After what feels like centuries of waiting, Neil Gaiman's Sandman is finally making his Netflix debut. The Lord of Dreams has saturated the pages and panels of Gaiman's graphic novels for decades, and the teaser was recently dropped, depicting a cosmic dark fantasy that pulls several images and characters right out of the original comics.

Dream's stories and adventures are as strange and enigmatic as the Sandman himself, so many new fans of Gaiman's work and series are wondering how to begin before they start streaming the show. The short answer is Preludes and Nocturnes for the bare minimum, but the realms of the Dreaming are far deeper than that.

Sleep Of The Just (The Sandman #1)

Sandman on the cover of his first issue

The first issue of the series is where readers are introduced to the strange magic that inhibits this world, and through the process, the Sandman as well.

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Through a miscommunication in their magic spell. A group of sorcerers attempts to capture Death of the Endless, one of the seven immortal beings that walk through the planes of existence. Although their ritual is successful, they mistakingly summon Dream and separate him from his three artifacts of power. Since the trailer already reveals several scenes from the opening issue, it's clear that the pilot will be an adaptation of Sandman #1.

Imperfect Hosts (The Sandman #2)

Dream returns to the Dreaming in Imperfect Hosts

Issue #2 is where the Sandman starts to refocus and regroup his powers and abilities after being trapped for generations. Here, readers are introduced to his realm, known as "the Dreaming," and all the various creatures that inhabit it. Seeing as how the cast of the first season includes the roles of Lucien, Kane, Abel, Gilbert, and even Merv Pumpkinhead, the issue serves as a great introduction to Dream's cast of eccentric allies.

Not only is the Dreaming the Sandman's realm, but it's also a reflection of the power of his imagination. All living things within the Dreaming are products of dreams themselves. By showing this ability to literally create an entire world in his own dimension, it shows just how much of a force of nature Dream can be.

Dream A Little Dream Of Me (The Sandman #3) 

Constantine in Sandman

After restoring his place in his realm, the Sandman must regain his pouch of magic sand, his helmet, and his ruby before he can restore his full power. Since he's practically incomplete without his magic sand for which he drives his name, it makes sense that the first item of business is regaining his tool of the trade.

The third issue in Preludes and Nocturnes is most remembered for the appearance of John Constantine from Hellblazer alongside the Lord of Dreams, but the series might handle it a little differently. Seeing as how Jenna Coleman is set to play Johanna Constantine and her "descendent," it looks as though fans will get a new face to the famous supernatural detective.

A Hope In Hell (The Sandman #4) 

Lucifer in The Sandman comic

On the subject of Hell, Neil Gaiman's interpretation of eternal damnation is a stroke of genius. While most depictions of the infernal realms rely on lakes of fire, volcanic caverns, and other frightening places deep down under the ground, the version seen in the Sandman comics is six-million horrors in one as it brings together an unholy host of demons, monsters, and more under one roof.

Of course, the most famous resident in the nine circles is Lucifer Morningstar, set to be played by Gwendoline Christie in a much more comic-accurate portrayal than Tom Ellis in the Lucifer TV series. If fans want to get more familiar with the dark dealings and demons of Dream's universe, A Hope In Hell is the place to be.

The Doll’s House (The Sandman #10) 

The Fortress of Desire seen in Sandman

The Doll's House kicks off volume two of the Sandman series, but it looks as if the Netflix adaptation will be pulling from it as well. While Dream was captured by Roderick Burgess and his occultists in Preludes and Nocturnes, a group of nightmares escape from the Dreaming and begin causing trouble on Earth. Here, readers are introduced to a world with unbalanced sleep and the characters of Rose Walker, Desire, and Despair.

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Rose plays a big part in the Sandman mythos, as she later acts as a vortex between the world of humanity and the world of the Dreaming. Her saga makes up the core narrative of Volume 2, and the show will definitely be covering her encounters (sspecially if the Corinthian is involved).

Moving In (The Sandman #11)

Rose Walker moving into the boarding house in Sandman

Picking up after the previous issue, Rose Walker is on the hunt for her missing younger brother while living in a house full of strange characters (including the mysterious and protective Gilbert). However, it also marks the first appearance of one of Neil Gaiman's most insidious monsters, The Corinthian.

Most of the issue deals with Rose and her interactions with the supporting characters, but it also gives a glimpse into the world of nightmares represented by her brother's subconscious being plagued by Brute and Glob. By showing the blending of reality and The Dreaming, it displays how much influence the realms have on each other.

Into The Night (The Sandman #15)

The Sandman Matthew the Raven and Fiddler's Green in A Doll House

This issue takes a psychedelic dive into the minds of various people in the boarding house where Rose is staying, but it also expands further on the role she has to play alongside Dream and her grandmother, Unity Kincaid. Along with expanding further on the power of the Vortex, it also expands more on characters like Matthew The Raven and Fiddler's Green.

Dream can have a mighty wrath at times, but he rarely ever takes a life. However, when a Vortex enters the realm of the Dreaming, he has to take drastic measures to prevent the two worlds from colliding. The issue shows just what sort of imagery and concepts the show should be able to replicate with dreamlike (or nightmarish) visuals.

Lost Hearts (The Sandman #16)

Rose giving unity her heart in Sandman

Picking up from the previous issue, Lost Hearts is the chapter that ties everything up in a neat little bow. Not only does it demonstrate the laws of Dreaming are more flexible than a reader might think, but it also gives Dream a chance to let down his mysterious and mystical visage to show a little mercy.

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For 15 issues, Dream is presented as an immortal force of nature who only intervenes in human affairs if the balance of the universe is thrown out of whack or innocents are in danger. It's here that the audience sees that dream does have a human side despite his position. Hopefully, the series will reflect that in a more performance-based sense.

Men of Good Fortune (The Sandman #13)

Dream meets Hob in a pub in Sandman

Some of Gaiman's best projects, and the Sandman's by extension, can be seen in the one-off comics that serve as miniature intermissions from the overarching plots (case in point, Men of Good Fortune). In this century-spanning tale, Hob Gadling has an encounter with Dream who offers him a chance to cheat death. Of course, Hob accepts and an unlikely friendship blooms.

The issue turns the idea of gaining immortality on its head. Instead of a "be careful what you wish for" story, it allows a simple peasant to experience the changing times that come with each new millennium. However, even though Hob learns that progress isn't all green pastures, he still wishes to stick around at least one more century.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Sandman #19)

Shakespeare performs in front of the Fae in Sandman

Being an immortal creature of the Endless gives a person quite a few benefits, including being able to commune and hobnob with famous entities of history and mythology. Similar to Men of Good Fortune, Dream strikes a deal with another mortal, the famous William Shakespeare. In this entry of Sandman Vol. 3, the iconic playwright entertains a new species of audience.

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and that's precisely what transpires when Shakespeare performs the premiere of A Midsummer Night's Dream in front of Oberon, Titania, and their entire faerie court. Throw in some mischief from Puck and magic from Dream and the fae and it's a story worthy of the Bard's own work.

NEXT: Sandman's 10 Best Powers