considering that the comic book does belong to that period. But... no.
Most of all, Edward Scissorhands over here:
As far as the story goes, it's a very sad one, of course, and also quite revealing as to the personality of Morpheus. His relationship with his wife and son was a very unpleasant one to read, and testified to the fact that he is not so much a deity, as he is a force of nature, of sorts. And one that doesn't really comprehend human emotions.
However, I had two favourite scenes in this book. One was of Orpheus meeting Death, which was just so... well, cool! Him, in his Thracian outfit, and her, as a 90's punk rock chick. And then there was one of the final scenes, that of Orpheus meeting the Bacchante. I don't even know what that was supposed to be, but it was unexpected, gruesome and creepy, with a spoonful of gross.
This was pretty cool.
I know that I should have probably stated with the original Sandman, and then gone to the specials, but I found this, and saw no reason not to go ahead. Considering that it's not tightly related to Morpheus, I don't think that I missed out on anything.
Note: Even though I hadn't read the Sandman comic books, a couple of years ago, while binge-reading Neil Gaiman's works, I did read a script for a Sandman movie. Keeping that in mind, I might not be explicitly familiar with the story, but I am more or less familiar with some of the characters from the script, and of course, with the rest from mythology.
I really liked this short story about Orpheus and Eurydice. It seemed kind of a random starting point for my adventures into the Sandman world, but then again, it was a pretty cool read.
What really bothered me, and this is actually pretty hilarious, was the style. Everything was good, except that... even in mythology, they were devastatingly 90's, or even 80's. The hair of all of the characters seemed so out of place that I, as a reader 20+ years later cringed at basically every illustration. It might seem mean to judge, considering that the comic book does belong to that period. But... no.
Most of all, Edward Scissorhands over here:
As far as the story goes, it's a very sad one, of course, and also quite revealing as to the personality of Morpheus. His relationship with his wife and son was a very unpleasant one to read, and testified to the fact that he is not so much a deity, as he is a force of nature, of sorts. And one that doesn't really comprehend human emotions.
However, I had two favourite scenes in this book. One was of Orpheus meeting Death, which was just so... well, cool! Him, in his Thracian outfit, and her, as a 90's punk rock chick. And then there was one of the final scenes, that of Orpheus meeting the Bacchante. I don't even know what that was supposed to be, but it was unexpected, gruesome and creepy, with a spoonful of gross.
February 16, 2021
I WILL GO BACK TO MY DAY AND KEEP PRETENDING THIS BOOK DID NOT JUST TEAR MY HEART TO PIECES!
November 8, 2021
Pitch perfect retelling of a tragedy that fits into the Sandman mythos like a glove.
January 29, 2021
Ties in neatly with what we know about Orpheus tale from the main arc
August 15, 2019
This was a rather interesting One-shot.
It is the retelling of the Orpheus myth. If you are mythologically challenged then a quick summation:
Orpheus, in mythology, is the son of King Oeagrus of Thrace and the Muse, Calliope. A gifted musician he was taught how to play the harp by Apollo. He was married to Eurydice, ut upon her death travelled to Hades to win her return. No more spoilers.
That story is here in its entirety, with the big difference being Orpheus is Dream's son. It starts with a wedding, attended by all the Endless, and the events from the mythology play out in Gaiman's version. As I appreciated the original work, I thought this version was also quite good.
If you are unfamiliar with the Sandman series, this is not the place to start. But, if you are well aware of the story of Dream and the Endless, then I think you will appreciate this one shot story. It is dark and depressing and that is in keeping with the themes of the original work.
It is the retelling of the Orpheus myth. If you are mythologically challenged then a quick summation:
Orpheus, in mythology, is the son of King Oeagrus of Thrace and the Muse, Calliope. A gifted musician he was taught how to play the harp by Apollo. He was married to Eurydice, ut upon her death travelled to Hades to win her return. No more spoilers.
That story is here in its entirety, with the big difference being Orpheus is Dream's son. It starts with a wedding, attended by all the Endless, and the events from the mythology play out in Gaiman's version. As I appreciated the original work, I thought this version was also quite good.
If you are unfamiliar with the Sandman series, this is not the place to start. But, if you are well aware of the story of Dream and the Endless, then I think you will appreciate this one shot story. It is dark and depressing and that is in keeping with the themes of the original work.
June 26, 2021
The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is about as epic a tale as they come (love lost! a perilous journey to the underworld! lotsa wine!) but somehow Neil Gaiman’s version, weaving in his Sandman characters, feels even bigger. I mean, it’s Neil Gaiman. The man practically eats, sleeps, and breathes folklore and mythology so, really, it was inevitable that he’d tackle the song of Orpheus. His melding of the classical and the modern is seamless. Bryan Talbot’s art has a wild Steve Dillion-y energy to it, making this one-shot comic feel somewhat like a lost “Preacher” issue. Beautiful - and devastating - work all around.
(Side note: After seeing the amazing character gallery in the back of this issue, I don’t know if there is a full issue of “Sandman” by Sergio Aragones but, if there isn’t, there should be. Period.)
(Side note: After seeing the amazing character gallery in the back of this issue, I don’t know if there is a full issue of “Sandman” by Sergio Aragones but, if there isn’t, there should be. Period.)
April 18, 2017
I've wanted to read Sandman for a long time, and now I got a chance to read this for a class, and I really liked it!!
