Comic Title: Essential Vertigo:The Sandman #22
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 1700 Broadway, New York, NY
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: May 1998
On Sale Date: March 4, 1998 Direct Market Date March 4, 1998
Source: Previews, Vol. 8 #1 (#109)

Direct Market Date March 4, 1998
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, March 4, 1998

Shipping Date March 4, 1998
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #1268

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.95
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jennifer Lee

Title: "Season of Mists:Chapter 1"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Sandman (Morpheus)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Penciller: Kelley Jones
Inker: Malcolm Jones III
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Steve Oliff

Reprinted From:
Sandman #22 (1991)

Feature Character(s)

• Dream (last appearance in Sandman #21; next appearance in Sandman #23)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lucien (last appearance in Sandman #11; no further appearances)
• Matthew (last appearance in Sandman #16; no further appearances)
• Cain (last appearance in Sandman #7; no further appearances)
• Robert "Hob" Gadling (last appearance in Sandman #13; no further appearances)
• Merv Pumpkinhead (last appearance in Sandman #5; no further appearances)

Villain(s)

• Lucifer Morningstar (last appearance in Demon #7; next appearance in Sandman #23)
• Mazikeen (not named in this story; first appearance; next appearance in Sandman #23)
• Alichino (a demon; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Lyta Hall (last appearance in Sandman #12; no further appearances)
• Daniel Hall (first appearance; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Nada (last appearance in Sandman #4; no further appearances)
• Carla (a friend of Lyta; no further appearances)
• Cecilie Latour (a dreamer; no further appearances)
• Queen Bess (a character in Hob's dream; no further appearances)
• Hob's girlfriend (no further appearances)
• Various dreams (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Choronzon (in flashback)

Comments:
Daniel was first shown in a cameo in Superman #46.

This story continues in Sandman #23.

Synopsis:
Dream makes preparations for his trip to Hell. He holds a meeting with his staff to inform them that he may be away for an extended period. He wants to avoid the decay the Dreaming experienced during his last absence. Next he sends Cain to Hell as an envoy. Cain informs Lucifer of his master's intentions. Dream then visits Lyta Hall's newborn son. She becomes angry because she blames Morpheus for Hector Hall's death. Dream departs, but in so doing, names Lyta's son Daniel. Next, Dream visits Hob Gadling in his dreams. They share a toast. Finally, Dream dons his helmet and begins his mission.