Comic Title: Sandman:Preludes and Nocturnes TPB
Publisher: DC
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: 1991
On Sale Date: September 10, 1991 Shipping Date September 10, 1991
Source: Previews, #31

Shipping Date September 10, 1991
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #993

Direct Market Date September 12, 1991
Source: Comic Shop News, #211, Page 1

Copyright Date September 17, 1991
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1991

Direct Market Date September 17, 1991
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #993

Cover Price: $14.95
Page Count: 240
Editor: Michael Charles Hill

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "24 Hours"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Sandman (Morpheus)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Penciller: Mike Dringenberg
Inker: Malcolm Jones III
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Robbie Busch

Reprinted From:
Sandman #6 (1989)

Feature Character(s)

• Dream (last appearance in Sandman #5; next appearance in Sandman #7)

Villain(s)

• Doctor Destiny (last appearance in Sandman #5; next appearance in Sandman #7)

Other Character(s)

• Bette Munroe (a waitress; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Judy (a young lesbian; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Mark (a young businessman; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Kate and Garry Fletcher (a married couple; both die in this story; no further appearances)
• Marsh (a trucker; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Rose (last name not given in this story; behind-the-scenes; on the telephone; first appearance; next appearance in Sandman #10)
• Mrs. Cavanagh (the mother of Judy's girlfriend Donna; behind-the-scenes; on the telephone; no further appearances)
• A children's show host (on television; no further appearances)
• Mary Gentian (a tv news reporter; no further appearances)
• Herschel (a small-time super-hero; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story is continued from Sandman #5 and continues in Sandman #7.

Synopsis:
Doctor Destiny sits in a 24-hour diner. Using the power of the ruby in his possession, he exerts a subtle influence on six people inside. This influence prevents them from leaving. Over several hours, he exerts greater control over them causing them to act out his whims. He has them torture and eventually kill one another.

Meanwhile, in the world outside the diner, reports of accidents caused by people falling asleep are reported. Instances of insanity rise as do suicide and murder rates.

After killing his immediate victims, Doctor Destiny waits in the diner until Morpheus arrives.