Ironically, Dream is not the most popular character in his own series (Death, already mentioned, takes that honour), but he is the best. Neil Gaiman’s creation bore little resemblance to previous iterations, being a tall, pasty-faced Goth-type with unruly dark hair (usually - his appearance is subject to change without notice) rather than the hitherto-traditional white bearded sage. Despite his near omnipotence, he is continually embroiled in schemes by his family (Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Destruction and Delirium) and the subjects of his dream kingdom, as well as having duties to protect (or destroy) humans with whom he comes into contact. Over the course of his series, which takes him from prison to the ends of the universe, Dream truly learns and grows – which is rare enough on its own among comics to entirely justify his book’s reputation – but also takes us through mythology, history and pure, barmy, Gaiman invention. As tragic heroes go, he is, quite literally, godlike.

FIRST APPEARED IN THE SANDMAN VOL. 1 #1 (1989)
CREATED BY NEIL GAIMAN