What is the best order to watch The Sandman?

For first-timers, we recommend Release Order as it's the intended experience. For rewatches, Timeline/Chronological Order offers a fresh perspective by following the in-universe chronology.

How many titles are in The Sandman?

The Sandman currently includes content across multiple formats. Use the section filters to view specific content types and the order variants to choose your preferred viewing order.

Should I watch The Sandman in release order or chronological order?

Release order is best for first-time viewers as it preserves the creators' intended narrative reveals. Chronological order is great for rewatches and understanding the timeline better.

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The Sandman

edited 2026-05-21

A complete reading and watching order for Neil Gaiman's The Sandman — the 75-issue Vertigo comic series (1989–1996), the Death miniseries and Endless Nights graphic novel, the Dream Hunters prose novella, the 2013–2015 prequel Overture, the 2018+ Sandman Universe imprint titles overseen by Gaiman, Netflix's live-action adaptation, and the Audible audio drama. Covers both publication order and Gaiman's recommended reading path for newcomers.

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Tags · [gaiman-mainline][sandman-universe-imprint][netflix-canon][audible-canon]

page order

the sandman — gaiman mainline6 items · 6 unwatched

01NOVELLA

1999An illustrated prose novella by Neil Gaiman with paintings by Yoshitaka Amano, published in 1999 by Vertigo. Set in feudal Japan, the story…

128 pp

02COMIC

2013–2015A six-issue bi-monthly prequel miniseries by Neil Gaiman with art by J. H. Williams III and colours by Dave Stewart, published from October…

03COMIC

1989–1996Neil Gaiman's flagship Vertigo series, running 75 monthly issues from January 1989 to March 1996 under DC Comics. The series follows Dream o…

04COMIC

1993A three-issue Vertigo miniseries by Neil Gaiman with art by Chris Bachalo and Mark Buckingham, published March through May 1993. Once every…

05COMIC

1996A three-issue Vertigo miniseries by Neil Gaiman with art by Chris Bachalo and Mark Buckingham, published April through June 1996. Foxglove,…

06COMIC

2003A 160-page original graphic novel by Neil Gaiman, published in October 2003 by Vertigo. Seven stories — one for each of the Endless — each i…

the sandman universe (2018+)9 items · 9 unwatched

netflix series2 items · 2 unwatched

audible audio drama3 items · 3 unwatched