It's a very interesting retelling of the myth of Orpheus, and it was a curious choice about how most of the Gods were changed, and I guess that's probably related to the main Sandman comics, and also the art and the visual aspect of the Gods was so different, especially "Apollo" and "Artemis" - I had never imagined them looking like that :) I think the art definitely brought something new to the myth
Really good story, and it allowed me to dip my toes in the Sandman world
It's a very interesting retelling of the myth of Orpheus, and it was a curious choice about how most of the Gods were changed, and I guess that's probably related to the main Sandman comics, and also the art and the visual aspect of the Gods was so different, especially "Apollo" and "Artemis" - I had never imagined them looking like that :) I think the art definitely brought something new to the myth
Really good story, and it allowed me to dip my toes in the Sandman world
February 2, 2017
nothing would have happened if Orpheus wasn't an idiot.
December 31, 2020
Netikėtai priminė vieną mano pirmųjų kažką pasiekusių apsakymų, kol kas išlaikantį leidimų ir vertimų į kitas kalbas rekordą. Žaidimą tuo pačiu mitu.
Pasakojimas apie Sandmano ir Kaliopės sūnų, Orfėją. Ir, žinoma, apie tai, kaip jis bandė susigrąžinti Euridikę. Na, ir tuo pačiu dar kažkiek apie tėvų ir vaikų santykius.
Pasakojimas apie Sandmano ir Kaliopės sūnų, Orfėją. Ir, žinoma, apie tai, kaip jis bandė susigrąžinti Euridikę. Na, ir tuo pačiu dar kažkiek apie tėvų ir vaikų santykius.
January 15, 2021
He floats alone upon the wine dark sea. He looks around for his love, but she is not there. He calls her name, "Eurydice. Eurydice." There is no reply. For reasons he does not understand this distresses him mightily. He begins to cry ; salt tears run down his face , mingling with the salt of the waves. It comes to him then that he must be dreaming, and he smiles. "Father?"
I found this original 1991 Sandman Special on eBay and I couldn't resist it. The story did appear in the graphic novels I read last year but reading it again as an independent comic was a joy and I spotted many a subtlety that I had missed the first time around.
The story is that of Orpheus, whose bride, Eurydice, dies on their wedding night. Making a bargain with Death, after his father, Dream, wouldn't help him, Orpheus must enter the Underworld to attempt to regain his bride.
It is a beautiful story wonderfully retold by Neil Gaiman with his usual panache, weaving the Endless into the classic tale. This will not go back into it's protective casing and will be kept with my ever growing Gaiman collection.
I found this original 1991 Sandman Special on eBay and I couldn't resist it. The story did appear in the graphic novels I read last year but reading it again as an independent comic was a joy and I spotted many a subtlety that I had missed the first time around.
The story is that of Orpheus, whose bride, Eurydice, dies on their wedding night. Making a bargain with Death, after his father, Dream, wouldn't help him, Orpheus must enter the Underworld to attempt to regain his bride.
It is a beautiful story wonderfully retold by Neil Gaiman with his usual panache, weaving the Endless into the classic tale. This will not go back into it's protective casing and will be kept with my ever growing Gaiman collection.
April 27, 2020
The legend of Orpheus has been told in story, song, and poem over countless generations. It has been as a tale of bravery, as a lesson on the dangers of hubris, as a paeon to youth and love too quickly lost. It has never been told like this before. Here, then, is the story of the Sandman's only begotten son, Orpheus, the offspring of the Endless.
Orpheus' tragic love story has always been my favorite among all the Greek tales I've read. No other tale has impinged the thought of the fragility of life upon my mind. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out that Neil Gaiman made Orpheus Dream's son in the series. When I finished the ten volumes, I was actually satisfied with Orpheus' ending but found his backstory in the Sandman universe lacking. But then I stumbled upon this special issue. Gaiman just keeps on giving. <3
February 26, 2016
I always love Neil Gaiman's retellings of any type of story, be it mythology or otherwise. He does it so tastefully and of course, dark. It wouldn't be Neil Gaiman if it wasn't dark and a little twisted.
August 18, 2020
"I am destiny. I am Potmos. I do not wish. I know. What must happen will happen. That is the way of it"
A retelling of the ancient Greek legend of Orpheus, except in this story he is the son of Morpheus and Calliope (the Muse). Very, very well done. And of course, it made me cry.
A retelling of the ancient Greek legend of Orpheus, except in this story he is the son of Morpheus and Calliope (the Muse). Very, very well done. And of course, it made me cry.
Want to read
February 22, 2016Edición especial, tomo prestige #1.
March 25, 2017
siempre excelente!
August 24, 2022
reread: loved it even more than i did the first time
May 30, 2020
Hypnotic!
October 5, 2022
I found this really interesting, it was nice to see more history into The Sandman's son and what happened with him and his partner. Especially after Morpheus helping his ex-wife be freed from being a slave. It really shows how much he has grown as he was especially cold years and years ago.
October 17, 2022
Sad and beautiful.
January 22, 2019
A harrowing little tale of how Orpheus came to be as we saw him in the pages of The Sandman and the exact cause of the souring of Morpheus and Calliope's marriage. Dark and twisted in the typical Gaiman fashion.
August 29, 2014
I read this one before in a different volume.
September 4, 2014
Well-executed reworking of the story of Orpheus into the Sandman mythology.
December 10, 2014
I love greek mythology. This was a nice read.
April 6, 2016
Elegante revisión de Neil Gaiman para el mito de Orfeo, ajustándolo a los sucesos descritos en su popular serie The Sandman. Pocas sorpresas en beneficio de la una respetuosa recreación.
February 6, 2017
I loved this.
But what happens next? Does It end like this?
But what happens next? Does It end like this?
December 30, 2017
A sad tale about Orpheus retold in Gaiman’s point of view. Sandman plays a spoilsport and in the end I felt bad about Orpheus.
March 18, 2018
A very dark and twisted retelling and I love it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews